Memoir of the pilgrimage to Virginia of the Knights templars of Massachusetts and Rhode Island, May, 1859

Front matter

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Preface

THE visit of the Knights Templars of Boston and Providence to Richmond in May, 1859, was an event of no common interest, significance, and importance in the annals of the year. It was not only a meeting between companies of that’ noble Order which has linked a chain of fraternity around the world, but it was a mingling of patriotic feeling by American citizens whose forefathers mingled their blood in the crimson stains of the Revolutionary battle-fields, and whose martyr dust now mingles in the soil consecrated to freedom by their valor and devotion. It was not only a convocation and festival of the Sir Knights of De Molay and St. John and the Richmond Commandery, but it was the children of Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Virginia clasping each other in a brotherly embrace, and, while enjoying the blessings that flow so richly from the compact a * is PREFACE.

made by their fathers, strengthening that compact by pledging each other foot to foot, eye to eye, and hand to hand. It was a pilgrimage from the patriot shrines of New England to the land of Washington, of Henry, and of a host of noble spirits now in communion with those good and true men, who rest from their labors, and look down upon a mighty republic, which was builded and fostered by their hands, and guided to a high place among the nations. It was the descendants of the pupils and disciples of Cotton Mather and Roger Williams, of Warren and Greene, going down to the sacred places where they might listen to the undying echoes of Patrick Henry’s ery for liberty, and Washington’s Farewell Address.

_All the circumstances of the occasion conspired to render it a memorable and happy event in the lives of those who participated in it. The excurslonists passed through the chief cities of America. They visited the Capital of the nation, and the Tomb of Washington. Their route led them across the fairest portions of the eastern border of our country, by a mode of conveyance so rapid, while, at the same time, it was most comfortable, that they could see the gradations of climate, as marked in vegetation through a wide range of latitude, giving them a realizing sense of the

PREFACE. ot immense variety of resources embraced in this glorious union of States. Starting from Boston when the herbage was but ankle-deep, they found themselves, at the end of their journey, surrounded by roses in full bloom; after having passed through fields and farms whose trees and grain displayed increasing signs of maturity as they sped southward, until they exchanged their chill and backward climate for one in which Nature smiled in all the loveliness of summer. They found the kindly feeling and hospitality of their Southern brethren in as full and expansive bloom as the flowers that decked the fair city of Richmond, and were welcomed by hearts as warm as the sunshine which bathed the hills and valleys of the Old Dominion.

This was the first opportunity ever enjoyed by most of the company to visit Washington, Mount Vernon, or the soil of Virginia, — that historic ground, so rich in memories of the first settlement of this continent by the men who laid the foundations of our government, — the land where that drama was enacted by Pocahontas which will be famous in history until America has been forgotten. How well the Sir Knights enjoyed this opportunity, what pleasure it afforded them, and how grateful is their remembrance of it, can only

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be told by each for himself. It will doubtless be recorded as one of the happiest experiences of their lives.

The excursion was conducted with so much skill, that nothing was left to be desired by any one; for they had only to place themselves in the care of its managers, and they were transported without trouble or annoyance of any kind to the place of their destination, six hundred miles away, and restored in health and safety to their homes at the hour appointed.

It is not pretended by the compilers of this history of the excursion and the festivities at Richmond, that it will describe adequately all the interesting scenes and events that occurred, but it is hoped that the record made in the following pages may revive in the bosoms of the Sir Knights many of the pleasurable emotions they experienced, and also afford, in its perusal, some gratification to their brothers of the Masonic fraternity, and to the public.

Contents

CHAPTER: I.

PAGE

Visit of the Richmond Commandery, K. T., to Boston, in June, 1858. — Their Invitation to De Molay and St. John’s Encampments to visit Richmond. : ; 4 ; . ;

Chapter II

The Departure of the Sir Knights from Boston. — They take up the Sir Knights of Providence, and proceed to Washington. — Their Reception at the Capital. . ‘ aa © ;

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Sunday in Washington. — Sermons of Rev. William D. orc and Rey. B. Sunderland. : ; : ‘

Chapter IV

From Washington to Richmond. — A Dirge for Mount Vernon. — Governor Wise welcomes the Sir Knights. — First Taste of Virginia Hospitality. — Reception by the Richmond Commandery. — Visit to the Theatre, and a Floral Ovation.

Chapter V

Grand Reception of the Visiting Knights at Mechanics’ Hall. — Welcoming Speeches and Responses. —The Sir Knights

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assaulted with Bouquets by Ladies of Richmond. — Presentation to the New England Knights. — Another Presentation to the Richmond Commandery. — Collation, etc.

The Pilgrims visit Ashland. —A Jockey Club Reception and Dinner. — A Panorama, Illumination, and other Festivities in the Evening.

Chapter IX

Grand Dress Parade of the Knights Templars in Richmond. — Visits to the State Capitol, and to the City Armories. — Floral Tributes from the Ladies of Richmond. — Levee and Ball in the Evening.

CHAPTER, X3

Closing Scenes at Richmond. — Departure of the Pilgrims. — Visit to Mount Vernon.— Interview with the Secretary of the Interior. — Presentation to President Buchanan. — Return to Philadelphia.

Chapter XI

The Pilgrims in the Quaker City.— Return to New York.—A Night upon Long Island Sound. — Reception in Providence.

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Chapter XII

Return of the De Molay Encampment. — Reception of the Pilgrims at Roxbury by the Boston Encampment. — Grand Parade in Boston.— Festival in Nassau Hall. . ‘ - 192