Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1870-04-05


~ Special Notices or City Items l5c. pei
line Tor tho first insertion, and cight cents pei
tinc for each subsequent insertion
EARLY HISTORY OF MASONRY IN VIRGINIA.
AT the Revolution the Lodges Of Virginia
were under no regular government, there hav-
ing been 40 Grand Lodge in the colony. They
derived their charters from England, Scotland
and LELAND, and accordingly each Lodge con.
sdered itself as belonging to the Grand Lodges
of those respective portions of the British Elm
pirc, and reported to the Grand Masters of the
same.
There had been appointed by Grand Lodge
-of England, We presume "a Grand Master
Of America" but it seems that the Lodges
at least in Firginia-did not generally acknow-
ledge,hs authority, for the reason, no doubt,
that they did not consider that one SO appoint.
ed had any right to be the presiding officer
over Lodges, many of which acknowledged Gu
ly the particular Grand Lodges across the At
lantic from which they had obtained their
charters.
When the colonies had declared themselves
independent, the want Of unity among the
Lodges Of Virginia caused tho Masons of Nlr
giuia to confer with each other with the view
of adopting some plan by which the brother
hood might form Grand Lodge
The consequence was that the Lodge at
Williamsburg issued circular recommending
that the Worshipful Masters and Wardcns Of
the different Lodges shound meet in the old
city for the purpose Of organizing tho Grand
Lodge and choosing Grand Master.
Alter several preliminary meetings, con-
vention was finally held at Williamsburg on
the 22nd OF June TIT, TO which delegates
were SEM from Lodges at Blandford, Port
Royal, Fredericksburg Wliamsport and Cabin
Point, and an James Mercer vas elected .Prssi.
dent. They recommended. for the Office Of
Grand Master, ellis Exccllency Gen. George
Washington"
LIZ consequence OF summons from the
Right Worshiptul James Mercer, the Conven.
ticn again met in Williamsburg on the 18th nt
October, ITS. and organized.
The public duties of Brother George Wash
ington having prevented MIN from accepting
the position OF Grand Master, the Right Wor
shipiul Warner Lewis was nominated. he
however declined; after which the Right Wor.
shipiul John Blair, of W Williamsburg was nolni.
mated and unanimously clcctCd.
On the 30th OF October, ITS, the Convcn.
tion apain met at Williamsburg. There were
present forty-cight brethren. The Lodge
was opcncd in due form, and W. Nj. Robert
Andrews installed the r. w. John Blair in
tho Office of Grand Master of Virginia, who
then appeintcd the Il. w. and Rev. Robert
Andrews b. e. NJ.
Such is brict history of Masonry in Vir-
pinia up to the formation CT the Grand Lodge
and the installation OF the first Grand Master
Of the State. Since that time the order has
greatly flourishcd, until it now numbers two
hundred and thirty three Lodges with Thomas
i, Owens, ESQ, as Grand Master.-NOJoh
.journdl.
LUyATIC ASYLUM OF VIRGINEA.-He have
been favored with the report of the board OF
directors and medica! superintendent Of the
Western Lunatic Asylum OF Virginia, at
Stauuton Tor the fiscal years lSG7-'GS and
lSGS-G0. The officers are as follows: DR..
Francis IT, Strblng, medical superintendent
DR.. William Hamilton and DR.. I. A: BerSe
ley, assistant physician John n. Hendren,
treasurer Samuel A. Hoshonr, steward Mrs.
Eliza j. Tinslcy, matron.
The board OF directors, express the bchci
that this institution will compare tavoraby
with any similar one in the u. s., both as to
the per ccn,age of cures aud the cost, PEI
cuuii,, OF maintaining its inmates. They urge
upon the State the imperative duty OF making
adequate provision for the colored insane, and
express the opinion that the best interests Of
both races will bc promoted by having them
separately treated in different institutions.
They compliment highly the large experience
and eminent ability oil DR.. Strlbllng. The
report of the superintendent contains numerous
carefully prepared tables, exhibiting all thC
operations of the asylum during the two year:
ending the 10Th September, 1869
The admissions and number in asylum du
ring the two years arc ~ follows: At com
mcnccmcnt of the two years, %}S, OF whom Is.
were males and l49 females since admitted
2Ol, CT whom l3l were males and So females
Total number in asylum during the two years
SAP, of whom 80 were males and 232 females
Discharged, clopcd and died, DIS, OF whom
l34 were males and S4 females. Remalnlnl
Scptcmbcr 3Oth, 1869, 324, OF whom 10 "er
males and l4S females.
DR.. Stribling suggests to the Lcglsatui
tho appoa,mcnt OF commission composed c
individuals entitled to confidence, who shall l.
authorized to make the necessary lnvcStlga
tons, and to report suitable location Wit
regulations for the proper organization OF a
ASYLUM for colorcd persons, and, II need tie.
suggest plans and the probable cost.
lie, commitments his subordina,es Tor lhcl
Intelligent and faithful discharge of their dutlc
naming especially MS two medical assistants
(Drs. Hamilton ard Bcrkcley;] the steward
(Samucl 4. HoShour,l and the matron, (MrS
Eliza j. Tlnslcy)
The SUPERINTENDENT estimates that an annu
al appropriation of SG0,u00 from the Stat
treasury will be necessary Tor the luturc SUI
port of the institution, AID in this estimate tn
directors concur.
One Of the Iuoss sacred and imperative 1T
ties Of every Christian country Is that OF nr'
vdng for their unfortunate classes.
Cute lawyer to plain country woman vi
Hcss: You assert that your son has work
on iaru ever since he was born? II do.
What did he Go the first ycar?' He MIXED
replied the lady. Cute lawcr whlstlcd ar
let her so.
4 minister in Salem took for his text, Vt
flesh. the world, and the devil, and inform
hi as.oniShed audience that hc shcud ''dw
briefly in the flesh, pass rapidly over t
world. and hasten as last as he could to t
devil