E. H. ADDINGTON

60 OUTLINE OF THE RISE AND PROGRESS
The committee, consisting of G. A. Wilson, D. S. Jennings and H. W.
Walter, proceeded to New Orleans, visited several lodges, and conferred with
members of the Grand Lodge as well as with the unaffiliated Masons.
On the 14th of February, 1845, they visited the Grand Lodge and were
received in the most fraternal manner. Grand Master Preaux stated the
1844. On the 20th of February, 1845, at his suggestion, Poinsett Lodge adopted a
memorial to the Grand Lodge, which, after stating that it had no copy of 'the General
Regulations, prayed that the regulations, edicts and resolutions of the Grand Lodge,
and all communications from the Grand Secretary, should for the future be printed
or written in English, as the members of Poinsett Lodge did not understand the French
language; and that a competent brother should be appointed to act as Deputy Grand
Secretary for the purpose of "recording the proceedings of the Grand Lodge in English
and corresponding with the lodges working in that tongue. The records of the Grand
Lodge do not mention this memorial; but in a few weeks afterward the General Regulations
were published in French and English—the Grand Lodge following in this respect
the rule which had been adopted in 1819. This appears to have satisfied Poinsett
Lodge, and this memorial is the only instance on its records where a "grievance" is
complained of, or the Grand Lodge petitioned for redress. And on this, as on every
other occasion, the Grand Lodge is always mentioned with the greatest respect and
its liberality Justly commended.
On December 12, 1842, Poinsett Lodge had expelled L. A. Fryinier for unmasonic
conduct: he appealed to the Grand Lodge, which, after a long and patient investigation,
reversed the sentence and declared L. A. Frymier reinstated in all his Masonic rights
and privileges. The sentence of expulsion was reversed July 30, 1844: during the
progress of the appeal Frymier had paid his dues up to August 20, 1842; on the 17th
of December, 1844, he requested a dimit: on motion of A. T. Douglass the request was
referred to a committee, of which he was appointed chairman, and as he was elected
W. M. the case lay over.
On the 11th of January, 1845, A. T. Douglass represented Poinsett Lodge in the
Grand Lodge: he complained of no grievances, although he appealed to the Grand
Lodge of Mississippi within two weeks afterward. At this session the Junior Grand
Warden, Francois Calongne, on account of the large number of Masons in the jurisdiction
who did not understand French, introduced a series of resolutions having in view
the appointment of some Mason skilled in the French, English and 'Spanish languages
to act as translator, so that all letters, circulars, resolutions, and other documents
emanating from the Grand Lodge would be fully understood by all the lodges.
Although he was the author of the memorial above referred to, Alex. T. Douglass did
not second the resolutions, or speak on the question; the resolutions, ihowever, were
favorably entertained, but final action postponed until the first meeting after the installation
of the Grand Officers.
A few days afterward A. T. Douglass left the city: on his return, the object of his
visit to Natchez became generally known, and as the Mississippi Committee were daily
expected, the rumors in circulation soon reached the ears of the Grand Master. In the
meantime L. A. Frymier became importunate for his dimit from Poinsett Lodge; at its
meeting of February 4, 1845, the committee were to report; after the lodge was opened,
Grand Master Robert Preaux was announced, and received with appropriate honors.
The report of the committee, which had been written by the W. 1M. (Alex. T. Douglass.)
was read and adopted. This report deserves notice: the justness of the reversal of
the sentence is not questioned, the impartial and dispassionate manner m which the
investigation had been conducted by the Grand Lodge is highly praised, but the committee
held that although the Grand Lodge could reverse an unjust sentence and
restore a brother to all bis rights and privileges as a Mason, he could not in the
York Rite be restored to membership in bis lodge without a unanimous ballot in his
favor! This point was not involved in the question submitted to the committee; the
Grand Lodge had decided that the sentence of expulsion was null and void ab Inltio,
and," therefore, L. A. Frymier had never ceased to :be a member of the lodge; whereas,
the Committee, although they argued that he was not a member of the lodge, insisted
thaw he should pay two years dues before the dimit was granted, and submitted a
resolution to that effect! After the adoption of the report and resolution, Grand
Master Preaux asked the lodge, as a personal favor, to remit the two years dues, ami
retired. On motion, the dues were remitted, and the dimit granted. The Grand Master
then re-entered the lodge, and, in consequence of the rumors in circulation, requested
the lodge not to act on any important subject until after tb.e meeting of the Grand
Lodge to be held in the ensuing week, "pledging himself, as