Canada.

1 st . Why my letter to Bro . Lord de Grey and Ripon , dated May 16 , 1861 , had received no attention from the Grand Master of England , and ivhy our representation had not been rendered mutual . 2 nd . Why no answer had been made to a resolution of Grand Lodge , passed in 1861 , respecting the existence of Foreign warrants , and for return of the same , & c . 3 rd . By what authority Bro . Badgly assumed still to be the

Provincial Grand Master of Montreal , when the Grand Master specially declared that his authority had ceased , and that the Provincial Grand Lodge of Montreal was extinct , and at tbe same time informed the Grand Master of Canada , that the only Provincial Grand Master iu this country was Bro . Dean , of Que"bec , & c . This last question being put with reference to the report of the District Deputy Graud Master of Montreal , ancl the attempted revival there of another English warrant , the

replies are contained in a letter from Bro . Stephens , which with my communication to him , and his acknowledgment of the same , will aflord you full information on all points at present requiring adjustment . By that correspondence it will be seen that the Grand Lodge of England has erased many lodges in Canada from her list , but still claims , among others , control over seven , wliich she must retain at present , owing to some formalitiesrequired by her Constitutionnot having been complied

, , with , inasmuch as they are absolutely on the Registry of the Grand Lodge of Canada , as I have fully pointed out . The satisfactory settlement of these lodges must be a simple matter . There is , likewise , No . 643 , Montreal , tbe legal existence and continuance of which has been strongly denounced by tbe Grand Lodge , and which , it will be seen , I strenuously protested against , and I think for valid and just reasons .

I may mention that the Masonic Calendar for the current year , published by and with the sanction of the Grand Lodge of England , contains only the name of the Provincial Grand Master for Quebec , and , consequently , there is no longer such an officer or a Provincial Grand Lodge for Montreal . IRELAND . —With our first friend , the Grand Lodge of Ireland , uo clouds now intervene to mar our harmony . On ivhat I believe equitable grounds , I decided in favour of the good standing of Lodge No . 209 on her Registry , the final settlement of

that unpleasant matter having been likewise left m my hands . 1 attach also as a record , a copy of my official decision , and a resolution passed by the Grand Lodge of Ireland , setting forth the goocl feeling and satisfaction entertained towards Canada . ( See Appendix Nos . 6 and 7 . ) SCOTLAND . —Your representative of the Grand Lodge of Scotland , R . W . Bro . Mackersey , presented his credentials , ancl I have the satisfaction of stating that he ivas received ivith

every honour , and the liveliest expressions of approval and pleasure on the appointment and ratification of mutual representatives . Following the precedent established in regard to the Grand Lodge of JEngland and Ireland . I authorised the providing and payment of the necessary Regalia to be worn by our representative , and in addition the Banner of the Grand Lodge of Canada to be suspended over his seatupon receiving

infor-, mation , that such was the practice and custom adopted by tha Representatives of all other Grand Bodies in the Grand Lodge of Scotland . UNITED STATES , —Our relation with such of our Sister Grand Lodges on this Continent as ive can communicate with , are of the most friendly and satisfactory nature ; but , of course , tbe continuance of theunhappy ancl unnatural strife , waging between

the Northern aud Southern portions of the United States deprives us of much pleasurable intercourse with the great bulk of our Masonic neighbours . What proceedings have been received from them Gz-and Lodge will learn from the Board of General Purposes and the Grand Secretary . I received an invitation through Bro . Pearl , Representative of the Grand Lodge of Maine , asking me to attend , with my

Grand Officers , a JNational Masonic Convention , to assemble at New York in September last , for the humane and praiseworthy object of endeavouring to devise measures whereby tc mitigate the sufferings caused by civil war , ancl , if possible , of lessening the existing state of rancour and hostility by the aid of Freemasonry—at least among the brethren themselves . I thought it riht to decline being present—firstbecause my attendance

g , might have been looked upon as an unauthorised interference in a domestic quarrel , with which Canada had nothing to do ; and secondly , because no Southern brethren could have an opportunity of giving expression to their feelings . -But although , as your G . M ., I considered it proper to observe a masonic

neutrality , I conveyed the assurance that Grand Lodge would be exceedingly glad to witness a happy conclusion to this terrible estrangement between men and brethren , belonging to the same nation , a restoration of ancient good feeling and common brotherhood , and a stop put to the deadly animosity , that the force of daily events demonstrate does really exist , and that she would gladly co-operate towards such a result , if she could do so with propriety and certainty . I have since perused ivith

sincere pleasure articles in the newspapers relating to this subject , and conversed with brethren from the United States , ancl my impression is , that an approach to a better state of things has commenced to show itself , and that , to use the language of a New York paper , " Northern Masons are placed once more on a social footing ivith their Southern brethren , therebillustrating the principles of friendship and brotherly

y love , the ivatchwords uf Masons all over the ivorld . " I think , brethren , I have forgotten nothing of importance . I must apologise for taking up so much of your valuable time ; but ive meet in full communion so seldom , that I feel naturally anxious to inform the Grand Lodge of every transaction that has transpired to which I myself attach an interest . I would ladly visit you allbut my impression isthat a Grand Master

g , , should not run the risk , by his presence of perhaps embarrassing or interfering with either a District Grand Master , in the local government of his district , or the Master of a lodge in its affairs , unless a case of absolute nececessity should arise . These are of course special ceremonies and festivals when the Grand Master , by invitation , can ivith propriety appear , and have the satisfaction of meeting and mixing freely with his brethren and fellows ;

but where the Grand Lodge meets only in annual communication , and the Grand Master is for the rest of the year the Grand Lodge , judicial and executive , and appeals and many points of difference are being constantly forwarded for his decision , he cannot , in my opinion , keep himself too ignorant beforehand of

lodge and individual transactions , so as to deliver an impartial and strictly faithful judgment . It is under this impression that I have always hitherto acted . I cannot conclude more suitably than by praying that you will join with me , in supplicating the G . A . 0 . T . U . to approve our labours , and cause them not only to be beneficial and honourable to the Craft at large and ourselves individuallybut to the cause of humanitycharity

, , , and peace . Many , probably most of you , have recently passed through a political ordeal especially trying to the temper , and one that is generally found to generate an ebullition of feeling , quite opposed to neighbourly and brotherly communion . Let us trust that Freemasonry will not in vain exert her benign influence in calming down and eradicating all baneful effects . Let no party feeling take

root debasing and antagonistic to our order , and especif . lly adverse to the second of our ancient charges , which lays down for a Mason ' s guidance that he is to he a peaceful subject of the civil powers wherever he resides or works , and is cheerfully to conform to every lawful authority , and is bound by peculiar ties to promote peace , cultivate harmony , and live in concord and brotherllove .

y May this , our common country , he spared from the curse of war , iind all its concomitant evils ! But should it be our lot to be tried by such a scourge , may we and all belonging to us , or in whom we take an interest , be spared to meet again , after doing our duty zealously and fearlessly , as faithful subjects of a . Sovereign ou Avhose dominions the sun never sets , and loyal citizens of an empire ivhereunder the fostering

, shelter of the Rose , the Shamrock , the Thistle , and our own Maple , freedom and protection reign triumphant ! May our present labours , thus begun in order , be conducted in harmony and closed in peace . So mote it be . T . DOUGLAS HABINGTON , Grand Master .

GRAND LODGE OFFICERS-. The following are the Grand Lodge Officers elected for tho current year : — M . W . Bro . T . D . Harington , re-elected G . M . K . „ „ W . B . Simpson , re-elected D . G . M . Henry Macpherson , S . G . W .

„ „ „ „ „ „ B . C . Davy , J . G . W . „ „ „ Henry Groff , G . Trea . „ „ „ John H . Graham , G . Reg . „ „ „ Thos . B . Harris , re-elected G . Sec . „ William Hannah , G . Tyler