- 41 - b3 . &11 ::41-alall)1.1:11c3a 011rd - lirhintesey 9 itlLetter, From the Ric!armpit (Virginia) Whig Messrs. linrrons:---As -your columns have been opened to the subject o f Anti,na sonry, I hop you will have no reluctance to give the subjoined let :r in them. It is ably o written . ,,,imaliesithe most dispassion _Ate_tuaLwisraMllls%-iiiiow of the ,subject, Ott+ have seen. It was written in the Aourse of private correspondence, and with out the slightest idea of publication. The Correspondent being a good deal struck with its intelligence and 1:11TC, applied fbr, and obtained leave of_jtie writer to publish it; and us it contiimsttOtiVinTwhich - he did not firmly believe to be true he had no objec tion to give it the sanction of his name.— The reader need not be told that Frederick Whittlese . p is a highly respectable member of Congress. from New York. WASITINGTON, Dec. 10, 1831. Dear Sir: The vi'JwS expressed is your Jotter of Freemasonry, are such as most. men of candid minds would take, who reside dis tant from the scene of Masonic outrages, , and among high minded individuals of the Masonic fraternity after the perusal of the tragedy of Williani Morgan, and an exam ination of the obligations which led to it— till, I imagine that such views are errone ous in some essential particulars. The out" rage uponlrorgan, looking upon it as a simple, isolated violation of the laws how- ever heinous it might have been, is as such undeserving of the groat importance which has been given to it. Like other undetect ed and unpunished crimes it .might be a .! ; •I,Ler of regret with the lovers of justice At should remain unpunished; but it • - _furnishno occasion for any general vement in the public body. It is not as 'uCheimply that it is viewed; but it is look ed upon as the window through which a flood of light has been let \ upon the princi ples of the Masonic ;Society and the obliga tions which binds its members together. • It has been the means of disclosing to us the fact that a very numerous, powerfnl and in fluential society exists in the laud, whose members are scattered all over it, found in every station in society and who are under the most solemn obligations .to each other, to assist each other, in all cases, whether "right or wrong,"—to keep each other's secrets in all cases, "murder and treason _ not excepted"—to sustain each other's re ,utation and_prelerenee, and providing The punishment of death for the breach of such obligations. Various obligations according to their literal import arc opposed, to the first and plainest duties which a citizen owes to society—they conflict with his oath as a judge, juror or witness--they conflict with : his oath of office in any office to which he may be elected or appointed—they are, in fine, so far as regards the persons taking these - obligations in term?, the paramount law, to which all other duties and all other . obligations must yield; Without further proof, we should, however, be slow to be lieve that these obligations could havateen understood according to their literal import. We should charitably presume, that they were taken in subservience to their more essential duties as citizens and good officers, and that their requirements would practical ly extekid only to cases warranted by the laws and the public good. The Morgan outrage, however, discloses to us the fur ther and startling fact, that their obligations • aa,by„inany.of.the....mesabers.. of the fraternity at least as binding even to the ver letter and that literal obedience is to be rendered• to the Masertic oath, even though it atinuCil lye the infraction of the most cherished ansl necessary laws of the land. The masonic oath taken by Morgan --incurred the penalty. of death, if he should - __break it. - He waa about to_ reveal certain secrets .which - rendered him liable to that Ftrts was - no - saner knowsl . than reemasoris laid their plans to inflict upou him the appropriate lamislimmt. Nuttier . ous members of the fraternity, - from differ , taind distant places, met to consult about the, means to be adopted. Members were engaged in an attack upon the olicc where the manuscript was printing, with a view to destroy both manuscript and Vpe—mern. hers were collected at Batavia, when the office was fired=-members were engaged in the arrest of Morgan, and in transporting him from Batavia around- by Canandaigua, one hundred and fitly miles, to Fort Niaga ra. Carriages alai relays of horses wore furnished upon the road by the mystic brethren: Two or three different consulta tions were .had about the manner of dispos ing of him. He was finally put to death. No adhering member of the fraternity, with bua.a single exception, have any assist ance to bring the perpetrators to justice.-- On the contrary, they threw every obstacle . 1 - in the way of investigation—They circula- C.,--ted false rumors and ptisoned the public mind .with Unfounded slanders and misled it by groundless stories. The escape of the Wonders was connived at. Tee Grand Chapter of New York, contributed. money . to aid in such escape, and iwthre - lirateetion and support of the offenders. Grand Jurors Tsre false to their twiths, to truly present— . Witnesses upon trial were flilse to their • oaths to truly testify--Petit Jurors were • false, to 'their oaths, to truly try--Aqtriesses in Some inetauces spurned the tuttlthrity of the Court and rafused to teitif , andin some instances even' t bb sworn. Sheriffs molly returned partial .grand jurors. I tnight.eateiul this list of enormities, but it ..10,,maepossarp • it is sufficient to' say that . 4 ,,e0, 0 :. *Ole black eataloguri, all of ahem titeav,aioutu!ted by FroenAson's..The Hum, • ~eagttged t original ,otitai we were . ' 11 154.f1 1 1 1 4 0 they were Apt tta runless,` El igtorant.-zi initentte Men: They were I generally in • well inulerStood the du- ties they owed r to' society—who stood,(bigh in that society, and who Inortli t e contide,nee, respect and esteem of the coma - it/I)4y ill which thy lived. Sheriffs, Magistrates, Officers attic Army and Militia; Members of the Le!dslature, and even cler , vinen, were among the IlUmbut of ollittiders. They were prompted to the .I.voiruission of the out rage-- ofinivate -malice. or personal revenge, but solely by a conviction of duty. The obligations %%Ilicit they had taken as Masons, required them thus to break the laws of society, according to their fitcrui import, and they believed that such obligations were imperative upon them ac cording to the Very letter--and they acted under such belief. The question then, I ap pre:lend,isa re the oaths which are published as the obligations of Freemasonry, the oaths which are actually taken by Free-Masons! and are the same oaths in subz , tance admin istered all over the union! As to the first branch of the (iliestioe, I apprehend the lid- ness of proof can leave US in no deuht.-- More than three thonaa ad persons who have seceded ..rznii the Soc let y have averred, un der the sanction of their reputation, that the disclosures are true—that just such oaths arc taken by Freemasons. Nearly one hundred tritne3sce and some of them adhering Masons, have proved the swine fact; by witnesms, when under judicial ex aminations. Many others have proved the same thing by affidavits extra judicially ta ' ken. All these, too, sly that Masonry is an unirmin system; indeed we know otherwise that it is s.e and besides there is a general systemextending . over the whole non, which must ho uniform. There is a U rent GrandAlhapter of the United States in ex isteucV--all of which facts leads us irresisti bly to-the belief that the Masonic obligations are substantially the same throughout the Union, and I have nu doubt they are thro% out the world. - W hen your Virginia Freemasons My i that their Freemasonry is not the saine , -,'lsN.,ow York Masonry, I presume they mean only this--that they, as individuals, only wider stand that these obligations are assumed in their view, and will be acted,upou by them in strict subservience to the laws of the land and to the duties they owe Society; and that in Ito case are the Masonic obligations to be considered paramount to either. A just knowledge of their social duties would teach all, that no obligations could be binding, - whic - conflicted - wit the-eltriers which - c iety - has- upon them -froin-their-birth.---14-is nevertheless true, that the masonic obliga tions are by their literal import, made su perior to all other duties and obligations: still I have no doubt, that not only a majori ty, but a very great majority of Freemasons throughout the Union, do not so view their Masonic oaths, and will not in practice, so act upon them, that they shall interfbre with higher and more essential duties. It is not to be believed that Washington, Franklin, and La Fayette or the gifted, em inent, and patriotic men of the present day, who are Freemasons, would sulfir such nar row and pernicious ties to shackle their con duct, in the discharge pf their public or pri vate relations in society—affsuch, without doubt, look upon such obligations, as sub servient to more important duties, and do in fact practically disregard the binding force of such oaths. Masonry will not be an in strument of mischief to the world, in their hands. ' Still, it is equally true, that obliga tions of such tenor and import, are actually taken by all Freemasons; and they do, in fuel, iliaeliTo mere inen than an ingenuous and generous mind is will ing to believe withoutttfas , fullest proof:. This was found by experience, in N. York --this you will find in Virginia,' or any other State, as soul' ifs the institution is as sailed, with vigorous and determined effort. Give it but a single home blow—wound it of whom you would suspect-no such thing,. acting as if the spirit of the very fiends pos sessed them. It is argument enough against the institution, that It is useless—but it will be perceived at once, that it is worse than useless, if its obligations are such, that even by weak and ill-regulated minds, it can be used to purposes of extensive mist:hit:l. It must show some purposes of great utility which it subserves, to be able to put in even a plea for its existence, when as- capacity for mischief is so alarming and extensive. It-thas shewn nonesuch. It can show none such. The great strength of the order, consists in the names of the eminent and venerated men, who have belonged, or who do now intiollg to it. It is capable of ma. king no other defence. Is this a good plea? No one will say / that it is; fin., by it, there is no corruption, or abuse, or prevalent vice, that might not be defended, • The truth is, that-the Institution itself, is, by its very CouStitution bad, inherently bad. It is not a god Institution, the bene,v oleat purposes of which have been perverted by bad men—but it is a corrupt lustitution, whose capacity thr mischief has been res- . trained by the nuinlier of good and-virtuous men who have beewits members. We ask all who unite. with us in abroga. ,ting..ll, and particularly we should desire those who belong to it-, to come forward, and yield it pp fey the puldic good., As they have not done it with us, we have felt bound, by en Vb - ligatinz q t . , imperious public duty, 1 4 to takosoc„ 4 maga:able ruethuds, as the con stitution 1 s( put; in our hands, to destroy n. .We were conv,iitcpd , that no' mode ; es*ept ale -mo3t.elliciet4rould ensure the'dosirsd result. 0 u r f iesphtitiwts—our add resses— ”.• mid ir.dead, alliottparrt_eifarts, wore mock ed at and ridte 7 icr: TO 0 ~ t isve franchise, is the only c' _ ,, i org4L9 '.. itAiOipiPioti =that remain' , Oils, and wrattv no triode bus. t,g_ei?. , •cistjt IL fin' 1 h., :p4t=ritt i:m of Free masonry—we were, and are convinced, that an hi - STrument Jess etiicici t, would•not etPct our object. 'I'114• ii We do out ask to aid,us 11 y, though we conceiiic this thii most efficient aid--but we do desire, that people, should examine the subject fairly, candidly, impartially, add then, they will act as their conscience shall dictate. • - • 4-have troubled you with a long, perhaps _tau long_letter. .1. could. not _ moi;L: brief--my apology must be the importance which the subject ha t s in my owii mind, and the importance too, which I believe it.to have, as regards this people. I am respectfully, your obedient servant, 11( EDI: RICK WI I 11"11. ESE Y. riorrAW:mar.m....m.,....as=wommied. R ';'S iity—Seciy The Senate did not sit vii Saturday. Fu the !louse of itepres:ltatives, the res olution from the Committee on the Puhile lbr the execution or a marbly statue of NVashiaAtori, to be placed in the Rohmdo of the Cripilol, was taken, and pitsed by a vote of a' es 11-1, noes ;sj. Va. lions private bills Nvcre reported and acted oil, atter which, the dowse, on motion of Mr. Carson, went into a Committee of the \V Bole, Mr. Speight iu the chair, to COW pc:Nate Mrs. I )Lcatur , I;)r the destruction, ofthe frigate Philadelphia, in the harbor ut Tripoli. 'lle coladde,utiou or this well lieuwn case, occupied the (louse during the residue of thmsittilw. The hill appropri ates the stun of $lOO,OOO for this purpose, :ttal provides tot its diAribution milting Mrs. Decatur, the widow of Commodore Treble, mid the officers and crew of the United States schooner infrepicl, or their legal representa tives. Ir. Carson addressed the commit tee iu support ()Utile bill, mid Jlr. Tracy pro posed an amendment to distribute the sum according to the provisions of the prize law, but the amendment was negatived. :M. P e ar c e moved a further annuenchueut, that of the i,i;:i1,000, allotted in the bill to Mrs. Decatur, sherun be paid to the nieces of Commodore Decatur. 'Upon this a long discussion ensued. Before any decisi , ni was arrived at, however, the committee rose and reported, and the Clouse adjourned. 'lt:E.:way, Feb. 21 . Ili the Senate, yesterday, Mr. Ewing con clu'led his speech, on-the saldect of the taL . - in favor. of.)11'. Clay's resolution and the protective system. The appropriation bills ' from the [louse tbr fortifications; tir revo lutionary and other pensioners; forthe naval service, and - for naval arrearages, were read twice, and, on motion of Mr. Smith, referred to - the Committee on Finance. Tlie bill .front the House, providing fix• the settlement Of the claims of the State of South Carolina against the United States, \llls also read twice, and, on motion of Mr. Miller, referred to the Committee on Military Mr. Miller, of S. C., has the door to-day. In the house of Representatives; - Mr. Ev erett, of Mass., presented a memorial from I I &udubon, the distinguished naturalist, praying that his history of American birds may lie imported free of duty. A Variety of other memorials and petitions were pre sented; and several resolutions on the sub ject of private claims, were introduced.— The acts of incorporatioii °Cale Bank of the United Statc4, amid the charter of the old bank, were, on motion of Mr. , Thomson, of Ohio, ordered to be printed. Mr. Thomas, of Louisiana, submitted a joint resolution di recting an adjournment froin this day until _llunsday. r .ia_houur_of..the. centennial. day c.)l Washington, which was read a first, second, and third time, and p r nssed. Four engrossed bills were read a third time and passed; and the bill to define the qualifica tion of voters in the Territory of Arkansas, was- ordered to be engrossed. The bill oh the subject of - relieving certain insolvent _dchtnanfAiteAlnited_iitatea,__Qccupiell_the. attention of the tiouse dUring the remainder of the sitting, I\'EHNE.4l).ky, Feb. 29. n the Senate, Nesterday, Arr. ClianiberS submitted a resolution, amending the rules of the Senate, by providing that the special order shall not be called up till two o'clock, instead of one. The Appropriation bills recAved from the [louse on Monday, were passed. Sonic private bills were matured. At one o'clock, ilr. Clay's resolution was taken tip, and 11r.Ileri,spoke two hours in opposition to it, when he gave way to a motion to adjourn. In the House or Representatives, Mr. via, from the Committee on the Public Lauds, reported a bill to 'reduce and gradu ate the price of the Odic lands, which was committed to a Committee ofthe Whole on the state of the : Union. The House' pro eceded to the considerat ion or I he resolution proposed by Mr. E. Everett, (as m'odifiod by the mover,) calling on the President for part of ttr