No. II, folio 60-61. It is not
known what has became of the originals. No notice or copies of either of
the above documents have thus far been published.

WASHINGTON'S REPLY.

"TO THE BRETHREN OF PRINCE GEORGE'S LODGE,
NO. 16.

"_Gentlemen_:

"The cordial welcome which you give me
"to George Town, and the congratulations, you are
"pleased to offer on my election to the chief
"magistracy receive my grateful thanks.

"I am much obliged by your good wishes
"and reciprocate them with sincerity, assuring the
"fraternity of my esteem, I request them to believe
"that I shall always be ambitious of being considered
"a deserving Brother.

Go. Washington

=GENERAL MORDECAI GIST.

B. BALTIMORE, MD., 1743. D. CHARLESTON, S. C., 1792.

WHO, AS GRAND MASTER OF SOUTH CAROLINA, SIGNED THE ADDRESS TO BROTHER
WASHINGTON.=

VII

CORRESPONDENCE WITH GRAND LODGE OF SOUTH CAROLINA, MAY, 1791.

President WASHINGTON left Georgetown at six o'clock in the evening, May
1, 1791, reaching Charleston, South Carolina, Monday, May 2, in a
twelve-oared barge rowed by twelve American captains of ships
accompanied by a great number of boats with gentlemen and ladies in
them, and two boats with music.[40] Brother WASHINGTON remained in
Charleston until May 9.

Wednesday, May 4, 1791, General Mordecai Gist, an old companion in arms
of WASHINGTON, and formerly Master of the Military Lodge in the Maryland
line (No. 27 upon the register of Pennsylvania),[41] but now Grand
Master of the Grand Lodge of Ancient York Masons of South Carolina,
attended by the other present and past grand officers,[42] waited on
their beloved brother, the president of the United States, and presented
the following address:[43]

"_Sir_--Induced by a respect for your public and private character,
as well as the relation in which you stand with the brethren of
this society, we the Grand Lodge of the State of South Carolina,
Ancient York Masons, beg leave to offer our sincere congratulations
on your arrival in this state.

"We felicitate you on the establishment and exercise of a permanent
government, whose foundation was laid under your auspices by
military achievements, upon which have been progressively reared
the pillars of the free republic over which you preside, supported
by wisdom, strength, and beauty unrivalled among t