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THE CHARTER OF AFRICAN LODGE, NO. 459

"TO ALL AND EVERY:

"Our Right Worshipful, Worshipful and loving Brethren: We, Thomas Howard, Earl of Effingham, Lord Howard, etc., etc., etc., Acting Grand Master under the authority of his Royal Highness, Henry Frederick, Duke of Cumberland, etc., etc., etc., Grand Master of the Most Ancient & Honorable Society of Free and Accepted Masons, send Greetings:

"KNOW YE That we, ath the humble Petition of Our Right Trusty and well loved Brethren, Prince Hall, Boston Smith, Thomas Sanderson, and several other Brethren residing at Boston, New England, in North America, Do hereby Constitute the said Brethren into a regular Lodge of Free & Accepted Masons, under the Title or Denomination of the African Lodge, to be opened in Boston, aforesaid. And do further, at their said Petition and of the great Trust and Confidence reposed in each of the said above named Brethren, hereby appoint the said Prince Hall to be Master; Boston Smith, Senior Warden, and Thomas Sanderson, Junior Warden, for the opening of the said Lodge, and for such further time only as shall be thought proper by the Brethren thereof. It being our Will that this, our appointment of the above Officers, shall in no wise affect any future Election of Officers of the Lodge, but that such Election shall be regulated agreeable to such By'Laws of the Society, contained in the Book of Constitutions. And we hereby will and require you, the said Prince Hall, to take Special care that all and every the said Brethren are or have been regularly made Masons and that they do observe, perform, and keep all the Rules and Orders contained in the Book of Constitutions. And we hereby will and require you, the said Prince Hall, to take Special care that all and every the said Brethren are or have been regularly made Masons and that they do observe, perform, and jeep all the Rules and Orders contained in the Book of Constitutions. And, further, that you do from time to time cause to be entered in a Book kept for that purpose, an account of your Proceedings in the Lodge, together with all such Rules, Orders, and Regulations as shall be made for the good government of the same; that in no wise you omit once in every Year to send to Us, or our Successors, Grand Masters or to Rowland Holt, Esquire, Our Deputy Grand Master, or to the Deputy Grand Master for the time being, an account in Writing of your said Proceedings and Copies of all such Rules, Orders and Regulations as shall be made as aforesaid, together with A List of the Members of the Lodge, and such Sum of Money as may suit the circumstances of the Lodge, and reasonably be expected towards the Grand Charity. Moreover, we hereby will and require of you, the said Prince Hall, as soon as conveniently may be, to send an Account in Writing of what may be done by virtue of these Presents.

"Given at London, under Our Hand & Seal of Masonry, this 29th Day of Sept. A. L. 5784, A.D. 1784.
By the Grand Master's Command.

"Witness: Wm. White, G.S. (signed) R. Holt, D.G.M."

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