    THE GREAT MASONIC ODYSSEY:
       BIRTH OF A DEMOCRACY
(Freemasonry's Gift to the World)

                     JACK R. LEVITT
      Judge, Superior Court of California, Retired
                   2570 Fairway Drive
                  Bozman, Montana 59715

    This is the story of how Edmund Randolph of Virginia caused the
fabric of the Masonic Constitutions of 1723 (woven in the Virginia Plan)
to serve as the model for the U.S. Constitution. Any person who doubts
the truth of this story need only to make a casual observation of the two
documents, and remember that the Masonic Constitutions of 1723 was
published in 1735 by Benjamin Franklin. It was the first Masonic book
published in the Western hemisphere, and many have acclaimed it as
the best.
    The cause of human progress has always been the concern of Free-
masonry. It's greatest contribution has been the eloquent influence of
character. Since before recorded history it has instilled righteousness,
justice, purity, freedom, faith in God, and love of man.
    Freedom essentially is a Masonic heritage. Freedom of speech,
thought and religion have always been one of its objects. These prin-
ciples were woven into the Constitution of the United States by Freema-
sons who insisted upon the federal system of the Masonic Constitutions
of 1723 being apart of its fabric.
    It was Freemasonry in a pre-eminent degree which so tenderly and
yet so resolutely cradled democracy in the first eventful years of
America's history. Washington, Franklin and Lafayette, with many oth-
ers, took prominent parts in Revolutionary days. They placed patriotism
above partisanship and sought to preserve and extend the free institu-
tions of the Republic.

Second Phase of Masonic Odyssey
The second phase of the Masonic Odyssey was played largely by the same persons
involved in the military action (the first phase), and who rocked the cradle 
of democracy at Valley Forge in the winter of 1777-78. About 500,000 Americans 
remained loyal to Britain between 1775 and 1783 when peace was signed. About 
80,000 of them left their homes to take refuge in England, Canada, and Nova 
Scotia. Their properties, of course, were confiscated largely by the Colonies.
    The U.S, Constitution did not simply happen, rather it resulted because 
there was an immediate and urgent need for central authority to wed the 13 
colonies. In October 1786 Washington wrote:
         "The unity of war had collapsed; troops had mutinied; the currency 
    had lost its value; the states feuded bitterly; the national treasury was 
    empty; Barbary pirates were preying on American shipping; and a violent 
    insurrection had broken out and was threatening to spread."
    America was in a crisis state. There was, indeed, an immediate and urgent 
need for a strong central government. Four separate incidents or occasions are 
considered to have relevance which have resulted in the U.S. Constitution.

Declaration of Independence
    On 7 June 1776 Richard Henry Lee of Virginia moved on behalf of the 
largest of the 13 colonies, Virginia, "....that these colonies are, and of 
right ought to be, free and independent states." Then on 4 July 1776 the 
Second Continental Congress declared the 13 Colonies free and independent 
nations creating an immediate and agent need for effective government.

Articles of Confederation
    After the Declaration of Independence on 4 July 1776 the thirteen colonies 
were organized as a firm league of independent states under the Articles of 
Confederation. Each state had one vote, the agreement of nine of the states 
was necessary to make decisions, and it was necessary to have agreement of all
thirteen of the colonies to amend the articles. There was no central power to 
levy taxes, or to regulate commerce, and there was not enough money to even 
pay the interest on the debt. There were rebellions in Pennsylvania and 
Massachusetts where individuals refused to pay taxes levied by the separate 
colonies. Three of the large states (Virginia, Pennsylvania, and New York) 
guarded their autonomy jealously, and they fought every effort to deny central 
control.

Mount Vernon Convention
    The third major effort to establish central control was more precisely 
focused on developing rules and laws to serve as a basis for the colonies. 
Jefferson and Madison arranged for a committee of six persons, three from 
Maryland and three from Virginia, to settle disputes about trade on the 
Potomac River. Patrick Henry, Governor of Virginia, sought to prevent the 
convention from happening, but finally Washington invited the group to meet 
at his home in Mount Vernon. The preoccupation of the Mount Vernon conference 
had largely to do with problems about navigation and commerce including 
customs and duties. Edmund Randolph of Virginia was an important member of the 
Virginia delegation. George Mason was a member and did not attend, but 
actually wrote up the agreements.

Annapolis Convention
    Five of the 13 states sought to deal with the problems of the Potomac 
River traffic, and the rights of states immediately adjacent to the river. 
They met at Annapolis as planned on 11 September 1786. Madison and Hamilton 
decided that too few states were involved to really solve the problems of 
central government for all 13 colonies. They aborted the meeting under the 
pretext that some of the representatives had reported late and agreed to plan 
for another convention where all of the Colonies would be invited to attend. 
It was Governor Randolph of Virginia who asked the Virginia assembly to recom-
mend to Congress the convening of such a conference, and which promptly 
occurred.

  The Constitution Convention in
       Philadelphia
    Based on Edmund Randolph's recommendation to the Virginia Assembly the 
Confederation Congress provided for a convention of delegates from the 13 
Colonies to amend the Articles of Confederation.

Thrust 1
    The Confederation Congress referred the Virginia proposal for a convention 
to amend the Articles of Confederation 11 October 1786. On 21 February 1787 a 
limited resolution was passed authorizing the calling of a convention the 
second Monday in May next for the sole and express purpose of revising the 
Articles of Confederation, and 12 states appointed 74 delegates to attend the 
convention.

Thrust 2
     Of the 74 appointed delegates, only 55 ever attended the Convention. 
Forty-two of the 55 who attended were at one time representatives of Congress; 
eight had signed the Declaration of Independence; six had signed the Articles 
of Confederation; Seven had been governors of a state. Twenty of them had
helped write state constitutions, and thirty-three were lawyers. Twenty-nine 
of them boasted an everyday attendance thereafter in the convention. The 
"franking" privilege similar to Members of Congress was extended to such 
Delegates giving them status similar to Members of Congress. Franklin referred
to the group as "Demigods." It was, indeed, their dedication and talents that 
caused the Constitution to happen. It was the second part of "The Great 
Masonic Odyssey; Birth of A Democracy."

Thrust 3
    James Madison began an immediate and intense study of "theory of 
government" with much correspondence to both Thomas Jefferson in Paris, and 
George Washington in Mount Vernon. He, of course, sought to follow the basic 
ideas expressed continuously by Thomas Jefferson based on John Locke "Of Civil 
Government - the Law of Nature and the Rights of Man." The general plan
emphasized that the basis of government is derived from the consent of the 
governed. The rights of man flow from the laws of nature itself, and as such 
are natural, unalienable, and essential to meaningful existence. Jefferson and 
Madison together communicated their agreement on the plan to both Washington 
and Franklin believing they had full support on the plan for the Convention.

Thrust 4
    Edmund Randolph, Governor of Virginia, Member of both the Mount Vernon 
and Annapolis Conventions, and previous Aide to General Washington at Valley 
Forge insisted that Washington's attendance was essential for success of the 
newly being organized Convention. James Madison, General Knox, and Thomas 
Jefferson, at the strong suggestion of Randolph, wrote Washington separately 
emphasizing their similar belief. Finally, in March 1787 Washington wrote
Randolph that he had decided to attend the Convention, and Randolph began 
organizing his own strategy for presentation at the Convention. He believed 
that success for his strategy depended on gaining support of both Washington 
and Franklin, and wrote Washington asking him to meet with Franklin and
himself on 14 May in Philadelphia prior to the Convention.

Thrust 5
    On the 9th of May very early in the morning Washington departs Mount 
Vernon for Philadelphia in a two-horse wagon. So enthusiastic were the crowds 
along the way that the first day Washington had traveled only about 20 miles 
outside of Washington. The whole way along the road large crowds were
assembled and sought to pay their respects to the now famous General who had 
won the Revolutionary War. When he arrived at Chester outside of Philadelphia 
on Sunday the 13th of May, he was met by General Knox (who had been a favorite 
General at Valley Forge) with an artillery and cavalry brigade, and along with 
Robert Morris, who had helped finance the Revolutionary War. Washington's 
entry into Philadelphia served to climax his journey, and to set the stage for
the up coming Convention. Canons firing, sabers waving, and church bells 
ringing all along the way into Philadelphia, with a celebration never like it 
seen before in the New America.

Thrust 6
    When Washington arrived at Mrs. Mary's House where he had planned to stay, 
Madison and Randolph were waiting to meet him. Morris begged Washington to be 
his guest for the duration in a stately home, that excelled any other in the 
nation, for the duration of the Conference. Randolph and Madison both insisted 
that this would provide a safe and secret place to meet and discuss their
proposals and to evaluate progress from time-to-time. Randolph insisted that 
Washington meet with him to discuss a proposal on Monday 14 May prior to the 
opening of the Convention. Washington insisted that Franklin, Madison, and 
Morris be included in the meeting. The meeting was set for Monday 14 May at 
Morris' home and Washington would inform Franklin.

Thrust 7
    On Sunday afternoon after bedding down at the Morris home, Washington went
straight away to visit Dr. Benjamin Franklin, then President of Pennsylvania.
At the strongest request of Washington, Franklin agreed to hear Randolph's 
proposal for the Convention. Already Washington and Franklin had agreed with 
Madison on the plan worked out with Jefferson now in Paris, and they both had 
great respect for both Jefferson and Madison.

Thrust 8
    On Monday morning, 14 May, late in the morning after going to the State 
House where no other representatives showed up for the meeting, Madison and 
Randolph arrived at the Morris home for what would be the most historic 
occasion the world had ever witnessed. Soon Dr. Franklin in his Sudan chair
being carried by four prisoners released from the local jail arrived to 
complete the august body of Freemasons to hear Edmund Randolph propose the 
fabric of the Masonic Constitutions of 1723 as the basis for the newly 
proposed U.S. Constitution. Franklin, having already agreed to the Madison 
proposal based on Locke's "nature" and Rousseau's "Deity", now remembered hav-
ing published the Masonic materials in 1735, and as advertised in The 
Pennsylvania Gazette which he edited and published. Franklin was so excited 
about the Randolph proposal that Washington was easily won over, and the "die 
was cast" for the Masonic input to the proposal. Madison and Randolph were
given another day, Tuesday the l 5th of May to incorporate the Madison plan 
into the Masonic proposal by Randolph, and to which both Randolph and Madison 
happily agreed.

Thrust 9
    A second meeting of the President of Pennsylvania, Benjamin Franklin; the 
Govenor of Virginia, Edmund Randolph; previous General of Revolutionary War, 
George Washington; along with the financier of the Revolutionary War, Robert 
Morris; together with the Father of the U.S. Constitution, James Madison would 
yield the greatest gift ever given to the world, the structure of the U.S. 
Constitution. The Masonic document enriched by nature and Deity would be 
called the "Virginia Plan", and Randolph would make the proposal to the 
Convention. In addition it was generally believed that all 22 of the Masons 
who signed the completed Constitution would support the proposal. In addition 
to Randolph, who failed to sign the Constitution, there were 22 other Masons 
who signed the Constitution on 17 September 1787 guarding the sacred Masonic 
secret, and supported the inclusion throughout the Convention (according to 
the Honorable Sol Bloom's report -- Director General of the United States 
Constitution Sesquicentennial Commission of New York).

Thrust 10
    Later that same week Governor Randolph and James Madison armed with the 
endorsement of Washington and Franklin with the newly agreed to Virginia Plan, 
held one conference after another where they singled out primarily known 
Masons as they continued to arrive for the Convention. There were teas at Mrs. 
Mary's House where they stayed, and brandy at the Indian Queen Tavern where 
one member after another were briefed. Madison and Randolph wanted aggregate 
authority, for central government, but believed it unattamable; so they 
suggested a middle ground which may at once support a due supremacy of the 
national authority, and not exclude the local authority when it can be useful.

Thrust 11
    It was Edmund Randolph, Governor of Virginia, who convened the Virginia 
and Pennsylvania Delegates day after day only to discover each day that a 
quorum of states had not yet been achieved. As the number of states grew, it 
afforded Randolph and Madison an opportunity to enlighten select individuals 
about the Virginia plan. Always the story was the same emphasizing that Wash-
ington, Franklin, and Jefferson had generally agreed with the proposed plan. 
It was that support of those colonial giants that made the Virginia Plan the 
more valuable and acceptable.

Thrust 12
    The Convention came into being Friday, 25 May 1787. Twenty-nine delegates 
from 10 states were present, ten of whom were members of Congress. Robert 
Morris nominated General Washington to be President of the Convention, and it 
was seconded by Rutledge. He was elected unanimously. Alexander Hamilton cited 
for bravery at Yorktown nominated Major William Jackson as Secretary of the 
Convention, and he was elected. Typically, they met for five hours each day, 
from 10:00 A.M. until 03:00 P.M., and on Saturdays, but not on Sundays.

Thrust 13
    Standing rules for the Convention were those largely used by Congress, and 
were prepared by Wythe, Hamilton, and the younger Pinckney. The rules provided 
for strict secrecy, one vote per state, and 9 states for carrying. Members 
were not allowed to whisper, read, or pass notes to each other while one of 
their members was speaking. On adjourning, every member stands in place until
the President has passed by. There could be no release of any of the 
proceedings, and that was final.

Thrust 14
    On Monday rooming, 28 May Benjamin Franklin arrived at the Convention - 
suffering from gout, he could not get around easily. He had an imported sudan 
chair from Paris. It was an enclosed chair with glass windows, carried on 
poles 12 feet long by four husky prisoners from the Walnut street jail. He was 
helped to a special arm chair provided, and the sudan chair was placed against
the wall until he departed. His frisky humor and ability to compromise were 
sorely needed throughout the Convention.

Thrust 15
    On Wednesday 29 May, Nathaniel Gorman was appointed by Washington as
Chairman because of his experience in Congress, and as a gesture to New 
England. He then guided the discussion until evening when he reported progress 
to Washington. Each day thereafter Washington would both open and close the 
Convention, but Gorman would run the sessions with Washington sitting with the
Virginia Delegation. The voting was done by state, and each state needed a 
quorum to cast their vote. After the Committee of the Whole passed something, 
it had to be passed again by the Convention.

Thrust 16
    From 29 May until 11 June Randolph's Virginia proposal emphasized the 
common defense, security of liberty, and general welfare. The Masonic 
provisions for "checks and balances" involving legislative, executive, and 
judicial activity with full support from the states was the focus of 
discussion. The general notion seemed acceptable, but just how the three 
activities were to be structured became the real issue. Should there be one or
two houses in the legislature, more than one executive, etc. The two house 
legislature and single executive became generally acceptable.

Thrust 17
    The three fifth rule for slaves was voted by MA, CT, PA, VA, NC, SC, & GA 
on 11 June 1787. It meant that one vote representation in lower house for 
whole number of whites, and three fifths for slaves. All of the states except 
Massachusetts had and recognized slaves, and 16 of the 55 Delegates held 
slaves presently. The population of the 13 states was as follows:

No.  State          Freemen     Slaves       Governor          Delegates

1. Virginia         454,983     292,627      Edmund Randolph        7
2. New York         318,796     21,324       George Clinton         3
3. Pennsylvania     430,636     3,737        Benjamin Franklin      8
4. Delaware         50,209      8,887        John McKinley          5
5. Massachusetts    378,787     none         John Hancock           3
6. Connecticut      235,182     2,764        Samuel Huntington      3
7. New Jersey       172,716     11,423       William Livingston     5
8. Maryland         216,692     103,036      Daniel Jenifer         5
9. North Carolina   293,179     10,572       Richard Caswell        5
10. South Carolina  141,979     107,094      John Rutledge          4
11. Georgia         53,284      29,264       Abraham Baldwin        4
12. New Hampshire   141,727     158          John Sullivan          3
13. Rhode Island    67,877      948          none

Thrust 18
    The Patterson Plan was introduced 15 June 1787. It consisted of nine 
resolutions which would revise the Articles of Confederation, and as a 
substitute for the Virginia Plan. There was a group of 15 resolves calling for 
a strong central government. It proposed that Congress be granted new powers 
to raise money, to regulate commerce, and to compel delinquent states to honor 
requisitions; that both a plural executive and a supreme court be added to the 
government, and that the central government would be the supreme law of the
land.

Thrust 19
    Lt. Col. Hamilton's speech 18 June 1787. Uncommonly silent for three weeks, 
he spent four to five hours expanding his tough minded 200 percent 
nationalistic theory where there was a provision for governors to be elected
for life; senate also chosen for life; and with absolute power for veto in the 
executive, etc. The speech sought to make the Virginia Plan seem to be the 
middle of the road approach, and the Delegates who were for the Virginia Plan 
sat by with patience, as Hamilton espoused with his notions. It was the 
psychological strategy that Hamilton was famous for where extremes that he did 
not embrace were described.

Thrust 20
    Madison's speech 19 June 1787. Randolph suggested that New Jersey would 
accept the Virginia Plan if the number of representatives for Congress were 
acceptable. Madison then proceeded with the detailed notes for previous 
agreement were explained that all had already agreed on in the Virginia Plan, 
and on a step-by-step basis. Compromise was now a key to survival of the 
Conference. It was here that Franklin proposed opening each session with a 
prayer.

Thrust 21
    This was Franklin's speech 1 July 1787 explaining that diversity of 
opinions turns on two points: (1) proportional representation where the 
liberty of small states was in danger, and (2) quality of votes where large 
states maintain that money will be in danger. He suggested a compromise where 
there would be representation in the first branch of Congress, and equal vote 
in the second. A committee was assigned the task of working out the details. 
Long and loud deliberations took place on all aspects of the proposed 
constitution during the ensuing weeks in July.

Thrust 22
    A big question was how to implement the legislative branch. There was tea 
at Robert Morris' House, Maderia at Mrs. Mary's Inn, and brandy at the Indian 
Queen Tavern. Night after night and during the weekends, and over the 4th of 
July discussions took place with small groups out of the Convention walls. Se-
curity was always insured and provided. The 22 Freemasons of the 39 signers 
plus Edmund Randolph, who was also a Mason, sought to distribute themselves 
in group discussions with general support for the Virginia Plan. Need for a 
periodic census, and need to print paper money were now considered. The real
question was just how to modify the legislative portion of the Virginia Plan. 
No other plans were seriously considered any longer in the general sessions.

Thrust 23
    Beginning Tuesday, 17 July, labor and discussions began on how to 
implement the executive branch of the Virginia Plan. No one seemed to be 
interested in a Monarchy. An important concern was number of persons in the 
executive, how they were to be selected, and the relation of the executive to 
the judiciary.

Thrust 24
    On Wednesday, 18 July, labor began on how to implement the judiciary that 
was recommended in the Virginia Plan. How many justices should there be, and 
how to select them? It included rules for describing the power of the 
judiciary, and even to include impeachment of the President. In addition
there was concern of the relation between the state and federal courts.

Thrust 25
    On Thursday, 26 July, the Convention sought to deal with the location or 
site for the Federal government. It should not be placed at the same site for 
any of the state governments, except on a temporary basis. New York City and 
Philadelphia were the two big contenders for the site of Federal government.  
It was Hamilton who suggested that the new central government assume state
debts as a trade for placing the capitol in the present location.

Thrust 26
    On 26 July 1787 there seemed to be general agreement on the Virginia Plan. 
A select committee was assigned the job of implementing the elements agreed 
upon in the Virginia Plan into a final document. An 11 day recess was declared 
during which the final document would be prepared for a review of the 
Convention. While the committee prepared the new constitution for final 
review, Washington goes fishing at Valley Forge with the two Morris Delegates. 
Most of the Delegates who lived close by went home for the 11 day recess to 
take care of business. Rutledge from South Carolina was Chairman of the 
special committee. It included Edmund Randolph, Wilson, Ellsworth, and Gorham
which involved representatives for all areas, and with capable and honest 
people. James Wilson took the final draft prepared by Randolph and Rutledge 
and completed the writing of the newly proposed Constitution.

Thrust 27
    On 6 August 1787 the revised draft of the newly proposed Constitution was 
ready for final review. It was a seven page draft of the provisions that 
already were agreed upon. There were still other considerations in addition to 
those already agreed upon which followed.

Thrust 28
    The Committee on slave trade was activated with one member from each of 
the 12 states represented in the Convention. The provisions agreed upon 
provided for: (1) to prohibit slave trade after 1808, (2) import duty on 
slaves not to exceed $10, and (3) representation to include five slaves for 
each three whites.

Thrust 29
    On 12 September 1787 when the final draft of the proposed Constitution was 
to be closed, Mason and Gerry proposed a Bill of Rights be added to the 
Constitution. The proposal was voted down by the Conference. Sherman insisted 
that the rights of people were not repealed by the proposed Constitution; and 
being in force was sufficient. Nevertheless, Mason, Gerry, and Randolph re-
fused to sign until a Bill of Rights was added.

Thrust 30
    Benjamin Franklin made his most passionate speech on 17 September prior 
to the vote:
         "Mr. President I confess there are several parts to this Constitution
    which I can not at present approve. But I am sure I shall never approve
    them. For having lived so long, I have experienced many instances of
    being obliged by better information of fuller consideration to change
    opinion, then on important subjects, which I once thought to be right, but
    found to be otherwise. It is therefore that the older I grow, the more I am
    apt to doubt my own judgment and to pay more respect to the judgment of 
    others."
    He then offered a motion that all representatives sign the constitution 
in the present form.

Thrust 31
    Washington's only speech of the entire convention. On 17 September shortly 
after the speech by Franklin, and before the final vote he asked the 
convention members to endorse the motion by Gorham of Massachusetts whereby 
there would be one representative to Congress for each 30,000 citizens; as
opposed to the present approved number of 40,000. There was no argument, and 
change was made by unanimous vote. The signing of the proposed Constitution 
proceeded immediately. Thirty-nine of the 42 members present signed, 22 of 
whom were Freemasons. Randolph was the only Mason who did not sign, and Mason 
and Gerry were the other persons who refused to sign because it lacked a Bill 
of Rights.

Thrust 32
    The next day Major Jackson, the official Secretary, left Philadelphia by 
stagecoach carrying the official copy to Congress in New York along with a 
letter from Washington:

         "That it will meet the full and entire approbation of every state is
    not perhaps to be expected; but each will doubtless consider, that her 
    interest alone had been consulted, the consequence might have been par-
    ticularly disagreeable or injurious to others: that it is liable to as 
    few exceptions as could have reasonably been expected, we hope and 
    believe; that it may promote lasting welfare of that country so dear to us 
    all, and secure her freedom and happiness, is our ardent wish."

Masonic Principles Evident
    A casual inspection of the Masonic Constitutions of 1723 should convince 
any rational thinker of this gift to humanity. A similar inspection of the 
Virginia plan should suffice to show the basic agreement with that Masonic 
book published by Franklin in 1735.
    Hence, the Freemasons insisted upon inclusion of the Masonic principles of 
the rights of man and the majesty of law; the moral trusteeship of private 
property and public office; education of the people; the lifting of poverty 
through self-help; and human welfare. These inalienable rights are found run-
ning through every Masonic degree.
    The Masonic formula for brotherhood rests upon the identical principles 
which were written large into the Constitution of the United States. No good 
Freemason would fail to be a good citizen, and to be found on the side of 
decency, civil righteousness and public order. Freemasons have always preached
the right to think, the right to speak, the right to worship in freedom and 
as conscience alone shall dictate.
    While the cardinal virtues of Freemasonry, which are Brotherly Love, 
Relief and Truth, were not specifically referred to in the Constitution of 
the United States. The framework was designed to provide for and protect the
rights of every individual (Brotherly Love), promoting each other's welfare 
(Relief), and a balance of power to assure fair dealings (Truth).

Cultural Diversity
    Today the anti-Constitutional thinking is prevalent which equates social 
dictatorship with democracy, invasion with liberation, and the big lie with 
truth. Instead of Brotherly Love, and Relief and Truth being used to bring us 
together, ignorance, jealousy and misrepresentations are being used to tear 
us apart. We are no longer referred to as Americans but as groups. While the 
Constitution of the United States was designed to protect and accord rights 
to "individuals" (throughout the Constitution and it's amendments the terms
"Persons" and "Citizens" and "people" are used.), it is being subverted by 
the use of class envy and power seeking by classes. "Minorities" are pitted 
against "the majority," the "middle class" against "the rich,"women" against 
"men, 'etc. The fraternal order of Freemasonry has always stressed the 
individual and has always considered all persons as children of one almighty 
Father who, as inhabitants of the same planet, are to aid, support and protect 
each other, without regard to class or group of any category.
    If only today's citizens could, like those Freemasons in the time of the 
Revolution had, learn to know and love each other and thus to remove hostility 
from social, national, ethnic or religious differences, the current imple-
mentation of the Constitution of the United States would fulfil the plea of 
the poet:

         "(Great God! From Thy Throne view the nation at strife! Thy gavel
    must heal this disorder! Send peace o'er the land! Give refuge and life! 
    Be Thou, Lord, our Savior and Warder!"

Third Phase of Odyssey
    Major William Jackson delivered the proposed Constitution to Congress in 
New York City. It contained a resolution of Delegates requesting Congress to 
submit the newly proposed Constitution to each state for their ratification. 
Congress assembled 26-28 September 1778, and it was clear that the body was
about equally divided: (1) merchants, lawyers, and creditors favored 
immediate doption, and (2) anti-federalists, farmers, poor folks, etc. who 
were opposed to strong central government opposed it.

Power Structure
    The full support and participation of the two great heroes, Washington 
and Franklin, were strong pluses for both the development and adoption of the 
proposed Constitution. The major opposition came from Patrick Henry of 
Virginia and Governor Clinton of New York who opposed strong central gov-
ernment and favored states' rights. Of the 33 Congressmen who deliberated, 
ten were Convention Delegates and strongly supported the adoption (Langdon, 
King, Gorham, Johnson, Madison, Blount, Butler, Few, and Charles Pinckney).

Immediate Action
    A clear majority of Congress was to send it to states with recommendation 
that it be ratified. After more deliberation, however, the newly proposed 
Constitution was sent to the states without comment, leaving it to states to 
act. Pennsylvania Packet printed the 7 page document 19 September, and all of 
the other 12 states printed it as soon as it was received by them.

Federalist Papers
    There were 85 articles that constituted the "Federalist Papers" published 
from May to October 1778 signed by "PUBLIUS." Hamilton wrote and paid for 
fifty-one of them, and Madison did the same for twenty-six of them. Jay wrote 
five of them, and three of them were written jointly by Hamilton and Madison. 
Hamilton had learned this kind of giving from Washington, who took no money
for his services in the entire Revolutionary War. This was equally true for 
Marquis de Lafayette, and Edmund Randolph as well.

Quorum Ratifies
    Delaware was the first state to ratify 7 December 1787, Pennsylvania was 
second 12 December, New Jersey was third on 18 December, with Georgia being 
fourth on 2 January 1788, Massachusetts was the fifth state with conditions: 
(1) nine amendments similar to Bill of Rights, and (2) Hancock for President 
if Washington did not accept; Hancock initially desired to be Commander and 
Chief of American Forces, but lost out to Washington, and wanted to be in the 
race again. Maryland ratified 26 April, South Carolina on 23 May, and finally 
New Hampshire on 21 June 1778. This made the necessary 9 states for acceptance 
of the Constitution. The two most powerful states, Virginia and New York had 
not yet ratified the Constitution.

Virginia Ratifies
    Virginia not knowing that 9 states had already ratified the Constitution, 
and technically it was the law, ratified it 25 June 1788. Richard Henry Lee 
said there can not be a United States without Virginia, and that Virginia can 
not dictate own terms. Many others felt the same way. Edmund Randolph said,
"The question now is union or no union, and I would sooner lop off my right 
arm than consent to the dissolution of the union."

New York Ratifies
    Governor Clinton of New York insisted on strong states rights, and 
Alexander Hamilton raised the specter of a secession by New York City and 
including the southern counties if Governor Clinton did not agree to the 
ratification. New York ratified the Constitution 26 July 1788 after a huge 
display arranged largely by Hamilton of a ship 27 feet long and 10 feet wide 
that was manned by 30 uniformed soldiers, and drawn by 10 horses in New York 
City. After firing 13 guns, one for each state, the huge parade proceeded
down main street.

Failures to Ratify
    North Carolina rejected the Constitution 2 August 1787. When Bill of 
Rights was promised, North Carolina ratified the Constitution 21 November 
1787. Rhode Island, under threat of secession by Providence, failed to 
consider ratification until 29 May 1790, more than two years after Washington 
was in office.

Bill of Rights
    Beginning with Massachusetts, ratification was made contingent upon later 
providing a Bill of Rights. North Carolina and Rhode Island insisted that they 
would never join the Union until such a bill were provided. For some of the 
states the Bill of Rights was a condition, and for others just a promise. The
"Body of Liberties" in the Constitution of Massachusetts dated 1641 was clear 
evidence of their feelings. Virginia's "Declaration of Rights" dated 1781 was 
more evidence of the need. Randolph insisted that the Constitution was not 
complete without a Bill of Rights. MA, NC, NH, and VT had a Bill of Rights as
a preface to their state constitutions, and they expected the same in the 
newly proposed Constitution as well. On 8 June 1789 James Madison moved that 
the matter of Constitutional Amendments be altered as promised, and agreed to 
deliver such amendments shortly. The Bill of Rights Madison proposed had nine 
amendments. The Committee elected not to change the Constitution but to add 
amendments, and which was passed by House 24 August 1789 in the form of 17 
separate articles. The Senate reduced the articles to 12 by combining some of 
them, and passed it later in August, 1789. James Madison acting for the House 
and Oliver Ellsworth acting for the Senate rewrote the Bill of Rights into 12 
amendments which was then passed by the House and Senate. It was sent by Wash-
ington to the 14 states (Vermont being the 14th), and 11 states were needed 
to ratify in order to become law. On 15 December 1791 Virginia the eleventh 
state ratified the Bill of Rights, and they became law. Two of the 12
amendments were not approved: (1) number of representatives in Congress, and 
(2) barred pay raises for Congressmen during their term of office.

Fourth Phase of Odyssey
    Washington was elected first President of the United States by a 
unanimous choice of the electors. The vote for vice President was not 
unanimous, but there was general agreement that it should be a person from 
New England; as Washington was from the South. John Adams received a majority 
of the votes. The Capitol was in New York and Washington's journey from Mount 
Vernon to New York was like a triumphal march. At Philadelphia there were 
flower decked maidens. Trenton had no arch, but it had a poem, which was 
recited by thirteen young girls, each representing one of the thirteen states.

Inauguration
    Amid universal joy he was inaugurated at New York on 30 April 1789. The 
town quivered with the roar of cannon and the golden voice of bells. 
Washington appeared on the balcony of the Federal Hall and was sworn in with 
his hand resting on the Holy Bible. Congress was then in session in New York, 
but early the next year the govemment moved to Philadelphia. Washington 
declined salary for the eight and one half years of the war, which would have 
amounted to fifty-one thousand dollars. He was, however, paid expenses which 
amounted to sixty four thousand dollars; some of which was for secret service
(couple of thousand). He declined salary for his presidency, but Congress gave 
him $25 thousand a year, and asked him to do with it what he desired.

Personal
    Washington before leaving Virginia for New York had gone to Fredericksburg 
to visit and to say good bye to his aging mother. He never saw her again as 
she died in the Fall of 1789. After the Revolution, when he was a 
distinguished man, his mother wrote that she would like to visit him in Mount 
Vernon and spend time with Him and Martha. Washington wrote he did not want 
her to come; that she would not understand the people who were around him, and 
they would not understand her; that she would be miserable in such society, 
and that it would make him unhappy.

On Slavery
    A female servant ran away and was in New Hampshire, where all slaves were 
declared to be free. Washington made vigorous steps to have her returned. A 
male servant ran away after he was President, and he arranged with a friend 
to intercede and agreed to pay him to get the slave returned. On one occasion
Martha had brought several of their servants to Pennsylvania, and after 
learning that when they entered Pennsylvania, legally they were considered to 
be Free, he took vigorous steps to have the servants returned to Mount Vernon. 
On one occasion a female Black servant was faking illness and not doing any
work, and Washington took strong measures to have her become more productive.

Martha Washington
    She did not like New York and its Presidential splendor. She was called 
Lady Washington and was expected to act like a queen. All persons of good 
society were invited to Mrs. Washington's levee every Friday morning. 
Washington was always present. Many of the well remembered belles of the day
came and imagined themselves to be favorites of him. One would think that a 
gentleman and a gallant soldier would smile and lighten up when so surrounded 
with admiring beauties. But this was never so; the countenance of Washington 
never softened, nor changed its habitual gravity. He would listen to one's 
best jokes with a solemn face and say cooly, "Is that so?"

Freemasonry Team
    When the mechanism of the Washington administration got shaped into being, 
it was clear that Freemasonry reigned throughout: Jefferson, Secretary of 
State, Hamilton, Treasury, Randolph, Attomey General, Jay, Chief Justice, and 
Knox Secretary of War. Everyone of them a Brother Mason. It was not long
before the irreconcilable differences between Hamilton and Jefferson began to 
appear. Cabinet meetings became the debating society, the President and the 
two other Secretaries sitting in idle silence while Hamilton and Jefferson 
argued with rancour on even the most superficial questions. HamiIton agreed
with Morris that those who owned the country ought to govern it; while 
Jefferson believed that all persons were equal. The atmosphere was that of a 
court room, as opposed to a cabinet. Randolph often was the arbitrator.

Trading Money For A Southern Capitol
    Hamilton insisted that the new government fund all outstanding 
certificates of indebtedness of the Continental Congress -- that is to issue 
new six percent bonds of the government. Also, he proposed to take over the 
debts of the states-- about twenty million and fund them on the same basis. 
Many people proceeded to buy up every scrap of Continental and state paper 
for as little as 20 cents on the dollar. They were sure it would be redeemed 
at full value under Hamilton's plan. Madison insisted that only the original
holder would receive full value, and others would receive the going market 
value. Hamilton proposed that holders receive full value and the Capitol 
could then go on the Potomac in the South; as opposed to New York City or 
Philadelphia. The holders of the cheaply purchased notes made millions
(mostly from North), and Capitol was placed on the Potomac River.

Banking System
    Hamilton proposed a central banking system, the Bank of the United States. 
The bank bill received Washington's full support over strong opposition from 
Jefferson, and it passed in Congress. It made a 10 percent dividend in the 
first six months of operation. High finance in America was born at that time.
Speculation became the chief activity of the day, and land gave way to money.

Laying U.S.Capitol Corner Stone
    On 18 September 1793 the Southeast corner-stone of the U.S. Capitol was 
laid. It was a "Masonic" ceremony where Washington acting as Master of the 
Lodge in concert with the Grand Lodge of Maryland, and several lodges under 
its jurisdiction, along with Washington's Alexandria Lodge, with all their 
officers, and in full Masonic dress conducted the ceremony. George Washington
along with three Most Worshipful Masonic Masters deposited a silver plate, 
with a suitable inscription, and with Washington using the level and square 
to cover it with mortar, and then proceeding to deliver the oration. This was 
followed by Masonic chanting, and a volley of 15 cannons resounding. Years 
later similar Masonic ceremonies were used in the laying of two later Capitol 
corner-stones.

French Entanglement
    Under the treaty made with France in 1778 the United States guaranteed 
the possessions of France in the West Indies, and the use of American harbors 
in times of war. In 1793 Charles Genet, representing the revolutionary French 
government insisted that we live up to the treaty. France, of course, was 
still at war with England. A strong party in favor of France appeared among 
the people, and Genet sought to force the Government to abide by the treaty. 
Genet's papers were returned to him, and he was told to go home. Genet quit 
government of France, married Governor Clinton's daughter, and became an
American citizen and settled in New York.

Jay's Treaty With England
    John Jay was detached by Washington to England from his important duties 
as Chief Justice of Supreme Court, and sent as a special envoy to negotiate a 
new treaty. He returned after several months with a treaty that provided:
    1. England would give up Northwest Territory.
    2. Debt of Northwest to be decided by a Commission.
    3. United States could trade with British West Indies.
    4. United States could not export West Indies goods to Europe.

Disappointing Second Term
    By the end of 1795 Washington was near the end of his second term, and he 
had lost prestige greatly during that period. Many thought that Washington, 
though honest and well meaning, had become a tool in the hands of unscrupulous 
people. One of the most violent opponents among the editors was Philip 
Freneau, a clerk in the State Department under Jefferson. Washington asked 
Jefferson to fire this clerk, whom he called "the rascally Freneau", but 
Jefferson declined to do it. Many people believed that Jefferson inspired
some of Freneau's articles of criticism, but it was denied by Freneau. 
Washington never took public notice of these attacks, but often in private 
conversation he reacted with great heat. The esteem in which he had long been
held by the people came back almost instantly as soon as he was out of office.

Foreign Plot Thickens
    In the 1790s France and Great Britain were engaged in bitter warfare, and 
both desired trade with and the economic assistance of the United States. 
England neglected to honor obligations under the Treaty of Paris in 1783. The 
French considered the Jay treaty to be a concession to Great Britain and 
being unfriendly to France. Nine days after inauguration, in March 1797, 
President Adams received a courtesy call from Pierre Adet. Having terminated 
his ministry to the United States, the French diplomat was about to return to 
his own country. It was an interesting confrontation between the polished 
French diplomat and the stocky Yankee lawyer. The newly appointed American 
diplomat to France, Pinckney, to replace Monroe, was rejected, and on the 
evening of 13 March news was received that of seizure of American merchantmen 
in the West Indies by French frigates. For the next three years John Adams 
was to be head of a nation at war in everything but name. May 16 marked the 
end of the honeymoon between Adams and Jefferson when Jefferson decided that 
the special session of Congress called by Adams meant he was in favor of war 
with France rather than peace.

General Washington Accepts Command
of Military
    After repeated correspondence with George Washington, President Adams on 
2 July 1798 submitted to the Senate the nomination of George Washington as 
lieutenant general and commander and chief of the new amy. It was clear that 
Hamilton, Knox, and Pinckney would serve as Major Generals for the new army. 
Both Knox and Pinckney had served as generals under Washington in the 
Revolution; while Hamilton was only a Colonel. Washington wrote Knox on 16 
July why he placed Hamilton second in command over Knox, and Knox was deeply 
hurt, and said he would not accept a position junior to Hamilton. Pinckney 
accepted with great reluctance. Washington finally wrote President Adams that 
Hamilton be second in rank to him, or he would resign, and President Adams 
immediately wrote Washington of his agreement.

Masonic Funeral Services
Washington
    At three o'clock on the afternoon of 18 December 1799, the large funeral 
procession for Washington left his Mount Vernon home for the old family vault, 
not far down the hill towards the Potomac River. The mahogany coffin, lined 
with lead, was born by six colonels, and all but one were Freemasons. Dr. 
Dick, Master of Alexandria Masonic Lodge No.22, assisted by his chaplain, Dr. Muir,
Brooks Lodge No. 47 of Alexandria, and Federal Lodge No. 15 of Washington 
cooperated in the services. The Great Masonic Odyssey was now complete, and 
Freemasonry had played a very central and critical role in the birth of a 
democracy, the United States of America. George Washington, the Father of
the United States of America, was clearly at the center of this great Masonic 
odyssey.

Freemasonry
    The Masonic order especially in Austria, France, England and the United 
States sought to champion the fights of the individual. Indeed, it played a 
prominent role in both the American and French Revolutions. The real nucleus 
for this saga included maybe no more than a dozen key figures, where at Valley
Forge in the Winter of 1777-78 several great champions of freedom, all 
Freemasons, created the idea and rocked the cradle from which the fledgling 
democracy, the United States was born. A number of those same individuals ten 
years later at Independence Hall in Philadelphia delivered the final stroke 
that is now the U.S. Constitution that preserved for all times, a nation 
dedicated to the proposition that all men are free and equal. It must be 
remembered that freedom notion festered long and hard, and in the Civil War 
Abraham Lincoln added still another cubit to that notion, where all slaves 
were freed. Finally in World War II, still another cubit was added to the 
notion of freedom when women were allowed to vote. More recently when the Ber-
lin Wall was brought down, and Eastern Europe with one country after another 
seeking to emulate the pattern produced initially by the United States, and 
later by France, and finally by England.

Making a Freemason
    Masonry is not an open organization, and Masons are not born as Masons, 
rather they are made that way through systematically organized schooling. So 
rigid is that schooling process that in California, for example, in the past 
several year more than 5,000 men have been voted into the order, but only be-
cause they failed to complete the schooling they are not Freemasons today.

Supreme Being
    The single qualification that is a basic requisite for becoming a 
Freemason is that they believe in a Supreme Being. While Masonry is not a 
religion, it always operates under the context of some document related to 
the teachings relative to a Supreme Being, i.e., for Christian it is Holy 
Bible, for the Mohammedan, it is the Koran, and for the Buddhist, Confucius 
sayings. No atheist is ever able to become a Freemason.

Must Seek Membership
    The Masonic order does not permit the seeking of Brothers to join the 
order. All Freemasons come of their own free will. Even a father is not 
permitted to ask his own son, however much he might desire to do so, to
become a Mason. Freemasons are Brothers in the order only because they ask to 
become such members.

History of Masonry
    Freemasonry dates from the early days of King Solomon, and served as the 
organization for the masons of great temples to perpetuate honesty and 
brotherly love. Even today the basic teachings of Masonry is found in the 
principles involved in building, as for the masons of yesteryear. The 
necessary requisite for the building of a great temple by analogy are used as 
principles for living, and which the Mason swears to live by. For example, 
when a Mason speaks to a brother Mason in connection with the purchase of
some commodity, and informs him that it is based on the Masonic "square", it 
means a guarantee of honesty. This principle derives from the use of the 
square in the building of a temple, but is now applied to any transaction 
between or among Masonic brothers.

Team Membership
    After a person has been schooled properly and admitted into the Masonic 
fraternity there are maybe as many as 30 to 40 different organizations they 
become eligible to join. Such organizations include youth groups, and groups 
for family women. But only the Mason is considered to be bound by brotherly
love and behavior. The single quality espoused by a Freemason is trust and 
honesty. So great is the trust among Masonic Brothers, that the word of a 
Brother becomes absolute. For example, if a Brother Mason clearly established 
as a Mason attests that another individual has attended lodge with him at some 
point in time, that other person is then accepted and treated as a Brother
Mason. The single element that determines the truth is that he attended lodge 
with him. It is clear that all Masonic lodges are carefully tiled, and where 
always guards are placed outside of the door to insure that there are no 
persons admitted without proper credentials.

Love is Charity
    The single feature that characterizes the efforts of Masonry is charity; 
for a Mason charity represents an expression of love. For example, in the 
United States there are more than two dozen crippled children's hospitals,
three burn centers (soon to be four-Sacramento, California is in process of 
building the fourth), nearly 100 childhood language disorder clinics, and 
more, much more. Each day more than $l.4 million dollars are spent by Masonic 
organizations in the United States to help needy persons in relation to 
health problems. Such individuals over the last several years have been 
provided more than 600,000 crutches and braces, for example, for children, 
and with no expectations of return for the investment. In Masonry when $1 is
spent on charity, the entire amount goes for that purpose; not 33 cents as is 
the case with Federal welfare money in the United States today.

Need Theory
    History has demonstrated repeatedly how things happen only when the 
situation is ready for such things to occur. The birth of a democracy is no 
exception to this very basic rule. The notion of democracy based on freedom 
and equality was embraced solidly by Freemasonry for centuries before the 
founding of the United States, the first functional democracy.
       
       
       References
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2. Brown, R.A. (1975). The Presidency of John
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3. Cassel, R.N. (1991). U.S. Constitution: How it
   all came about. Chula Vista, California:
   Chula Vista Masonic Lodge.
4. Davis, B. (1975). George Washington and the
   American Revolution. New York: Random
   House.
5. Dupuy, R.E., Colonel, USA Retired, Dupuy,
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6. Madison, J. (1966). Notes of debates in the
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7. Middlekauff, R. (1982). The glorious cause.
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8. Moore, F. (1967). The diary of the American
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9. Passos, J.D. (1957). The men who made the
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10, Woodward, W.E. (1946). George Washing-
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