Grand Lodge—The Canadian Question.

confirmation was negatived by an overwhelming majority—something like three hundred to ten . At a subsequent period of the evening the correspondence which had taken place with Canada since the Grand Lodge held in December last Avas read , including a certainly most convincing and truly fraternal letter from tho Most Worshipful Grancl

Master of Canada ( Bro . Wilson ) to the noble Earl who presides over the Masons of England , pointing out why , in the recognition of tho Grand Lodge of Canada , its power should be acknowledged to be co-extensive with the two Canadas , now united by the act of the imperial and provincial legislatures into one territory , subject to the

same laws ancl jurisdiction—ancl arguing that therefore no difference in extent of territorial power should exist with regard to Freemasonry . Bro . AVilson cheerfully acknowledged tl * truthfulness of tho apothegm , that " recognition must precede negotiation "—and whilst claiming , on the part of the Grand Lodge of Canada , to exercise

authority throughout the Canadas , fairl y stated"I have ever held and frequently expressed the opinion , that any subordinate Lodges , preferring to continue under their English warrants , had a perfect ancl undoubted right to do so , and were entitled not only to a recognition from us , hut to all their JIasonie privileges . "

In this one acknowledgment ail was conceded ivhieh the Most Worship ful Grancl Master contended for , in his resolution of December last , when a limit was put upon the powers of the Grand Lodge of Canada , ancl to obtain which his lordship most truly stated , " recognition must precede negotiation . "

But Bro . AVilson wont a little further , and said"AVould it not , I venture to ask , he more in accordance with true JIasonie principle , and have a tendency to raise still hi gher the character of the Craft in the eyes of the world , were the Grand Lodge of England , with that magnanimity which has heretofore distinguished its acts , to take the earliest opportunity of announcing to those seven Lodges in Lower

Canada , that in consequence of the recent events which hacl transpired in Canada , no new warrants would be issued in that province ; and that although the continuance of their connection would give pleasure and satisfaction , it was for them seriously to consider whether the best interests of the Order ivould not be advanced by uniting with their brethren and fellow subjects in the Grancl Lodge of Canada , a body now established ancl recognized hy the Masonic world . "

Upon this point the Most Worshipful Grancl Master , after expressing his perfect willingness to withdraw the limitation with regard to Canada West , in the resolution of December last , said"I have not a doubt , from the kindness and fraternal feeling manifested in the letter you have heard read , that I shall he able to secure that protection for English Masons in Canada which I think it my bounilcn duty to claim for them . The only thing in the settlement of the question which