section 1, be in the following words, instead of said article in the general grand royal arch constitution, as the same therein is written, to wit: SECT. 1. There shall be a general grand chapter of royal arch masons for the United States of America, which shall be holden as is bereinafter directed, and shall consist of a general grand high priest, deputy general grand high priest, general grand king, general grand scribe, secretary, treasurer, chaplain and marshal; and likewise of the several grand and deputy grand high priests, kings and scribes, for the time being, of the several state grand chapters, under the jurisdiction of this general grand chapter; and of the past general grand high priests, deputy general grand high priests, kings and scribes, of the said general grand chapter; and the aforesaid officers, or their proxies, shall be the only members and voters in said general grand chapter. And no person shall be constituted a proxy, unless he be a present or past officer of this or a state grand chapter. Whereupon it was resolved to substitute the above section, as reported by the committee, in place of the first section of the first article of the general grand royal arch constitution. On motion, the following resolution was passed unanimously by the general grand chapter, to wit: Resolved, that the G. G. R. A. Constitution be so far amended as that the deputy general grand high priest shall have and possess powers and prerogatives, equal and símilar to those possessed by, and vested in the general grand high priest, king and scribe of the general grand chapter, by the said constitution. The committee appointed to confer with the delegates of the grand chapter of Maryland and District of Columbia on the subject of a masonic union, made the following report, to wit: The undersigned, having been appointed a committee for the purpose of conferring with M. E. Companions PHILIP P. ECKEL and BENJAMIN EDES, delegates from the grand royal arch chapter of the state of Maryland, beg leave to report that they have had an interview with the above named campanions, from whom they received the following proposition, to wit: The grand chapter for the state of Maryland and district of Columbia are willing to support the Constitution of this general grand chapter. It will not grant any warrants out of its district, and will discountenance all chapters formed contrary to the general grand constitution; but requests that it shall not be forced to alter its mode of working, if any difference should exist, at present, and to be received on an equality with the other grand chapters. Under a consideration of all the above circumstances, your committee recommend that the said grand chapter of the state of Maryland be admitted to an union with this general grand chapter. New-York, June 7, 5816. EZRA AMES, JOEL HART, The undersigned delegates from the grand chapter of the state of Maryland and district of Columbia agree to the above report. P. P. ECKEL, G. H. P. Which report being read, voted to accept the same; and thereupon voted to receive the said grand chapter of the state of Maryland and district of Columbia under the jurisdiction of the general grand chapter; and said grand chapter of the state of Maryland and district of Columbia is accordingly admitted under said jurisdiction, subject to the constitution and regulations of the said general grand chapter. The committee to whom was referred the granting of charters for opening royal arch chapters by the general grand king and general grand scribe, made the following report: That the general grand king has granted warrants or charters for the following chapters, to wit: St. Andrew's Chapter, Hanover, N. H. 27th Jannary, 5807. That the general grand scribe has granted warrants or charters for the following chapters, to wit: Washington Chapter, Newark, New-Jersey, 26th May, 5813. Cincinnati Mark Lodge, No. 1, Hanover, New-Jersey, April, 5811. And your committee are of opinion that the above warrants or char ters have been issued agreeably to the constitution of the general grand chapter, and ought to be confirmed by the same. All which is respectfully submitted by HENRY FOWLE, JOSEPH ENOS, JONATHAN NYE. Which being read, voted to accept the same, and that said warrants or chapters be, and they are hereby, confirmed accordingly. The time for election of general grand officers having arrived, voted that the general grand king, scribe, and secretary, be a committee to receive, sort and count the votes, which being done, the following companions were declared to be duly elected to the offices respectively affixed to their names, to wit: M. E. and Hon. DE WITT CLINTON, Esq. of New-York, State of New-York, GENERAL GRAND HIGH PRIEST. M. E. THOMAS SMITH WEBB, Esq. of Boston, Massachusetts, DEPUTY GENERAL GRAND HIGH PRIEST. M. E. JOHN H. LYNDE, Esq. of New-Haven, Connecticut, GENE RAL GRAND KING. M. E. PHILIP P. ECKEL, Esq. of Baltimore, Maryland, GENERAL GRAND SCRIBE. M. E. JOHN ABBOT, Esq. of Westford, Massachusetts, General Grand Secretary. M. E. PETER GRINNELL, Esq. of Providence, Rhode-Island, General Grand Treasurer. M. E. and Rev. Jonathan Nye, of Newfane, Vermont, General Grand Chaplain. M. E. JOHN HARRIS, Esq. of Hopkinton, New-Hampshire, Generol Grand Marshal. Voted and chose Companions JOBL HART, JOHN BRUSH, and JONATHAN NYE, a committee to wait on the M. E. and Hon. DE WITT CLINTON, Esq. and notify him of his election to the office of general grand high priest. Voted to adjourn to half past three o'clock in the afternoon, then to meet at this place. Attest. JOHN ABBOT, G. G. Sec. pro tem. Met according to adjournment. An elegant and ingenious discourse having been delivered before the general grand chapter, by M. E. and Rev. Companion NYE, according to appointment, voted and chose M. E. THOMAS J. WEBB, EZRA AMES, and JOHN ABBOT, a committee to return companion NYE the thanks of this general grand chapter, and respectfully request him to furnish the general grand secretary with a copy of said discourse to be placed on the files of the said general grand chapter. The committee, appointed to wait on the M. E. and Hon. DE WITT CLINTON, reported his acceptance of the office of general grand high priest, and that he would attend the general grand chapter to-morrow at éleven o'clock, A. M. for the purpose of installation. Voted to adjourn till to-morrow, June 8, 1816, to meet at this place at 10 o'clock, A. M.. Attest. JOHN ABBOT, G. G. Sec. pro tem. June 8, 1816. Met according to adjournment, and the minutes of yesterday, June 7, being read, voted to accept the same. On motion, voted that the next meeting of the general grand chapter be holden in the city of New-York, state of New-York, unless the first four, or a majority of the first four general grand officers shall designate some other place, and cause timely notice thereof to be given to all companions interested. The general grand officers appeared, and were duly installed into their respective offices. The following resolution was passed by the general grand chapter, to wit: Resolved, That for every companion heretofore exalted in any chapter holden by dispensation or warrant from either of the general grand officers, such chapter shall pay the sum of one dollar into the general grand treasury; and that for every companion that may be hereafter exalted in any chapter holden as aforesaid, the sum of twe dollars shall be paid in like manner. And that the general grand sec retary notify the said chapters hereof, and request them to settle their dues accordingly. The foregoing minutes, of June 8, being read, voted to accept the same. The general grand chapter was then closed in due form, to meet on the second Thursday in September, A. D. 1819. Attest, JOHN ABBOT, G. G. Sec. THE GENERAL GRAND ROYAL ARCH CONSTITUTION, FOR THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. ARTICLE I. OF THE GENERAL GRAND CHAPTER. SECT. 1. There shall be a General Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons for the United States of America, which shall be holden as is hereinafter directed, and shall consist of a General Grand High Priest, Deputy General Grand High Priest, General Grand King, General Grand Scribe, Secretary, Treasurer, Chaplain, and Marshal; and likewise of the several Grand and Deputy Grand High Priests, Kings and Scribes, for the time being, of the several state grand chapters, under the jurisdiction of this general grand chapter; and of the Past General Grand High Priests, Deputy General Grand High Priests, Kings and Scribes of the said general grand chapter; and the aforesaid officers, or their proxies, shall be the only members and voters in said general grand chapter. And no person shall be constituted a proxy, unless he be a present or past officer of this or a state grand chapter. SECT. 2. The general grand chapter shall meet septennially, on the second Thursday in September, for the choice of officers, and other business dating from the second Thursday in September, A. D. 1805, at such place as may, from time to time, be appointed. : SECT. 3. A special meeting of the general grand chapter shall be called whenever the General Grand High Priest, Deputy General Grand High Priest, General Grand King, and General Grand Scribe, or any two of them, may deem it necessary; and also whenever it may be required by a majority of the grand chapters of the states aforesaid, provided such requisition be made known in writing, by the said grand chapters respectively, to the General Grand High Priest, Deputy General Grand High Priest, King or Scribe. And it shall be the duty of the said general officers, and they are each of them severally authorised, empowered and directed, upon receiving official notice of such requisition from a majority of the grand chapters aforesaid, to appoint a time and place of meeting, and notify each of the state grand chapters thereof accordingly. SECT. 4. It shall be incumbent on the General Grand High Priest, Deputy General Grand High Priest, General Grand King, and General Grand Scribe, severally, to improve and perfect themselves in the sublime arts and work of Mark Masters, Past Masters, Most Excellent Masters, and Royal Arch Masons; to make themselves masters of the several masonic lectures and ancient charges; to consult with each other, and with the Grand and Deputy Grand High Priests, Kings and Scribes of the several States aforesaid, for the purpose of adopting measures suitable and proper for diffusing a knowledge of the said lectures and charges, and an uniform mode of working, in the several chapters and lodges throughout this jurisdiction; and the better to effect this laudable purpose, the aforesaid general grand officers are severally hereby authorised, and empowered, to visit and preside in any and every chapter of Royal Arch Masons, and lodge of Most Excellent, Past, or Mark Master Masons, throughout the said States, and to give such instructions and directions as the good of the fraternity may require; always adhering to the ancient landmarks of the order. SECT. 5. In all cases of the absence of any officer from any body of masons, instituted or holden by virtue of this constitution, the officer next in rank shall succeed his superior; unless through courtesy said officer should decline in favour of a past superior officer present. And in case of the absence of all the officers from any legal meeting of either of the bodies aforesaid, the members present, according to seniority and abilities, shall fill the several offices. SECT. 6. In every chapter or lodge of Masons, instituted or holden by virtue of this constitution, all questions (except upon the admission of members or candidates) shall be determined by a majority of votes; the presiding officer for the time being, being entitled to vote, if a member; and in case the votes should at any time be equally divided, the presiding officer as aforesaid, shall give the casting vote. SECT 7. The general grand royal arch chapter shall be competent (on concurrence of two thirds of its members present) at any time hereafter, to revise, amend and alter this constitution. SECT. 8. In case any casualty should at any time hereafter prevent the septennial election of officers, the several general grand officers shall sustain their respective offices until successors are duly elected and qualified. SECT. 9, The General Grand High Priest, Deputy General Grand High Priest, General Grand King, and General Grand Scribe, shall severally have power and authority to institute new Royal Arch Chapters, and Lodges of the subordinate degrees, in any State in which there is not a grand chapter regularly established. But no new chapter shall be instituted in any State wherein there is a chapter or chapters holden under the authority of this constitution, without a recommen |