Benjamin Franklin,

accepted by the brethren assembled iu Philadelphia ' From the correspondence AA'hich took place between Franklin and the Graud Master ancl the brethren in Boston , soon after he became

connected Avith their authoritj-, Ave give the following letters of his Avhich haA ~ e been preserved : — "Right Worshipful Grand Master , ancl Most Worthy and Dear Brethren , —We aoknoAvledge your favour of the 23 rd of October past , and

rejoice that the Grand Master ( whom Gocl bless ) hath so happily recovered from his late indisposition , and Ave UOAV ( glass in hand ) drink to the establishment of his health , ancl the prosperity of your Avhole lodge .

" We have seen in the Boston prints an article of news from London , importing that , at a Grand Lodge held there in August last , Mr . Price ' s deputation and power was extended over all America , which advice we hope is true , and we

heartily congratulate him thereupon . And though this has not as yet been regularly signified to us by you , yet , giving credit thereto , Ave think it our duty to lay before your loclge Avhat Ave apprehend needful to be done for us , in order to jjromote and strengthen the interests of Masonry in this

province ( which seems to want the sanction of some authority derived from home , to give the proceedings and determinations of our lodge their clue Aveight ) , to Avit , a deputation , or charter , granted by the Right Worshipful Mr . Price , by

virtue of his commission from Britain , confirming the brethren of Pennsylvania in the privileges they at present enjoy , of holding annually their Grand Lodge , choosing their Grand Master , Wardens , and other officers , who may manage all

affairs relating to the brethren here , with full poAver and authority , according to the customs and usages of Masons , the said Grand Master of Pennsylvania only yielding * his chair Avhen the Grand Master of all America shall be in place .

This , if it seem good and reasonable to you to grant , will not only be extremely agreeable to us , but Avill also , Ave are confident , conduce much to the Avelfare , establishment , and reputation of Masonry in these parts . We , therefore , submit it

to your consideration ; and as Ave hope our request will be complied with , we desire that it may be done as soon as possible , and also accompanied with a copy of the Right Worshipful Grand Master's first deputation , and of the instrument by Avhich it appears to be enlarged , as above

mentioned , Avitnessed by your Wardens , and signed by the Secretary , for Avhich favour this loclge doubt not of being able to behai r e as not to be thought ungrateful . "We are , Right Worshipful Grand Master ,

and Most Worthy Brethren , your affectionate brethren and obliged humble servants . " Signed , at the request of the Loclge , "B . FKAKKLIN , G . M . " Philadelphia , Nov . 28 , 1734 . "

Franklin sent Avith this letter to the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts the following * private note to Mr . Price , the Grand Master : — " Dear Brother Price , —I am heartily glad to hear of your recovery . I hoped to have seen you here this fall , agreeable to the expectation you were so good as to give me ; but , since sick

ness has prevented your coming while the Aveather was moderate , I have no room to flatter myself ivith a visit from you before spring , while a deputation from the brethren here Avill have an opportunity of shoAving hoAv much they

esteem you . I beg leave to recommend their request to you , and to inform you that some false and rebel brethren , who are foreigners , being about- to set up a distinct lodge , in opposition to the old and true Torethren here , pretending to

make Masons for a boAvl of punch ; and the Craft is like to come into disesteem among us , unless the true brethren are countenanced and distinguished by some such special authority as herein desired . I entreat , therefore , that whatever you shall think proper to do therein may be sent by the post , if possible , or the next folloiving .

"I am your affectionate brother and humble servant , B . FEANLLIN , G . M . of Pennsylvania . "P . S . If more of the 'Constitutions' are wanted among you , please hint it to me . " The " Constitutions" here alluded to were a

reprint of the " English Constitutions of Masonry , " whicli had been collated and published in London , in 1723 . An American edition of this work Avas printed by Franklin , in Philadelphia , in 1734 , and it was the first Masonic book ever published in

America . In 1735 , Franklin was superseded in his position as Mastei * , or Grand Master as it Avas termed , by James Hamilton , his Senior Warden , Avho was elected in his stead . Freemasonry in Philadelphia ,

although it appears to have been popular at this time , was soon after under the ban of public suspicion ^ there , and Franklin ' s connection Avith it