Gen. LaFayette letters- Mobile prepared for his visit which included local Freemasons

Once Gen. LaFayette agreed to the invitation of Governor Israel Pickens to visit Alabama, Gov. Pickens began to make preparations for his visit. The city of Mobile began consulting with Gov. Pickens almost immediately about their plans which included visits to Freemason lodges. (Gen. LaFayette was a Freemason)

Sir

At your request I have selected the following Gentlemen residing in Mobile as a committee to receive and prepare an entertainment for Genl. LaFayette; in making this selection I have had an eye only to such as are known for their public spirit, as well as knowledge in such matters. I am convinced that you cannot select a more suitable Committee from that city.

I remain your ob & sert.

B. Hogan

Cahawba 15 Dec. 1824

To his Ex. I. Pickens

Judge Hale. Capt. Root. Capt. Easter. Genl. Everitte. T. T. Holt. Philip McCloskey. Doct. Carthy. H. Gunnison. J. H. Garrow. J. G. Swift. Major Armtsrong. Capt. Ross. B. Ames. Jos. W. Moore. H. Stickney. H. V. Chamberlain. Doct. Chieusse. Doct. Lane .N. Pope. Col. Smoot. W. Barton. W. H. Robertson. Col. Wm. King. Maj. Montgomery. Doct. Webb.

Marquis de Lafayette at the time of his tour through Alabama (Alabama Department of Archives and History)

Mobile 5th January 1825

Sir

Your communications of the 24th. Ultimo embracing the views of the general Assembly upon the subject of the invitation given to the venerable patriot, who is now the distinguished Guest of the Nation has been received—and the committees of management which you have appointed has been convened—In conformity with their resolutions we are requested to inform your Excellency, that the Gentlemen composing that committee have with pleasure accepted the trust you have reposed in them—and will hold themselves in readiness to comply with your wishes, as soon as, they may receive any information from you, that

General La Fayette will honour our state with a visit—that every necessary preparation will be made and that no exertion will be wanting on their part to make the reception of so distinguished a benefactor of our country agreeable to his wishes, and to the character of our state.

In compliance with a further resolution of the meeting, we are instructed to request your Excellency, to add the name of Charles Batre Esq. to the Committee

We have the honour to be

Very respectfully

Your Excellency’s

Most obedient servants

S. H. Garrow, Chairman

Thomas L. Carthy Secty.

His Excellency

Israel Pickens

(A notation on the front of the above letter by the Governor reads); “ansd. 31 Jany. Mr. Battree and Col. Dinsmore added to the Com.”

Mobile March 6th 1825

Sir

As secretary to the committee of management appointed by your Excellency, to make, and to superintend all necessary arrangements, for the reception of our distinguished Guest, General LaFayette. I have the honour of transmitting to your Excellency, a copy of the proceedings of the last meeting, of the committee.

I hope that the enclosed resolutions of the committee may meet with the approbations of your Excellency.

I have the honour

to be

Your Excellency’s

Most obedient

Humble servant

Thomas L. Carthy

Lafayette by S.F.B. Morse photograph by Bain News Service

Mobile 28th February 1825

To His Excellency

Israel Pickens

At a meeting of the committee appointed for the purpose of making the necessary arrangements, for the reception of Genl. LaFayette now the distinguished Guest of the American people at Mobile, on the part of the State of Alabama, the following resolutions were adopted: Vz

Resolved that J. F. Ross, T. T. Holt, J. F. Everitte, C. Root, L. Chiensse, N. Pope, W. Barton, and F. W. Armstrong, be a committee, whose duty it shall be, to procure one or more SteamBoats, and to proceed therein to Montgomery there to receive General LaFayette and to conduct him from thence to Mobile—
Resolved. That. Wm. R. Hallett, P. McLoskey, E. Webb and H. V. Chamberlain be a committee of correspondence, whose duty it shall be to write to the officers of the 4th Regiment of United States infantry inviting them to be present at the reception of Genl. LaFayette and also to request the attendance of the regimental Band of Music-also to invite the officers of the U. S. Artillery, stationed at Barrancas-also the officers of the Engineer Corps, at Mobile-point-also any other officers of the Government-they may deem advisable. Also to procure a Band of Music from New Orleans to accompany the committee to Montgomery—
Resolved. That, T. L. Carthy, R. J. Easter, Wm. H. Robertson, Chester Root, J. W. Moore and J. G. Swift, be a committee of household and supplies, whose duty it shall be, to procure a house, furniture, Equipage &c. for the purpose of accommodating our Guest during his stay in Mobile, also to procure supplies of every description and to superintend this household during his stay—
Resolved. That, S. H. Garrow, N. Pope, P. McLoskey, Silas Dinsmoor, Barrett Ames, C. Batre, Henry Gunnison, T. L. Carthy, H. Stickney, J. W. Moore, Wm. Hale and Wm. H. Robertson-be a committee whose duty it shall be, to procure and provide a public dinner and ball, and superintend and manage the same—
Resolved, That, E. Montgomery, is appointed Chief MarshallS. G. Swift, B. S. Smoot, Henry Gunnison and R. C. Lane, assistant Marshalls of the day, whose duty it shall be, on the arrival of the Steam Boats,, with General LaFayette to arrange and direct the procession from the place of landing to the place of reception—
Resolved. That. E. Webb, R. J. Easter and William Hale, be a committee to draught and deliver an address of welcome to General LaFayette-on his arrival at Mobile-and that they select one from this number to deliver the address—
Resolved, That, the whole committee under the direction of the chairman form a committee of reception—
Resolved, That, Col. Wm. King, T .L. Carthy, E. Webb, W. R. Hallett, R. J. Easter, and T. T. Holt, be a committee to prepare toasts to be drank at the dinner—
Resolved, That, S. H. Garrow, Wm. R. Hallett, E. Montgomery, Wm. H. Robertson, Silas Dinsmoor, S. G. Swift, R. J. Easter, C. Batre and Wm. Hale, be a committee of escort to attend Genl. LaFayette—from Mobile to New Orleans, or to such point as may be designated by the authorities of Louisiana—
Resolved, That Barrett Ames, C. Batre’ and H. Stickney, be a committee of accounts one of whom shall act as treasurer, and the duty of this committee shall be, to keep accurate accounts of monies received and disbursed which disbursements shall take place, upon the order of the chairman of any one of the committees appointed at this meeting—
Resolved, That the chairman and secretary of the committee inform his Excellency the Governor, of the proceedings of this meeting, and request him as soon as he may receive intelligence of the determination of General LaFayette to visit this section of the state, to advise by first opportunity— Thos. L. Carthy, Secty.

Inside Freemason’s Lodge

Mobile March 10th 1825

Sir

I have to regret very much that circumstances have occured which will call my attention away from this city for a few weeks, and which precludes me the pleasure of acting as one of the Committee of Management appointed by your Excellency for the reception of our nation’s distinguished guest;-Will you therefore be pleased to accept of my resignation as a member of that committee,—from the construction which I placed in your first communication, I believed it was you as the Executive of our State to pay General LaFayette the principal Honour at Mobile, but you will perceive by the Resolutions adopted at a meeting held on the 28th ulto which resolutions were forwarded to you by the Secretary, that the majority of the committee have deemed it differently. As I was the Chairman, delicacy prevents me from commenting upon those resolutions;— but Your Excellency will no doubt at a single glance observe the Error, and will view the subject as I have done.-With assurances of the highest esteem.

I am Sir

Your Excellencie’s

Mo. obt. st.

S. H. Garrow

Masonic Temple at the corner of South Perry Street and Washington Avenue in Montgomery, Alabama. (Alabama Department of Archives and History)

Mobile 21st March 1825

His Excellency

Israel Pickens—

Sir

Finding it almost impossible to proceed in the erection of the necessary buildings, for the purpose of properly receiving and entertaining the distinguished Patriot, who is now about to honour our State with a visit. The committees have concluded to adopt the mode proposed by Your Excellency ei that of sending the Treasurer of the Committee Mr, Henry Stickney, to Cahaba, for the purpose of receiving funds, to meet, the very great expenditures now daily taking place

When Your Excellency takes into consideration, the very many expenses we are obliged to incur, not only for the general entertainments to be given here, but that we are obliged to furnish a large variety of supplies to the committees at the different places of reception on the river Alabama. Your Excellency will . . . after viewing these circumstances, allow the draught, which our Treasurer may make upon the funds appropriated by the State for this purpose—

We have the honour to be

Most respectfully

Your Excellency’s

Most obedient servants

Ezekiel Webb

Chairman

Thomas L. Carthy, Secty.

Official portrait of Israel Pickens, third governor of Alabama

Mobile March 17th 1825

To His Excellency Israel Pickens

Most Ex. Companion,

The suggestion contained in your late communication to the Grand Secretary of the Grand Chapter of the State, in reference to the Masonic Reception in this city of the “Nation’s Guest” was Communicated to the Companions of Mobile Chapter No. 3 on yesterday the presiding officer which the Mo! Ex: Th: Sanford, shortly thereafter called a meeting of the Chapter for the purpose of carrying into effect your Excellency’s Suggestion on that subject in adopting preparatory measures which may enable them to present to the Universally Recognized friend of Liberty and of Man the Tribute not only of their Masonic Veneration and respects, but of their grateful recollections of his past sacrifices and distinguished services in Freedom’s cause. The following is a Copy of the resolutions passed at the meeting towit.

Masonic Hall, City of Mobile, March 16th AD 1825

7 o’clock P.M.

“Resolved by the Companions of Mobile Chapter No. 3 that a Committee of the Chapter be appointed to Act in conjunction with a Committee from Mobile Lodge No. 10, to take into consideration the suggestion of the M.E.G.H.P.” that the Nation’s Guest should receive an entertainment from the Masonic fraternity “And to prepare a plan and estimate for said entertainment and to report the same together with their ideas of the means most eligible to carry the same into effect-Which resolution was adopted and a Committee of four were appointed Viz;

M. E. T. Sandford

E. H. V. Chamberlain

S. G. Swift

T. P. Norris

Resolved-that the M. E. C. Jas. Elliott be appointed a Committee from the Chapter to correspond with his Excy. the Governor and to inform him of the proceedings of this Chapter in reference to the contemplated Masonic Reception for the “Nation’s Guest.” And to obtain necessary information from him on the subject, both of which resolutions were unanimously adopted.

Pursuant therefore to these resolutions the pleasing duty is assessed to me by the Compns of Mob. Chr. No. 3 to communicate to your Excellency its proceedings, in reference to the contemplated Masonic reception of our illustrious Brother, and to ask from your Excellency the communications of such lights as your superior intelligence may enable you to impart. It is a source of regret that the means at the disposal of the Masonic Brethren here, are greatly inadequate to the “Splendid Masonic Reception” of the General. Still their warmth of feeling and of gratitude for the General will urge them to the attempt, in a cause so much calculated to excite their patriotic feelings. It is also made my duty by those resolutions to receive from your Excy. all the information you may think proper to impart, in reference to the number of days it is probable the General may pass in our City. In order that the arrangements may be adapted to the period of his arrival.

Suffer me in conclusion to present you my cordial greetings for the reulwed Masonic testimonial of respect and esteem received recently from the Royal Arch Masons of this state.

Yours fraternally

Jno. Elliott

D. G. HP.

P.S. Please drop an early answer. J. E.

Madame Josephine Marie Hollinger – Lafayette stated she was the prettiest girl Mobile (Photo submitted to Findagrave.com by Helen)

Mobile 21st March 1825

Sir and Companion,

I had the pleasure of receiving by Col. Easter your favor of the 24th. Ultimo Communicating your acceptance of the office of Grand High Priest of the Grand Chapter of the State of Alabama.

Your wish that a meeting of the Grand Chapter be called for the purpose of greeting our illustrious brother LaFayette on his arrival at this place would be complied with most cheerfully, was there time sufficient to notify the Officers residing in the Northern part of the State as required by the Constitution.

It is proposed however by the breathern composing the Mobile Chapter and Lodge that some arrangements be made for that occasion and by these Committees have been appointed, for the purpose of communicating with your Excellency on the subject, to which please refer.

I have the honor to be with much respect and esteem your fraternally.

Wm. D. Stone

Gr. Sect. Gr. Chapter

State of Alabama

His Excellency

Israel Pickens

Gr. High Priest

Gr. Ch. S. A.