Wilmington expositor. (Wilmington, Del.) 1831-18??, 1832-01-06
ANTI-MASONIC.
MASONIC INVESTIGATION.

The following note Of a State investigation of
Preemasonry, says the New York Wing, now
in progress before Committee of the X. i.
Legislature, is full of interest. The truth
which will OUT has been long out, respectingI
the system of the Lodges.-But the Fraterni-
" aided by the extraordinary nature OF that
truth, have been able hitherto, to cover it with
mists Of doubt in the public mind. The affir-
nations of seceders. and the judicial proceed
ings of our highest courts, are now to be cor
roborated by the official investigation of the
r. l. Legislature, proving masonry to be pre-
cisely, in all its leading and important features,
what VIM. Morgan died for disclosing it to
be When the American people became salts
fed, ffreemasonry has been in the practice, I'M
der its most honored lecturers, of requiring
men, as they fear God, and love their own
lives, to keenskhe secrets OF brother mason
including th1highest crimes, they will blow
the whole oxder and those who perseveringly
continue s{xzichcd to it, out of honor and trust
and emolument with the first burstings of righ-
teous indignation. tits true that Freemasonry
has so required and taught. The results d
the inquiry instituted by the r. l.. Legislature
will establish the fact satisfactorily.
From the Providence American, of Dec. g.
The Legislative Committee for investigating
charges against Masonry, met in the Senat
Chamber on Wednesday morning, Messrs
Hazard, Simmons, Sprague and Halle wer
present. Cornell and Potter absent. Rev
MOSES THAcHER of North Wrentham wa
the Arst witness put under OATH The examir
alton was conducted by the Committee wit
great fairness, Independence and inpartiality
A large number of eminent masons were
attendance, by whom questions were proPour
ded in writing, the Committee allowing an
inf fary
he might think proper, subject to the decisio
of the Committee as to the propriety of tn
same; course we understand they will pursu
Throughout the investigation. Persons not ma
sons, also availed themselves of the permissio
to propose questions.
After thorough examination in this mar
ner, until evening, the Chairman, Mr. Hazard
proposed eighteen different interrogatorlt
which were all answered. Mr.. T. was the
desired to sign his name to the report of h
testimony, as taken down by MIR. Halle, OF
Of the committee. and which had been read
him in detached parts. Being DESTROYS no,
ever, of having the whole read in connexio
and also being nearly exhausted by the ard
GUS examination, he had undergone, he reque
ted time to examine the report. 1t was no,
ever agreed, that Mr.. Halle should read i
report to Mr.. T. which was done, and aft
several important corrections had been mad
which had escaped the Secretary, in the hur
of committing the testimony to writing, 4
whole was signed by MIR. Thatcher, and 4
Committee adjourned at half past II P. nj.
Mr.. Thatcher sustained this arduous inve
tieation of twelve hours and half, with q
liberation, frmness, caution, and uniform CO
O sistency in all his statements that have rare
been surpassed by any witness.
The Chairman of the Committee has ma
ii particular request that no report of t
testimony may be published until after the
vestigation is closed with which we shall che,
fully comply.
The Committee resumed their Investigate
on Thursday morning, at 10 O'Clock, VIII
Rev. LEVI CHAcE of Fall River, Mass. a
ceding mason, of six degrees. was put unc
oath. MIR. Chace took his three first degrt
N Manchester Lodge, Coventry. RI. and {