Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1834-01-30

distinct object OF the memorial
I Mr.. Turner-To declare the charters
void.
Mr.. Tillinghast-It will then be only
necessary TO examine what duties the
charter Imposes, and what part of the
charters they have violated, Thunder
color of their charters they do those thing.
which are reprehensibIe individually
they asc only individually responsible.
\ Mr.. Turner said-we are prepared Ia
prove the whole of the charges and al
legations in the memorial, and should be
glad to proceed.
Mr.. Tillinghast said, there were many
things in the memorial which were inn
proper, and ought not to be proved. 1t
contained charges against former com
mttee Of this Assembly. lie thought
the parties ought to be confined to the
rights and duties that are specified by
the charters, to determine if the charters
had been violated.
/ MIR. Waterman said that he wished
Mr.. Turner might be allowed TO pursue
his own course, and MIR. Elisha Math-
cwson made an observation to the same
effect.
Mr. Tillmghast said he made the oh :
servatiOn for the purpose of expedition;
but he would Withdraw the motion, and
MIR. Turner might take his own course
and gentlemen would likewise take the
responsibility of spending the people, S
money.
Mr.. Turner proceeded, and in support
of his first proposition, read from the tes-
timony in the appendix to the report Of a
former committee of the Legislature, and
various masonic books. BY these he
shaved the extent and connection of the
masonic institutions.
Cd. Mr.. Turner said that the second
point which he should prove was, that
there were great number in this State.
He stated there were 81 masonic asso-
Citations in this State, most of which were
incorporated--and were matter Of public
notoriety. Their members probably a
mounted TO fifteen hundred.
Sd. That from time to time they have
been Incorporated by the General Assem-
bly,, without reference to their masonic
powers, or asserting any control over
their masonic proceedings.
Mr.. Turner said that he wished fur
iher proceedings might be postponed un-
til afternoon, which request was granted,
and the Houses separated.
The petition of the Blackstone Canal
Bank was granted.
7, The petitions OF Joseph J. Tillinghast
ct. al, and Nathaniel b. Durtee q wife
for sale Of Real Estate, were granted.
A resolution passed directing the dc
livering over to the authorities of Massa.
chusetts, ,on the request of the Governor
thereof, Thomas Howland, a prisoner il
Providence Jail, to answer to crimes
charged against him there. The House
adjourned to 8 O'clock.
afternoon MI. Smith, from the com.
mittee 10 whom was referred the bill fol
securing liens 10 certain cases to certain
persons, reported a new bill, which was
read first time, and laid on the table.
| The petition Of Edward Carringtor
and others, for the incorporation OF the
Lonsdale Manufacturing Company, was
received and referred.
| On motion Of Mr., Whitaker, the two
Houses joined, and proceeded in the
hearing of the memorial Of Elisha Math'
ewson and others.
| Mr.. Turner proceeded, and read from
the records of St. David's Lodge, New
port, to prove that the Lodges in thi.
J country, received their original powers
and dispensaiions from similar institution!
in foreign countries. He then proceed
ed to consider and prove his third propo
sition. He read copies of the petition:
and charters Of several Of the Lodge!
and chapters in this State, and comment
ed on some oftheir provisions. lie con
tended that they had been incorporates
as charitable institutions, and that thu
titles Of their officers in the higher de
grees had. been studiously concealed
from the Assembly, and not mentioned IL
their charters.
| lie then read copies Of deposition q
De Witt Clinton and Of Benjamin Rus
sell, which were taken to be used on tn
trial at law between some masons in thl
State, several years since, which depo
sitions related to masonic rights, rules
and regulations, among themselves, an
the authority Of Grand Lodges, and tn
duties Of their subordinates.
4th. Every member, at his imitation
is required to take an oath, incompatia
BILE with his plaInest duty to himself, hi
family, his country, and to his God. A
the taking Of every additional degree, a
additional oath is administered, to whic|
additional penalties are affixed. In sup
port Of this point, MIR. Turner read tn,
oaths.or engagements taken in the elev