Mark Coleman Wallace PhD Thesis - University of St Andrews

Although arguably masonic oaths fell “outside the scope of [the] bill
since they were not seditious,” stipulations set forth by the Act demanded public
initiations which would immediately result in the forced exposure of masonic
oaths, rites, and rituals. 102 Additionally, the government placed severe
restrictions on printing, mandating that all printers or vendors of printing presses
register themselves with the Home Office, maintain accounts of all transactions,
and record the name and address of the printer or publisher on the “title and end
papers of all books.” 103
The Fate of the Freemasons and the Loss of Power
The parliamentary debate surrounding the inclusion or exclusion of the
freemasons in the Secret Societies Act is well documented. As Prescott notes,
“such wide-ranging legislation was bound to create problems by inadvertently
catching in its net harmless and respectable activities,” and “many of these
difficulties became apparent when the bill came to committee on 6 May
[1799].” 104 During its second reading on 30 May, Pitt received a request for a
meeting with masonic representatives, including Lord Moira and the Duke of
Atholl, to discuss the Act as it related to the freemasons. 105 The Modern Grand
Lodge of England recorded the details of the discussion, noting that the Prime
Minister “expressed his good opinion of the Society and said he was willing to
recommend any clause to prevent the new act from affecting the Society,
102
Prescott, “Unlawful,” 5.
103
Ibid, 4.
104
Ibid.
105
Moira was the Acting Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of England, and Atholl was the
Grand Master of the Ancient Grand Lodge of England.
166