At a Grand Lodge held on St. John's Day, Philadelphia, December 27, 5796, "The Committee appointed to prepare an Address to our Brother George Washington, President of the United States, presented an Address by them drawn up, which was ordered to be read, and was in the words following, to wit:
"To GEORGE WASHINGTON PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.
"The Address of the Grand Lodge of Pennsyl- "vania.
"Having announced your intention to retire from "_Public Labour_ to that _Refreshment_ to which your "preëminent Services for near Half a Century have "so justly entitled you. Permit the Grand Lodge "of Pennsylvania at this last Feast of our Evangelic "Master St. John, on which we can hope for an im- "mediate Communication with you to join the grate- "ful Voice of our Country in Acknowledging that "you have carried forth the Principles of the Lodge "into every Walk of your Life, by your constant "Labours for the Prosperity of that Country, by "your unremitting Endeavours to promote Order, "Union and Brotherly Affection amongst us, and "lastly by the Vows of your Farewell Address to "your Brethren and Fellow Citizens. An Address "which we trust Our Children and Our Childrens "Children will ever look upon as a most invaluable "Legacy from a _Friend_ a _Benefactor_ and a _Father_.
"To these our grateful Acknowledgments (leav- "ing to the impartial Pen of History to record the "important Events in which you have borne so illus- "trious a part) permit us to add our most fervent "prayers, that after enjoying to the utmost of "Human Life, every Felicity which the Terrestial "Lodge can afford, you may be received by the "great Master Builder of this World and of Worlds "unnumbered, into the Ample Felicity of that _Celes- "tial Lodge_ in which alone distinguished Virtues and "distinguished Labours can be eternally rewarded.
"By unanimous order of the Grand Lodge of "Pennsylvania at their communication held the 27th "Day of December Anno Domini 5796.
B. ABERDEEN, SCOTLAND, 1727. D. PHILADELPHIA, MAY 14, 1803.
GRAND CHAPLAIN "MODERNS," 1755. GRAND SECRETARY "ANCIENTS," 1779-1784.
WHO PRESENTED THE PENNSYLVANIA ADDRESSES TO BRO. WASHINGTON, 1792-1796.=
It was then moved and seconded that the same be adopted. Upon the question being taken it appeared that it was approved of. On motion and seconded, it was agreed that a committee be appointed to wait on Brother WASHINGTON to acquaint him that it is the intention of this Grand Lodge to present an address to him, and to know what time he shall be pleased to appoint to receive it. The committee appointed to perform this duty were Brothers William Smith, Peter Le Barbier Duplessis and Thomas Procter, who, after having waited on him, reported that he had appointed to-morrow, December 28, 1796, at twelve o'clock to receive it. Said committee, to wit, Brothers W. Smith, Duplessis and Procter, together with Right Worshipful Grand Master, Deputy Grand Master, and Junior Wardens, Grand Secretary and the Masters of the different Lodges in the City, were then appointed a Deputation to present the said Address.