Mark Coleman Wallace PhD Thesis - University of St Andrews

application to Parliament or otherways for obtaining the great object in view as
stated in the case and opinion.
28 February 1800
The Committee having taken into consideration the powers more exclusively
vested in them by last Quarterly Communication and concurring that the two
great objects anxiously wished to be attained by the Grand Lodge of Scotland
are –
1. That the Legislature should recognise their former powers of Grand
Charters of Constitution and Erection to new Lodges and
2. That Parliament would be pleased to grant them a persona standi in
judicio a right regarding which doubts at least are entertained
Resolved:
1, That the only possible mode of accomplishing the ends in view is by
endeavouring to obtain the interference of the Legislature in their favor
2, That as the Grand Lodge of England according to the information of the
Committee stand in the same predicament as that of Scotland, an application
should be made to her thro the present Most Noble Grand Master for their joint
and hearty cooperation
3, That the Committee are humbly of opinion that Enactments of the following
import attached to any Bill of a public nature which may be passing thro
Parliament would completely answer the purposes required
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1, And Whereas by An Act passed in the present Session of Parliament being the
39 th of his Majesty Intitled “An Act for the more effectual suppression of
Societies established for Seditious and Treasonable Purposes” certain
exemptions were introduced by that Statute in favor of Societies holden in this
kingdom under the denomination of Lodges of Free Masons which should
before the passing of the said Act have been usually holden under the said
denomination and in conformity to the Rules prevailing among the said
Societies of the Free Masons. And Whereas it had been the immemorial usage
of the Grand Lodge of England and of Scotland to Grant Charters or Warrants
for the Erection of New Lodges, an Ancient Practice which by the enactment in
the said Statue before recited they are virtually tho not expressly prohibited from
continuing which is the cause of considerable loss to the Charitable Masonic
funds thro’out the United Kingdom. Be it enacted by the Kings most Excellent
Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and
Temporal and Commons in this Parliament assembled an by the authority of the
same, that the said Grand Lodges of England and Scotland respectively shall
from and after the passing of this Act be entitled to grant such Charters or
Warrants of Erection in favor of new Lodges as they have formerly been in use