Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-10-07
E. c. Dick was chosen to succeed the illustrious

chief
On the 18th Of September 1913, President
Washington laid in Masonic form the corner
stone Of the Capitol of the United States and
Alexandria lodge participated in the ceremonial
OF the occasion.
THE LAST WELCOME.
After Washington returned to Alexandra on
his resignation Of the presidency he was well
coined home by the lodge, which sent him the
following letter:
ALEXANDRIA, March %, 1877.
MOsT RESPECTED SIR: Brothers Ramsey and
Marsteller wait upon you with copy of an ad.
dress which has been prepared by the unani-
nous desire OF the Ancient York Masons Of
Lodge No. -. II is their earnest request that
you will partake of dinner with them and that
you will please appoint the time most conven-
lent for you to attend.
am, most beloved brother, your most obedi-
ent and humble servant, JAMES GII.I.s, NJ"
He accepted the invitation and rode to town
on the LIST Of April 1877. accompanied by one
servant, and was received by q committee Of his
lodge at AGENTS. tavern, opposite the Braddock
house on Cameron street, and upon appearing
at his lodge he was greeted with the following
address.
Mosr RESPECTED BROTHER: The Ancient York
Masons Of Lodge No % offer you their warmest
congratulations on your retirement from yonr
useful labors. Under the Supreme Architect Of
the Universe you have been the master work.
man In erecting the temple Of liberty in the
west on the broad basis Of equal rights In
your wise administration Of the government Of
the United States for the space of eight years
you have kept within the compass of our happy
constitution and acted upon the square with
foreign nations and thereby preserved your
country in peace and promoted the prosperity
and happiness Of your fellow citizens. And
now. that you have returned from the labors Of
public life to the refreshment of domestic tran
Quillity, they ardenty pray that you may long
enjoy all the happiness which the triennial lodge
can afford and finally be received to a celestial
lodge where love. peace and harmony forever
reign, and Cherubim and Seraphim shall hail
you, brother.
By the unanimous desire of Lodge No. 90.
James Gill, master.
GENERAL GEORGE WASHINGTON"
To his address Gen. Washington replied:
BROTHERS OF THE ANCIENT YORK MAsONs No.
love your aRectiOnate congratulation on my re-
tirement from the arduous tolls Of past years
my gratitude is no less excited by your kind
wishes for my future happiness. If it has
pleased the Supreme Architect of the Universe
to make me an humble instrument to promote
the welfare and happiness Of my fellow men. my
exertions have been abundantly recompensed by
the kind partiality with which they have been
received. And the assurances you give me of
your belief that I have acted upon the square
In my public capacity will be among my prin-
cipal enjoyments in this terrestrial lodge.
banquet was then served at Abert's, and
among the toasts drank upon the occasion was
one by Washington:
THE lodge at Alexandria and all Masons
throughout the world"
This was the last meeting of Washington with
his Alexandria brethren. He was accompanied
by committee as far as Cameron river ford and
he took his way to Mount Vernon never to
meet again In the terrestrial lodge.