Mark Coleman Wallace PhD Thesis - University of St Andrews

1 st Answer: London 16 February 1803
“We have not granted any Warrant or Charter for holding new Lodges in
England but we have found it expedient to transfer old warrants and Nos.
granted before the passing of the Act of Parliament, taking care that such old
Warrants be first registered with the Clerk of the Peace in the district where the
Lodge is to be held pursuant to the terms of the Statutes. I shall communicate
your letter to the Grand Lodge at our next meeting and if any thing occurs upon
mature consideration I am confident our Right Worshipful Grand Lodge will do
everything consistent with their duty and in concert with you Right Worshipful
Grand Lodge. I am signed Robert Leslie, GS” addressed to James Bartram
Grand Clerk
2 nd Answer from Grand Secretary of England addressed to James Bartram Esq.
Grand Lodge of Scotland
Grand Lodge of England, 2 nd March 1803
341
I did not fail to lay your valued letter of the 19 th February last before the Grand
Lodge of England and I am directed to express to you their sincere thanks for
the kind and reasonable communication of the steps which you think it advisable
to take for the revival of the powers which have been so unhappily suspended.
The Grand Lodge of England under the Ancient Constitutions takes a most
lively Interest in the measure which has occupied your attention and they have
resolved to cooperate with you in the steps that may be thought the most
advisable to obtain the end. We who have seen more nearly the unfortunate
deviations from the Ancient and pure system of Masonry which led to the
Traitorous abuse of its sanctions that compelled the Legislature at length to
interfere and regulate the powers under which the Established institutions were
to act have been most rigid in the observance of the Rules laid down for our
Government. In no instance have we granted a new warrant in England tho we
do not conceive ourselves restricted from yielding to any application from
abroad. The utmost power that we have exercised in this Kingdom has been that
of reviving or transferring warrants that had lately become dormant and this
after the…perusal of the Statute we found ourselves intitled to do.
In consequence of your letter and animated by the same spirit we
resolved to make an immediate application to the Right Honourable The
Attorney and Solicitor General of the Crown by Memorial to ascertain the point
of Law or to pave the way for its repeal if found to be against us. Our most
Worshipful Master His Grace the Duke of Athole declares his readiness to take
an active part in cooperation with any of your Grand Officers and those of
Ireland who may be in London in laying the case before his Majesties Ministers
and Soliciting an amendment of the Act as the only legitimate means by which
the Ancient Powers can be restored to the Grand Lodges of England, Scotland
and Ireland so long happily and inseperately united together. It has however
occurred that since this matter first engaged your attention public affairs have
become too critical for the agitation of this question at this moment. It has been