Proceedings : Grand Lodge, A.F. & A.M. of Canada in the Province of Ontario - 1858

On spine : The Grand Lodge of Canada in the Province of Ontario.

Niagara Ship Canal [to accompany Bill H.R. no.432] (1858)

At head of Caption title: 35th Congress, 1st session. House of Representatives, Report no. 374.

Scottish Rite (Masonic Order) French Language Collection, 1787-1825, 1907, n.d.

The origins of the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry can be traced to France around 1754, when a Chapter of Claremont was founded in Paris. Initially this chapter had seven degrees, but by 1758 there were twenty-five degrees, known as the Rite of Perfection. In 1761, Stephen Morin was appointed to introduce the Rite into the New World. He began with Kingston, Jamaica and San Domingo. Further establishments were made in New Orleans, LA(1763); Albany, NY (1767); Philadelphia, PA (1782); and Charleston, SC (1783). In order to improve the disorganized state of the degrees in Europe, “Grand Constitutions” were enacted in 1786. These Constitutions formally brought into existence the “Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite”. None of the degrees of the Scottish Rite would seem to have origins in Scotland. “Scottish” is translated from the French word “Ecossais”, which is found in some of the French titles of some of the degrees of the Rite of Perfection. It is possible that the Scottish connection is a result of the involvement of a Scotsman, Andrew Michael Ramsey, who may have devised some of the degrees.

General return showing the quantity of each article transported on the Welland Canal during the year ending December 31st, 1858

General return showing the quantity of each article transported on the Welland Canal during the year ending December 31st, 1858 and the amount of tolls collected thereon (Port of Maitland). This is signed by William Turner, collector (2 page, printed blank), 1858.

General return showing the quantity of each article transported on the Welland Canal during the year ending on the 31st of December 1858

General return showing the quantity of each article transported on the Welland Canal during the year ending on the 31st of December 1858 and the tolls collected thereon (office at Port Robinson) (2 pages), 1858.

Statement of vessels and merchandise passed downward through the Welland Canal at Port Colborne during the year 1858

Statement of vessels and merchandise passed downward through the Welland Canal at Port Colborne during the year 1858 showing nationalities of ports of clearance and discharge, May 31, 1862.