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Influence of Louisiana Lodges on US Scottish Rite Rituals

A journey through the history of a small French-speaking California lodge and the dominant presence of Louisiana brethren with French origins in its formation.

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Influence of Louisiana Lodges on US Scottish Rite Rituals

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  1. Influence des loges de Louisiane sur les rituels du Rite EcossaisenAmerique.Influence of Louisiana Lodges on the US Scottish Rite RitualsA journey through the history of a small French Speaking California lodge. George Vieux et Sebastien Taveau 8 Juin/June 2019

  2. Georges Vieux, PM La Parfaite Union #17 Sebastien Taveau, PM La Parfaite Union #17 Peninsula #168

  3. When asking Past Masters of La Parfaite Union #17 about the history of our unique French First Degree, a brother may have to sort through interpretative factual perception.

  4. La Parfaite Union #17 – San Francisco, California • Founded on Friday June 6, 1851 • Petitioning Officers: Hubert Kidel (WM), Louis Michel (SW), Jean-Marie Delbeck (JW), Léopold Levy (Sec), Adolphe Stiller (SD), Auguste David Glastier (JD), Augste Gérard (MC), Levy Mayer (MC), Pierre Portois (Mar), Lucien Hermann (Cha), Gazan Amic, Alexandre Zabrwesky, Charles Meesmaker, Joseph Boverat • F Hubert Kidelelected first WM, pastGrand intendant of the GL of Louisiana in 1845. Also past WM of Le Foyer Maçonnique (1842), Modern Rite, New Orleans, Louisiana. • Patent/charter issued by the Grand Lodge of California, formed in April 1850. • Second WM was Lucien Herman, PGM of the GL of Louisiana in 1849 and 1850. Also past WM of La Parfaite Union #1, Ancient Rite, New Orleans, Louisiana.

  5. Why is the presence of Louisiana brethren with French origins in California so dominant and fundamental in La Parfaite Union #17 history? Consideration #1: Grand Lodge of Louisiana formation To answer this question, it is important to understand the volatile history of Freemasonry in Louisiana. “Two principal Masonic streams converged in Louisiana during the early years: one French and the other American. Oddly enough, both had a common source in England”(*). The opened conflicts between rituals, cultures, languages have been fundamental to the diaspora of so many brethren to and from Louisiana. In June 1812, five speaking French Lodges formed the Grand Lodge of the Most Ancient Fraternity of Free & Accepted Masons of the State of Louisiana held in the city of New-Orleans. The two existing English speaking Lodges (Louisiana #1 chartered (1807) by GL of New-York and Harmony Lodge #122 chartered (1810) by GL of Pennsylvania attended to the first meeting but declined to join the new Grand Lodge and decided to remain under their former jurisdiction until 1815 (extinction) and 1826 (granted by GL) respectively. Note: Founding Lodges of the GL of Louisiana: La Parfaite Union #29 (Chartered by South Carolina in 1794), L’ÉtoilePolaire #4263/129 (granted by: La Sincérité/Marseille in 1796 Modern Rite, by G.O.D.F. in 1804 Modern Rite then by GL of Pennsylvania in 1811 Ancient Rite), La Charite # 93 (granted by GL of Pennsylvania in 1803, Ancient Rite), La Concorde #117 (granted by GL of Pennsylvania in 1810, Ancient Rite) and La perseverance #118 (granted by GL of Pennsylvania in 1810, Ancient Rite).

  6. Why is the presence of Louisiana brethren with French origins in California so dominant and fundamental in La Parfaite Union #17 history? Consideration #2: Extinct lodges in 1812. • Reunion Desiree #3829, Modern rite, regranted by GODF on February 17, 1806. It was originally established at Port-au-Prince and granted by GODF on April 16, 1783 with the number 3013. It surrendered in 1808 and a part of its members affiliated with Etoile Polaire #4263 while another part originate from La Reunion des Coeurs Franco-Americains #47, granted (as a Loge of St Jean de Jerusalem) by the GL of Pennsylvania in 1789 in the city of Port au Prince (Ancient Rite in French) got a charter from the GL of Pennsylviania under the same name but with the number #112. This Lodge dissolved on March 23rd, 1812. • Brethren of La Candeur #12 seated at Charleston, S.C. moved to New-Orleans and received a new charter, Ancient Rite, 18th May 1801 from the GL of Pennsylvania as La Candeur #90. Then, because of public exposure they decided, after claiming the closure of the Lodge La Candeur, to apply for a new charter to the G.L. of Pennsylvania which has granted la Loge françaiseLa Charité #93 (see warrant request).

  7. Warrant request – Demande de constitutions Loge La Charité A la G⸫ D⸫ G⸫ a⸫ de l’u⸫ A l'Orient de la Nouvelle Orleans, le 16eme jour du 8eme mois de l’An de L⸫ V⸫ L⸫ 5801.

  8. Lodge No. 89, Les Freres Sincerement Re-Unis, at Aux Carges, du Fond de L'Isle a Vachas, San Domingo, on the coast, about 92 miles southwest of Port-au-Prince. Granted May 4, 1801 Source: Old Masonic lodges of Pennsylvania, "moderns" and "ancients" 1730-1800 (1913)

  9. Why is the presence of Louisiana brethren with French origins in California so dominant and fundamental in La Parfaite Union #17 history? Consideration #2: Extinct lodges in 1812 (continued). • Bienfaisance Lodge #1, was the first Scotch Rite Lodge in Louisiana. San Domingo Masons arrived from Jamaïca obtained a charter from the Grand Consistory of that island in 1811. The Lodge ceased to exist in May 27, 1812 (some days before the assembly of the Grand Lodge) and its members affiliated with Concorde Lodge #117. (A. Pike states Ancient Rite in the Official Monitor as well as Michael Poll in Heredom vol 8) • La Reunion des Coeurs #47, Loge Ecossaise, has been granted by the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, in 1788 in St Domingo and La Concorde #88, has been granted by GL of Pennsylvania, Ancient Rite in 1801 in St Domingo. With 4 other lodges, under authority of GL of Pennsylvania, they organized a Provincial Grand Lodge for the Island of St Domingo in 1802. The Jr Grand Warden of which was Joseph Cerneau. After insurrectionary affairs in St Domingo, Concorde #88 being reconstituted at St Jago de Cuba on the 17th of Sept 1805. Later, they emigrated to New Orleans and in 1810 La Reunion des coeurs decided to be merged with Concorde #88 to form one Lodge. Then to ensure their regularity, the members applied for new charters to GL of Pennsylvania and was granted as Concorde #117. (in Reglement La Parfaite Union #1) • Perseverance #98 moved to New-Orleans and has been granted as Perseverance #118 by GL of Pennsylvania (proceedings 1809)

  10. Why is the presence of Louisiana brethren with French origins in California so dominant and fundamental in La Parfaite Union #17 history? Consideration #3: High degrees in Louisiana • In 1804, the Territory bought to France was divided into the Territory of Orleans (south of the 33-degree latitude) and the Territory of Louisiana (north of the 33-degree latitude). • In 1803, Jean Baptist Marie Delahogue received permission from the Charleston Scottish Rite to confer through the 18e in New Orleans. • A Grand Consistory was chartered in 1811 and told to report all activities to Kingston, Jamaica and Charleston, South Carolina. • Formation of another Grand Consistory of Louisiana in June 1813. Installed by Emmanuel Gigaud, representative of the Grand Consistory established at New York by Joseph Cerneau. Except E. Gigaud a member of Perseverance #4, all the officers were members of L’EtoilePolaire #5. • Rose-Croix Chapters, Loges of G.O.D.F. (Etoile Polaire, Triple Bienfaisance 7320-1819 and Les amisréunis 7787-1822) • Concorde Royal Arch Chapter, instituted in 1798 at Santo Domingo. Then moved to Cuba and New Orleans. Applied to the Grand Chapter of Pennsylvania, instituted on January 11, 1811 by Moreau Lislet. The Grand Chapter of Louisiana was formed by Concord and Perseverance Chapters on March 8, 1813.

  11. Why is the presence of Louisiana brethren with French origins in California so dominant and fundamental in La Parfaite Union #17 history? Consideration #4: Key brethren for propagating higher degrees across Louisiana. • Emmanuel Gigaud, Officer of La Perseverance #4, first Commander in Chief of the 1813 Grand Council of Princes of the Royal Secret (Cerneau body) in Louisiana (From Michael R. Poll) • Pierre LE BARBIER DUPLESSIS (1748-1815), Grand Secretary of the GL of Pennsylvanie (1790-1794). Representative to the Louisiana lodges, Deputy Grand Master of the G.L. of Pennsylvania in 1801. He received his patent of the 25th, (the highest degree of the Rite before the Supreme Council of Charleston) from Prevost in 1790 who had obtained his from Franken. Duplessis is at the origin of the patents received by Cerneau, Hacquet, Bideaud and Gourgas. He was also the WM of La Charite #2 in 1819. • Germain Hacquet(1751-1835), Deputy Inspector General of the REAA. Deputy Provincial Grand Master of the Provincial Grand Lodge at Port au Prince, St Domingo in 1803. Membrefondateur du Suprême Conseil de France en 1804 et duSuprême Conseil Grand Collège du Rite écossais ancien accepté du Grand Orient de France. • J.B. De la Hogue, arrived in New Orleans in 1803, WM of La Charite #93 in 1804. Deputy Inspector General in 1796. On July 29, 1804. He received a Patent from the Supreme Council of the Grand Inspectors General of the 33rd degree in the USA authorizing him to establish through the 18eme in New Orleans.   • Louis Casimir Elisabeth Moreau Lislet. Jurist/lawyer. WM of la Reunion Desiree #3013 at St Domingo, he moved to New Orleans in 1806. In 1808, he was WM of Reunion Desiree #3829 and then Etoile Polaire #4263. He was deputized by the the GL of Pennsylvania to constitute the Lodges Concorde #117, Perseverance #118, Harmony #122, Polar Star #129, he installed the first two Royal Arch Chapters (Concorde and Perseverance in 1811) and participated at the Installation of Concorde #117 and Perseverance #118 in 1811. Past Grand Master of the GL of Louisiana in 1818. • Jean-Louis Lusson, SW of Reunion Desiree #3829 and WM of Reunion Desiree #112 in 1808. Received the 33e degree in 1809 from Gabriel Jastram(deputized through De Grasse Tilly). He published in New Orleans the denunciation of J. Cerneau by Emmanuel de La Motta and refused to subscribe to the Grand Consistory established by Emmanuel Gigaud.

  12. Why is the presence of Louisiana brethren with French origins in California so dominant and fundamental in La Parfaite Union #17 history? Consideration #5: Cumulation of the Rites • Seniority of La Parfaite Union #1 (South Carolina), Ancient Rite, is disputed by L’EtoilePolaire #1 (GODF), Modern Rite, by Louisiana Lodge #1 (New-York), “pure” York Rite, and by Bienfaisance Lodge #1, Scottish Rite (Jamaica). • On September 30th, 1810, GL of Pennsylvania ordered for the Lodges under its jurisdiction in New Orleans to hold no Masonic communication with any Lodges of the French Rite and to admit no French Rite Mason into their Lodge. (Letter in the archive of La Charite #2). • In 1821, the various masonic rites having been consolidated in England, the USA and France, the GL of Louisiana issued a decree announcing that all regular masons from any rites will be admitted in the lodges onto its jurisdiction as visitors. (see Manuel Maçonnique a l'usage des ...). • In 1821, the GL of Louisiana indirectly approved the Cumulation of Rites by granting a charter to Triple Bienfaisance Lodge #20 without requiring relinquishment of its Modern Rite Charter #7319. Similar with Etoile Polaire organized in three Lodges: #5 (York Rite), #1 (Scottish Rite), #7474 (Modern Rite). • Before, in 1820, Etoile Polaire #5, decided to revive the Modern Rite and receive a charter from GODF for the Modern and the Scottish Rite (in French) with the number 7474. Etoile Polaire suspended the Modern Rite in 1811 when the Lodge applied for a charter to the GL of Pennsylvania, at the time of the formation of the Grand Lodge. The records of the Lodge shows that this Lodge worked exclusively the Modern Rite until 1811 and then exclusively the Ancient Rite (in French) until 1820.

  13. Why is the presence of Louisiana brethren with French origins in California so dominant and fundamental in La Parfaite Union #17 history? Consideration #5: Cumulation of the Rites (Continued) • In June 1828 and 1829, during the feast of St John, Harmony Lodge #26, refused admittance to members of Modern Rite Lodges (La Triple Bienfaisance #7319, l’EtoilePolaire #4263 and Les Amis réunis #7787). After several deliberations, in 1833, a Rites Concordat was agreed upon in Louisiana • After 1812, the GODF continued to grant charter to lodges along the Grand Lodge of Mississippi (after 1847) who recognized and encouraged the creation of lodges on the territorial jurisdiction of Louisiana setting the stage for a battle on Higher Degrees acceptance. • These lodges create a new Grand Lodge competing with the GL of Louisiana under the pretext that the Ancient York rite practiced by the French speaking lodges is not “pure”. In truth, the French speaking lodges of Louisiana practice the Ancient Rite in French (later named REAA) and the Modern Rite in French (later named French Rite). • In 1850, when a reconciliation meeting is held between the two competing Grand Lodges, the French brethren are pushed aside and all rites other than the York Rite are banned (as well as the bilingual practice of the GL of Louisiana publication). For Lucien Hermann, this is a personal failure. • Note: During Lafayette visit, on April 14 1825, reports of numerous banners showed the union of the two rites at that time. The schism appeared much later

  14. Why is the presence of Louisiana brethren with French origins in California so dominant and fundamental in La Parfaite Union #17 history? • Consideration #6: Move to San Francisco • With two of the three rites practiced by the French brethren being now illegal in Louisiana and MW Lucien Hermann put in a minority position, it is not surprising a fresh start or voluntary exile was his only option. • Notable La Parfaite Union Lodges who could have been linked to the creation of La Parfaite Union in Louisiana • La Parfaite Union – Mons (Belgium)– 1721 • La Parfaite Union – Paris (France) - 1721 • La Parfaite Union – Martinique - 1738 • La Parfaite Union - Valenciennes (France) – 1732 • La Parfaite Union – Marseilles (France) – 1750 • La Parfaite Union - Port-au-Prince (Haiti) – 1752 • La Parfaite Union – Namur (Belgium) – 1770 • La Parfaite Union – Rennes (France) – 1776 • Note: All Ancient Rite/REAA

  15. But what was the true origin of La Parfaite Union in New Orleans? • There were masonic activities and lodges in Louisiana by the end of 1740. • A symbolic lodge was working as far as 1750. « La Parfaite Harmonie » received its charter in 1752 from La Parfaite Union in Martinique (The Grand Daughter of Clermont). • A reconstituted charter for La Parfaite Harmonie was confirmed by its mother lodge in Bordeaux on 12 April 1764 (according to SHARP Bordeaux Documents) and the lodge became “Les Elus Parfait d’Ecosse” which confirmed the work was held following the « Scottish Rite » • Unfortunately when New Orleans came back under Spanish control, most brethren were arrested or exiled. No further Masonic activity was noted or activities were clandestine during this period. • La Parfaite Union #1/#29- Ancient York masons granted by the GL AYM South Carolina in Louisiana won’t appear until 28 April 1793. From Gould in his History of Freemasory, «refugees [chiefly] from the island of Guadeloupe established the Lodges Perfect Union and Polar Star ». • At this time, most of the founding brethren of this new wave of Freemasonry in Louisiana came after the slaves revolt of Saint Domingue. There are no traces of the ritual prior to 1752 for La Parfaite Union.

  16. The Ritual Wars – Ancient vs Modern - Scottish vs York vs French – English vs French Language Our quest: Whatis the origin of La Parfaite Union #17 ritual? La Parfaite Union #17 First Degree has weathered various influences. As the Cumulation of Rites « Concordat » in Louisiana allowed a lodge to practice different rituals at different days of the week, it is not surprising our degree inherited some of these practices. Withsomanycompetingrituals and masonic influences in the single city of New Orleans, pinpointing to a unique source wouldbe impossible. There ishowever a core rite we have identifieddespite all these variation and lack of record (historical records partiallydestroyedduring SF 1906 earthquake). The underlying rite came from the Three Distinct Knocks (Ancient rite from England) and is extremely close to the original first rituals from REAA including the « Guide du maçonécossais » originating from De Grasse and his colleagues during the creation of the « Grande Loge Generale Ecossaise and the « Supreme Conseil de France » in 1804. LPU#17 ritual is therefore closer to the Ancient York Rite (translated in French) instead of the Modern rite. Note: The Ancient British Craftor York Rite, the Modern Rite or French Rite and the Scottish Ritewerethree (3) wellestablished rites in Louisiana by early 1800s. However, the denomination of the French Rite as modern was and isstilldebatablearoundwhich one was the « purest » in itsadhesion to the original Constitution and intention of the ritual.

  17. Influence of Louisiana Lodges on the US Scottish Rite Rituals. The Southern Jurisdiction of the Scottish Rite and Albert Pike Stating the obvious: Albert Pike was close to many French brethrenfromLouisiana. Bro Pike linked the probablybirth of the Scottish Rite or higherdegrees (in itscurrentform) to Brother Etienne Morinwhohad a patent in 1761 to establish the rite of perfection in the islandsknown as DominicanRepublic and Haiti (Hispanolia). He introduced the ritual in Kingston Jamaica in 1763 and with certitude, it was practiced in Louisiana in 1761. Bro Pike assertedthatBro Morin hadactually a dual patent givinghimauthority to create lodges on the behalf of the Grand Lodge of France as well as the Grand Council (or Constituary – Order of the Royal Secret) In 1752, a warrant arrived from France to form La Parfaite Harmonie Lodge which was Scottish Rite (Sharp-72 states LPU martinique.). In 1757, a charter was issued to La Parfaite Harmonie to also work in the Scottish Rite from Bordeaux. In 1763, La Loge Parfaited'Ecosse was opened under Scottish Rite Ritual and in 1765 a second Scottish Rite Lodge, La ConsolanteMaçonne, received its Charter from Bordeaux. This was all prior to Henry Franken opening his Albany, New York "Ineffable Lodge" in 1767. Scottish Rite first was practiced in North America first in New Orleans around 1750 to 1760s and before the first divulgation of the Ritual of the Ancients in England “The Three Distinct Knocks” (1758).

  18. Influence of Louisiana Lodges on the US Scottish Rite Rituals. It may be well beyond what we know • Woulditbe possible that via ourresearch to understand the French First degree of La Parfaite Union #17 wemay have uncovered a missinglink? • The genesis of the bluedegrees of the REAA in France has been told in the followingmanner. • French brethrenmoving back to France from the US being in need to create a rite thatwouldremindthem of whatwasknown in the US. Theywrote the REAA while in France and itthenbecame one of the rites used in France. • The questions and hypothesisaround the origin of the REAA have all been eloquently put by Bro. Pierre Noel. • Wewouldlike to addanother one. • What about if the brethren from New Orleans or Louisiana just continued practicing their Ancient ritual in French from the US in France? No re-writting, no translation needed, no new ritual. • These Louisiana lodges with patents from Bordeaux could have had a much wider impact on spreading their work well beyond the US borders back to the « Metropole » 

  19. Sources: • Louisiana Masonic Monitor – 24th Printing, Year 1988 • Light on Masonry – Arturo de Hoyos - 2008 • Reprint of Old Rituals – SRRS – 2015 • The Story of Early Masonry in Louisiana – Clayton J. Borne (Perfect Union Lodge #1 F&AM Bi-Centennial History) - 2000 • Un Panorama de l’OrdreMaconnique – Andree Buisine et Michael Segall – 1996 • Etudes Maconniques – Three Distinct Knocks – Jachin & Boaz – WB Alain Bernheim. • The Sharp Documents – Latomia • Une introduction aux documents Sharp - Latomia – Edition 2009 • Fiftyyears of masonry in California - Edwin A. Sherman – 1898 • Scottish Rite Ritual – Monitor & Guide - Arturo de Hoyos – 2014 (3rd Edition) • Réglements de la Loge La Parfaite Union #1 (edition 1928) • Proceedings of the convention of the Grand Lodge of California (1851-1854) • Proceedings of the convention of the Grand Lodge of Louisiana ( 1842, 1845) • Manuel maçonnique a l'usage des Franc maçonsacceptés du rite anciend'Yorkrésidantsà la Louisiane (1828) • Bernheim and Scot, Outline of the Rise and Progress of Freemasonry in Louisiana (1873) • (*): Masonry in Louisiana, a sesquicentennial history, 1812-1962. • Les grades bleus du REAA – Genese et Developpements – Pierre Noel (2014) • Michael Poll and Arturo de Hoyos, heredom vol 8 et 9 • Michael Poll, Transactions of the Louisiana Lodge of Research • Un grand merci au Frere Jacques Huyghebaertpour son aide dansnosrecherches et pour nous guider vers les bonnes sources.

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