"This grand chapter therefore proposes that competent authority to grant warrants for the institution of chapters and lodges within any state in which there is no grand chapter established, should be vested by the several state grand chapters in the general grand high priest, general grand king and general grand scribe, or any two of them conjointly; the monies arising therefrom, and also the annual dues from said chapters and lodges so instituted, to be paid into the - general grand fund for the purpose of assisting in defraying the expenses of the general grand chapter at their septennial meeting.

"Upon comparing the plan here proposed with any other that has occurred to us, it appears to possess the fewest objections, and the greatest advantages. In forming this opinion, we are led to consider that the several state grand chapters possess equal rights and privileges, and it follows that if either of them has authority to grant warrants beyond the jurisdiction assigned them by the constitution, they each and all possess the same authority; and in the exercise of this authority they may often be led unintentionally to interfere with each other's interests, and thereby mar that union which it ought to be our care to cultivate and improve, and thus there may be as many chapters instituted in any one of the southern states as there are grand chapters in the northern states, each holding under a different authority, and all at variance with each other.

"This is one of the consequences that may be expected to arise from the exercise of this authority by the state grand chapters; because, if a petition be presented to any one of the grand chapters for a warrant, they will only expect a recommendation from another chapter under their own jurisdiction; and although there may be many (and perhaps too many) chapters already established in the vicinity of the place where the new one is intended to be opened, yet being under a different jurisdiction, a recommendation cannot be

expected or required from them; and thus may chapters be instituted, in this mode, in direct hostility to the best inté rests of the institution.

"If the union of the several grand chapters under one gemeral head, and under one constitution, be considered an ob ject of importance to our general interests, by establishing and cultivating one uniform and consistent manner of working in the sublime degrees throughout the United States, it is then of importance that this union should be strengthened and improved by all possible means; and it is consequently essential, that the septennial meeting of the general grand chapter should be regularly, fully and respectably attended.

"If the jurisdiction of the constitution should be extended throughout the United States, at the next general meeting, it may become necessary to appoint a place for future meetings further southward; and as the necessary expenses will consequently be increased, it may be then thought proper to devise some mode for the accumulation of a general fund, that shall be adequate to this useful and important purpose.

"If the proposition now made should be adopted, the pecuniary benefits arising from the institution of new chapters will be experienced equally by all the grand chapters in the confederation; and, judging by the wise and liberal policy which has hitherto marked the proceedings of your most excellent grand chapter, we presume that no pecuniary consideration will operate to prevent your concurrence with us in the annexed resolutions.

"By order of the M. E. GRAND CHAPTER. Grand Secretary."

A majority of the grand chapters acknowledging the jurisdiction of the constitution, having agreed to the beforementioned decree, proposed by the grand chapter of Rhode-Island, the general

grand officers became invested with the power and authority therein expressed.

On the first day of December, 1804, the general grand officers granted a letter of dispensation for forming and holding a chapter of royal arch masons, in the city of Savannah, in the state of Georgia, by the name of GEORGIA CHAPTER ; and on the first day of March, 1805, they granted a letter of dispensation for forming and opening a new royal arch chapter in the town of Beaufort, in the state of South Carolina, by the name of UNITY CHAPTER.

CHAPTER III.

ON the ninth day of January, 1799, the grand chapter of the northern states met, by adjournment, at Providence, in the State of Rhode-Island, and revised their constitution.

The second section of the first article of the Constitution as revised, directed that the General Grand Chapter should convene septennially for the choice of officers and other business. A meeting was accordingly holden at the city of Middletown, (Conn.) commencing on the 9th day of January, A. D. 1806.

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PRESENT,

Representatives from the respective Grand Chapters of the States of Rhode-Island, Connecticut, New-York, and Vermont.

A communication was presented by Companion Ozias Fuller, from Rutland, in the State of Vermont, signed "Nichols Goddard, Grand Secretary," informing this General Grand Chapter of the formation of a Grand Royal Arch Chapter in the said State, and subjoining a copy of their regulations, and also a certificate of the appointment of the said Ozias Fuller as Proxy of the Grand High Priest of the said Grand Chapter.

A communication was also received from the Secretary of the Grand Chapter of the State of New-York, containing the report of a committee appointed by the said Grand Chapter upon the subject of the formation of a Grand Chapter in the State of Vermont.

The two communications beforementioned having been read and considered, it was resolved, That this General Grand Chapter deem it advisable, under a consideration of all the circumstances attending the formation of a Grand Royal Arch Chapter in the State of Vermont, to admit, and they do hereby admit, the said Grand Chapter of Vermont, into a Union with us, under the General Grand Royal Arch Constitution.

A communication was received from the General Grand King, and the General Grand Scribe, stating, that by virtue of authority derived from a special decree of several of the State Grand Chapters, they had conjointly issued a warrant for instituting a Chapter of Royal Arch Masons in the town of Beaufort, in the State of South-Carolina, by the name of "Unity Chapter ;" and also another warrant for instituting a Chapter of Royal Arch Masons, in the City of Savannah, in the State of Georgia, by the name of " Georgia Chap

ter."

Whereupon it was resolved, That this General Grand Chapter do approve of the proceedings of the General Grand King, and the General Grand Scribe, relative to the formation of Unity Chapter, in Beaufort, and Georgia Chapter, in Savannah ; and that their respective warrants be confirmed, and made permanent, by either of the aforenamed General Grand Officers.

In order to prevent the printing or circulation of incorrect or mutilated copies of the Constitution, it was resolved, That the copy right of the same be vested in the General Grand King, until the further orders of the General Grand Chapter.

A committee was appointed, consisting of the General Grand King, and the General Grand Secretary, to transcribe, and procure to be printed, a

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