inal record of this convention is now "published for the first time, and forms a most fitting introduction to the printed records of the Grand Lodge formed as a result of that meeting. This record is in the handwriting of A. C. Smith, and reads as follows:

Agreeably to previous notice a convention of Free Masons was holden at Mt. Clemens, Macomb County, Michigan, for the purpose of taking into consideration the condition of the fraternity in said state, on the thirteenth day of November A. L.5840.

On motion Brother Ebenezer Hall was called to the chair, assisted by Brothers John S. Parke & O. Bates, & A. C. Smith was appointed Secretary for the time being.

The following Preamble and Resolutions were introduced, discussed, and unanimously adopted, to wit:

Whereas, The Brethren of the Ancient fraternity of Free Masons here assembled, propose to assume the rights, powers, duties and prerogatives of a Grand Lodge within and for the state of Michigan, to be based upon ancient and long established usages of the fraternity throughout the world; And Whereas, we propose to act with due caution and candor towards all brethren in this state who may in any way feel an interest in this cause, Therefore

Resolved, That a Committee consisting of Brothers Smith, Dodge and Perry be appointed to make inquiries and report at our next meeting.

ist. As to the existence of any Grand Lodge within the limits of Michigan, either heretofore or at present.

2nd. As to the powers, rights and duties of Brother M. M's. and others in Michigan, who propose associating under the name and style of 'the Grand Lodge of Michigan.'

3d. The amount of funds immediately required to enable a Grand Lodge to go into successful operation and the ways and means for raising the same.

Resolved, That the said committee be requested to take such measures, as to them shall seem prudent, to secure a fair representation of our Masonic brethren from other parts of the state at our next meeting.

On motion the Convention was adjourned to the first Wednesday after full moon in January, 1841, A. L. 5841, at one hour past sunset.

Attest,

A. C. Smith,

Secretary.

The Convention met in January as per adjournment, as shown by this additional record.

Convention met pursuant to adjournment and on motion the same was adjourned to meet again on the first Wednesday after the full of the moon in May next, 1841, at one hour past sunset.

Attest,

A. C. Smith,

Sec'y.

May 5, 1841, the brothers again assembled at Mt. Clemens, agreeably to adjournment. The record of that meeting is as follows:

Wednesday May 5th 1841.

Convention met pursuant to adjournment.

Bro. T. M. Perry in the chair.

The committee appointed at a previous meeting, through A. C. Smith, Chairman, made a report which report was accepted and adopted.

Your committee to whom was referred certain resolutions passed and adopted by this Convention on the 13th day of November A. L. 5840, beg leave to report; that they have examined into the various subjects embraced in the said resolutions, and touching the first part of the first resolution they feel happy in stating that a Grand Lodge was duly and regularly organized in and for the (then) Territory of Michigan on the 28th day of June A. L. 5826, by a convention of delegates from four subordinate Lodges, then in existence under foreign jurisdiction, to wit, Zion Lodge, No. 3, Detroit Lodge, No. 337, Manominna Lodge, No. 374 and Monroe Lodge, No. 375; and that the said Grand Lodge continued holding its Communications regularly until such time, as, within the recollection of all of us, persecution leveled her arrows at every man in any manner known to be connected or affiliated with the Institution.

At this time and under these circumstances, with the intention of carrying out the original designs of the institution and on the earnest recommend of the Grand Master, Gov. Lew Cass, it was resolved that the Grand Lodge suspend, and it did suspend for the time being, its meetings and recommended to the subordinate Lodges to do the same, to the end that every thing in their power tending to allay an unjust and pernicious excitement might be done on the part of the Fraternity in this Commonwealth.

This Grand Lodge was acknowledged on the part of the Legislature of Michigan by the enactment of a Law creating the said Lodge a body corporate, with all the powers usually conferred on corporations, and which was approved by the Governor in the year 1827 and yet remains in full force and virtue.

Your Committee cannot perceive any good reason why the Grand Lodge of Michigan cannot convene itself in a legal and constitutional manner, neither can they perceive the propriety of organizing a new Grand Lodge while the one already in existence stands unimpeached in that capacity.

If this view of your committee be correct then the second and third parts of the first resolution will require no comment at our hands.

In reference to the second resolution, your committee would state that no invitations have been given to this meeting beyond the limits of this county in consequence of there having been a general convention held at Detroit on this subject on the 4th of February 1841, at which time it was resolved to call a communication of the Grand Lodge above mentioned on the fifth day of June next.

In conclusion, your committee would recommend an application to the highest Grand Officer of the Grand Lodge for a warrant of dispensation to organize a subordinate Lodge in Mt. Clemens, should this convention be of opinion that the present Grand Lodge is a Legitimate one.

May 5, 1841.

A. C. Smith,
For Committee.

Brothers Smith and Cole were appointed a committee to petition the Grand Master for a Dispensation to empower us to hold regular Lodges.

die.

On motion Ebenezer Hall was elected to be our first Master. Adjourned sine

Attest,
A. C. Smith.

It will be observed that these brothers took the first steps toward securing a Lodge in Mt. Clemens at this meeting, when they were considering the subject of a Grand Lodge.

As stated in the report of the Committee, a convention had been called to meet in Detroit in the following month, on the day that would

have been the regular date for the meeting of the Grand Lodge had it continued its existence. The former Junior Grand Warden had granted dispensations for Lodges at Mt. Clemens and Pontiac, and these with Stony Creek Lodge which had not ceased to work, were represented at that convention, which assembled on June 2, 1841. Ebenezer Hall was made chairman and Abner C. Smith, Secretary. On assuming the chair, Brother Hall used these words:

The dire necessity that in years gone by prompted the Grand Lodge to suspend all masonic labors in the jurisdiction, and in so doing she was but carrying out the principles inherent among the ancient landmarks of our institution, to promote harmony, peace and concord in the government under which Providence had cast our lot; that at the time of the suspension of labor there was abroad in our land a spirit of persecution against the Masonic institution, alike distinguished for its malignity and virulence, hardly surpassed by the ancient fires of religious intolerence or Spanish inquisition.

Under the circumstances the Grand Lodge undoubtedly took the most judicious course; and for which she has before her a most ancient and illustrious example, to wit: the example of our most ancient, excellent and worthy Grand Master, King Solomon, who once, at least, had occasion to secure in the moulten columns of the temple's porch the archives of the institution, her constitution, her records and her rolls, from the fires and inundations of the impious Goths and vandals of Jerusalem.

Our place of deposit, though not of moulten brass; has nevertheless proved equally judicious, and has secured our archives and tenets from ravages quite as severe, though of a different and more modern character.

A committee was appointed to gather together as far as possible, all books, papers and transcripts pertaining to the Grand Lodge, with a view of perfecting the records thereof, after which it was

Resolved, That we do now proceed to election of officers of the Grand Lodge of Michigan, and that the election be made by a show of hands.

Levi Cook, of Detroit, was chosen Grand Master; Leonard Weed, of Pontiac, Deputy Grand Master; Martin Davis, of Ann Arbor, Senior Grand Warden; Ebenezer Hall, Junior Grand Warden; Abner C. Smith, Grand Secretary; Calvin Hotchkiss, Grand Treasurer; Rev. Samuel Silsby, Grand Chaplain; Jacob Loop, Grand Pursuivant; Peleg Ewell, Grand Tiler. Detroit and Ann Arbor were not represented in this convention, although they were given the Grand Master and Senior Grand Warden respectively. The convention then adjourned

to meet in Pontiac on the 24th inst., for the purpose of installing the officers elect.

The convention re-assembled in Pontiac on the day named, when Brother Leonard Weed, acting as Grand Master, installed the officers elect, with the exception of Brother Levi Cook, who did not accept the station of Grand Master, and the duties of this office were performed by Brother Leonard Weed until the next election. After the installation, the brothers "declared the Grand Lodge of Michigan duly reorganized and convened."

Charters were granted to Oakland and Lebanon Lodges, and the dues of Oakland and Stony Creek Lodges were remitted to that date.

SKETCH OF LEONARD WEED.

Of the Grand Lodge of Michigan organized in 1841 and dissolved in 1844, Leonard Weed was the only Grand Master who was not subsequently elected Grand Master of the present Grand Lodge. Although this early body never received recognition from other Grand Lodges, yet the work it performed was so directly connected with the organization of the present body, that this brother, who was one of the most active and influential members of that body, certainly earned the recognition of a sketch in this history.

He was

Of the early life of Brother Weed little can be learned. one of the early pioneers of Michigan, coming from New York to this state in the early part of the century and setting in the village of Auburn, Oakland Country. He was a blacksmith and worked at his trade in that village, and subsequently owned a farm a little south of the village. He was Territorial Justice of the Peace, and Postmaster at Auburn for eight or ten years under Presidents Jackson and Van Buren. He is said to have been married four times, which is evidence that he was popular among the ladies. He was a good man and much respected in the community where he lived, and left a good name behind him when he died.

Brother Weed was one of the pioneers in Michigan Masonry as well as citizenship. He was an early member of Oakland Lodge, No. 343, which was chartered by the Grand Lodge of New York, March 7, 1822. This Lodge held its meetings in Brother Weed's house, and he was for some time its Worshipful Master.