Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1876-10-12
Washington as Il Mason.

"Remot replies 10 Joh0 Edwin Mason 5
article in Washington Chronicle as follows:
The letter OF Mr. John Edwin Mason, 10 the
Chronicle OF Tuesdly, referring to my assertion
that Gennra Washington was made a VI son
ut Molri>cwn, n. } in lit, con;airS sever.
al Stat@mcuis that uDquestionabiy are mistakes,
aud Dir. Mason will doubtless thank ue for
correciug them. He AYERS that WashiDgton
vas Initiated in Fredericksburg Lodge. No. +,
N"seuber 4, 1852. He was born February
%, 1882, and whao Initiated was consequently
only twenty years, eight mODths, and twelve
days cid. 4 man must be twenty-ope years of
age, /. c., must have attaiued bis ma orlty, and
tccoulc free Of the restraints of legal Infancy
before he can be initiated an Entered Appren-
tice Mason. Not being Of age he cannot be SO
Initiated unless he lies concerning his age Mr..
Masoo says Washington could not tell lie,
as he h.Ichct story show" If this be the
Gaze he cou'i cot have been uladc Ml~on 10
1852 The ql"s'lu" naturally aries Have the
rtcU. IL 1T Fredericksburg Lodge Dren ialupcr-
"a with Bcsd"s, tie death Of his brother
Lawrence, OF be 26,h OF July, 1852, and the
Op;r Us duties tHcnce ltvolving upon him as
| executor Of said brothers extensive ostates,
| aud principal manager o! the daceascd's hu-l
ness, were # uci nature as to preclude from
| he mioi Of such III thodicaI man a. George
WASHINGTON all idea Of Joining a social organl-
z8tlou the general features Of whose poty were
kuogo TO HIN aud all other intelligent men as
belng Of a merely social character.
! Sparks 10 BIZ. Life Of Washington, says.
Iacc II: "AIiEousn he was The youngest exc
culur, Yet his acqualn'aace with his brother :
canc :u- AID he c)uhicuce always rercsed Il
hin b. the ceased, were grounds Tor piaclng
| the bu.!Uc.s principally 10 bis hands. His time
and thoughts or several months were taken up
with th,sc affairs, complicated in their Gaiu c
a1I requiring dc!icacy and cautiou 10 their
maas gtmeG!." Thl, quotation would, in!creu
italy. prove that WASHINGTON had other hlnr:
20 occupy his tine lhau Masonry. Did DDt tbs
fact Of his being not Of age etftctuaIIy show
that the fredericksburg records ar" Wrong
either from tSi.n or lnadVnrtauc"? At al
.vcuts either Washington mlsreDrcs nted hs
aye ia suppo>i;lou no! to be entertained; o: the
| Fl edvruk> jurs cords are absolutely unworthy
OF the east crcdcDcc.
| NJ. Ml>o, makes several Other amor ml=
| TX :, which doubtless are u1n c3tlcnai. the
Fun ber Of AI~xaUd.ia Lodge is %, 20; %, AID
| Washington furer1l took place % The IS b 81
| pecca,Eel. 1879, not the 10th, as slr. Mason
| ayers
That Gen. Wa>hiagton was nado q Mason a
llorrlstown, \ j., IL III, Is mater II rcc@fc
| in Mcrr-'Owu Loi-c. AMI / have nev"
hard Us 3u;n"utci'v questioned 0ctor". lt'ht
records Of Fredericksburg. L DE SHOW th-t he
was made ilyson tnore il 1852, they prove
ti...t HashI0g'oa pr:.ctIced q deception ur9t
them, by mist pres a'iog sage. suppoSl Inr
! FIR one Wi. nut nor cannot rutcltiin. l. nc
DID gt crocca as rue age thee the record 0
| IF. derrick anurg Lodge Do, and therefore are Co
I entitled to tie crc!erce that attaches to tb'
/ Mcrri,t0wo +. cords.