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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 Greeting:

"Know ye That we, at 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 ion Boston, aforesaid. And do further 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 said Lodge.