THE BUILDER JUNE 1925

Concerning Henry Clay, Jefferson Davis, Dr. George Oliver and Other
Notables

IN the Iowa Masonic Library are a large number of original letters
from brethren notable in Masonic history; and an almost equally
large number about famous men who were not Masons. A little
collection of these letters is given herewith, as much for the
light they throw on questions still mooted as for their intrinsic
interest.

JEFFERSON DAVIS WAS NOT A MASON

The reader will recall a discussion in the Question Box of recent
issue of THE BUILDER concerning Jefferson Davis, President of the
Confederacy, as to whether or not he was a Mason, and what may have
been his feelings about the Craft. These questions are settled once
and for all by two letters, the former of which was evidently
forwarded by its recipient to Bro. T. S. Parvin, who in turn
himself wrote to Jefferson Davis, as is indicated by the second
Davis letter below:

Beauvoir, Miss.
16th Dec. 1885.
Col. I. L. Power
Dear Sir:

I have received with others of a similar character, the enclosed
sheet, having a paragraph underlined to secure lily attention and
I send it to you to attract your notice. Under the head of
"Summary" is a concentrated instillation of malice and mendacity.
The main attack seems to be against the fraternity of Free and
Accepted Masons and as many slanderers have heretofore done, the
writer avails himself of a sectional prejudice existing against me
to point his attack against Freemasonry and in less than the three
underscored lines, perpetrates at least, as many falsehoods.

1st. I, Jefferson Davis, am not and never have been a Free and
Accepted Mason.

2nd. As a citizen of the sovereign state of Mississippi, I obeyed
her commands and as sovereigns cannot "rebel" neither led or
followed a Rebellion, great or small.

3rd. As I have no Masonic standing, the assertion that it was not
tainted by the imputed act of mine, rests not upon a fact, but upon
a misrepresentation.

4th. Masonry could not have had much to do with securing "my
pardon", as I have never been pardoned, nor applied for a pardon,
or appealed to Masonry to secure to me the benefit of the writ of
Habeas Corpus, that I might have the constitutional right of every
American citizen, to be confronted with my accusers.

To exclude a possible inference, I will add that my father was a
Mason and I was reared to regard the fraternity with respect, and
have never felt any disapproval of it other than that which
pertains to every secret society. viewing Freemasonry from a
distance, and judging the tree by its fruit, I have believed it to
be in itself good.

Respectfully and truly yours,
Jefferson Davis.

(The following is a portion of the "Summary" referred to in the
foregoing, evidently taken from some crude Anti-Masonic blast:
"Benedict Arnold, first traitor to American liberty, learned his
patriotism in Hiram Masonic Lodge, No. 1, New Haven, Conn., and
died a Freemason in good and regular standing. Aaron Burr, another
traitor to the government, plotted his treason in Royal Arch
cipher, and also died a Free and Accepted Mason in good and regular
standing. Jefferson Davis, a Free and Accepted Freemason, led the
great rebellion and the fact did not even taint his Masonic
standing, but did have much to do in securing his pardon.")

Beauvoir, Miss.

16th Jan. 1886. 
Theodore S. Parvin, Esq. Dear sir:

Yours of the 6th inst. has been received. Col. Power could not have
intended to inform you that I had complained of the treatment
received by me from the Masons. I have never felt otherwise than a
friendly regard for the Fraternity and never could have written or
spoken in any other spirit. A publication by the Antimasons was
sent to me in which my name was used as a stalking horse and
falsehoods employed in the assailment of Masonry. I wrote to my
friend, Col. Power, a refutation of the charge for publication in
the "Jackson Clarion." The paper was issued during my absence from
home and I have not seen the paper, but not doubting that my letter
was published in the "Clarion" I will request Col. Power to send to
you a copy of the paper containing it.

The copy of your proceedings which you kindly sent to me came
safely to hand, and was so highly appreciated as well for itself as
the evidence it contained of prosperous development in a country I
had known as a wilderness that I am only surprised at my having
failed to acknowledge your courteous consideration.

Respectfully and truly,
Jefferson Davis.

DR. GEORGE OLIVER WRITES A LETTER

Bro. Dr. George Oliver is a name known to almost every Mason in the
world. He was born at Pepplewick, England, of Scotch ancestors,
Nov. 5, 1782. His father raised him in St. Peter's Lodge,
Peterborough, in 1801. Immediately he took a great interest in
Freemasonry, and at last became one of the most scholarly and
voluminous of Masonic writers. His influence in England was
incalculable; so also in America, where his writings ranked second
only to those of Bro. Dr Albert G. Mackey in their power to shape
Masonic opinion. Like Bro. William Preston before him, with whom
his name is so often bracketed, he received the displeasure of a
Grand official because of a misunderstanding, and as a result
withdrew from all active participation in lodge activities, a fact
mentioned in the letter below. The Hist. L'n'ks referred to was
doubtless his Histonical Landmarks and Other Evidences of
Freemasonry Explained, of which Dr. Mackey said, "No work with such
an amount of facts in reference to the Masonic system had ever
before been published by any author. It will forever remain as a
monument of his vast research and his extensive reading." The
Golden Remains of the Early Masonic Writers was, as the title
indicates, a collection in five volumes, each of which carried an
introduction by him. Because of the massivTe literary production
produced by him, of which these two titles are only slightly
indicative, and because of the far-reaching influence of his
fourteen or fifteen principal works, Dr. Mackey gave him a very
proud position in the hierarchy of Masonic authors, as witness:
"While his erroneous theories and his fanciful speculations will be
rejected, the form and direction that he has given to Masonic
speculations will remain, and to him must be accredited the
enviable title of the Father of Anglo-Saxon Masonic Literature."

Scopdwick vicarage, May 6th, 1854. 
Dear sir and Brother:

I am much gratified to receive so good an account of Masonry in
your part of the world, for altho' I am getting too far advanced in
years to take any active share in the details of a working Mason
yet it gives me pleasure to hear of the successful exertions of
younger and more able brethren.

I am at all times ready to reply to any suggestions or to answer
any enquiries relative to a science in which for so many years I
took a warm interest, so far as my judgment and recollection will
allow; and I enter at once on a brief notice of your alleged
difficulties.

The naked facts of the legend attached to the Third Degree are not
borne out by legitimate history, for it is well known that H.A.B.
lived to see the T-- finished, and afterwards returned to Tyre.
(See the Hist. L'n'ks, Vol. II, p. 154.) In fact the legend is a
pure myth, and has been variously interpreted. Some think it refers
to the death of Abel--others to the mystical death of Noah when he
entered the Ark, and his resurrection from it when the waters had
subsided as is commemorated in the Pagan mysteries; some to the
atonement of Christ on the cross; and others, amongst whom was the
late Sir W. Drummond, the learned author of the Origines, refer to
it as an astronomical origin. An examination of the arguments by
which each of these opinions is supported would occupy too much
space for discussion in a single letter. The view which I take of
it is Death in Adam and Life in CHRIST, and the particulars are
developed so far as it is consistent with the O. B. in my Hist.
L'n'ks, Vol. II, pp. 179-183. But it never can be thoroughly
understood by any Master of a lodge who does not extend his
researches beyond the ordinary lectures and ceremonies; which are,
as you truly observe, vox et proeterea nihil.

Bro. Margoliouth, whose lecture I have not seen, would, I am
inclined to think, take his illustration of the Cross of Christ,
formed by the junction of the Level and Plumb Rule, etc., from my
Hist. L'n'ks, Vol. II, p. 627.n. 29, where it is stated as an idea
suggested by Bro. Willoughby of Birkenhead. You will find the
subject discussed in loc.

The XII Chapter of Eccles, which you have rightly introduced into
the discussion of the lodge, is a legitimate object of Masonic
illustration and was used by Dr. Anderson at the revival of Masonry
about the beginning of the last century. You will find it, as
explained by that eminent Mason, in the first volume of the Golden
Remains, page 65. If you have a convenient opportunity of sending
your paraphrase I should like to see it.

Respecting the nine characters on the coffin, which you mention, I
am quite in the dark, not having been in a lodge room for the last
dozen years. I have not even seen the latest Tracing (Trestle)
Board and therefore am ignorant what those emblems may be.

I send the only list of books in my possession. I approve of your
seal, as the emblems are strictly Masonic.
Believe me to be, dear Sir
Your faithful Brother.
Geo. Oliver. 

F. W. Barron, Esq.
Principal U. C. College,
Toronto.

THE G. M. OF IOWA WROTE ON HENRY CLAY

It is well known that Henry Clay was a Mason. The next letter in
this group shows that he bowed before the almost irresistible (to
a politician) mania of the Anti-Masonic craze but never became an
out-and-out "renouncer."

Muscatine, Iowa
July 2, i852. Wm. Leffingwell, Esq.,
Master Iowa Lodge, No. 2.

Dear Sir and Brother:
Your request thro Br. LaCassitt that the Masonic Fraternity of the
city may appear in regalia and unite in the procession which the
citizens design forming on Monday next to testify their respect for
the memory of Henry Clay recently deceased is respectfully
declined, for the reason that the illustrious deceased long since
withdrew from the institution to which he belonged the credit and
lustre of his great name and declared publicly that he should no
more cross her thresholds and that there was no further use in
keeping up the organization, and by his conduct evinced a
disposition to shun the contact of his Brotherhood, though to his
credit be it spoken he never renounced the Order.

As a citizen I shall join my fellow citizens in the ceremonies of
the day and sincerely testify my respect for the illustrious dead
who has filled so large a space in his country's history and whose
efforts to extend the area of freedom throughout the world deserve
the lasting gratitude of mankind. In this I hope to be joined by
all my brethren while a sense of duty to the Order, whose
reputation I have in charge, compels me reluctantly to deny your
request.

Fraternally yours,
T. S. Parvin, Grand Master
Grand Lodge of Iowa.

DR. FINDEL GOSSIPS ABOUT HIS "HISTORY"

Bro. Dr. J. G. Findel is a name almost as well known as that of Dr.
Oliver, largely because of the fame enjoyed by his Geschichte der
Freimaurerei, or General History of Freemasonry, first published in
1861 in German, later translated into many languages, "the first
attempt at a critical history of the Craft." He was once the editor
of Die Bauhutte, and founded the Verein Deutscher. The letter
below, addressed to Bro. T. S. Parvin, Grand Secretary, Grand Lodge
of Iowa, is a bit of gossip about the Geschichte. It is evident
that our illustrious German brother had some difflculties with our
language.

Leipzig, 18 Mar. 1869 Dear sir and Bro.
Last year I was rejoiced in receiving Vol. I-IV of the Proceedings
of the Gr. L. of Iowa and I hastened to acknowledge the
acceptation. since then I send you, regularly my paper "Die
Bauhutte." The packages for the Gr. L. of 3 Globes, Royal York,
etc., at Berlin, I have sent to their address.

With the spirit which seems to animate your Grand Lodge and is a
truly fraternal and free of some prejudices of American Grand
Lodges, I was very much pleased. In the meantime, I opened a very
fraternal correspondence with your able and modest Grand Master,
Reuben Mickel, very much respected by me, and I asked for the
permission to dedicate the 2nd edition of my History of Freemasonry
to your W. Grand Lodge, which was granted. I have sent you some
copies of the Prospectus hoping and wishing that you will be kind
enough to distribute them and work in some way for the sale of my
work. It should be in the hands of every Worshipful Master and
Lodge Offlcer at least; this I must wish not only for myself to
earn a small remuneration for the great labours (Of the 1st Ed. 500
copies burnt at the printers, not injured) I had, but in the first
place for the welfare of the Craft. The ignorance under the
brethren in your blessed country is horrible and the Masonic
literature with the exception of 3 or 4 works, quite worthless,
full of errors and nonsense. I think my work will do some good and
promote the interests of the Craft. If the Grand Lodges of the U.
S. instead of wasting Gr. L. moneys for lecturers and other things,
would buy some 100 copies to distribute them under their particular
lodges, it would be very good and honor them in the eyes of every
thinking Mason. I will be very much obliged to you, if you will do
your best to give my work a large circulation within your
jurisdiction. Your Gr. Master, I am sure will assist you. The 2nd
Edition will be better printed and revised and more correct in the
contents and shall especially the chapters on Freemasonry in
America become enlarged and more complete, as far as there are
reliable sources. Relating to modern time I will have opportunity
to give a special attention to the G. L. of Iowa. The G. L. of Ky.
has given me notice that she would take it as a great honour the
dedication also and be thankful for it.

Bro. Frank Gouley has written to me a very flattering letter about
my work, so that I hope he will in this issue, also review my work
in his paper. [The Missouri Freemason.] Some day or other my name
will be as familiar in America at the brethren, as in Germany and
England.

Please to give my best compliments to the Iowa Brethren and believe
me, Most fraternally yours,
J. G. Findel.

FOR A GENERAL GRAND LODGE !

Bro. John Snow, an apostle in the middle west of the Webb Ritual
system, once Grand Master of Ohio, was a famous Mason in his day,
especially in the Buckeye state. His voluminous correspondence
should be published. In the letter immediately following we find
Bro. Jonathan Nye, a leader in North Carolina, seeking to persuade
him ill favor of that venerable ignus fatuus, a General Grand
Lodge.

Claremont,. N. C.
March 5-1822. John Snow, Esq.,
Worthington, Ohio.
Dear sir:
I wish to call your attention to a subject, in my view, important
and desirable. It is the establishment of a General Grand Lodge for
the United states. Such an establishment would strengthen the cord
which now feebly unites the brethren of the different states and
induce them to feel and take a deeper interest in disseminating the
true principles of the institution. It would promote a good and
general understanding and uniformity and harmony in this work and
labor. It is time for us to wake from our lethargy and by united
exertions to maintain the station that belongs to us. Our Society
is ancient and honorable. Let us render it so by combining all our
exertions in the cause of truth. Let us form a solid column and
present to the world our harmonious efforts.


As it is expected that there will be a meeting of the 99 chapters
in the city of Washington next winter, this would be a good time
for the formation of a General G. Lodge. Delegates might be chosen
in the course of the summer. If you feel engaged in this pursuit,
I wish you to converse with some of your influential brethren and
ascertain their views and feelings, and communicate to me without
delay the result as well as your opinion.

Very respectfully your friend and obedient servant,
Jonathan Nye.

BRO. NICKERSON WRITES AGAINST "HIGHER DEGREES"

The author of the last letter of this little group was a mighty
pillar in the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts in his day,' being Grand
Master in 1872-74, and Grand Secretary for twenty-six years,
1882-1908. During that long period of service he ranked along with
Mackey, Pike, Drummond, and Parvin as a national leader in the
Craft. The publication of this letter thirty-five or forty years
ago would have raised a storm; now, time has removed its sting. It
has value here as evidence of the opposition met with by the higher
degrees ill their laborious progress to their present position of
influence and prestige.

Masonic Temple, Boston,
Sept. 24-1885. 
Dear Bro. Parvin:

Your letter of the 21st inst. is received.
I have this day mailed to your address a copy of the Proceedings of
our Grand Lodge at its Quarterly Communication in June 1882. That
was the only session at which we have had any discussion of any
account in regard to "Spurious Rites and Degrees." The subject was
acted upon at one or two other meetings but without much talk. I
send you also a pamphlet of which we printed about 15,000 copies,
containing all we had previously printed on the subject, except
some twaddle that was not worth reprinting. Please look it over and
see whether you want copies of other Proceedings from which
extracts are made, or if you desire it, I will send you a copy of
the Proceedings of each meeting at which any reference to the
subject was made.

The more I think upon it, the more I am satisfied that I took the
true ground in the discussion in June, 1882, and the
clearest-headed among the Fraternity all over the country, are
rapidly coming to my opinion. The legislation then proposed seemed
to me vastly more in the interest of true Masonry and the Craft at
large than of the Scottish Rite and the few who acknowledge its
authority. The "higher degrees"--falsely so called--have always
been a curse to Masonry in this country-- and probably everywhere
else. I thought we were taking the first step towards the sweeping
of them all into oblivion, and I still hope it will prove so. They
are all the work of degree mongers, and most of them are (not to
put too fine a point upon it) a nuisance and an abomination. I
trust the day is not far distant when Grand Lodges will unite in
putting an end to the whole batch of them. It is enough to make the
angels weep to think how much time and money we waste on the
worthless trash.

Very truly and fraternally yours,
Sereno D. Nickerson.

