he nations of the
world.

"The fabric thus raised and committed to your superintendence, we
earnestly wish may continue to produce order and harmony to
succeeding ages, and be the asylum of virtue to the oppressed of
all parts of the universe.

"When we contemplate the distresses of war, the instances of
humanity displayed by the Craft afford some relief to the feeling
mind; and it gives us the most pleasing sensation to recollect,
that amidst the difficulties attendant on your late military
stations, you still associated with, and patronized the Ancient
Fraternity.

"Distinguished always by your virtues, more than the exalted
stations in which you have moved, we exult in the opportunity you
now give us of hailing you brother of our Order, and trust from
your knowledge of our institution, to merit your countenance and
support.

"With fervent zeal for your happiness, we pray that a life so dear
to the bosom of this society, and to society in general, may be
long, very long preserved; and when you leave the temporal symbolic
lodges of this world, may you be received into the celestial lodge
of light and perfection, where the Grand Master Architect of the
Universe presides.

"Done in behalf of the Grand Lodge.

"M. GIST, G. M."[44]

"Charleston, 2d May, 1791."

To this address WASHINGTON returned the following reply.[45]

"_Gentlemen_:--I am much obliged by the respect which you are so
good as to declare for my public and private character. I recognize
with pleasure my relation to the brethren of your Society, and I
accept with gratitude your congratulations on my arrival in South
Carolina.

"Your sentiments, on the establishment and exercise of our equal
government, are worthy of an association, whose principles lead to
purity of morals, and are beneficial of action.

"The fabric of our freedom is placed on the enduring basis of
public virtue, and will, I fondly hope, long continue to protect
the prosperity of the architects who raised it. I shall be happy,
on every occasion, to evince my regard for the Fraternity. For your
prosperity individually, I offer my best wishes."

"Go. Washington"

This letter was probably destroyed with other Grand Lodge property when
Columbia, South Carolina, was burned by S