The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-07-04
Conversations OF tho capitol.


toll, copied from Georgetown paper into the
Maryland Gazette, published at Annapolis,
September 20, 1898, which is appended for the
benefit of those who are interested in 'sthe
craft" From this itappears that Mr.. ELLIOTT
was mistaken in supposing the address to have
been delivered by the President. The orator
of the day was JOSEPH CLARKE, esq, architect
of the State house at Annapolis
GEoReETowN. September 81.
On Wednesday one of tie grandest Masonic pro
cessions took place, for the purpose of laying the
stone of the Capitol of the United States,
which perhaps ever was exhibited on the like i'm
portant occasion. About 10 o'clock Lodge No.
was visited by that congregation graceful to the
craft, Lodge No. p of Virginia. with all their Off
and regalia; and directly afterwards appeared,
on the southern banks of the grand river Potow-
mack, one of the finest companies of volunteer ar
tillery that hath been lately seen, parading TO
ceive the President of the United States who short
ly came in sight, with his suite, TO whom the artil-
ery paid their military honors; and his excellency
and suite crossed the Potowmack, and was received
in Maryland by the ofhcers.and brethren of No. %
Virginia, and No. Maryland, whom the President
headed, and preceded by band of music; the rear
brought up by the Alexandria volunteer artillery,
with grand solemnity of march, proceeded to the
Presidents square, in the city of Washington.
where they were met and saluted by No. l5, of the
city of Washington, in all their elegant badges and
clothing, headed by brother Joseph Clarke, Rt. w.
g. M. p IT,, and conducted to a large lodge pre-
pared for the purpose Of their reception. After q
short space Of time, by the vigilance of brother
Clotworthy Stephenson, Grand Marshal p. T., the
brotht rhood and other bodies were disposed in a
second order of procession, which took place amidst
brilliant crowd of spectators of both sexes1ac
cording TO the following arrangement, viz: "
The Surveying Department of the city of Wash
ington.
Mayor and Corporation of Georgetown.
Virginia Artillery.
Commissioners of the city of Washington and their
attendants.
stone-cutters. Mechanics.
Here follow all the various officers Of Free Mason
ry, amongst whom appears Grand Master p. t.
George Washington, Worshipful Master No. %,
Virginia.
The procession marched two abreast, in the great
est solemn dignity, with music playing, drums
beating, colors flying, and spectators rejoicing,
from the Presidents square to the Capitol, in the
city Of Washington where the Grand Marshal or
dered halt, and directed each file in the process
sion 10 incline two steps, one to the right and one
to the left, and faced each other, which formedsan
hollow oblong square, through which the Grand
Sword Bearer led the van, followed by the Grand
Master p. t. on the left, the President of the Uni
ted States III the centre, and the Worshlpiu Mas
ter OF No " Virginia on the right; all the other
orders that composed the procession advanced in
the reverse of their order of march from the Pres-
dents square to the southeast corner Of the Capitol
and the artillery filed off to destined ground to
display their maneuvres and discharge their can
non; the President of the United States, the Grand
Master p t.. and Worshipful Master No. % TAX
ing their stand to the east of huge stone, and all the
craft forming circle westward, stood a short time
in awful order.
The artillery discharged volley
The Grand Marshal delivered the commissioners
large silver plate with an inscription thereon,
which the commissioners ordered to be read, and
was as follows:
"This southeast stone of the Capitol of the
United States of America in the city Washington
was laid on the 18th day of September, l793 in the
thirteenth year of American independence, in the
first year of the second term of the Presidency OF
George Washington whose virtues in the civil adj
ministration of his country have been conspicu-
GUS and beneficial as his military valor and pru-
dence have been useful in establishing her liberties
and in the year of Masonry 1893, by the President
of the United States, in concert with the Grand
Lodge of Maryland. several lodges under its juris-
diction, and Lodge No, % from Alexandria, Vir-
ginia.
DAVID STUART. Commissioners
DANIEL CARROLL,
JOSEPH CLARKE, r. w. G. M, p L.
JAMES HoBAN, }Ah;,ot
STEPHEN HALLArE, nt'n''
COLLIN VILLA msoN, M Mason
The artillery discharged volley.
The plate then delivered to the President,
who, attended by the Grand Master P. t. and
three most Worshipful Masters, descended to the
cavazon trench and deposed the plate, and laid 1t
on the -stone of the Capitol of the United
States of America, which was deposed corn,
WINE, and oil, when the whole congregation joined
in rcverential prayer, which was succeeded by
Masonic chanting honors, and volley from the
artillery.
The President of the United States and his at
tendant brethren assembled from the cavazion to the
east of the rnerstone, and there the Grand Mas
ter p. t., elevated on triple rostrum, delivered
Grafton fitting the occasion, which was received
with brotherly love and commentator. At inter
walls, during the delivery of the grafton, several
volleys were discharged by the artillery. The cere-
mony ended in prayer, Masonic chanting honors
and l5-volley from the artillery.
The whole company retired to an extensive
booth, where an OK Of five hundred pounds weight
was barbecued, of which the company generally
partook, with every abundance of other recreation
The festival concluded with fifteen successive vol
eys from the artillery, whose military discipline
and maneuyres merit every commentator.
Before dark the whole company departed, with
joyful hopes of the production of their labor.
The SrEcIE DRAIN.-The New York Journal o