Upon Christmas Eve he returned to Mount Vernon, whereupon the Brethren at Alexandria, who, it must be remembered, were working under a Pennsylvania Warrant, at once sent the following Address signed by the Officers of Lodge No. 39, to Brother WASHINGTON at Mount Vernon,[20] viz.: "_Sir_: Whilst all denominations of people bless the happy occasion of your excellency's return to enjoy private and domestic felicity, permit us, sir, the members of Lodge No. 39, lately established in Alexandria, to assure your excellency, that we, as a mystical body, rejoice in having a brother so near us, whose preeminent benevolence has secured the happiness of millions; and that we shall esteem ourselves highly honored at all times your excellency shall be pleased to join us in the needful business." "We have the honor to be, in the name and behalf of No. 39, your excellency's "Devoted friends and brothers, "ROBERT ADAM, M. "E. C. DICK, S. W. "J. ALLISON, J. W. "WM. RAMSAY, _Treas._" "His Excellency General Washington." Two days later Brother WASHINGTON sent following reply,[21] viz.: "MOUNT VERNON 28th Decr. 1783. "_Gentlemen_: "With pleasing sensibility "I received your favor of the 26th, and "beg leave to offer you my sincere thanks "for the favorable sentiments with "which it abounds.-- "I shall always feel pleasure "when it may be in my power to ren- "der service to Lodge No 39, and in "every act of brotherly kindness to the "Members of it; being with great truth. "Your affecte Brother "and Obedt Servant "Go. Washington" "Robt Adam Esqr Master, "& the Wardens & Treasr "of Lodge No 39." No copy of either address nor reply of this correspondence has thus far been found among the Washington papers in the Library of Congress, by the present writer. Brother Robert Adam, the Master of Alexandria Lodge, No. 39, was a Son of the Rev. John Adam, D.D., and Janet Campbell, of Kelbride, Scotland, was born May 4, 1731; he emigrated to America in 1753, and, after a short residence at Annapolis, Md., established himself at a pleasant country residence in Fairfax County, Virginia, about four miles from Alexandria. He was a gentleman of refined taste, cultivation and wealth, and interested himself in everything that could promote the prosperity of his adopted home. =WASHINGTON'S REPLY TO ALEXANDRIA LODGE, NO. 39. ORIGINAL IN ALEXANDRIA-WASHINGTON LODGE, NO. 22, ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA.= It appears that during his residence at Annapolis, he was made a Mason in a clandestine or irregular Lodge, and in the year 1783 applied for a dispensation from the Grand Master of Pennsylvania, to apply to Lodge No. 2, for initiation and membership.