E. H. ADDINGTON

80 OUTLINE OF THE RISE AND PROGRESS
On February 20, 1850, the Louisiana Grand Lodge A. Y. M. accepted the
proposed Articles of Union and adopted resolutions to carry them into
effect.* On the 4th of March, the union was ratified by the Grand Lodge
and declared to date from that day ;f the edicts of non-intercourse were
repealed and all penalties incurred under them revoked; a committee appointed
to prepare a circular to be addressed to. all sister Grand Lodges:t
and, on motion of a member of the Supreme Council, the following resolution
adopted:
Resolved, That the Grand Secretary of this Grand Lodge shall immediately
inform the Supreme. Council of the Sovereign Grand Inspectors General
33d degree, meeting at New Orleans, that this Grand Lodge renounces,
now and forever, to constitute any symbolical lodges other than as Ancient,
Free and Accepted Masons.
terruption of the good understanding and brotherly intercourse now existing between
us, which they, as well as ourselves, are convinced can never again be terminated; and
as a proof thereof they did, iu our presence, unanimously pass a resolution declaring
that the suspension of the.ir decrees of non-intercourse, which were then limited to
sixty days, should be made' perpetual.
"This demonstration of good and brotherly feeling, it is our duty to respond to, and
renders the necessity and duty of union still more imperative upon us."
The communication then recommends that the proposed Articles of Union be submitted
to the subordinate lodges for adoption or rejection, and that "their representatives
should receive full and unrestricted powers to effect the union, upon any and
such terms as circumstances may require, and their judgment and conscience permit;"
and concludes with suggesting that, in deference to the opinion of the Grand Lodge
of Mississippi, a delegate ought to be sent immediately to that body with a copy of
the proposed Articles of Union, "and a request that it advise and counsel" the Louisiana
Grand Lodge A. 1 Y. M. as to their adoption, or whether it "ought to insist on
anything further."
It is questionable if this suggestion was adopted; it was made on the eveinng of
February 6; a delegate could not have left New Orleans for Natchez until next day,
and the annual communication of the Grand Lodge of Mississippi closed on the 5th.
The printed proceedings of that Grand Lodge for 1S50 show that it knew negotiations
had been entered into for the purpose of effecting a union; and remarks in its proceedings
for 1851 lead to the inference that neither it nor its Grand Officers were
consulted on the subject.
•The following is a copy of the resolutions adopted by the Louisiana Grand Lodge
A. Y. M. and accepted by the Grand Lodge of the State o{ Louisiana:
"Resolved by the Louisiana Grand Lodge of Ancient York Masons herein acting in
the name and behalf and by virtue of the authority of her constituent lodges and the
brethren under her jurisdiction that the Articles of Union proposed to this Grand
Lodge by the Grand Lodge of the State of Louisiana on 28th and 29th January, 1850,
be and the same are hereby accepted and adopted.
"Resolved, That in issuing charters to the lodges now holding of this Grand Lodge,
the Grand Lodge of the State of Louisiana be requested to give them the same relative
rank and numbers, with respect to each other, as they now hold on the registry of
this Grand Lodge.
"Resolved, That so soon as the preliminary arrangements contemplated by said
Articles of Union are perfected and the necessary business of this bodv transacted,
this Grand Lodge shall be closed and finally dissolved.
Resolved, That on the dissolution of this Grand Lodge as above provided the Grand
Master shall, and he is hereby empowered to transfer and deliver all the property
and effects, money and archives, of this Grand Lodge to the proper officers of the
Grand Lodge of the State of Louisiana, to be by that body held and disposed of In
the manner provided in the said Articles of Union; and all officers of this Grand Lodge,
all lodges holding of it. and all other persons whomsoever having in their possession
any of said property, etc., or being indebted to this Grand Lodge, are required to
deliver the same, or make their payments to said Grand Master for the purpose
aforesaid.
"Resolved, That a copy of the foregoing preamble and resolutions to be signed by the
Grand Master and counter-signed by the Grand Secretary under the seal of this Grand
Lodge, be forwarded without delay to the Grand Lodge of the State of Louisiana.—
Pro. G. L. La. 1850-51, pp. 40, 41.
tPro. G. L. La. 1850-51, p. 41.
JThe reconciliation and union of the Masonic fraternity of Louisiana was a subject
of congratulation by the sister Grand Lodges: Mississippi, however^ does not appear
to have received a copy of the circular, and its Grand Secretary, considering his
Gram^L^dge slighted, was very sensitive on the subject.—Pro. G. L. Miss. 1851, pp.