"JOHN CUTLER, _Grand Master_ "JOSIAH BARTLETT } "MUNGO MACHEY } _Grd Wardens_. "Boston "Decem. 27, A.D. 1792." The following reply was sent by President WASHINGTON from Philadelphia to the Brethren of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. It will be noticed that there was no date or place mentioned upon the copy in the Letter Book, nor on the original letter, which at present is believed to be in the Library of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. WASHINGTON'S REPLY "TO THE GRAND LODGE OF FREE & ACCEPTED MA- "SONS, FOR THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHU- "SETTS. "Flattering as it may be to the human "mind, & truly honorable as it is to receive "from our fellow citizens testimonies of appro- "bation for exertions to promote the public wel- "fare, it is not less pleasing to know, that the "milder virtues of the heart are highly respected "by a Society whose liberal principles must be "founded in the immutable laws of truth and "justice.-- "To enlarge the sphere of social happi- "ness is worthy the benevolent design of a ma- "sonic institution; and it is most fervently to "be wished, that the conduct of every member "of the fraternity, as well as those publications "that discover the principles which actuate them; "may tend to convince mankind that the grand "object of Masonry is to promote the happiness "of the human race. "While I beg your acceptance of "my thanks for the "Book of Constitutions" which "you have sent me, & the honor you have done "me in the dedication, permit me to assure you "that I feel all those emotions of gratitude "which your affectionate address & cordial "wishes are calculated to inspire; and I "sincerely pray that the Great Architect "of the Universe may bless you here, and "receive you hereafter into his immortal Temple. "Go. Washington" No fac-simile copy of the original letter was obtainable for the Collection of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania. =WASHINGTON'S REPLY TO THE GRAND LODGE OF MASSACHUSETTS. LETTER BOOK II, FOLIO 108.= XI CORRESPONDENCE WITH GRAND LODGE OF PENNSYLVANIA, DECEMBER, 1796. September 18, 1796, President WASHINGTON issued his farewell address. His second term was drawing to a close; the term had been a more or less exciting one: The passing of the Neutrality Act; Genet's appeal from the executive to the people; the Fugitive Slave Act; the whiskey insurrection in western Pennsylvania; the adoption of the Eleventh amendment; the purchase of peace from Algiers, Tripoli and Tunis; the troubles with Great Britain about the non-delivery of the military posts and later the Jay Treaty, all came within President WASHINGTON's second and last term.[58]