[From Selections from Calcutta Gazettes, Vol. IV]

Thursday, October 21, 1813.

[From the Madras Government Gazette, September 23, 1813]

On Tuesday the 14th instant, a numerous meeting of the Free Masons at Madras was held at the Pantheon, when it was unanimously resolved that an Address should be presented to the Most Worshipful the Past Acting Grand Master, expressing the congratulation of the Brethren on the safe arrival in British India of that respected Personage, and their grateful acknowledgments of the advantages which the Craft had derived while working under his immediate superintendence.

It was further resolved, that the Address should be presented to the Past Acting Grand Master, by a deputation consisting of the provincial Grand Master, Officers and Members of the Provincial Grand Lodge, and the Masters of the respective Lodges working at Madras.

The Most Worshipful the Past Acting Grand Master having fixed on Friday last, to receive the Address, the Most Worshipful the Provincial Grand Master Brother Compton, and Worshipful Brethren, Vaughan, Higginson, Babington, Ellis, Edward Watts and Hadow, Officers and Members of the Provincial Grand Lodge, and the Worshipful Masters of the Lodges of the Presidency, had the honor of presenting the following Address, which Was subscribed by humorous Brethren and read by' the Provincial Grand Master.

"'To the Most Worshipful and Right Honorable the Earl of Moira, &c., &c &c., Past Acting Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of England.

"MOST WORSHIPFUL AND NOBLE BROTHER,

"We the undersigned Free and Accepted Masons, residing at Madras, beg leave to offer to your Lordship our unfeigned congratulations on your safe arrival in British India.

"Although many of us have not had the advantage of working under the immediate superintendence of your Lordship, we are not uninformed of the protection and support afforded by your Lordship to the Fraternity, when it was most unjustly accused of having leagued against the Altar and the Throne: and when your Lordship directed the Public eye towards the Heir Apparent and the other Members of His Majesty's Illustrious Family, who enrolled in the highest order of Masonry afforded as irrefragable proof that to "Fear God and Honor the King" 'was an injunction regarded as the Foundation Stone of the Masonic Fabric: and, we trust, we shall be excused for observing, that your Lordship's high rank in the State, and distinguishing Character as a Mason, at the same time demonstrate the compatibility of exalted dignity with Masonic equality.

"Of the exertions of your Lordship to repair the injury that the Masonry had sustained by injudicious resolutions and unfounded distinctions, and to reconcile the difference which obtained among our English Brethren, we are also informed; and, while we rejoice that your Lordship so happily succeeded in re-uniting the Grand Lodge of Scotland with the legitimate Masonic authority in England, we earnestly hope that the abrogation of Resolutions which, under your Lordship's advice, have been rescinded, will effectually remove all invidious distinctions, and give free operation tathe genuine principles of Masonry.

"We trust that, as we have drawn your Lordship's attention to this subject, your Lordship will be gratified by an assurance that the Provincial Grand Lodge of Madras, from the period of its establishment, has faithfully preserved its allegiance to the. Grand Lodge of England, in which your Lordship' so long and so zealously presided as Acting Grand Master; and that the Provincial Grand Lodge can enumerate thirteen Lodges which at present work under its authority.

"As we are strongly impressed with a becoming sense of the advantages which the Craft has derived from your Lordship; we have availed ourselves of this occasion to express to your Lordship our gratitude as Masons; and we are convinced that" similar sentiment is entertained by Our numerous Brethren who are from this Presidency, performing their respective duties.

"We pray that the Almighty Architect of the Universe will have your Lordship in his holy keeping, and that the Light of Masonry may, under your Lordship's auspices, diverge and illuminate the region whence it emanated."

The Past Acting Grand Master received the Deputation in a most gracious and brotherly manner, and having accepted the address, was pleased to reply in the following terms: -

"WORSHIPFUL BRETHREN

"The address with which you have favored me is peculiarly gratifying; first, because it is an indication of your obliging dispositions as individuals towards me; and further, as it intimates your persuasion, that I have contributed to the stability of a most useful Institution. The illustrious Personages to whom you have alluded are a sufficient proof that no principles loose in their nature or dangerous from facility of miss-application can be entertained in the Mystery of that Fraternity. But one object of the Institution has never been doubted. It has been unquestionable that the basic of Free Masonry is the recommending by precept and example the cultivation of those charities of life, which are apt to slide out of view through the forms of Society, and the difference of nations. As long as this purpose shall be promoted by Free Masonry, so long shall I feel proud of being thought to have fulfilled with vigilance and activity my superintendence over the immense body of Free Masons, acting under the Grand Lodge of England.

"The Unity of Masonic Constitution, to which you advert, is a point deserving solicitous attention. It is the only security for regularity and uniformity of observance; without which the character of a Masonic Lodge might be assumed by any set of individuals or conducting in secrecy the most nefarious designs. Yours strictness therefore is highly laudable. That each of you may long enjoy the consciousness of his rectitude, together with every worldly blessing, is the earnest wish which I beg to offer in return for your compliments."

The Past Acting Grand Master was decorated with the superb jewel, which has been recently presented to him by the Grand Lodge of England, and the Deputation appeared in their appropriate clothing and jewels.

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