The Grand Lodge Of Ulster.

sponse , however , to the appeal made by my valued friend and brother , " A . Q . C , " in the Freemason , of the 31 st ult ., I may say that I shall be most happy if I can in any way assist the " good doctor" in the very arduous task he has undertaken . A real history of early Freemasonry in Ireland is much wanted , and , when published , will , I feel condfident , be regarded as an inestimable boon .

not alone by the Brotherhood generally , but more especiall y by the already extensive and daily increasing band of earnest thinkers who come under the popular denomination of Masonic Students . Bearing in mind the important and , I mi ght say , unique position formerl y held by the Grand Lodge of Ireland—that of being by . far the largest Masonic organisation in the world—it seems almost incredible that since the middle of the last century

Irish Masonry should have had no reliable historian under its own banner ; at all events , I have not been fortunate enough to have met with the work of any such person . It could not be because there has been nothing worth telling , for I shall be very much mistaken if , when the history of Irish Freemasonry becomes an established fact , it be not found to contain matier hig hly instructive and entertaining , as well as new to the generality of

readers ; and I am bold enough to prophecy that wherever English-speaking Masons are to be found , Bro . Crossle ' s efforts will be appreciated , and his work warmly welcomed . I sincerely trust , therefore , that the Masonic authorities in Dublin , as well as the Irish Fraternity in general , will see their way to aid and support the future Masonic historian of Ireland to the fullest extent of their power , as I am firml y convinced that at this age good rather than evil will result therefrom .

In the article before-mentioned Bro . Crossle deals with this Irish rebellion chiefly from the Dublin point of view , but as it is only fair to hear both sides , the accompanying memorial , copied

from the original , will furnish the historian with the Ulster version of the episode . In addition to the three seals depicted by Bro . Crossle , the Ulster seceders evidently used a fourth , as both the resolution of the Grand Lodge

and the memorial bear impressions of the one here represented . I have no doubt but this was the identical "Grand Seal" said to have been stol— , I mean " annexed " by Alexander Seton , along with the other

Grand Lodge property , which formed the subject of the costly and tedious litigation referred to b y him in the memorial , and described at length by Bro . Crossle . I have impressions of it on several certificates issued by the Grand Lodge of Ireland , ranging from the year 1774 to 1801 . The Hebraic motto may be thus translated , "All this have I proved by wisdom . " Ecclesiastes VII , 23 .

Grand Lodge , 7 th March , 1810 , Ordered , Dungannon . That an Address and Memorial of the Causes which gave rise to the Establishment of the Ulster Grand Lodge be transmitted to The Right Honble . and Right Worshipfull the Earl of Moira , Acting Grand Master of Masons in England , to be laid before his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales , the "Illustrious Personage" in a recent Transaction of the Dublin Grand Lodge alluded to . Signed by Order , A . SETON , D . G . S . U .

To His Royal Highness George Prince of Wales . The Humble Address of the Free Masons of Ulster in Grand Lodge assembled . May it please your Royal Highness our Brother , We , the Free Masons of Ulster in Grand Lodge assembled , beg leave most humbly to offer to your Royal Highness our most sincere professions of Attachment for that invaluable Constitution , the blessings of which it is our Happiness in common with our fellow Subjects of this Empire to enjoy . Our

profound Admiration of those splendid Talents and exalted Virtues by which the name of Brother is in Your Royal Highness so eminently distinguished , and our warmest Congratulations on the possession of those Masonic Qualities and Princely Endowments , which , as they reflect Lustre on the Individual , also add honour to a Society as members thereof without infringing on the due limits of Duty and Respect , or being perverted in principle by modern Systems of Equality we can yet call ourselves Equal .

We beg leave to express our Humble Confidence resulting equally from the exalted Sentiments we entertain of your Royal Highness , as from the sincere confidence we feel in the justice of our Cause as Men and Masons , that in this our first Approach to your Royal Highness , we will experience that benign and condescending attention that characterises the Generous and expanded Mind , which , soaring above minor considerations , ever keeps in view the immutable Principles of justice , and holds the Tie of Honour the most sacred and binding .

Fully impressed with the due sense of our Duties as Men , and our Obligations as Masons , by each of which we are bound in the most indissoluable Bonds of Personal Attachment to your Royal Highness , we venture to lay at your Royal Highness ' s Feet a Detail of our Injuries , in the fervent Hope that your Royal Highness will not suffer your Illustrious Name to give Countenance , or your Influence to be exerted towards the Accomplishment of a Measure not less destructive to the law and Interests of Masonry in Ireland than Injurious and insulting to our Feelings . Signed by Order ,

A . SETON , D . G . S . U . A Memoire of certain Transactions which occurred between the Month of

January , 1806 , and June , 1808 , in the Grand Lodge of Ireland . On examining the Transaction Book it appears that previous to the month of May , 1806 , Memorials from various Lodges , in all about Four Hundred , principally held in the Province of Ulster , had been laid before the Grand Lodge , but that the consideration of same had been on various pretexts postponed .

See a Copy of said Memorials marked A . In the Month of May , 1806 , which was one month previous to the usual time of Election , the consideration of those Memorials was again postponed , and it was stated by certain Individuals then in the Grand Lodge , amongst whom Bro . Alexander Jaffray , Dy . Grand Master , and John Boardman , Grand Treasurer ,

were the Principals . That said Memorials were not deserving of or entitled to any attention , but that if the brethern wished to obtain Redress in the matters complained of they must attend in person , and the Election of Officers being one point to which memorials applied was immediately , without any Notice or the usual previous Communication proceeded on in utter disregard of the Remonstrance of said Memorials .

That the brethern , finding no Redress could be obtained by memorial , but that on the other hand all their applications were treated with Insult , did , in the month of June , l 8 o < 5 , attend at the Grand Lodge Room , in Dublin , in person , on which occasion Mr . Jaffray , then Deputy Grand Master , was in the chair .

The Grand Lodge Of Ulster.

That before any business was proceeded upon , the powers of the several Brethern who attended were respectively verified and authenticated under the direction of the same Br . Jaffray . That Mr . Jaffray , in his situation of D . G . M ., did endeavour in various ways to frustrate the accomplishment of those legitimate objects for which the Brethern , by his own invitation , and at vast expense and inconvenience , had on that Night attended .

See copy of said Transaction , marked B . That after the Business of the Night , as contained in said Transaction marked B , was concluded , the Grand Lodge was closed in the usual manner untill the next regular Lodge night , being the first Thursday in July . That on said first Thursday in July Br . Jaffray did attend as D . G . M . for the purpose ( as avowed by his friends ) of rescinding the Transactions of June , 1806 , but that , finding the Brethern of the Country Lodges also in attendance , he did refuse to open the Lodge , thereby again violating a known and established law of the Order .

That , conformable to the Law and Custom in such cases , the Grand Lodge was opened by the Senior Master present , and , amongst other things , it was ordered that a sum of ^ 500 , then in the hands of John Boardman , should be deposited in Bank . It being declared by a Resolution of the former Meeting , that said John Boardman had forfeited the confidence of the Order , and another Treasurer , Peter Digge Latouche , Esq ., having been elected in his place .

That these and various other Transactions which occurred were faithfully detailed in a Memorial addressed to the Earl of Donoughmore , then Grand Master of Masons in Ireland , some of which may be found in an Address and Resolutions of the Grand Lodge marked D , and the Resolutions of certain Military Lodges then on Dublin duty marked E . That in the Month of March , 1807 , a sentence of Expulsion was passed on the said John Boardman and on two other persons as appears by a Copy of said Expulsions marked F .

That various applications were nude to the Earl of Donoughmore , G . M ., between the Month of June , 1806 , and March , 1808 , for the Removal of said Br . Jaffray , his Deputy being the only officer of the Order in the Appointment or Removal of whom the G . M . has any legitimate or direct controul . That after various Solicitations and two Elections of the said E * rl sought and obtained by his friends on his behalf , he was pleased to call a General Meeting of the Order to be held on the fifth day of May , 1808 .

That in his Lordship ' s Summons or letter having professed " a perfect freedom from partialities and prejudicies , " he was pleased to say that he had " no ether object in view than the honor and Interest of the Order , " and he expressed his hope that the Brethern would bring with them " that spirit of mutual Conciliation , Friendship , and Brotherly Love , which could alone heal the wounds that had been inflicted on Masonry in Ireland . ' That on the day appointed 79 Representatives from Lodges in the remote parts of the Kingdom attended in their places in the Grand Lodge in Dublin .

That the Resolutions of June and July , 1806 , and of March , 1807 , were then unrepealed and unquestioned . That many of the Lodges so represented had paid their annual Dues , as always had been the custom , into the hands of the acting Grand Secretary , and that sime as appeared by the Annual Publication of Accounts were duly accounted for . That were it necessary further to confirm this part of the statement , it has been

done by an Answer sworn in the Court of Chancery by the Acting Secretary in reply to a Bill filed by a Mr . Leech some time in the month of February , 1808 , whose name appears in the Transaction of March , 1807 . That others of the Brethern were prepared to pay any sum which might be due by their respective Lodges to any person duly authorized to receive the sam :. That the Hon'ble A . H . Hutchinson , Brother to the said Eirl of Donoughmore , was appointed Special Deputy by the G . M . for that meeting .

That the Brethern so attending were not only allowed to vote but their votes were solicited by the near Relatives of the G . M . on the occasion of his Election , and that they also voted without question or opposition in the Election of Senr . and Junr . Grand Wardens . That when the Election for Grand Treasurer commenced , John Boardman , the Individual then particularly obnoxious to the Brethern of Ulster , whose name ia to be found in the Transactions of June and July , 1806 , and of March , 1809 , was proposed as a Candidate by one of the near Relatives of the Grand Master and seconded by another .

That it is alledged , and that we believe that one of those Relatives who thus took a particular and active part in the proceedings of the Lodge was no higher than a Fellow Craft Mason , and , of course incapable either to sit or vote in a Grand Lodge , which , on such occasions must be opened and do all business on the Master ' s Degree .

That the Brethern who attended , and who had already voted there several times , now tendered their votes in opposition to the said John Boardman , but that Deputy Grand Master Hutchinson did refuse to receive their votes unless they would pay to the said John Boardman , whom he appointed sole Judge in this case , what * ever he might alledge to be due .

That altho the Brethern of Ulster felt most sensibly the Insult offered them by the Arbitrary proceedings thus adopted in dispensing with the regular Transactions of June and July , 1806 , and of March , 1807 , the Injustice of calling upon them , without any previous notice , to pay money already paid and accounted for , the partiality of appointing said John Boardman , the party deeply interested in the Event sole judge in his own Cause , and the breach of Obligation committed by

the Grand Master , and his family in introducing a Fellow Craft into a Lodge of Master Masons , yet bringing with them that spirit of conciliation so solemnly called for by the Grand Master , they did offer to deposit in the hands of the Deputy Grand Master , or of any disinterested person , the several sums demanded . That the Deputy Grand Master , actuated as it appears by a dissimilar spirit , did positively refuse to receive same except on the express condition of handing it over to the said John Boardman .

That finding themselves thus mocked , insulted , and deceived , the Brethern of Ulster being nearly two to one in Number in the meeting withdrew , and requested the Provincial Grand Master of Ulster to call a meeting , which took place in the Month of June following . That after they had so withdrawn a Br . Robert Handcock was elected Grand Secretary .

That previous to the meeting - in June , 1808 , it was proposed by one of the near Relatives of the Grand Master to Br . Gorges D'Arcy Irvine , whose faithfull ser * vices for many years in the Office of Grand Secretary had endeared him to the Brethern of Ulster , and whose unmasonic Removal from office had been particularly adverted to in the several Memorials of 1806 , that said Brother Robert Handcock should resign the office of Grand Secretary , and that said Gorges D'Arcy Irvine should be elected thereto provided he mould cede the Nomination of his Deputy to the Grand Master , which offer was rejected .

That previous to the Month of April , 1808 , a somewhat similar offer was made on the part of the said Earl of Donoughmore to Bro . Alexander Seton , the Deputy Grand Secretary , by which it was proposed that he should for the accommodation of the said Earl resign his situation , which proposal had been also rejected , in as much as under existing circumstances such Resignation would have been a : i unfounded confession of misconduct on the part of said Alexander Seton . ( To be continued . )