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INSTITUTION AND PROCEEDINGS 
 
 SOCIETY OF THE CINCINNATI, 
 
 FORMED BY THE 
 
 OFFICERS OF THE UNITED STATES, 
 
 MAY 10, 1783: 
 
 WITH THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE 
 
 MASSACHUSETTS STATE SOCIETY OF THE CINCINNATI, 
 
 FROM ITS ORGANIZATION, JUNE 9, 1783, 
 TO JULY 4, 1811. 
 
 BOSTON. 
 PRINTED BY THOMAS B. WAIT AND CO. 
 
 1812. 
 
£2.02 
 
 
 
UNIVERSITY 
 
 CONVENTION 
 
 THE AMERICAN ARMY. 
 
 Cantonment of the American Army, on 
 Hudson's River, May 10th, 1783. 
 
 Proposals for establishing a Society upon 
 principles therein mentioned, whose mem- 
 bers shall be the officers of the American 
 Army, having been communicated to the 
 several regiments of the respective lines, 
 they appointed an officer from each, who, 
 in conjunction with the General Officers, 
 should take the same into consideration at 
 their meeting this day, at which the Ho- 
 nourable. Major-General Baron de Steuben, 
 the senior officer present, was pleased to 
 preside. 
 
 
4 
 
 The proposals being read, fully consi- 
 dered, paragraph by paragraph, and the 
 amendments agreed to.... 
 
 Major-General Knox, 
 Brigadier-General Hand, 
 Brigadier-General Huntington, and 
 Captain Shaw, 
 
 were chosen to revise the same, and pre- 
 pare a copy to be laid before this Assembly 
 at their next meeting, to be holden at Ma- 
 jor-General Baron de Steuben's quarters, 
 on Tuesday the 13th instant. 
 
 TUESDAY, MAY 13, 1783. 
 
 The representatives of the American 
 Army being assembled, agreeably to ad- 
 journment, the plan for establishing a so- 
 ciety, whereof the officers of the American 
 Army are to be members, is accepted, and 
 is as follows, viz. 
 
 It having pleased the Supreme Gover- 
 nor of the Universe, in the disposition of 
 
human affairs, to cause the separation of 
 the Colonies of North-America from the 
 domination of Great- Britain, and after a 
 bloody conflict of eight years, to establish 
 them Free, Independent, and Sovereign 
 States, connected by alliances, founded 
 on reciprocal advantages, with some of the 
 greatest princes and powers of the earth. 
 
 " To perpetuate, therefore, as well the 
 rememberance of this vast event, as the mu- 
 tual friendships which have been formed 
 under the pressure of common danger, and 
 in many instances cemented by the blood 
 of the parties ; the officers of the Ameri- 
 can Army do hereby in the most solemn 
 manner, associate, constitute, and com- 
 bine themselves into one SOCIETY OF 
 FRIENDS, to endure as long as they shall 
 endure, or any of their eldest male posterity, 
 and in failure thereof, the collateral bran- 
 ches, who may be judged worthy of becom- 
 ing its supporters and members. 
 
" The officers of the American army 
 having generally been taken from the citi- 
 zens of America, possess high veneration 
 for the character of that illustrious Roman, 
 Lucius Quintius Cincinnatus, and being 
 resolved to follow his example, by return- 
 ing to their citizenship, they think they may 
 with propriety denominate themselves the 
 
 SOCIETY OF THE CINCINNATI. 
 
 " The following principles shall be im- 
 mutable, and form the basis of the Society 
 of the Cincinnati. 
 
 " An incessant attention to preserve in- 
 violate those exalted rights and liberties of 
 human nature, for which they have fought 
 and bled, and without which the high rank 
 of a rational being is a curse instead of a 
 blessing. 
 
 " An unalterable determination to pro- 
 
 i'lmote and cherish, between the respective 
 
 \\ states, that union and national honour, so 
 
 ^essentially necessary to their happiness, 
 
and the future dignity of the American 
 empire. , 
 
 " To render permanent the cordial af- 
 fection subsisting among the officers ; this 
 spirit will dictate brotherly kindness in all 
 things, and particularly extend to the most 
 substantial acts of beneficence, according 
 to the ability of the society, towards those 
 officers and their families, who unfortu- 
 nately may be under the necessity of re- 
 ceiving it. 
 
 " The general society will, for the sake 
 of frequent communications, be divided into 
 state societies, and these again into such 
 districts as shall be directed by the state 
 society. 
 
 SI 
 
 d 
 
 " The societies of the districts to meet as 
 often as shall be agreed upon by the state 
 society ; those of the state on the fourth 
 day of July, annually, or oftener, if they 
 shall find it expedient ; and the general so- 
 ciety on the first Monday in May, annually, 
 
so long as they shall deem it necessary, 
 and afterwards, at least once in every three 
 years. 
 
 " At each meeting, the principles of the 
 institution will be fully considered, and the 
 best measures to promote them adopted. 
 
 "The state societies will consist of all 
 the members resident in each state respec- 
 tively ; and any member removing from 
 one state to another, is to be considered, in 
 all respects, as belonging to the society of 
 the state in which he shall actually reside. 
 
 " The state societies to have a president, 
 vice-president, secretary, treasurer, and as- 
 sistant-treasurer, to be chosen annually by 
 a majority of votes, at the state meeting. 
 
 " Each state meeting shall write annual- 
 ly, or oftener, if necessary, a circular let- 
 ter, to the other state societies, noting what- 
 ever they may think worthy of observa- 
 tion, respecting the good of the society, or 
 
the general union of the states, and giving 
 information of the officers chosen for the 
 current year. Copies of these letters shall 
 be regularly transmitted to the secretary- 
 general of the society, who will record 
 them in a book to be assigned for that pur- 
 pose. 
 
 " The state society will regulate every 
 thing respecting itself and the societies of 
 the districts, consistent with the general 
 maxims of the Cincinnati ; judge of the qua- 
 lifications of the members who may be 
 proposed ; and expel any member, who, by 
 conduct inconsistent with a gentleman and 
 a man of honour, or by an opposition to 
 the interests of the community in general, 
 or the society in particular, may render 
 himself unworthy to continue a member. 
 
 " In order to form funds which may be 
 respectable, and assist the unfortunate, each 
 officer shall deliver to the treasurer of the 
 state society, one month's pay, which shall 
 remain forever to the use of the state soci- 
 2 
 
10 
 
 ety ; the interest only of which, if neces- 
 sary, to be appropriated to the relief of the 
 unfortunate. 
 
 " Donations may be made by persons not 
 of the society, and by members of the so- 
 ciety, for the express purpose of forming 
 permanent funds for the use of the state 
 society; and the interest of these donations 
 appropriated in the same manner as that of 
 the month's pay. 
 
 " Moneys, at the pleasure of each mem- 
 ber, may be subscribed in the societies of 
 the districts, or the state societies, for the 
 relief of the unfortunate members, or their 
 widows and orphans, to be appropriated by 
 the state society only. 
 
 " The meeting of the general society 
 shall consist of its officers and a repre- 
 sentation from each state society, in num- 
 ber not exceeding five, whose expenses 
 shall be borne by their respective state so* 
 cieties. 
 
11 
 
 " In the general meeting, the president, 
 vice-president, secretary, assistant secreta- 
 ry, treasurer, and assistant-treasurer gene- 
 ral, shall be chosen to serve until the next 
 meeting. 
 
 " The circular letters which have been 
 written by the respective state societies to 
 each other, and their particular laws, shall 
 be read and considered, and all measures 
 concerted which may conduce to the gene- 
 ral intendment of the society. 
 
 " It is probable that some persons may 
 make donations to the general society, for 
 the purpose of establishing funds for the 
 further comfort of the unfortunate ; in 
 which case, such donations must be placed 
 in the hands of the treasurer-general, the 
 interest only of which to be disposed of, if 
 necessary, by the general meeting. 
 
 " All the officers of the American Army, 
 as well those who have resigned with ho- 
 nour, after three years' service in the capa- 
 
12 
 
 city of officers, or who have been deranged 
 by the resolutions of Congress, upon the 
 several reforms of the army, as those who 
 shall have continued to the end of the war, 
 have the right to become parties to this in- 
 stitution ; provided that they subscribe one 
 month's pay, and sign their names to the 
 general rules, in their respective state soci- 
 eties... .those who are present with the army 
 immediately, and others within six months 
 after the army shall be disbanded, extraor- 
 dinary cases excepted. The rank, time of 
 service, resolutions of Congress by which 
 any have been deranged, and place of resi- 
 dence, must be added to each name ; and 
 as a testimony of affection to the memory 
 and the offspring of such officers as have 
 died in the service, their eldest male bran- 
 ches shall have the same right of becom- 
 ing members, as the children of the actual 
 members of the society. 
 
 " Those officers who are foreigners, not 
 resident in any of the states, will have their 
 names enrolled by the secretary-general, 
 
13 
 
 and are to be considered as members in the 
 societies of any of the states in which they 
 may happen to be. 
 
 " And as there are, and will at all times 
 be, men in the respective states eminent for 
 their abilities and patriotism, whose views 
 may be directed to the same laudable objects 
 with those of the Cincinnati, it shall be a 
 rule to admit such characters, as honorary 
 members of the society, for their own lives 
 only : Provided always, That the number 
 of honorary members, in each state, does 
 not exceed a ratio of one to four of the of- 
 ficers or their descendants. 
 
 " Each state societv shall obtain a list of 
 its members, and, at the first annual meet- 
 ing, the state-secretary shall have engros- 
 sed, on parchment, two copies of the insti- 
 tution of the society, which every member 
 present shall sign ; and the secretary shall 
 endeavour to procure the signature of every 
 absent member ; one of those lists to be 
 transmitted to the secretary-general to be 
 
14 
 
 kept in the archives of the society, and 
 the other to remain in the hands of the 
 state-secretary. From the state-lists, the 
 secretary-general must make out, at the first 
 general meeting, a complete list of the whole 
 society, with a copy of which he will fur- 
 nish each state-secretary. 
 
 " The society shall have an Order, by 
 which its members shall be known and dis- 
 tinguished, which shall be a medal of gold, 
 of a proper size to receive the emblems, 
 and suspended by a deep blue ribband, two 
 inches wide, edged with white, descriptive 
 of the union of America and France, viz. 
 
15 
 
 " The principal figure 
 
 CINC1NNATUS, 
 
 THREE SENATORS 
 
 Presenting him with a sword and other 
 
 Military Ensigns, 
 
 On ajield in the back ground. 
 
 Ilia WIFE 
 
 Standing at the door of their cottage ; 
 
 Near it 
 
 A plough and implements of Husbandry. 
 
 Round the whole, 
 
 OMNIA RELIQUIT SERVARE REMPUBLICAM. 
 
 On the reverse, 
 Sun rising ; a city with open gates, and 
 Vessels entering the port; 
 FAME 
 Crowning Cincinnatus with a wreath, 
 Inscribed 
 
 YIRTUTIS PREMIUM. 
 
 Below, 
 
 Hands joined, supporting a Heart, 
 
 With the motto, 
 
 ESTO PERPETUA. 
 
 Round the whole, 
 
 SOCIETAS CINCINNATORUM INSTITUTA, 
 
 A. D. 1783." 
 
16 
 
 The Society, deeply impressed with a 
 sense of the generous assistance this coun- 
 try has received from France, and desirous 
 of perpetuating the friendships which have 
 been formed, and so happily subsisted, be- 
 tween the officers of the allied forces, in the 
 prosecution of the war ; direct, that the pre- 
 sident-general transmit, as soon as may be, 
 to "each of the characters hereafter named, 
 a medal containing the order of the soci- 
 ety, viz. 
 
 His Excellency the Chevalier de la Lu- 
 zerne, Minister Plenipotentiary, 
 
 His Excellency the Sieur Gerard, late Mi- 
 nister Plenipotentiary, 
 
 Their Excellencies. ..the Count de Estaing, 
 
 the Count de Grasse, 
 the Count de Barras, 
 the Chevalier de Tou- 
 ches, 
 Admirals arid Commanders in the Navy ; 
 
 His Excellency the Count de Rochambeau, 
 
 Commander in Chief, 
 And the generals and colonels of his army. 
 
17 
 
 And acquaint them, that the society do 
 themselves the honour to consider them as 
 members. 
 
 Resolved, That a copy of the aforegoing 
 institution be given to the senior officer of 
 each state line, and that the officers of the 
 respective state lines, sign their names to 
 the same, in manner and form following, 
 viz. 
 
 "We, the subscribers, officers of the 
 American Army, do hereby voluntarily be- 
 come parties to the foregoing institution, 
 and do bind ourselves to observe, and be 
 governed by, the principles therein contain- 
 ed. For the performance whereof we do 
 solemnly pledge to each other our sacred 
 honour. 
 
 Done in the Cantonment, on Hudson's 
 River, in the year 1783." 
 
 That the members of the society, at the 
 time of subscribing their names to the in- 
 stitution, do also sign a draft on the pay- 
 3 
 
18 
 
 master-general, in the following terms (the 
 regiments to do it regimentally, and the ge- 
 nerals and other officers not belonging to 
 regiments, each for himself, individually) 
 viz. 
 
 " To John Pierce, Esq. paymaster- 
 general to the army of the United 
 States. 
 
 SIR, 
 
 Please to pay to treasurer 
 
 for the state association of the 
 
 Cincinnati, or his order, one month's pay of 
 our several grades respectively, and deduct 
 the same from the balance which shall be 
 found due to us on the final liquidation of 
 our accounts ; for which this shall be your 
 warrant. ,, 
 
 That the members of the several state 
 societies assemble as soon as may be, for 
 the choice of their president and other offi- 
 cers ; and that the presidents correspond 
 together, and appoint a meeting of the offi- 
 
19 
 
 cers who may be chosen for each state, in 
 order to pursue such further measures as 
 may be judged necessary. 
 
 That the general officers, and the officers 
 delegated to represent the several corps of 
 the army, subscribe to the institution of the 
 general society, for themselves and their 
 constituents, in the manner and form before 
 prescribed. 
 
 That General Heath, 
 
 General Baron de Steuben, and 
 General Knox, 
 
 be a committee to wait on his excellency 
 the commander in chief, with a copy of the 
 institution, and request him to honour the 
 society by placing his name at the head of it. 
 
 That major-general Heath, second in 
 command in this army, be, and he hereby 
 is desired to transmit copies of the institu- 
 tion, with the proceedings thereon, to the 
 commanding officer of the southern army* 
 
20 
 
 the senior officer in each state, from Penn- 
 sylvania to Georgia, inclusive, and to the 
 commanding officer of the Rhode-Island 
 line, requesting them to communicate the 
 same to the officers under their several com- 
 mands, and to take such measures as may- 
 appear to them necessary for expediting the 
 establishment of their state societies, and 
 sending a delegation to represent them in 
 the first general meeting to be holden on 
 the first Monday in May, 1784. 
 
 The meeting then adjourned without day. 
 
21 
 
 Cantonment of the American Army, 
 19th of June, 1783. 
 
 At a meeting of the general officers, and 
 the gentlemen delegated by the respective 
 regiments, as a convention for establishing 
 the society of the Cincinnati, held by the 
 request of the president, at which were 
 present, 
 
 Major-general Baron de Steuben, president. 
 Major-general Howe, 
 Major-general Knox, 
 Brigadier-general Patterson, 
 Brigadier-general Hand, 
 Brigadier-general Huntington, 
 Brigadier-general Putnam, 
 Colonel Webb, 
 
 Lieutenant-colonel Huntington, 
 Major Pettengill, 
 Lieutenant Whiting, 
 Colonel H. Jackson, 
 Captain Shaw, 
 Lieutenant-colonel Hull, 
 Lieutenant-colonel Maxwell, 
 Colonel Courtlandt. 
 
22 
 
 General Baron de Steuben acquainted 
 the convention that he had, agreeably to 
 their request, at the last meeting, transmit- 
 ted to his excellency the chevalier de la Lu- 
 zerne, minister plenipotentiary from the 
 court of France, a copy of the institution of 
 the society of the Cincinnati, with their 
 vote respecting his excellency, andlhe other 
 characters therein mentioned ; and that his 
 excellency had returned an answer, declar- 
 ing his acceptance of the same, and expres- 
 sing the grateful sense he entertains of the 
 honour conferred on himself- and the other 
 gentlemen of the French nation, by this act 
 ofthe convention. 
 
 Resolved, That the letter of the cheva- 
 lier de la Luzerne be recorded in the pro- 
 ceedings of this day, and deposited in the 
 archives of the society, as a testimony of 
 the high sense this convention entertains of 
 the honour done to the society by his be- 
 coming a member thereof. 
 
23 
 
 Resolved, That his excellency the com- 
 mander in chief be requested to officiate as 
 president general, until the first general 
 meeting, to be held in May next. 
 
 That a treasurer-general, and a secretary- 
 general be ballotted for, to officiate in like 
 manner. 
 
 The ballots being taken, major-general 
 M'Dougall, was elected treasurer-general, 
 and major-general Knox, secretary-general, 
 who are. hereby requested to accept said 
 appointments. 
 
 Resolved, That all the proceedings of 
 this convention, including the institution of 
 the society, be recorded (from the original 
 papers in his possession) by captain Shaw, 
 who at the first meeting was requested to 
 act as secretary, and that the same, signed 
 by the president, secretary, together with 
 the original papers, be given into the hands 
 of major-general Knox, secretary-general 
 to the society ; and that captain North, aid- 
 
24 
 
 de-camp to the baron de Steuben, and act- 
 ing secretary to him as president, sign the 
 said records. 
 
 The dissolution of a very considerable 
 part of the army, since the last meeting of 
 this convention, having rendered the atten- 
 dance of some of its members impractica- 
 ble, and the necessity for some temporary 
 arrangements, previous to the first meeting 
 of the general society, being so strikingly 
 obvious, the convention found itself con- 
 strained to make those before mentioned, 
 which they have done with the utmost dif- 
 fidence of themselves, and relying entirely 
 on the candor of their constituents to make 
 allowance for the measure : The principal 
 objects of its appointment being thus ac- 
 complished, the members of this conven- 
 tion think fit to dissolve the same, and it is 
 hereby dissolved accordingly. 
 
INSTITUTION 
 
 OF THE 
 
 SOCIETY OP THE CINCINNATI, 
 
 AS ALTERED AND AMENDED 
 
 AT THEIR FIRST GENERAL MEETING, AT PHILADELPHIA, 
 MAY 15, ir84. 
 
 It having pleased the Supreme Gover- 
 nor of the Universe to give success to the 
 arms of our country, and to establish the 
 United States free and independent : There- 
 fore, gratefully to commemorate this event ; 
 to inculcate to the latest ages the duty of 
 laying down in peace, arms assumed for 
 public defence, by forming an institution 
 which recognizes that most important prin- 
 ciple ; to continue the mutual friendships 
 which commenced under the pressure of 
 common danger ; and to effectuate the acts 
 of beneficence, dictated by the spirit of bro- 
 4 
 
26 
 
 therly kindness towards those officers and 
 their families, who unfortunately may be 
 under the necessity of receiving them ; the 
 officers of the American Army do hereby 
 constitute themselves into a SOCIETY 
 OF FRIENDS : and possessing the high- 
 est veneration for the character of that il- 
 lustrious Roman, Lucius Quintius Cincin- 
 nati, denominate themselves the 
 
 SOCIETY OF THE CINCINNATI. 
 
 Sect. 1. The persons who constitute 
 this society are all the commissioned and 
 brevet officers of the army and navy of the 
 United States, who have served three years, 
 and who left the service with reputation ; 
 all officers who were in actual service at 
 the conclusion of the war ; all the principal 
 staff officers of the continental army ; and 
 the officers who have been deranged by the 
 several resolutions of Congress, upon the 
 different reforms of the army. 
 
27 
 
 Sect. 2. There are also admitted into 
 this society, the late and present ministers 
 of his Most Christian Majesty to the Unit- 
 ed States ; all the generals and colonels of 
 regiments and legions of the land forces ; 
 all the admirals and captains of the navy, 
 ranking as colonels, who have co-operated 
 with the armies of the United States, in 
 their exertions for liberty ; and such other 
 persons as have been admitted by the re- 
 spective state meetings. 
 
 Sect. 3. The society shall have a presi- 
 dent, vice-president, secretary, and assistant 
 secretary. 
 
 Sect. 4. There shall be a meeting of 
 the society, at least once in three years, on 
 the first Monday in May, at such place as 
 the president shall appoint. 
 
 The said meeting shall consist of the 
 aforesaid officers (whose expenses shall be 
 equally borne by the state funds) and a 
 representation from each state. 
 
28 
 
 The business of this general meeting 
 shall be, to regulate the distribution of sur- 
 plus funds ; to appoint officers for ihe en- 
 suing term ; and to conform the bye-laws of 
 the state meetings to the general objects of 
 the institution. 
 
 Sect. 5. The society shall be divided 
 into state meetings : each meeting shall 
 have a president, vice-president, secretary, 
 and treasurer, respectively ; to be chosen 
 by a majority of votes annually. 
 
 Sect. 6. The state meetings shall be on 
 the Anniversary of Independence. They 
 shall concert such measures as may con- 
 duce to the benevolent purposes of the so- 
 ciety : and the several state meetings shall, 
 at suitable periods, make applications to 
 their respective legislatures for grants of 
 charters. 
 
 Sect. 7. Any member removing from 
 one state to another, is to be considered, in 
 
29 
 
 all respects as belonging to the meeting of 
 the state in which he shall actually reside. 
 
 Sect. 8. The state meeting shall judge 
 of the qualification of its members, admo- 
 nish, and (if necessary) expel any one who 
 may conduct himself unworthily. 
 
 Sect. 9. The secretary of each state 
 meeting, shall register the names of the 
 members resident in each state, and trans- 
 mit a copy thereof to the secretary of the 
 society. 
 
 Sect. 10. In order to form funds for the 
 relief of unfortunate members, their widows 
 and orphans, each officer shall deliver to 
 the treasurer of the state meeting one 
 month's pay. 
 
 Sect. 11. No dona tions shall be receiv- 
 ed, but from citizens of the United States. 
 
 Sect. 12. The funds of each state meet- 
 ing shall be loaned to the state by per mis- 
 
30 
 
 sion of the legislature, and the interest only, 
 annually to be applied for the purposes of 
 the society : and if, in process of time, diffi- 
 culties should occur in executing the inten- 
 tions of the society, the legislatures of the 
 several states shall be requested to make 
 such equitable dispositions as may be most 
 correspondent with the original design of 
 the institution. 
 
 Sect. 13. The subjects of his Most 
 Christian Majesty, members of this socie- 
 ty, may hold meetings at their pleasure, 
 and form regulations for their police, con- 
 formably to the objects of the institution, 
 and to the spirit of their government. 
 
 Sect. 14. The society shall have an or- 
 der ; which shall be a bald eagle of gold, 
 bearing on its breast the emblems hereafter 
 described, suspended by a deep blue rib- 
 bon edged with white, descriptive of the 
 vinion of America and France: 
 
31 
 
 u The principal figure 
 
 CINCINNATI^, 
 
 THREE SENATORS 
 
 Presenting him with a sword and other 
 
 Military Ensigns. 
 
 On afield in the back ground, 
 
 HIS WIFE 
 
 Standing at the door of their cottage ; 
 
 Near it 
 
 A plough and other implements of Husbandry. 
 
 Round the whole, 
 
 OMNIA RELIQUIT SEKVARE REMPUBLICAM. 
 
 On the reverse, 
 Sun rising ; a city with open gates, and 
 Vessels entering the port; 
 FAME 
 Crowning Cincinnatus with a wreath, 
 Inscribed 
 
 TIRTUTIS PREMIUM. 
 
 Below, 
 
 Hands joined, supporting a Heart, 
 
 With the motto, 
 
 ESTO PERPETUA. 
 
 Round the whole, 
 
 SOCIETAS CINCINNATORUM INSTITUTA, 
 
 A. D. 1783." 
 
32 
 
 Sect. 15. A silver medal, representing 
 the emblems, to be given to each member 
 of the society ; together with a diploma on 
 parchment, whereon shall be impressed the 
 figures of the order and medal, as above 
 mentioned. 
 
PROCEEDINGS 
 
 GENERAL SOCIETY OF THE CINCINNATI, 
 
 AT THEIR SEVERAL 
 
 TRIENNIAL AND EXTRA-GENERAL MEETINGS, 
 
 HELD AT PHILADELPHIA. 
 
 TRIENNIAL MEETING, 
 MAY, 178?. 
 
 PRESENT.. ..NINE STATE SOCIETIES REPRESENTED. 
 
 It appears from the proceedings of this 
 meeting that several of the state societies 
 of Cincinnati, had not agreed to the alte- 
 rations in the institution proposed at the 
 last general meeting in 1784, and that 
 those alterations cannot take effect, until 
 they have been agreed to, by all the state 
 societies : and it appearing to be the gene- 
 5 
 
34 
 
 ral sense of the said societies, that some 
 alterations in the institution ought to be 
 made, and that such alterations as may be 
 necessary, could not conveniently and ef- 
 fectually be made, but at a general meeting 
 of the society of the Cincinnati specially 
 authorized to agree upon and finally estab- 
 lish the same, it was therefore 
 
 " Resolved, That it be recommended to 
 the several state societies to empower their 
 delegates to agree upon and finally establish 
 such alterations as maybe necessary in the 
 constitution of the society." 
 
 EXTRA-GENERAL MEETING, 
 MAY, 1783- 
 
 Same resolve renewed. 
 
35 
 
 TRIENNIAL MEETING, 
 MAY, 1790. 
 
 Seven societies represented, being barely 
 a quorum to do business, and only fifteen 
 members present, 
 
 " Resolved, That an extra-general meet- 
 ing be held in the city of Philadelphia, on 
 the first Monday in May, 1791," and pas- 
 sed the same recommendatory resolve as in 
 1787. 
 
 EXTRA-GENERAL MEETING., 
 MAY, 1791. 
 
 Nine societies represented, passed simi- 
 lar recommendatory resolve, as in 1787. 
 
 TRIENNIAL MEETING, 
 MAY, 1793. 
 
 Seven states represented, and but eleven 
 members present, 
 
36 
 
 "Unanimously resolved, That the several 
 state societies of the Cincinnati be again 
 strongly enjoined to send forward a full re- 
 presentation to the next triennial general 
 meeting to be held in the city of Philadel- 
 phia, on the first Monday in May 1796, 
 fully empowered to agree upon and finally 
 establish all such alterations as may be 
 thought necessary, in the general constitu- 
 tion of the Cincinnati. 
 
 " That it be recommended to the state 
 societies to resolve that any amendments 
 or alterations in the institution of the socie- 
 ty of the Cincinnati, which may be concur- 
 red in by the representation of seven state 
 societies, in the next general meeting, shall 
 be obligatory upon them, and inviolably 
 observed, by every state society, although 
 not therein represented : and to transmit 
 such resolve duly authenticated to the se- 
 cretary-general." 
 
37 
 
 TRIENNIAL MEETING, 
 
 MAY 6, 1796. 
 (circular.) 
 
 To the President of the Massachusetts State Society 
 of the Cincinnati. 
 
 Philadelphia, May 6, 1796. 
 
 SIR, 
 
 The general society of the Cincinnati, 
 convened agreeably to the original consti- 
 tution, regret the necessity by which they 
 are compelled to address the state societies 
 in the language of complaint and remon- 
 strance ; but anxious to perpetuate the be- 
 nevolent motives, by which the officers of 
 the American army were actuated at the 
 triumphant close of an arduous eight years 
 contest, they cannot forbear remarking on 
 the supine, and, as they conceive, reprehen- 
 sible conduct of the state societies, in thus 
 repeatedly neglecting their representations 
 in the general meeting. 
 
38 
 
 Representatives only from the societies 
 of Rhode-Island, Connecticut, New-Jersey, 
 Pennsylvania, and South-Carolina, have met 
 at this time ; and being incompetent to any 
 other purposes of their appointment than 
 the choice of officers for the ensuing three 
 years, they are obliged, after several days 
 unavailing attendance, to adjourn. 
 
 The inconvenience to delegates, who are 
 sent from remote parts of the union, and 
 the expense incurred by these fruitless at- 
 tempts to transact the business of the so- 
 ciety, are lost in the more important consi- 
 deration that the very existence of the soci- 
 ety is endangered by the continued inatten- 
 tion of the state societies, which inattention 
 is by some, and not without apparent cause, 
 construed into a designed dereliction of the 
 institution itself. 
 
 The objects of the triennial meetings of 
 1790 and 1793, and of the extra meetings 
 of 1788 and 1791, have all failed, from this 
 unaccountable apathy on the part of some 
 of the state societies ; and even the pro- 
 
39 
 
 posed alteration of the constitution, which 
 was deemed of sufficient importance to have 
 claimed the immediate and animated atten- 
 tion of every state society, has shared the 
 fate of other propositions, and remains yet 
 undetermined. 
 
 To facilitate the discussion of this pri- 
 mary object, and to render the final deci- 
 sion thereon as certain and convenient as 
 possible, it was proposed to the state socie- 
 ties, by the general meeting in 1793, that 
 they should pass resolutions, to be trans- 
 mitted to the secretary-general, declaring 
 the consent of seven states, in general meet- 
 ing, competent to make such alterations in 
 the original constitution, as should be 
 thought advantageous and necessary. It 
 is painful to observe, that answers from five 
 state societies only have yet been made to 
 this interesting communication. 
 
 The delegates to the present general 
 meeting actuated by the spirit of their con- 
 stituents? and alarmed at the indifference 
 
40 
 
 which has hitherto prevailed, beg leave 
 most earnestly to solicit the attention of 
 such state societies, as have heretofore neg- 
 lected it, to this important object ; and they 
 recommend that every exertion be made 
 towards completing the state representa- 
 tions in the next triennial general meeting, 
 and to guard against the consequence of 
 any failure therein, it is requested that the 
 several state societies would, in the inter- 
 mediate time, transmit their resolutions, re- 
 lative to the requisition of 1793, to the se- 
 cretary-general. 
 
 When the objects contemplated in this 
 recommendation and request are consider- 
 ed, when it is understood that the means of 
 improving the intercourse between state 
 and general meetings, a final decision on 
 the constitution, and even the duration of 
 the society, may depend on what is now 
 to be done by the state societies, the gene- 
 ral meeting cannot but be persuaded of a 
 prompt and effectual compliance with what 
 
41 
 
 they here respectfully purpose, and anx- 
 iously enjoin upon their brethren of the 
 state societies. 
 
 Thomas Mifflin, vice-president. 
 
 John S. Dexter, Rhode-Island. 
 
 Ephraim Kirby, 
 Benjamin Tallmadge, 
 
 Elias Boudinot, 
 Aaron Ogden, 
 Joseph Bloomfield, 
 
 Thomas M'Kean, 
 Stephen Moylan, 
 Richard Peters, 
 William Jackson, 
 
 Thomas H. M Calla, 
 Thomas Tudor Tucker 
 James Kennedy, 
 John Markland, 
 
 Connecticut. 
 
 New-Jersey. 
 
 ^Pennsylvania. 
 J 
 
 ' 
 
 S. Carolina. 
 
42 
 TRIENNIAL MEETING, 
 
 MAY, 1799. 
 
 PRESENT. 
 
 Delegates from New- Jersey and Penn- 
 sylvania :... .not being sufficient societies re- 
 presented to form a quorum, 
 
 " It was moved by General Dayton and 
 seconded by General Beatty, that when the 
 general society adjourn, they adjourn to 
 meet in the city of Philadelphia on the first 
 Monday in May next." 
 
 " It was resolved, that the secretary-gene- 
 ral be instructed to write to the presidents 
 of the several state societies, transmitting a 
 copy of the letter which was addressed to 
 the state societies by the delegates to the 
 last general meeting, and urging in the 
 most pointed terms, the necessity of a par- 
 ticular attention to the objects therein en- 
 joined." 
 
43 
 
 ADJOURNED GENERAL MEETING, 
 
 Philadelphia, May 6, 1800. 
 
 PRESENT. 
 
 Major William Jackson, secretary-general. 
 
 DELEGATES. 
 
 General Shepherd, > Massachusetts. 
 Mr. Edwards, ) 
 
 Rev. Dr. Hitchcock. Rhode-Island. 
 
 General Huntington, 
 Colonel Talmadge, 
 
 Colonel Lawrence, 
 
 General Dayton, 
 General Bloomfield, 
 General Beatty, 
 
 General Moylan, 
 Colonel Pickering, 
 Mr. Bingham, 
 Mr. Biddle, 
 Mr. Peters, 
 
 General Howard, 
 General Smith, 
 
 Connecticut. 
 New- York. 
 
 New-Jersey. 
 
 Pennsylvania. 
 
 Maryland, 
 
44 
 
 Major Pinckney, ) South . Carolina . 
 Captain Markland, ) 
 
 Colonel Pickering was chosen chairman of 
 the meeting. 
 
 Credentials from the following state so- 
 cieties to their delegates to the present ge- 
 neral meeting, were read and filed. 
 
 Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, 
 
 Rhode-Island, Maryland, 
 
 Connecticut, South-Carolina. 
 New-Jersey, 
 
 The proceedings of the last general 
 meeting were read. 
 
 The following circular letter from the 
 secretary-general to the presidents of the 
 several state societies, transmitting a copy 
 of the letter which was addressed by the 
 general meeting of May 1796, to the state 
 societies, was laid before the meeting. 
 
45 
 
 Philadelphia, May 24, 1799. 
 sir, 
 
 In pursuance of an instruction by the 
 delegates who attended the last general 
 meeting of the Cincinnati, I do myself the 
 honour to transmit to you a copy of the 
 letter, which was addressed by the general 
 meeting of 1796 to the several state socie- 
 ties, which you will be pleased to lay be- 
 fore your state society at their next annual 
 meeting. 
 
 It is intended by again submitting this 
 interesting letter to the consideration of the 
 state societies, to call their attention, in the 
 most earnest manner, to the important ob- 
 jects, which it enjoins. 
 
 The delegates to the general meeting, 
 appointed to be held in this city, on the first 
 Monday of the present month, not consti- 
 tuting a quorum to transact any other bu- 
 siness than the election of officers for the 
 ensuing three years, resolved to adjourn 
 
46 
 
 the general meeting to the first Monday in 
 May next, and to request that the several 
 state societies would appoint and instruct 
 delegates to attend at the city of Philadel- 
 phia on that day. 
 
 It was supposed that every doubt of a 
 full representation, and punctual atten- 
 dance, might be obviated by suggesting to 
 the state societies the expediency of ap- 
 pointing such of their members as would be 
 attendant on the federal government, dele- 
 gates to the general meeting of the Cincin- 
 nati, which is to be held in this city on the 
 first Monday in May next. 
 
 Permit me to solicit your particular atten- 
 tion to this communication ; and to assure 
 you of the respectful attachment, with which 
 I have the honour to be, 
 Sir, 
 Your faithful and obedient servant, 
 William Jackson, 
 Secretary. general of the Cincinnati- 
 
47 
 
 It was moved by Mr. Bingham, and se- 
 conded by general Bloomfield, 
 
 That a respectful testimonial to the me- 
 mory of General Washington be entered 
 on the records of the general society of the 
 Cincinnati, which was unanimously agreed 
 to ; and 
 
 Mr. Bingham, Major Pinckney, and Ge- 
 neral Dayton, were appointed a committee 
 to prepare and report the same. 
 
 On motion, 
 
 General Bloomfield, Dr. Hitchcock, and 
 General Huntington, were appointed a com- 
 mittee to examine the records of the socie- 
 ty ; and report to this meeting, the state of 
 the institution. 
 
 Adjourned, 
 
44 
 
 MAY 7, 1800. 
 
 PRESENT. 
 
 Colonel Pickering, Chairman. 
 Major Jackson, Secretary-general. 
 
 General Macpherson, Treasurer-general. 
 
 And delegates as yesterday. The cre- 
 dentials from the New-York state society to 
 their delegates were read and filed. 
 
 Mr. Bingham, from the committee ap- 
 pointed for that purpose, reported the fol- 
 lowing testimonial of respect to the memory 
 of General Washington, which was twice 
 read, unanimously agreed to, and ordered 
 to be entered on the records of the society, 
 as the first act of the present general meet- 
 ing after its organization. 
 
49 
 
 Under the most profound impression of 
 veneration and affection, the society of the 
 Cincinnati, at a general meeting, are called 
 upon to express the mournful tribute of 
 their sorrow, at that awful dispensation of 
 Providence, which has recently removed 
 from their councils, their much revered and 
 lamented president-general. 
 
 The arduous, though successful strug- 
 gle which terminated in establishing the 
 liberties of our country, and in which they 
 fought under his banners, and shared with 
 him the dangers and toils of the field, at- 
 tached him to this society by ties, of the 
 most intimate and endearing nature. His 
 valor and prudence seemed to control the 
 
50 
 
 events of war, led the American armies to 
 victory, and achieved the independence of 
 their country. Whilst mingling their tears 
 with those of their fellow citizens, they are 
 naturally impelled to pour out the effusions 
 of a deeper regret, for the irreparable loss 
 which they have sustained. 
 
 But it is not only in their relationship to 
 this illustrious character, as soldiers, that 
 the society of the Cincinnati have cause to 
 deplore his loss. 
 
 When the storm of war had ceased to 
 rage, and the blessings of peace had been 
 restored, their country was suffering under 
 the weakness of a confederation, which 
 threatened the existence of that union, 
 which their joint efforts in arms had so es- 
 sentially contributed to establish. 
 
 With his auspicious co-operation, a con- 
 stitution was formed, calculated by its wis- 
 dom and energy, to redeem us from that 
 prostrate state, to which we had been re- 
 
51 
 
 duced, and to restore that reputation which 
 our country had lost, from the imbecility of 
 the old system. The administration of the 
 government was committed to his care, and 
 his country will ever hold in grateful re- 
 memberance, the inflexible virtue and for- 
 titude, with which he conducted its affairs, 
 and saved it from the effects of domestic 
 faction and foreign intrigue. 
 
 After a second retirement from the active 
 scenes of public life, in which his merits as 
 a statesman, rivalled his fame as a soldier, 
 his country at the approach of danger, again 
 required his services. The crisis was im- 
 portant, and the situation delicate ; a na- 
 tion which had mingled its blood with ours, 
 in the defence of our liberties, had now as- 
 sumed a hostile appearance ; a war from 
 this unexpected quarter threatened the 
 peace of our country. 
 
 Washington, who never hesitated when 
 urged by a sense of duty, obeyed the call 
 of the government. He again abandoned 
 
52 
 
 his beloved retirement, hazarded a reputa- 
 tion, consummate in every point of view 
 and assumed the command of the armies. 
 His military companions who had frequent- 
 ly witnessed the magnanimity of his con- 
 duct in seasons of adversity, as well as of 
 triumph, felt the full force of their coun- 
 try's appeal to arms, whilst Washington 
 was their leader. 
 
 In this momentous crisis of our affairs, 
 by the inscrutable decrees of Heaven, he 
 was snatched from America and the world. 
 
 Under this pressure of calamity, which 
 more peculiarly operates upon the sensibi- 
 lities of this society, their only consolation 
 is derived from the animating reflection, 
 that although he is summoned to the en- 
 joyment of the happy destinies of a future 
 state, the bright example of his virtues and 
 talents will still survive, and the inheri- 
 tance of his name prove a future incentive 
 to heroes and legislators, who will strive to 
 emulate his fame, and merit the glory he 
 has acquired. 
 
5S 
 
 General Bloomfield, from the committee 
 appointed to examine the records of the so- 
 ciety, and report to this meeting the state of 
 the institution, made report as follows : 
 
 The committee appointed to examine the 
 records of the society, and to report to this 
 meeting the state of the institution, as rela- 
 tive to the alteration of the constitution, 
 which was proposed by the general meeting 
 held in the city of Philadelphia, in the year 
 1784, beg leave to report, 
 
 That on inspecting the documents in the 
 possession of the secretary-general, they 
 do not find that any additional communica- 
 tions have been made from the several 
 state societies, since the circular letter from 
 the general meeting of 1796, on the sub- 
 ject of the proposed alteration above refer- 
 red to. 
 
 From the silence which the state socie- 
 ties have observed, after the pressing circu- 
 lar letters of the general meeting, your 
 
 
54 
 
 committee are led to conclude, that they do 
 not accede to the proposed reform ; and 
 your committee conceive therefrom that 
 they are authorized to report to the gene- 
 ral meeting 
 
 That the institution of the society of the 
 the Cincinnati, remains as it was originally 
 proposed and adopted by the officers of 
 the American army at their cantonments 
 on the banks of the Hudson-River, in 1783. 
 
 Joseph Bloomfield, \ 
 
 Enos Hitchcock, > Committee, 
 
 Eben. Huntington, ) 
 
 May 7th, 1800. 
 
 Which report, on motion of General 
 Smith, seconded by Colonel Lawrence, was 
 unanimously adopted. 
 
 It was moved by Major Pinckney, se- 
 conded by General Howard, 
 
55 
 
 That a majority of the state societies, 
 which shall convene in general meeting, is 
 competent to recommend alterations in the 
 constitution, which alterations being after- 
 wards assented to by seven state societies, 
 shall be binding on all the state societies. 
 — Provided, the consent to such alterations 
 be reported by the societies agreeing to the 
 same, to the next general meeting. 
 
 The ayes and noes on the foregoing re- 
 solution being taken by state societies, are 
 as follows : 
 
 Massachusetts, 
 
 No. 
 
 Rhode-Island, 
 
 No. 
 
 Connecticut, 
 
 No. 
 
 New-York, 
 
 No. 
 
 New-Jersey, 
 
 No. 
 
 Pennsylvania, 
 
 No. 
 
 Maryland, 
 
 Divided, 
 
 South-Carolina, 
 
 Divided, 
 
 So it passed in the negative. 
 
56 
 
 On motion of General Smith, seconded 
 by General Huntington, 
 
 It was resolved, that the next meeting of 
 the general society be held at the seat of 
 the government of the United States, on the 
 first Monday of May, 1802. 
 
 Adjourned. 
 
 Wm, Jackson, Secretary-general. 
 
 TRIENNIAL MEETING, 
 
 City of Washington, 
 Seat of Government of the United States. 
 
 MAY, 1802. 
 
 There not being seven states represent- 
 ed, no business was done ; but it was recom- 
 mended that the next triennial meeting be 
 held in Philadelphia. 
 
57 
 
 TRIENNIAL MEETING, 
 
 Philadelphia, May, 1805. 
 
 But three state societies represented. 
 Major-General Eli as Dayton, Chairman. 
 
 Nothing done, but elect officers of the 
 general society. 
 
EXTRACTS FROM THE RECORDS 
 
 OF THE 
 
 STATE SOCIETY OF CINCINNATI 
 
 OF MASSACHUSETTS. 
 
 The first meeting of the subscribing 
 members was holden at the cantonments of 
 the Massachusetts line, on the banks of 
 the Hudson, on the 9th of June, 1783 ; 
 and at the adjourned meeting on the 20th 
 of the same month, the State Society was 
 completely organized by a choice of presi- 
 dent, and the other officers, together with a 
 standing committee for the year, and by di- 
 recting the mode in which they were to dis- 
 charge the powers and duties intrusted to 
 them. 
 
60 
 
 The next meeting was holden at Boston 
 on the 18th of February, 1784. At this 
 meeting five delegates were elected to at- 
 tend the general meeting in Philadelphia ; 
 and a committee of three for each county in 
 the commonwealth was chosen to inquire 
 into the situation of distressed members. 
 
 At the annual meeting on the 5th July, 
 1784, the institution, as altered and amend- 
 ed at the general meeting of the delegates 
 from the state societies at Philadelphia, on 
 the 3d of May, of that year, was submitted 
 to the members present for their considera- 
 tion and confirmation. 
 
 And it was voted to petition the legisla- 
 ture to grant a charter of incorporation to 
 the society. It was also determined that 
 the right of joining the society should be 
 limited to the present month, with the ex- 
 ception of those officers who had previous- 
 ly applied to sign the constitution ; and with 
 the further exception of the officers of the 
 
61 
 
 navy, who were allowed one year more for 
 that purpose. 
 
 July 4, 1786. ...The society voted to give 
 special instructions to their delegates re- 
 specting the general constitution, as altered 
 and amended at Philadelphia, in May 1784. 
 On the 11th of October of this year, in 
 consequence of a dangerous insurrection in 
 the state, the society passed a number of 
 resolves, expressive of their abhorrence of 
 the nefarious acts of the insurgents, and of 
 their determination to support the govern- 
 ment at every hazard ; and also agreed 
 upon a petition to the legislature, respect- 
 ing the depreciated state of their funds and 
 public securities. 
 
 At a special meeting on the 11th of 
 April, 1787....The committee of thirteen, 
 who at the preceding July meeting were 
 appointed to draw up instructions for the 
 delegates to the next triennial meeting of 
 the general society, were authorized as a 
 standing committee to meet monthly, to ex- 
 
62 
 
 amine the claims of candidates for admis- 
 sion, and to transact all such other matters 
 as might come before them for the best in- 
 terests of the society; five members to con- 
 stitute a quorum. The general powers of 
 this committee are indefinite, but it was the 
 origin of the standing committee, to whom 
 the administration of the funds and the ge- 
 neral affairs of the society have been, since, 
 uniformly intrusted. 
 
 At this meeting, it was voted that an ora- 
 tion should be delivered before the society 
 on the 4th of the ensuing July ; and the 
 standing committee were authorized to soli- 
 cit and appoint a member for this purpose, 
 and at their discretion to direct all the neces- 
 sary arrangements suitable to the occasion.* 
 
 * There were six of these Orations, delivered by the fol- 
 lowing members : 
 
 General Brooks in 1787 
 
 General Hull - 1788 
 
 Doctor Whitwell - 1789 
 
 Colonel Tudor - 1790 
 
 Doctor Eustis, - 1791 
 
 Thomas Edwards, Esq. 1792 
 
 The four first of which were printed: 
 
63 
 
 At the annual meeting on the 4th of Ju- 
 ly, 1787. ...It was resolved, that a commit- 
 tee of thirteen be annually chosen, to be 
 called the standing committee, with similar 
 powers to those given the committee the 
 preceding year ; and that the officers of the 
 society should be members thereof, ex offi- 
 cio ; and that five members should consti- 
 tute a quorum for transacting business. 
 The proceedings of the general meeting 
 holden at Philadelphia were read ; and it 
 was voted that the recommendation includ- 
 ed in said proceedings, for a special gene- 
 ral meeting on the first Monday of May 
 next ensuing, should be complied with. 
 
 July 4, 178 8. ...A letter from the delegates 
 to the general society was read, and refer- 
 red to the standing committee, to act there- 
 on according to their best discretion. 
 
 July 4, 1789.. ..At this meeting a vote 
 passed, granting relief to a distressed mem- 
 ber ; which was the first instance of the 
 bounty of the society having been solicited. 
 Four delegates were selected to attend the 
 
64 
 
 general meeting the following May, who 
 were instructed to strictly follow the in- 
 structions given to the delegates to the tri- 
 ennial meeting in 1786. 
 
 At the annual meeting in July, 1790. ...A 
 circular letter from the secretary-general 
 was read. Five delegates were appointed 
 to attend the general meeting at Philadel- 
 phia, and the standing committee directed 
 to give instructions to the members who 
 should attend the general meeting, conform- 
 ing to those formerly given by the society. 
 The public securities belonging to the soci- 
 ety were ordered to be registered in the 
 books of the society, and the treasurer to 
 give bond to the satisfaction of the standing 
 committee for the faithful discharge of his 
 trust. 
 
 July 4, 1791 The state of the funds 
 
 was laid before the society. Circular let- 
 ters from the secretary-general accompa- 
 nied with the proceedings of the general 
 society holden at Philadelphia in May, were 
 read and referred to the standing commit- 
 
65 
 
 tee ; as were also the proceedings of the 
 extra general meeting. The standing com- 
 mittee now chosen were authorized and 
 empowered to afford relief to such subjects 
 as were intended to be thus aided by our 
 original association ; not more than twenty- 
 dollars to be granted to an individual, nor 
 more than one fourth part of the annual 
 interest of the funds to be thus appropri- 
 ated. 
 
 At the annual meeting, 1792....It was de- 
 termined that no person in future should 
 be admitted a member but by ballot. At 
 this meeting the unprecedented vote passed 
 of ordering that the standing committee of 
 the last year, should serve as such for the 
 ensuing year. 
 
 July 4, 17 93.. ..The proceedings of the 
 general society at the fourth triennial meet- 
 ing were laid before the society, and were 
 referred for consideration to the next an- 
 nual meeting. A standing committee were 
 9 
 
66 
 
 chosen by ballot, and invested with the 
 usual powers. 
 
 July 4, 1794. ...At this meeting an assis- 
 tant-secretary and an assistant-treasurer 
 were chosen ; and it was ordered that in 
 future the expenses of the annual dinner 
 should be defrayed out of the interest cre- 
 ated by the funds. And the treasurer was 
 directed to reserve a sufficient sum for the 
 expenses of the annual festival of the soci- 
 ety, and that portion of the interest ap- 
 propriated to the benevolent purposes of 
 the society, and to vest the remainder in 
 public stock. The original diplomas then 
 on hand were ordered to be delivered to 
 the members applying for the same, at two 
 dollars each, and that the money thence 
 arising should be appropriated to refund 
 the same sum to those members who had 
 paid four dollars for their certificates. 
 
 At a special meeting of the society on 
 the 3d day of February, 1796. ...Five dele- 
 
67 
 
 gates were chosen to attend the general 
 meeting, any three of whom, and no more, 
 were to go on. And the treasurer was di- 
 rected to advance to each gentleman who 
 should proceed, one hundred dollars, and 
 their whole expenses were to be defrayed by 
 the society. It was further voted, that such 
 amendments as should be agreed upon at 
 the general meeting, shall become a part of 
 the institution, and binding on the several 
 state societies, as soon as the same shall be 
 ratified by nine of those societies ; but that 
 no alteration with respect to the funds shall 
 be admitted, so as in any way to affect the 
 exclusive possession and entire control of 
 the same, as now invested in each sepa- 
 rate state association. 
 
 At the annual meeting, July 4, 1796..... 
 It was voted that the standing committee 
 distribute the entire annual interest of the 
 funds, not otherwise appropriated by the 
 society, among the unfortunate members, 
 or their widows or orphans, at such times 
 and in such proportions, as the committee 
 
68 
 
 shall think proper. And in order that dis- 
 tant objects may not suffer from a want of 
 information of the time and place of distri- 
 bution, the committee were instructed to 
 give public notice of their meetings for this 
 purpose, to whom applications might be 
 made, and when the money granted should 
 be paid, in order that the bounty might be 
 as equally and extensively shared, as ori- 
 ginally contemplated by the institution. 
 
 At the meeting of July 4, 1798....An ad- 
 dress was voted to the President of the 
 United States, on the critical and menacing 
 aspect of the country, as it respected the 
 French Republic, and pledging the society 
 to support their government with all their 
 energies. 
 
 At the annual meeting July 4, 1799.... 
 Voted, that a delegation of three members 
 be sent to the general meeting at Philadel- 
 phia the ensuing May ; and that this meet- 
 ing be adjourned to the third Wednesday 
 in January following ; and that the stand- 
 
69 
 
 ing committee be directed and empowered 
 to report what measures should be adopted 
 in consequence of the circular letter from 
 the triennial meeting, and of the following 
 letter and proceedings of the state society 
 of South Carolina. 
 
 LETTER FROM THE SOCIETY OF THE CINCINNATI OF 
 THE STATE OF SOUTH-CAROLINA. 
 
 To the President and Members of the Society of the 
 Cincinnati in the State of Massachusetts. 
 
 GENTLEMEN, 
 
 By a resolution of the Society of the 
 Cincinnati, established in the state of South 
 Carolina, we herewith transmit a copy of a 
 report for the perpetuation of the same, re- 
 commended by a committee appointed to 
 consider the most eligible plan for the ac- 
 complishment of so desirable an event, and 
 adopted accordingly. 
 
 We consider it as a duty to our brethren 
 and fellow soldiers in the several states 
 
70 
 
 throughout the union, together with the 
 communication of the report in question, 
 to give a brief statement of the reasons 
 which caused it to be sanctioned by the ful- 
 lest approbation of the society, and confi- 
 dently hope, that they will appear to them 
 as to ourselves, strongly impressive of the 
 necessity which gave them birth. 
 
 It is a melancholy truth, that in a climate 
 but too apt to increase the infirmities of hu- 
 man nature, and sap the constitution of 
 man — that deaths have been particularly 
 frequent among the soldiers of the revolu- 
 tionary war. Already enfeebled by the se- 
 verity of service, the encroachments of dis- 
 ease have been rapid, and fatally destruc- 
 tive, in so much, that by far the greater 
 proportion of original members, composing 
 the state society, have been hurried by its 
 progress to an untimely grave ; and to the 
 few who yet existed (without the applica- 
 tion of some effectual remedy) no prospect 
 remained but its speedy and total extinc- 
 tion. 
 
71 
 
 Under such circumstances, nothing could 
 appear more natural than that men origi- 
 nally associated in the noblest cause that 
 ever did honour to humanity ; animated by 
 the same spirit, in a virtuous struggle for 
 liberty ; their friendships increased by their 
 difficulties, and often cemented with their 
 blood ; should wish to see renewed in their 
 posterity, those ties of affection which in 
 the hour of contention lightened the cala- 
 mities of war, and enhanced when peace 
 and independence were obtained, by the 
 exchange of reciprocal good offices, every 
 blessing they bestow. 
 
 To our country, every institution that 
 can cherish in the youthful mind an ambi- 
 tion to excel in honorable pursuits, must 
 necessarily be of the highest importance. 
 To those who are deemed worthy, the door 
 is now opened for admission ; and at a cri- 
 tical period like the present,'when the heart 
 of every American youth beats high with 
 just indignation at the insults offered his 
 country, we hope that an opportunity of ad- 
 
72 
 
 mission into our ancient society, will operate 
 as a strong incitive to activity and vigorous 
 exertion, that cannot fail to produce the 
 most decidedly beneficial effects. 
 
 We think it, in addition to these motives, 
 only necessary to add — That our funds 
 collected for the purposes of benevolence 
 and humanity, and hitherto appropriated 
 to the relief of such of our unfortunate 
 brethren as have sunk under the pressure 
 of disease or misfortune, were likely to pass 
 into other hands, and be diverted into dif- 
 ferent channels. To avoid which, and for 
 the reasons already declared, the report has 
 met with the sanction of our society, and 
 we fondly hope will be countenanced by the 
 approbation of our fellow soldiers through- 
 out United America. 
 
 With the highest respect and esteem, we 
 are, gentlemen, your most obedient serv'ts. 
 
 Alexander Garden, 
 
 William Read, Committee. 
 
 J. Reid, 
 
 Charleston, May 23, 1799, 
 
73 
 
 Extract from the Journals of the Society of tRe Cin- 
 cinnati of the State of South-Carolina. 
 
 "March 4, 17 99*.. .The committee who 
 were appointed at the last meeting to digest 
 the report of the committee for perpetuat- 
 ing the society, as agreed the 25th ult. re- 
 ported the same, which was read, adopted, 
 and is as follows : 
 
 " REPORT. 
 
 " That it be recommended as a line of 
 conduct for this society in future to ob- 
 serve, should the general society not think 
 proper to adopt a system for perpetuating 
 the same.... 
 
 " 1. That all the sons of original mem- 
 bers, and all the male descendants of any 
 original members, whether such descent 
 be derived through a male or female branch, 
 or of such officers, as having served with 
 reputation, died during the last war, or hav- 
 ing been entitled to become members, died 
 10 
 
74 
 
 within six months after the army was dis- 
 banded, who may be judged worthy of be- 
 coming its members and supporters, may 
 be elected into this society on application, 
 after attaining the age of twenty-one years, 
 provided three-fourths of a legal quarterly 
 meeting are in his favour. That each 
 member so elected shall pay into the hands 
 of the treasurer, for the use of the fund, the 
 sum of thirty dollars. 
 
 " 2. That all the officers commissioned, 
 staff, or brevet, who have served in the ar- 
 my or navy of the United States, since the 
 peace with Great Britain, for six years, 
 and who still continue therein, or who, af- 
 ter having served as aforesaid for six years, 
 left the service with reputation, or who shall 
 have been deranged by any act or resolu- 
 tion of the Congress of the United States, 
 after having served with reputation for 
 three years, and all those who are or shall 
 hereafter be appointed to a command in the 
 army or navy of the United States, com- 
 missioned, brevet, or staff, and who shall 
 
75 
 
 have served therein with reputation for six 
 years, or who shall be deranged by any act 
 or resolution of Congress, after a service 
 with reputation of three years, may be ad- 
 mitted into this society, upon application, 
 by election, provided three-fourths of a le- 
 gal quarterly meeting are in his favour, 
 and upon payment of one month's pay into 
 the treasury of this society, according to 
 the respective ranks of the applicants for 
 admission. 
 
 " 3. N6 election shall be valid, without the 
 name of the candidate shall be openly pro- 
 posed, at a regular quartely meeting pre- 
 vious to the quarterly meeting, at which 
 the ballot shall be held." 
 
 At a special meeting of the society, 15th 
 Jan. 1800. ...Ordered, that the members of 
 the society continue to wear a black crape 
 cockade in the hat till the 5th day of July 
 next, as a badge of mourning for their de- 
 ceased president-general, George Wash- 5 
 
ington ; and that an oration be delivered, 
 by a member to be appointed by the stand- 
 ing committee, at the anniversary meeting 
 in July, commemorative of the American 
 revolution, and of the heroic virtues and ta- 
 lents which distinguished the eventful- life 
 of that illustrious man. 
 
 At this meeting the standing committee 
 made the following report : 
 
 The standing committee of the society of 
 the Cincinnati of the commonwealth of Mas- 
 sachusetts, to whom was referred a circular 
 letter from the general meeting held in Phi- 
 ladelphia, May 24, 1799, together with a 
 letter from the society of South Carolina, 
 dated May 23, 1799, and sundry other pro- 
 ceedings of the general meeting, report as 
 follows : 
 
 By the first institution of the society, 
 formed A. D. 1783, the officers of the 
 American army associated "to endure as 
 long as they shall endure, or any of their 
 
77 
 
 eldest male posterity y and in failure thereof, 
 the collateral branches who may be judged 
 worthy of becoming members," he. By 
 this institution, the eldest male branches of 
 officers who died in the service, had also a 
 right to become members. 
 
 In the year 1784, an alteration of the 
 original institution was proposed by the 
 general meeting, and transmitted to the se- 
 veral state societies. By this constitution, 
 the hereditary succession was done away 
 without substituting any means of preserv- 
 ing the existence of the society. 
 
 On the 4th of July, 1784, the institution, 
 " as altered and amended," was accepted 
 by the society of Massachusetts. 
 
 July 4, 1786 : The Massachusetts socie- 
 ty voted as follows, viz. < ; That the vote of 
 the society, passed July 4, 1784, accepting 
 the institution as altered and amended, be 
 reconsidered so far as to give instructions 
 to the delegates to be chosen to the next 
 
78 
 general meeting respecting the said institu- 
 
 In April, 1787, instructions were given. 
 These instructions provided that vacancies 
 should be supplied by elections from the 
 eldest male heirs of deceased members, and 
 that no alterations should be made by vir- 
 tue of which the funds could be removed 
 from the possession and control of the state 
 societies. With these instructions, dele- 
 gates went on from Massachusetts. Noth- 
 ing done. 
 
 In 1789, they were given again in sub- 
 stance. Nothing done. 
 
 In 1791, continued ; and nothing effected. 
 
 The general meeting recommended to the 
 state societies to pass votes rendering va- 
 lid the proceedings of seven states present 
 at a general meeting. This was in 1793. 
 
79 
 
 By which it appears, that, as the vote of 
 of Massachusetts, " accepting the institu- 
 tion as altered and amended," was after- 
 wards reconsidered, and as a number of the 
 other state societies did not accept the same, 
 the society rests on the original Institution 
 of A. D. 1783. 
 
 The committee now propose the follow- 
 ing votes for the consideration of the so- 
 ciety : 
 
 1. In lieu of the hereditary succession 
 provided by the original institution, it is the 
 opinion of this society,that vacancies should 
 be supplied by an election of members by 
 ballot, in which the eldest male heir of a 
 deceased officer should be considered the 
 candidate, and that the assent of three- 
 fourths of the members present at a regu- 
 lar meeting, should be necessary to his ad- 
 mission ; and in case such candidate should 
 fail to be admitted by the before mentioned 
 majority, the next eldest male heir should 
 
80 
 
 become the next candidate, and so on until 
 an election should be effected. 
 
 2. That all such alterations and amend- 
 ments of the institution of the Cincinnati as 
 shall be concurred in by the representatives 
 of seven state societies present in the next 
 general meeting, shall be obligatory, and 
 inviolably observed by every state society ; 
 excepting that no alteration or amendment 
 shall be made or become obligatory by vir- 
 tue of which the funds shall be removed 
 from the possession and control of the state 
 societies. 
 
 3. That the delegates to the next general 
 meeting be furnished with an attested copy 
 of the preceding votes for their instruction 
 and government ; and that in any other al- 
 terations which may be proposed, the soci- 
 ety confide in their discretion and judgment 
 to make such decision as shall promote the 
 honour and interests of the institution. 
 
81 
 
 Which report, having been read and con- 
 sidered, was accepted and confirmed by the 
 society. 
 
 At the anniversary meeting in 1800.... 
 The proceedings of the general meeting at 
 Philadelphia, in the preceding month of 
 May, were laid before the society. Voted, 
 That the standing committee procure three 
 hundred printed copies of the original in- 
 stitution, together with the names of the 
 original members of this state association 
 for the use of the society. 
 
 At the annual meeting in 1801.. ..Voted, 
 That the standing committee consist of 
 fifteen members, with the usual powers ; 
 and that seven members form the quorum 
 for granting any money. 
 
 At a special meeting on the 7th of April, 
 1802... .A letter from the secretary-general, 
 urging the attendance of delegates at the 
 triennial meeting at Washington, on the 
 first Monday of May next ensuing, was 
 U 
 
82 
 
 read, and thereupon voted, That two mem- 
 bers be sent, with instructions conforma- 
 ble to the resolutions of the society adopted 
 in January, 1800. 
 
 At the, anniversary meeting in 1803.... 
 Ordered, that the standing committee be 
 instructed to prefer a memorial to the le- 
 gislature, at such time as they shall think 
 most proper, for an act of incorporation for 
 the better security and management of the 
 society's funds. 
 
 At the July meeting in 1804... .A letter 
 from a number of members of this society 
 now inhabitants in the state of Ohio, was 
 read and referred to the standing commit- 
 tee specially to consider the same, and re- 
 port at the next annual meeting. 
 
 At the anniversary meeting in 1805.... 
 A report of the standing committee was 
 made as follows, to wit : 
 
83 
 
 The standing committee, to whom was 
 referred the petition of General Rufus Put- 
 nam, and our other brethren resident in the 
 state of Ohio, praying that a certain pro- 
 portion of this state society's funds, equal 
 to what they, the petitioners, originally sub- 
 scribed and paid in, may be refunded and 
 transmitted them for the purpose of form- 
 ing a fund for a society of Cincinnati,which 
 they have thought proper to create in that 
 state — After having maturely considered 
 the subject of said petition, and given it all 
 that deliberate and candid attention, which 
 is so justly due to their distant and respect- 
 ed brothers, find themselves compelled una- 
 nimously to report, that the prayer of said 
 petition cannot be acceded to, and for the 
 following reasons : 
 
 1. By the constitution of the society it 
 was clearly intended to form one family of 
 brethren, to consist of thirteen cantons, and 
 no more, forever. Nor is there any provi- 
 sion either expressed or implied, given, ei- 
 ther to the general meeting, or to either of 
 
84 
 
 the state societies, to create any additional 
 society, or to transfer any part of the origi- 
 nal funds for this purpose. 
 
 2. The stock of the Massachusetts Cin- 
 cinnati was expressly subscribed and paid 
 into the treasury for the exclusive use of 
 the members of that state society, so long 
 as they should continue members, and no 
 longer. Could a few individuals detach 
 themselves, and erect another state society* 
 others might withdraw themselves and 
 funds, and erect branches in the same state ; 
 and thus the strength and respectability of 
 the original institution be weakened, and 
 one of its most important objects be de- 
 feated. 
 
 3. Should the request of the memorial- 
 ists be -acceded to, we should set a prece- 
 dent, w r hich might render us obnoxious to 
 the censure of other state societies ; and 
 our authority so to act disputed and denied 
 by the general society ; and thus a spirit of 
 discord be introduced, to the infinite detri- 
 
85 
 
 ment of that union, upon which the com- 
 mon good of our institution is so depen- 
 dant. 
 
 Whilst bound to state this our dissent to 
 a novel, and what we must consider an ir- 
 regular proposal, we wish our worthy bre- 
 thren of jlie Ohio, our faithful comrades in 
 honour and in toil, to be assured of our un- 
 abated friendship ; that we hold their sub- 
 scriptions as a sacred deposit for their be- 
 nefit, in common with the other members ; 
 and that if misfortune at any time should 
 compel an application for pecuniary aid, we 
 will most eheerfully and promptly give to it 
 all the weight, which the individual would 
 be entitled to, were he an inhabitant of any 
 part of this commonwealth. 
 
 Which report was unanimously accept- 
 ed, and a copy of the same ordered to be 
 transmitted by the secretary to brigadier- 
 general Putnam, at Marietta* 
 
86 
 
 July 4, 1806. ...Was holden the first meet- 
 ing under the act of incorporation passed 
 March 13, 1806, in the words following : 
 
 COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS. 
 
 la the year of oar Lord one thousaad eight hundred and six. 
 
 An act to incorporate Benjamin Lincoln 
 and others into a society, by the name of 
 The Society of the Cincinnati within the 
 State of Massachusetts. 
 
 Whereas upon the dissolution of the 
 American revolutionary army, in the year 
 of our Lord one thousand seven hundred 
 and eighty three, Benjamin Lincoln and 
 others, officers in the Massachusetts line 
 of said army, did associate for the purpose 
 of forming a fund to be forever thereafter 
 appropriated for the relief of the indigent 
 members of said association, and the wi- 
 dows and orphans of said members ; and 
 in order to secure the said fund, and fulfil 
 
87 
 
 the charitable designs of the said institu- 
 tion, have petitioned to be incorporated : 
 
 Sect. 1. Be it enacted by the Senate 
 and House of Representatives in General 
 Court assembled, and by the authority of 
 the same, That the said Benjamin Lincoln 
 and his associates, together with such others 
 as may be admitted members of said as- 
 sociation, be, and they hereby are incorpo- 
 rated into a society by the name of The 
 Massachusetts Society of the Cincinnati, 
 with power to have a common seal, to make 
 contracts relative to the objects of the said 
 charitable fund ; to sue and to be sued ; to 
 establish bye-laws and orders for the regu- 
 lation of said society, and the preservation 
 and application of the funds thereof, pro- 
 vided the same be not repugnant to the con- 
 stitution and laws of this commonwealth; 
 and to take, hold, and possess any estate, 
 real or personal, by subscription, gift, grant, 
 purchase, devise, or otherwise ; and the 
 same to improve, lease, exchange, or sell 
 and convey for the sole benefit of said in- 
 
88 
 
 stitution ; provided, the value of the real 
 estate of said society shall never exceed 
 twenty thousand dollars, and the annual 
 income of the whole estate of said society 
 shall not exceed five thousand dollars. 
 
 Sect. 2. Be it further enacted, That the 
 said society shall meet in Boston on the 
 fourth day of July annually (unless the 
 same should fall upon a Sunday, in which 
 case the annual meeting shall always be 
 holden on the day succeeding) for the pur- 
 pose of electing by ballot, from their mem- 
 bers, a president, vice-president, treasurer, 
 secretary, and such other officers as may 
 be necessary to manage their concerns ; all 
 which officers shall hold their said offices 
 for one year, and until others shall be elect- 
 ed to succeed them ; and the officers for the 
 time being shall publish a notification of the 
 time and place of each annual meeting, in 
 at least two newspapers, at least fourteen 
 days before holding the same. Upon any 
 urgent occasion the president or vice-presi- 
 dent, or in their absence, the secretary, may 
 
89 
 
 appoint a special meeting of said society, to 
 be notified in the same manner as annual 
 meetings. 
 
 Sect. 3. Be it further enacted, That the 
 president, vice-president, and other officers 
 of said society, chosen on the fourth day 
 of July last, shall have the same authority 
 to manage the concerns thereof, as is here- 
 by vested in like officers to be hereafter 
 annually chosen : Provided nevertheless, 
 That this act of incorporation shall be de- 
 terminable at the pleasure of the legisla- 
 ture. 
 
 This act passed March 13th, 1806. 
 
 At this meeting a number of regulations 
 were adopted and ordered to be standing 
 rules of the society. Bat being after- 
 wards introduced into, and forming a part 
 of the " Bye-Laws and Rules of the Mas- 
 sachusetts Society of the Cincinnati," enact- 
 ed and ordered at the annual meeting in 
 1811, are here omitted. 
 12 
 
90 
 
 At the annual meeting in July 1810, Maj. 
 General John Brooks was chosen presi- 
 dent of the society, to supply the place of 
 our venerable and much lamented presi- 
 dent, General Benjamin Lincoln, who 
 had presided as head of the society from 
 the organization thereof, in 1783, to the 9th 
 of May, 1810, the day of his decease, with 
 the entire approbation of every member 
 and the grateful tribute of his surviving 
 comrades, for his happy guidance and af- 
 fectionate attentions, during so long a pe- 
 riod. 
 
 At this meeting it was voted, That the 
 thanks of the society be presented to Wil- 
 liam Eustis, Esq. for his long services as 
 vice-president of the society, and that the 
 secretary be directed to communicate the 
 same to Doctor Eustis, at Washington, 
 and to express their regret that any circum- 
 stance sjiould render it inconvenient for 
 him to occupy a station which has been a 
 source of so much honourable satisfaction 
 to his associates. 
 
91 
 
 At the anniversary meeting, July 4, 1811 
 ....The society voted, That the following 
 standing regulations should serve as the 
 Bye-Laws and Rules of the Massa- 
 chusetts Society of the Cincinnati. 
 
 BYE-LAWS AND RULES 
 
 OF 
 
 THE MASSACHUSETTS SOCIETY 
 
 OF THE CINCINNATI. 
 
 1. The officers of the society shall con- 
 sist of a president, vice-president, secretary, 
 treasurer, and an assistant-secretary and 
 treasurer, each of whom shall, in virtue of 
 his office, be a member of the standing 
 committee of the year. 
 
 2. That there shall be annually elected, 
 on the 4th of July, a committee consisting 
 of twelve, in addition to the officers of the 
 society, whose duty it shall be to take care 
 
92 
 
 of the general concerns of the corporation, 
 as well as of all matters specially commit- 
 ted to them by the society. They shall 
 from the funds afford such relief to the 
 members, or to their widows and orphans, 
 as in their judgment shall become proper 
 objects thereof, in such sums, and at such 
 times as they shall think best, taking care 
 that the interest only of the general stock of 
 the society be appropriated for this pur- 
 pose, and for that of defraying the neces- 
 sary expenses of the society. They shall 
 pay a special attention to the state of the 
 treasury, and shall see that the treasurer 
 give bond for the faithful discharge of his 
 duty ; they shall from time to time credit his 
 accounts, direct him in the exchange or 
 purchase of stock, and in whatever the in- 
 terest and security of the corporation may 
 from time to time require. They shall 
 keep a record of their proceedings, which 
 shall be subject to the inspection of any 
 member, and at the annual meeting shall 
 be laid before the society and read. 
 
3. The votes for the election of the offi- 
 cers of the society, and for the admission of 
 members, shall always be by ballot, or 
 written vote. 
 
 4. Five members of the standing com- 
 mittee shall be considered as a quorum for 
 transacting the ordinary business ; but no 
 appropriation of money shall be made un- 
 less seven members be present. 
 
 5. Every original candidate who shall be 
 voted in, shall, at the time of his admission, 
 pay such a sum in aid of the funds, as the 
 standing committee shall adjudge to be rea- 
 sonable. 
 
 6. Every person who maybe desirous of 
 becoming a member of the society, and who 
 shall come within the terms of the original 
 general institution, shall make his applica- 
 tion to the standing committee in writing ; 
 who shall advise thereon, and report their 
 opinion to the society ; but no one shall be 
 permitted to be a candidate under the age 
 of twenty-one years. 
 
94 
 
 7. Each person who shall be admitted a 
 member in right of succession to a deceas- 
 ed member, shall make and subscribe the 
 following declaration, in presence of the 
 society : s 
 
 " I having been admitted a 
 
 member of the society of Cincinnati within 
 the state of Massachusetts, as the true suc- 
 cessor of , late a member of this so- 
 ciety, and my deceased (father or brother, 
 as the case may be) do solemnly promise 
 and engage that I will duly conform to all 
 the regulations established from time to 
 time for the government of said society, as 
 far as they shall have for their basis the 
 principles of the original institution. In 
 testimony whereof, I hereto subscribe my 
 name, and pledge my sacred honour. 
 
 8. New members, who shall be admitted 
 on the claim of succession, shall have a di- 
 ploma or certificate, signed by the presi- 
 dent, and countersigned by the secretary, of 
 the form following, viz. 
 
95 
 COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS. 
 
 Be it known that is a member of 
 
 the Society of Cincinnati, instituted by the 
 officers of the American army at the period 
 of its dissolution, as well to commemorate 
 the great event which gave independence to 
 the United States of America, as for the 
 purpose of inculcating the duty of laying 
 down in peace, arms assumed for public 
 defence, and of uniting in acts of brotherly 
 affection and bonds of perpetual friendship, 
 the members constituting the same. 
 
 In testimony whereof, the seal 
 of the State Society of Cin- 
 cinnati of Massachusetts is 
 (l. s.) hereunto affixed, and the 
 hand of the President, the 
 day of in the year 
 
 of our Lord eighteen hun- 
 dred and 
 
 By order. President. 
 
 Secretary. 
 
/ 
 
 NAMES 
 
 OF 
 
 THE ORIGINAL MEMBERS. 
 
 ALPHABETICALLY ARRANGED. 
 
 [Those marked thus * are dead.] 
 
 Abbott Stephen, Captain. 
 Abbott Josiah, Ensign. 
 
 * Adams Henry, Regimental Surgeon. 
 Alden Judah, Captain. 
 
 Allen Noah, Major. 
 Allen Nathaniel C. Captain. 
 Ames Jotham, Lieutenant. 
 Andrews William, Lieutenant. 
 
 * Armstrong Samuel, Lieutenant. 
 
 * Ashley Moses, Major. 
 
 * Austin John, Lieutenant. 
 
 13 
 
98 
 
 B 
 
 Bailey Adams, Captain. 
 Bailey Luther, Captain. 
 Balcom Joseph, Lieutenant. 
 
 * Baldwin Jeduthun, Colonel. 
 Ballantine Ebenezer, Surgeon's Mate. 
 Ballard William H. Major. 
 
 * Bancroft James, Lieutenant. 
 Barlow Joel, Chaplain. 
 
 Bassett Barachiah, Lieutenant-Colonel. 
 Baylies Hodijah, Lieutenant-Colonel. 
 ^Benson Joshua, Captain. 
 *Baury de Bellerive, Captain. 
 *Blake Edward, Lieutenant. 
 Blanchard John, Captain. 
 Bowles Ralph H. Lieutenant and Adjutant. 
 Bowman Samuel, Lieutenant. 
 ^Bradford Gamaliel, Colonel. 
 Bradford Robert, Captain. 
 Bradford Andrew, Lieutenant. 
 Bradford Gamaliel, Lieutenant. 
 *Bramhall Joshua, Lieutenant. 
 Brigham Origen, Surgeon's Mate. 
 Brooks John, Lieutenant-Colonel-Comm. 
 Brown Ebenezer, Lieutenant. 
 Brown Oliver, Captain-Lieutenant. 
 
99 
 
 *Bugbee Edward, Lieutenant. 
 *Bullard Asa, Lieutenant. 
 Burbeck Henry, Captain. 
 Burnham John, Major. 
 *Bussey Isaiah, Captain-Lieutenant. 
 
 Carleton Osgood, Lieutenant. 
 
 Carleton Moses, Lieutenant. 
 
 *Castaing Peter, Lieutenant. 
 
 *Callender John, Captain- Lieutenant. 
 
 ^Chambers Matthew, Captain. 
 
 Chapin Samuel, Lieutenant. 
 
 *Clap Caleb, Captain. 
 
 *Clap Joshua, Lieutenant. 
 
 Clayes Peter, Captain. 
 
 Cobb David, Lieut. Col. Commandant 
 
 ^Cogswell Thomas, Major. 
 
 Cogswell Amos, Captain. 
 
 ^Cogswell Samuel, Lieutenant. 
 
 Condy Thomas H. Lieutenant. 
 
 *Cook David, Captain. 
 
 Cooper Ezekiel, Captain. 
 
 Cooper Samuel, Adjutant. 
 
 * Crane John, Colonel. 
 
 *Crane John, Regimental Surgeon. 
 
 ^Crocker Joseph, Captain. 
 
100 
 
 ^Crowley Florence, Lieutenant. 
 Cushing Nathaniel, Captain. 
 Gushing Thomas, Lieutenant. 
 
 D 
 
 Dana Benjamin, Lieutenant. 
 
 Danforth Joshua, Lieutenant. 
 
 *Daniels Japheth, Captain. 
 
 *Darby Samuel, Major. 
 
 *Davis Ebenezer, Lt. and Brig. Quar. Mast, 
 
 Davis James, Lieutenant. 
 
 Davis John, Lieutenant and Adjutant. 
 
 Dean Walter, Captain. 
 
 Dix Nathan, Captain. 
 
 Dodge Levi, Lieutenant. 
 
 Drew Seth, Major. 
 
 ^Duffield John, Regimental Surgeon. 
 
 E 
 
 Eaton Benjamin, Lieutenant. 
 
 ^Edwards Thomas, Lieut, and Judge Adv, 
 
 Egleston Azariah, Lieut, and Pay-Master. 
 
 Emerson Nehemiah, Captain. 
 
 Emery Ephraim, Lieut, and Pay-Master. 
 
 Eustis William, Hospital Surgeon. 
 
 Everett Pelatiah, Lieutenant. 
 
 Eysandeau William, Lieutenant. 
 
^ OFTf 
 
 UNIVERSITY 
 
 - ;■> 
 
 101 
 
 F 
 
 *Felt Jonathan, Captain. 
 
 Finley James E. B. Regimental Surgeon, 
 
 *Finley Samuel, Regimental Surgeon. 
 
 Fisk Joseph, Regimental Surgeon. 
 
 *Floyd Ebenezer, Ensign. 
 
 ^Foster Thomas, Lieutenant. 
 
 ^Foster Elisha, Ensign. 
 
 Fovvles John, Captain. 
 
 Freeman Constant, Captain-Lieutenant. 
 
 ^Freeman Thomas, D. Lieutenant. 
 
 Frink Samuel, Ensign. 
 
 Frost Samuel, Captain. 
 
 *Frothingham Benjamin, Captain. 
 
 Frye Frederick, Ensign. 
 
 Fuller John, Captain. 
 
 G 
 
 Garrett Andrew, Lieutenant. 
 ^Gardner James, Captain-Lieutenant. 
 George John, Captain-Lieutenant. 
 < Gibbs Caleb, Major. 
 
 Gilbert Benjamin, Lieutenant. 
 ^Goodale Nathan, Captain. 
 Goodwin F. L. B. Surgeon's Mate. 
 *Greaton John, Brigadier-General. 
 Greaton John W. Ensigrn. 
 
102 
 
 Greaton Richard H. Ensign. 
 Green Francis, Captain, 
 Greenleaf William, Lieutenant. 
 *Gridley John, Captain-Lieutenant. 
 
 H 
 
 *Hall James, Lieutenant. 
 
 ^Hamlin Africa, Ensign. 
 
 Hancock Belcher, Captain. 
 
 Hart John, Regimental Surgeon. 
 
 Hartshorn Thomas, Captain. 
 
 Harvey Elisha, Captain- Lieutenant. 
 
 Haskell Elnathan, Captain. 
 
 Haskell Jonathan, Lieutenant. 
 
 Hastings John, Captain. 
 
 Heath William, Major- General. 
 
 Hey wood Benjamin, Captain. 
 
 Hildreth William, Lieutenant. 
 
 *Hill Jeremiah, Lieutenant. 
 
 Hinds Bartlett, Captain-Lieutenant. 
 
 ^Hiwell John, Lt. and Inspector of Music. 
 
 *Hobby John, Captain. 
 
 Holbrook David, Captain. 
 
 Holden Aaron, Captain. 
 
 Holden Abel, Captain. 
 
 *Holden John, Lieutenant. 
 
 Holden Levi, Lieutenant. 
 
 Holland Ivory, Lieutenant. 
 
103 
 
 Holland Park, Lieutenant. 
 Hollister Jesse, Captain. 
 Hooker Zibeon, Lieutenant. 
 *Horton Elisha, Ensign. 
 *Houdin M. G. Captain. 
 *Howe Richard S. Ensign. 
 Hull William, Lieutenant-Colonel 
 *Hunt Thomas, Captain. 
 *Hunt Ephraim, Lieutenant. 
 *Hurd John, Ensign. 
 
 I J 
 
 *Ingersoll George, Lieutenant. 
 ^Jackson Michael, Colonel. 
 * Jackson Henry, Colonel. 
 * Jackson Thomas, Captain. 
 Jackson Simon, Captain. 
 Jackson Daniel, Lieutenant. 
 Jackson Ebenezer, Lieutenant. 
 
 * Jackson Michael, Lieutenant. 
 Jackson Amasa, Ensign. 
 
 * Jackson Charles, Ensign. 
 *Jefferds Samuel, Lieutenant. 
 Johnston John, Captain. 
 
 K 
 
 Killam Joseph, Captain. 
 *King Zebulon, Captain. 
 
104 
 
 *Knapp Moses, Major. 
 
 Knovvles Charles', Captain-Lieutenant. 
 
 *Knox Henry, Major-General. 
 
 L 
 
 Larned Simon, Captain. 
 
 Laughton William, Surgeon's Mate. 
 
 Lee William R. Colonel. 
 
 Lee Daniel, Captain. 
 
 *Leavensworth Nathaniel, Surgeon's Mate, 
 
 Leland Joseph, Lieutenant. 
 
 Leonard Jacob, Ensign. 
 
 *Lillie John, Captain. 
 
 ^Lincoln Benjamin, Major-General. 
 
 Lincoln Rufus, Captain. 
 
 *Liswell John, Lieutenant. 
 
 Lockwood William, Chaplain. 
 
 *Lord Jeremiah, Ensign. 
 
 Lovell James, Lieutenant. 
 
 Lunt Daniel, Captain. 
 
 *Lyman Cornelius, Ensign. 
 
 M 
 Marble Henry, Lieutenant. 
 *Mason David, jun. Lieutenant. 
 *Maxwell Hugh, Lieutenant- Colonel. 
 *Maynard William, Captain. 
 Maynard Jonathan, Captain. 
 
105 
 
 Maynard John, Lieut, and Quarter- Master. 
 
 M'Cay Daniel, Ensign. 
 
 *McKendry William, Lieutenant. 
 
 Means James, Captain. 
 
 *Mellish Samuel, Lieutenant. 
 
 ^Miller Jeremiah, Captain. 
 
 Miller Joseph, Lieutenant. 
 
 *MilIs John, Captain. 
 
 *Mills William, Captain. 
 
 Moore William, Captain. 
 
 *Moore William, Lieutenant. 
 
 Mooars Benjamin, Lieutenant. 
 
 Morgan Benjamin, Surgeon's Mate. 
 
 *Morrel Amos, Major. 
 
 Morton Silas, Lieutenant. 
 
 Myrick Samuel, Lieutenant. 
 
 N 
 Nason Nathaniel, Lieut, and Quarter-Mast. 
 Nelson Henry, Lieutenant. 
 *Newhall Ezra, Lieutenant-Colonel. 
 *Newman Samuel, Lieutenant. 
 ^Nicholson Samuel, Captain of the Navy. 
 *Nixon Thomas, Colonel. 
 North William, Captain. 
 14 
 
106 
 
 O 
 
 Oliver Robert, Major. 
 Oliver Alexander, Ensign, 
 
 P 
 
 Pardee Aaron, Lieutenant. 
 
 *Parker Elias, Lieutenant. 
 
 * Parker Benjamin, Lieutenant. 
 
 *Paterson John, Brigadier- General. 
 
 Peabody Ebenezer, Lieutenant. 
 
 Peirce Benjamin, Lieutenant. 
 
 Peirce Silas, Captain. 
 
 *Peirce John, Captain- Lieutenant. 
 
 *Perkins William, Major. 
 
 Peters Andrew, Lieutenant-Colonel. 
 
 *Pettingiil Joseph, Major. 
 
 *Phelon Patrick, Lieutenant. 
 
 Phelon John, Lieutenant. 
 
 *Phelon Edward, Lieutenant. 
 
 Pike Benjamin, Captain. 
 
 Pope Isaac, Major. 
 
 *Porter Benjamin Jones, Surgeon's Mate. 
 
 Popkin John, Lieutenant- Colonel. 
 
 Pratt Joel, Lieutenant. 
 
 Prescott Joseph, Hospital -Mate. 
 
 *Putnam Rufus, Brigadier-General. 
 
107 
 
 R 
 
 Randall Thomas, Captain. 
 
 *Rawson Jeduthun, Ensign. 
 
 Reab George, Lieutenant. 
 
 *Remick Timothy, Captain. 
 
 Rice Nathan, Major. 
 
 Rice Oliver, Lieutenant. 
 
 Richardson Abijah, Regimental Surgeon, 
 
 Rickard William, Lieutenant. 
 
 Ripley Hezekiah, Lieutenant. 
 
 *Rouse Oliver, Captain. 
 
 Rovve John, Ensign. 
 
 S 
 Sampson Crocker, Lieutenant. 
 Sargeant Winthrop, Captain. 
 Satterlee William, Major. 
 Savage Joseph, Captain. 
 
 * Savage Henry, Lieutenant. 
 Sawyer James, Ensign. 
 *Scammell Samuel L. Ensign. 
 Scott James, Ensign. 
 
 Selden Charles, Lieutenant. 
 Sever James, Ensign. 
 Sewall Henry, Captain. 
 
 * Seward Thomas, Captain. 
 *Shaw Samuel, Captain. 
 
108 
 
 Shepherd William, Colonel. 
 Shepherd William, Ensign. 
 Shute Daniel, Regimental Surgeon. 
 Smith Simeon, Captain. 
 Smith Ebenezer, Captain. 
 Smith Ebenezer, Captain. 
 Smith John K. Captain. 
 Smith Sylvanus, Captain. 
 Smith Joseph, Lieutenant. 
 Smith Josiah, Lieutenant. 
 ^Spring Simeon, Lieutenant. 
 
 * Sprout Ebenezer, Lieut. Col. Com. 
 *Stacey William, Lieutenant- Colonel. 
 ^Stafford John R. Ensign. 
 Stephens William, Captain. 
 *Stocker Ebenezer, Lieutenant. 
 *Stone Jonathan, Captain. 
 
 * Stone Nathaniel, Lieutenant. 
 
 Storer Ebenezer, Lieut, and Pay -Master. 
 *Story William, Captain. 
 *Story John. 
 *Sumner Job, Major. 
 *Swan Caleb, Ensign. 
 
 T 
 
 Taylor Othniel, Captain. 
 
 Taylor William,, Lieut, and Quarter- Master. 
 
 Taylor Tertius, Lieutenant. 
 
109 
 
 *Thacher Nathaniel, Lieutenant. 
 
 Thacher James, Regimental Surgeon. 
 
 Thomas Joseph, Captain. 
 
 Thomas John, Regimental Surgeon. 
 
 Thompson Thaddeus, Lieutenant Colonel, 
 
 Tisdale James, Captain. 
 
 Torrey William, Lieutenant and Adjutant. 
 
 Town Jacob, Lieutenant. 
 
 Townsend David, Hospital Surgeon. 
 
 *Treadwell William, Captain. 
 
 Trescott Lemuel, Major. 
 
 ^Trowbridge Luther, Lieutenant. 
 
 *Trotter John, Captain. 
 
 Tudor William, Lieutenant- Colonel, and 
 
 Judge Advocate General. 
 *Tucker Joseph, Lieut, and Paymaster. 
 ♦Tapper Benjamin, Colonel. 
 Tupper Anselm, Lieut, and Adjutant. 
 *Turner Thomas, Captain. 
 Turner Jonathan, Captain. 
 Turner Marlbry, Lieutenant. 
 ♦Turner Peleg, Lieutenant, 
 
 V 
 
 Vose Joseph, Colonel. 
 
 Vose Elijah, Lieutenant- Colonel.. 
 
 ♦Vose Thomas, Captain. 
 
110 
 
 w 
 
 * Wales Joseph, Lieutenant. 
 Walker Robert, Cuptain. 
 
 *Walker Edward, Lieut, and Pay-Master. 
 
 Wardwell Joseph, Lieutenant. 
 
 Warren Adriel, Lieutenant. 
 
 Warren John, Lieutenant. 
 
 Warren James, jun. Lieutenant of the Navy, 
 
 Watson William, Captain. 
 
 Wattles Mason, Captain. 
 
 Webb George, Captain. 
 
 Webber Daniel, Lieutenant. 
 
 * Wellington Elisha, Lieutenant. 
 *Wells Thomas, Captain. 
 Wells Benjamin, Lieutenant. 
 Wells James, Lieutenant- 
 
 * Wesson James, Colonel. 
 
 * White Haffield, Captain. 
 *White Edward, Lieutenant. 
 ♦Whiting John, Lieutenant. 
 *Whitwell Samuel, Surgeon. 
 
 * Wilds Ebenezer, Lieutenant. 
 *Williams Abraham, Captain. 
 Williams John, Captain. 
 Williams Joseph, Captain. 
 
 Williams Robert, Lieut, and Pay-Master. 
 Williams Ebenezer, Lieutenant. 
 *Wing Jonathan, Ensign. 
 
Ill 
 
 Winslovv John, Captain. 
 Woodbridge Christopher, Captain. 
 * Woodward Samuel, Surgeon's Mate. 
 
 Y 
 
 Yeomans John, Lieutenant. 
 
 MEMBERS 
 
 WHO JOINED THE SOCIETY IN OTHER STATES, AND NOW 
 RESIDE IN THIS. 
 
 Henry Dearborn, Colonel. 
 Joseph Clark, Lieutenant. 
 Andrew Craigue, Apothecary General. 
 
 Whole number 336 
 Deceased members 134 
 
 Survivors 202 
 
 MEMBERS 
 
 ELECTED ON THE CLAIM OF SUCCESSORS. 
 
 Thomas Austin, 1802 
 
 Horace Binney, ~> 
 
 John Calknder, 5 1796 
 
112 
 
 *William Shaw, 
 Thomas Newhall, 
 John Bryant, 
 Thomas Seward, 
 Thomas Nixon, 
 Thomas Jackson, 
 *Henry Newman, 
 Thomas Howe, 
 Charles P. Sumner, 
 Samuel M. Crocker, 
 Elisha Willington, 
 Samuel Perkins, 
 John Maynard, 
 Joseph Pierce, 
 Samuel Adams Wells, 
 Thomas Sprout, 
 John H. Crane, 
 Luke Baldwin, 
 Edward Jackson, 
 Charles Stewart Davis, 
 James Bancroft, 
 Samuel i\rmstrong. 
 
 1800 
 
 U802 
 
 ^1803 
 
 1804 
 
 1808 
 
 •1809 
 
II 
 
 jms 
 
 RETURN CIRCULATION DEPARTMENT 
 
 TO— ^ 202 Main Library 
 
 LOAN PERIOD 
 HOME USE 
 
 ALL BOOKS MAY BE RECALLED AFTER 7 DAYS 
 
 Renewals and Recharges may be made 4 days prior to the due date. 
 
 Books may be Renewed by calling 642-3405. 
 
 DUE AS STAMPED BELOW 
 
 WQV 20 1008- 
 
 AUTooisaoECi2'88 
 
 Mi 3 * 2002 
 MAY * 8 7ME 
 
 FORM NO. DD6 
 
 UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, BERKELEY 
 BERKELEY, CA 94720 
 
"*V?3p^ BERKELEY LIBRARIES * 
 
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