GRAND SECRETARY'S REPORT. I. O. O. F.-OFFICE COR. & REC. SEC'Y, To the R. W. Grand Lodge of the United States. IN obedience to the law prescribing the duty, the undersigned begs leave very respectfully to present the Annual Report of this department. The following resolutions comprise the various instructions given at the last session to the Corresponding Secretary. Resolved, That the Grand Secretaries and Grand Scribes, of the several Grand Lodges and Grand Encampments, be requested under revision of their Grand Lodges and Grand Encampments, to make out accurate lists of the names and dates of the institution of every Lodge and Encampment under their jurisdiction; to report the dates at which they came under the jurisdiction of the State Grand Encampments and Grand Lodgesthe date of suspensions, expulsions and re-instatements-and to submit the same to the Grand Corresponding Secretary, at least three months previous to the next Annual Communication. Resolved, That the Grand Corresponding Secretary be directed to procure two appro priate books, to be kept as Registers-one for the Lodges, and the other for the Encampments, under their jurisdiction. That he cause all the Lodges and Eucampments in communion with this Grand Lodge, to be entered and registered in said books-numbering each of them according to seniority, as the same shall appear from the reports above required, and from the documents in his office. Resolved, That hereafter, in all cases of grant of charter or dispensation, by the Grand Lodges or Grand Encampments-they shall immediately report the same to the Grand Corresponding Secretary, who shall enter the same in the general register, with its proper number, which shall be immediately communicated to the state Grand Lodge or Grand Encampment, to be inserted in the charter, in addition to its State number-as G. R And that as soon as the appropriate numbers of Lodges or Encampments now in existence, shall be declared, they shall in like manner be added to the respec tive charters. Resolved, That the Grand Corresponding Secretary, be directed to communicate the above to the several Grand Lodges and Encampments. Resolved, That all connection between the Manchester Unity and this Grand Lodge, be and hereby is forthwith severed, and that to this Grand Lodge belongs the exclusive authority to erect Lodges and Encampments of Odd-Fellows, upon any part or section of the globe. Resolved, That the Grand Corresponding Secretary be instructed to forward to each Grand and Subordinate Lodge and Encampment, working under a charter from this Grand Lodge, a copy of the foregoing resolution. Resolved, That the Grand Secretary be, and he is hereby directed to forward bills to all Grand Lodges and Grand Encampments, and all Subordinate Lodges and Encampments, indebted to this Grand Lodge, with an earnest request, that they immediately forward the amount. Resolved, That the Grand Secretary be, and he is hereby directed to forward imperative instructions to all Subordinate Lodges and Encampments, reported as having failed to forward reports, to furnish them without delay. Resolved, That the Grand Secretary be, and he is hereby directed to issue a circular, to all those who have been acting as agents for the sale of Diplomas, to close up their accounts without delay, transfer any remaining on hand, to their respective Grand Lodges or Encampments, taking receipts therefor, and forward a full statement to the Secre tary's office. Resolved, That the Grand Secretary be, and he is hereby directed to furnish this Grand Lodge, in his annual report, with a full and detailed statement of his accounts, showing the amounts due to and by it -and a statement of all Grand and Subordinate Lodges and Encampments, which may not have reported-said report to be made up to within two weeks of the Annual Session of this body. I have the honor to report that the instructions enjoined in the aforegoing resolutions have been complied with. On the 20th December 1843, a printed circular on the subject of the Registry was addressed to each G. Lodge and Encampment under this jurisdiction, a copy of which is herewith annexed. The undersigned has to express his sincere regret that the laudable object of the Grand Lodge in the passage of these resolutions has for a time been defeated by reason of the neglect of the departments whose duty it was made to furnish the information required, to respond to the circular of the undersigned-honorable exception in justice must however be made of the Grand Lodges of Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Delaware, Missouri, District of Columbia and New Jersey, of the Grand Encampments of New Jersey, Kentucky, Maryland and Ohio, and of Bunker Hill Encampment, Mass.-each of which bodies have made satisfactory reports on this subject. In consequence of the failure of the Grand Lodges and Encampments generally to comply with the requisition of the resolutions on this subject, it has been impracticable to carry out the views of the Grand Lodge of the United States in providing appropriate books of Registry for numbering these departments according to their respective seniority as contemplated by the law. As directed by the resolution of the Committee on Finance, the undersigned prepared and transmitted bills to all Grand Lodges and Encampments, from the accounts reported as audited by that committee, together with imperative instructions to Lodges and Encampments failing to report at the last session. Many of these bodies have responded with promptitude to the Order of the Grand Lodge while some have continued as they have heretofore done for many years, to permit their arrearages to remain unliquidated. It is a source however of great pleasure to the undersigned to report that the delay in settling old accounts in many instances arises from inability and not from the want of proper respect to the obligation of the claims. Most of the Agencies for the sale of Diplomas have been closed, and the same have been transferred to the State Grand Lodges as directed in the resolution of the last session. The edition heretofore printed having been entirely disposed of, it is worthy of consideration whether a further supply may not be profitably authorised-returns have as yet been received but from a few of the new depositaries, but it is believed that at the present reduced price all will be readily sold. Herewith is presented (Doc's A. B. C. Ď.) in conformity with the resolution requiring the same, being "a detailed statement of the accounts of this office, shewing the amounts due to and by the Grand Lodge of the United States," in so far as it was practicable to obey the Order of the last session. It will be observed that the amounts accruing from Encampments and Lodges immediately subordinate to the Grand Lodge of the United States can only be ascertained at the end of their respective quarters when their reports are due to this department. These bodies are required to report through the D. D. G. Sires, and it not unfrequently happens that the Cor. Secretary remains unadvised of the details of their reports and appropriate credits until the annual reports of those officers are made-again the amounts due from the Lodges in Maine, New Hampshire and Rhode Island, and from the Encampments in Massachusetts, in which State Grand Lodges and Encampments have been created during the recess, cannot be known to this office until the final reports are received from the same up to the period of ratification of the Grand warrants for these Stateshence it has been found impracticable to present even a proximate statement of the amounts due from the immediate subordinates of the Grand Lodge of the United States. It is true the number of quarters for which reports and per centage might be due could be stated, but this information would be of no service to the Representatives in enabling them to arrive at a correct view of the fiscal affairs of the Grand Lodge. The amounts due by the Grand Lodges and Encampments, together with the amount due by the Grand Lodge of the United States, and a statement of all Grand Lodges and Encampments, which have not reported up to within two weeks of the present session will be found comprised in (Doc's A. B. C.) above referred to. Under the existing practice with the State Grand Lodges generally, (notwithstanding the resolution of September Session 1841, which requires the Annual Reports and dues to be forwarded to the Cor. Secretary at least one month previous to the session, and the further enactment of the last session directing the undersigned to report all such bodies which may have failed to report up to within two weeks of the session) the annual reports are seldom made until the first day of the term to which they are returnable, when the Grand Secretary is crowded with the current business of the session-this delay it is believed is attributable to the convenience which is afforded for transmitting these reports and funds by the Representatives elect. This same difficulty to a very considerable extent exists in the practice of D. D. G. Sires, who are required by their commission to report in the month of July. These officers have by law the prerogative of examining and supervising the reports of the Subordinates and are made the channel of transmission of all dues to the G. L. of the U. S. The Lodges or Encampments within their jurisdiction report at different periods, and the payments made are reserved, not unfrequently awaiting the accession of other reports and funds so as to make a suitable remittance to this department. Any statement of accounts which would make such bodies appear debtors or delinquents in their reports would produce distrust and dissatisfaction. There should be such regulations adopted as would bring in all the reports whether from G. Lodges, G. Encampments or Subordinates to the Cor. Sec. at least one month previous to the session, and thus afford him the means of presenting a full and detailed statement of all the accounts of the Grand Lodge. To accomplish this desirable object imperative laws should be enacted, and a fiscal year should be designated, having regard in its selection to the period of the session of the Grand Lodge of the United States and terminating at least one month previous thereto. Again, the general tabular statement detailing the progress and entire operations of the Order during the year cannot be made up under the present practice until the termination of the session and the Representatives have returned to their respective homes. This document which is one of great importance should be made up and presented by the Corresponding Secretary in his annual report, in order that the Representatives whilst in session might be put in possession at the proper time of the true state, strength, resources and disbursements of the Order, and have the opportu nity of such legislation thereon as might be found necessary. To enable the undersigned to furnish this statement, it is indespensable that the reports from all quarters should be in his hands, affording him the proper materials at least one month prior to the session. In compliance with the order requiring the Cor. Secretary to pay over all monies received by him in the vacation for the use of the Grand Lodge, and to report the same, specifying the amount received, from whom received and for what object, and in further obedience to the resolution of 23d of September, 1841, on the same subject, the undersigned respectfully presents the following statement of the receipts during the past year, all of which have been paid over to the Grand Treasurer, vouchers for which accompany this report. Amount of revenue received by the Cor. Secretary during the recess, from whom received and for what object, reported in obedience to resolution of 23d September, 1841. 1843, Oct. What Object. 9. Dispensations issued, Georgian Lodge, No. 3, Thomaston, Maine,..... 13, $30 00 Washington,. ....4, Sommersworth, do..... 30 00 do...... 30 00 30 00 30 00 30 00 30 00 30 00 30 CO 30.00 30.00 30 00 30 00 .... White Mountain,.......5, Concord, 1843. Sept. 25, " 1844. What Object. State, place and name of Lodges or Encampment. Amount. .For Dues,.... Far West Lodge, No. 1, Arkansas,.. .... . $40.00 Mt. Arrarat Encp., Natchez, Miss. to 30 June, 1843, 30 00 Ridgely Encamp., Nashville, Tenn., 4 qr. in full,... Saco,... ..2,......do....... Ancient Brothers,. 4,......do........ Ligonia,.. ....5,......do Maine,.. ......1, 2d quarter,. Friendly Union Lodge, Providence,. ..do.... 10 26 70 30 122 10 19.00 47 90 40 70 51 40 55 95 39 62 ........ 9.00 2615 20 65 52 95 39 44 48 75 48 31 7 13 41 SO 6581 61 49 53 28 27 80 27 32 75.95 Friendly Union, No. 1, Providence,. Kennedy....do., Black Creek, E. Florida,.. Wayne Lodge,............2,....do..................... Wildey Encampment, Natchez, Miss.,. Catahoochie Encampment, Columbus, Geo..... Wildey Encampment, No. 1, St. Louis, Mo.... Frontier......do.........2, Weston, do.. Hillsborough,. 2,..........do............. Washington..... .4,....do..... 34 15 13 96 62 17 2.50 36 42 11 83 23 15 20 60 21 15 19.00 22 29 508 18 39 33 43 Sept. 8, .... |