ON

MASONRY AND ANTI-MASONRY,

ADDRESSED TO THE

HON. JOHN QUINCY ADAMS.

BY WILLIAM L. STONE.

"What I know to be true, that I will declare; and what I feel it to be my duty to re-
present, that I will have the boldness to publish."-TIMOTHY PICKERING.

NEW-YORK:

O. HALSTED, CORNER OF NASSAU AND CEDAR STREETS.

ASTOR LIC

MOV 1870
NEW-YORK

ENTERED ACCORDING TO ACT OF CONGRESS, in the year 1832, by O. HALSTED, in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States for the Southern District of New-York, in the Second Circuit.

ROBERTSON, PRINT

CONTENTS.

LETTER I.

Introductory-Glance at the recent state of Political Parties-Origin of Anti-masonry-Pre-

liminary view of the Excitement. Erratum.-Last line but one, in the last sen-

tence of this letter, for " inhabitants," read "institutions."

LETTER II.

Speculative Free-masonry-Author's initiation into the Degree of Entered Apprentice-

Feelings of disappointment-Emblems and lessons of the Degree-Fellow Craft's De-

gree-Pleasing solemnity of the opening-Regularity and order of the Lodge-Refutation

of charges of riotous carousals-Emblems and instructions of the Degree.

LETTER III.

Freemasonry continued-Sublime Degree of Master Mason-Affecting Ritual-Ceremonies

and emblems-Shakspeare-A striking coincidence-This a favorite degree-Absurdity

of its history-Its legends an imposture-Opinion of Grand Master Dalcho-Of Profes-

sor Stuart-Dramatic character of its action-Dangerous tendency of its obligations-

Grand hailing sign-Alexander and Judas Maccabeus.

LETTER IV.

Freemasonry continued-Mark Master's degree-Belongs to the fellow-craft-More than

three degrees prohibited by law in England-The same in Scotland-Causes of multipli-

cation of degrees-Opening of a Mark Lodge-Its ceremonies-Scriptural allegory-Its

application-Degree of Past Master-Its ceremonies-Awkward predicament-Lecture

and charge of this degree.

LETTER V.

Freemasonry continued-Degree of Most Excellent Master-Its ceremonies-Dedication of

the temple-Solomon's prayer-Locke-Disputed manuscript of Henry VI.-Exaltation

to the degree of Royal Arch-Reasons for persevering-History and traditions on which it

is founded-Jos ah-Hilkiah-Huldab-Josephus-Ezra-Zerubbabel, & c.-Introduction

of the candidate-Emblems -Scenic Representations-Decorations--Attractive pagean-

try-Absurdity of its legends-Real history of the degree-Edward Charles Stuart-Illu-

minism-Mistake of Abbe Barruel-Introduction of the Royal Arch into America--M.

Hayes-The Duke of Orleans-Scotch Masonry-Knight of St. Andrew.

LETTER VI.

Degrees of Knighthood-Royal and Select Masters-The ineffable degrees-French Ma-

Eonry-Infidelity-Knight of Red Cross-Its history-Court of Darius-Apocryphal le-

gend--Imposing scenic representations-Knights of Malta-Shipwreck of Paul-Hospi

tallers--Knights of St. John-Of Rhodes-History-Raymond De Puy-d' Aubresson-

The Templars-History of the order--Hugo de Paganis-Instituted during the Crusades--

Pailip the Fair-Clement V-Order suppressed--French Templars-- Anti-christian-Not

so with the American-Solemn and affecting ceremonies,

LETTER VII.

Examination of the nature of the masonic obligations-Bernard's Light-Old manuscript-
Misrepresentation answered-The nature of masonic secrets--What they really are-Se-
eresy and silence virtues-The binding force of promises-Dr. Paley--Interpolations in
the obligations-Obligations properly understood, not inconsistent with the laws of God
and man-Charges and explanations--Objections to extra-judicial oaths-Pritchard's re-
velations-All the penalties unmeaning.

LETTER VIII.

Rapid sketch of the history of Freemasonry-Fondness even of Republicans for the merit of
antiquity-Anderson's history-Antediluvian Masonry-From the flood to the building of
So omon's temple-R dicu ous absurdity of these pretensions-Lawrie's history- Egyp-
tian pests-lovian architects-Language of Symbols- Epicureans--Eleusinian mysteries
Kasidean mysteries-- Pythagoreans-The Essenes-German notions of Masonry-Clemen-
tinian con ederate --Dr. Dalcho's opinion of the absurdity of claiming David, Solomon,
and the two Johns, as Masons, &c.

LETTER IX.

Same subject continued-Nicholas Stone-The Druids-The Romans-Picts-Scots-Dr.
Henry's account-Collegia Artificum-Ancient edifices--Athelstan-Edgar-Edward the
Confessor-1 homas Paine's opinions-The Rosicrusians-Roman and Greek colleges-
Proscription of Masonry on the continent-Dr. Plot-First authentic record of Freema-
sonry-Thomas Ashmole, the last of the Rosicrusians-Masonry in the reign of Anne-
Rival Grand Lodges in England-Origin of Masonry in Scotland-Kilwining-Lords of
Roslin-Resuscitation of Masonry in 1717-Duke of Buccleugh-1723--Duke of Rich.
mond-Extension of English Masonry over the world.

LETTER X.

Refutation of the charges of infidelity-Absurd notions of double significations and inter-
pretations-Reasons why Freemasonry, on its own merits, should be relinquished.

LETTER XI.

William Morgan-His life-Marriage with Lucinda Pendleton-His character-Origin of
the difficulties between him and the Masons-His association with David C. Miller-
Morgan's exclusion from the chapter at Batavia-Revenge-Supposed visit of Morgan to
New-York-Preparations for betraying the secrets of Masonry.

LETTER XII.

Rumors of the intended publication-Attempts of the Masons to negociate with Morgan-
Advertised as an impostor-Misrepresentations upon this subject-Agitations among the
Masons-Vexatious prosecutions-Arrival of Johns, as a spy and partner of Miller-first
arrest and imprisonment of Morgan-Ransacking of Mrs. Morgan's apartment.

LETTER XIII.

Indiscreet newspaper publications-General Lafayette-Conspiracy for the destruction of
Miller's office-Meeting of the conspirators at Stafford-A night expedition and failure-
Col. Sawyer-attempt to burn the printing office by Howard-Providential frustration of
the plan-Expedition of Cheseboro and others, from Canandaigua-Dr. Butler-Arrest
and transportation of Morgan to Canandaigua-Trial and acquittal for petit larceny-im-
prisonment at Canandaigua for debt-Reflections-Journey of Mrs. Morgan to Canandai-
gua, in pursuit of her husband-Delivery of manuscripts-Cruel disappointment-her
return to Batavia-Offers of masonic support rejected.

LETTER XIV.

Gathering of conspirators in Batavia -Arrest and abduction of Miller-His imprisonment in
a lodge at Stafford-interview with Johns-Journey to Le Roy, attended by a mob-His
rescue-Extraordinary absence of the magistrates of Batavia on that day-their more ex-
traordinary conversations-conduct of the Masons-Reflections.

LETTER XV.

Charity to Mrs. Morgan-An agent sent to Canandaigua-Mysterious letter to Mrs. Mor-
gan-Discoveries of the agent-Conspiracy at Canandaigua, and abduction of Morgan
from the prison-Cheseboro, Lawson Smith, Whitney, &c Mysterious movements of a
carriage, in the night, from Canandaigua to Hanford's Landing--Su-picious circumstan-
ces-Public meetings at Batavia-Increase of the excitement-Appointment of commit-
tees-Correspondence with Governor Clinton--First proclamation-Progress of the excite.
ment--Numerous meetings-Covington Lodge-Case of Elder Bernard-Conduct of the
Masons-Political symptoms-Reflections.

LETTER XVI.

Publication of Morgan's disclosures- Conduct of Morgan-Inquiry into its morality-Arch-
deacon Paley-Dr. Brown-Morgan's perfidy no justification of the Masons.

LETTER XVII.

False reports respecting Morgan's absence--Doubts among honest Masons-Variety of ru-
mors-First indictments of French and others-Second letter and proclamation of Gover