f - n l ■^\Vv ‘■'‘"■4''' V >i 7l 'I 4* V*'"''* 0Oij ^ ^ f s./, ,,V'/" ?, 'i- 'v '■' <. OPINIONS OF THE LATE CHIEF JUSTICE OF THE UNITED STATES, * » ^ ' r • * f» CONCERNING FRBEMASOI^RY. It was accidentally discovered that a gentleman in Norfolk Oounty, Mass., had a copy of a letter from the late Chief Justice of the United States to the Hon. Edward Everett, on the sub¬ ject of Freemasonry. Being requested he furnished the one which follows, accompanying it, in his letter to the applicant, with these very appropriate remarks. October 21st, 1840. Dear Sir, Annexed is a copy of Judge Marshall’s letter to Mr. Edward Everett, while, if my memory serves me. Governor of this Commonwealth, the date of it, however, will show. The judge, although pointedly averse to having his letter appear or even to be alluded to in the papers, yet he indirectly counsels Mr. Everett as a public man, to an expression of his opinion ia a decent, manly, frank and firm manner ; from which the judge seems fully apprized of the malignant character of the insti¬ tution towards its backsliding members. Judge Marshall urges his advanced age and his wish for repose, as reasons why he would not engage in “any tempestuous sea but his age and also his respectability seem to be substantial reasons, why they should be made use of to destroy an institution preg¬ nant with so much evil as to commit murder, and so much strength as to conceal and protect the murderer! But the Judge has now obtained the repose of the grave, and though dead, may his letter speak, may it be printed, and speak to gen¬ erations yet unborn, should hereafter an effort be made to re¬ vive the base, the murderous and detestable institution. Yours, &c. THE LETTER. * Richmond^ July 22d, 1833. My Dear Sir, I have received your favor of the 16th, enclosing a printed copy of your letter respecting Masonry to Mr. Atwell, accom¬ panied by printed copies of letters from Gen. Washington and Mr. Madison on the same subject. Soon after entering the army, I was made a Mason. In ad¬ dition to the motives, which usually actuate young men, I Avas induced to become a candidate for admission into the society, by the assurance that the brotherly love, which pervaded it and the duties imposed on its members, might be of great service to me in the vicissitudes of fortune to which a soldier was exposed. After the army was disbanded, I found the or¬ der in high estimation, and every gentleman I saw in this part of Virginia was a member. I followed the crowd for a time 3 without attaching any importance to its object, or giving my¬ self the trouble to inquire why others did. It soon lost its at- " traction, and though there are several Lodges in the city of Richmond, I have not been in one of them for more than forty years, except once, on an invitation to accompany General La Fayette, nor have I been a member of one of them for more than thirty. It was impossible not to perceive the useless pag¬ eantry of the whole exhibition. My friend, Mr. Story, has communicated my opinions to you truly. I thought it, how¬ ever, a harmless plaything, which would live its hour and pass away, until the murder or abstraction of Morgan was brought before the public ;—that atrocious crime, and I had almost said, the still more atrocious suppression of the testimony concern¬ ing it, demonstrated the abuse, of which the oaths prescribed by the order were susceptible, and convinced me that the in¬ stitution ought to be abandoned, as one capable of producing much evil, and incapable of producing any good, which might not be effected by safe and open means. I give you my senti¬ ments without reserve, but in confidence. I have attained an age when repose becomes a primary wish. I am unwilling to embark on any tempestuous sea or to engage as a volunteer in any controversy, which may tend to excite the angry passions. I am unwilling to appear in the papers on any question, espec¬ ially if it may produce excitement. The Antimasonic controversy has not crossed the Potomac. With you it has become a party question, which a public man cannot escape, and on which a decent, manly opinion must be firmly and frankly expressed. But I am not a public man; and if I were, many and extravagant are the tests by which we try the fitness of agents for the service of our country. This has not as yet become one of them. Several of my per¬ sonal friends are Masons; some few of them more zealous 4 than myself. You will therefore pardon the unwillingness I express, that any allusion to this letter should be made in the papers. Keceive the assurances of the great and respectful esteem, with which I remain. Your obedient, - J. MARSHALL. ;r" - J til 1 Date Due ^ t,. 1 ■ /■') y - 1 / y yu n u t)j r H S b'a “7 . THIS^aK MXY NOT BE- --^TAKEN FROM THIS ROOM Boston College Library Chestnut Hill 67, Mass. Books may be kept for two weeks unless a shorter period is specified. If you cannot find what you want, inquire at liie circulation desk for assistance.