To all and every our right Worshipful
and loving Brethren, we Thomas Howard,
Earl of Effingham, Lord Howard, &c., &c., &c., Acting
Grand Master, under the authority of His Royal Highness,
Henry Frederick, Duke of Cumberland, &c., &c., &c., Grand
Master of the Most Ancient and Honorable Society of Free
and Accepted Masons, send greeting:
KNOW YE THAT WE, at the humble petition of our right trusty and
well beloved Brethren, PRINCE HALL, BOSTON SMITH, THOMAS SANDERSON,
and several other Brethren, residing in Boston, New England, in
North America, do hereby constitute the said Brethren into a
regular LODGE OF FREE AND ACCEPTED MASONS, under the title or
denomination of the AFRICAN LODGE, to be opened in Boston
aforesaid, and do further, at their said petition, and of the great
Trust and hereby appoint the said PRINCE HALL to be Master, BOSTON
SMITH, Senior Warden, and THOMAS SANDERSON, Junior Warden, for the
opening of the said LODGE, and for such further time only as shall
be thought proper by the Brethren thereof, it being our will that
this our appointment of the above officers shall in no wise affect
any future election of officers of the LODGE, but that such
election shall be regulated agreeable to such by-laws of said
LODGE, as shall be consistant with the general laws of the society,
contained in the Book of Constitutions; and we hereby will require
you, the said PRINCE HALL, to take especial care that all and every
one of the said Brethren are, or have been legally made masons, and
that they do observe, perform and keep all the rules and orders
contained in the Book of Constitutions; and further, that you do
from time to time, cause to be entered in a book kept for that
purpose, an account of your proceedings as a LODGE, together with
such rules, orders and regulations, as shall be made for the good
government of the same; that in no wise you omit once in every year
to send us, or our successors, Grand master, or to Rowland Holt,
Esq., our Deputy Grand Master, for the time being, an account in
writing of your said proceedings, and copies of all such rules,
orders and regulations, as shall be made as aforesaid, together
with the list of the members of the LODGE, and such sum of money as
may suit the circumstances of the Lodge, and reasonably be expected
toward the Grand Charity. Moreever, we do hereby will and require
you, the said PRINCE HALL, as soon as conveniently may be, to send
an account in writing of what may be done by virtue of these
presents.
Given at London, under our hand and seal of Masonry, this 29th day
of September, A. L., 5784, A. D. 1784.
"By the GRAND MASTER'S command.
Witness:
Wm. White, G.S.,
R. Holt, D.G.M."