Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1858-03-25
Grand Lodge OF Ancient Freemasons OF the
State Of South Carolina.

CHARLESTON, S. c., 10th March, A. L.. 1853.
To the W orshipful Masters, Wnrdens and Brethren
of the Subordinate Lodges Of Ancient Freema-
sons of South Carolina:
Brethren: At Quarterly Communication of
the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Ancient
Freemasons of South Carolina, holden on the I'd
inst, the NJ. W.. Grand Master, Brother Henry
BUST, having called the attention of the Grand
Lodge to the subject of the purchase of Mount
Vernon by the Craft in the Union, on motion of
the Grand Secretary, seconded by V. d. V. Jami-
son, w.. Master of Orangeburg Lodge No. 2S,
the following resolutions were unanimously adopt
ed:
Whereas, the people of the United States being
aciuated by Il laudahle desire that the tomb Of the
yeneratcd Washington shall no longer be continued
in the possession of an individual, but be forever
held MS n public domain, the common property of
the whole nation, are now making every effort to
purchase Mount Vernon by small subscriptions
from all those who are disposed to favor the enter
prise.
Therefore. Resolved, That the Most Worshipful
Grand Lodge of Ancient Freemasons of South
Carolina, anxious to demonstrate to the world its
profound admiration Of the character of Washing
ton, and its grateful appreciation Of the invalua-
bic benefits that have been conferred on Masonry
in this country by the example and influence of
their illustriOus brother, who on oil appropriate
occasions was wont to exhibit his devotion to the
interests and his admiration of the principles Of
the order, will take an active part in the accom-.
plishment of the noble object of securing the
purchase of his home.
Resolved, That the Grand Lodge will appropri-
ate the sum of one hundred dollars, und that the
subordinate Lodgesi in this jurisdiction are earnest
ly urged to cooperate in this p~raiseworthy de-
sign, and that for that purpose the Worshipful
Master Of every Lodge is requested to invite, Mt
the regular communication in April, n subscrip-
ton of one dollar from each Of the members.
Resolved, That the Masters are requested to re-
nit forthwith the amounts so collected, to the Most
Worshipful Grand Master, to be by him conveyed
to the proper depository of the general fund for
the purchase Of Mount Vernon.
Resolred, That q Committee Of Five Master
Masons be appointed by the Grnni Master to car
ry those resolutions into effect. and to address the
Subordinate Lodges on the subject.
Resolved, That the Wor>hiptul Grand Secretary
be instructed to communicate a copy Of these res.
o~lutions. and the address of the Committee, to the
Southern Matron, and to all the Grand Lodges Of
the United States.
In compliance with the third of these resolu-
tons the undersigned, as the Committee appoint
ed for that purpose, now have the pleasure Of fra
%ternally addressing you OH this important and in
~teresting subject, and of cordially inviting your
cooperation in the glorious task of converting the
homestead of our illustrious brother into q public
OF the large sum that has been demanded by
its pl esent proprietor rs an indemnlhcatlon for his
REIMBURSEMENT of his ownership, a part has nj
ready been secured through the active exertions
of female patriotism. The women of the country
have nobly entered on the work, and are now Ia
boring at the task of securing the halluwcd shrine,
with all that indomitahle energy and perseverance
which, in the prosecution of every generous deed,
is the characteristic of their sex. Assistance has
already been granted to them in various directions,
and the progress made in collecting the purchase
money has not been discouraging. But all has
not been obtained. Mount Vernon is not yet the
property of the nation and our wives, our moth
ers and our sisters. under the guidance of one who
is herself II Mason's daughter, have invoked the
Masonic fraternity to lend their powerful aid, aud
have called on u to show, by deeds, the living
testimony of our heartfelt pride that Washington
was our brother. Shall the appeal of the women
of America be unheard or UNDECIDED by the Craft!
We trust not. Wekuow thut il will not. a single
dollar given by each of the two hundred and hfty
thousand affiliated Masons of the United States,
would, with what has already been collected, be
more than sufficient to accomplish all that is
wanted.
1t would, indeed, be n glorious reminiscence for
the Order, in future times, werC its children OF
the present day to bequeath to those who shall
come after them, this testimony Of their love for
their great and good brother, thutby their willing
aud fraterual aid, his home and his tomb had been
given to the Reptile, and a shrine erected, where
The people might assemble on each recurring ami
versury of his birth, to revere his memory and to
ponder on his vittucs.
There are many reasons why Mount Vernon
should become the property Of tho nation, most