Preamble to the first book of minutes of Washington Chapter No.
2, R. A. M.:
From
the action of the General Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons for the United States
of America at the triennial meeting of that body in September A. D. 1847, upon
the subject of a body styled the “Grand Royal Arch Chapter of the State of
Texas,” and from subsequent study of the matter, the following gentlemen, viz.,
E. B. Nichols, Nelson T. Davis, Robert Brewster, Abram. McGenty, William G.
Evans, R. M. DeChene, George Henry, Eli A. Stephens, John A. Southmayd, John H.
Brown, John N. Reed, and William H. King, who had been members of “Houston
Royal Arch Chapter No. 8” held in the City of Houston, under the jurisdiction
of the aforesaid “Grand Royal Arch Chapter of the State of Texas,” upon mature
deliberation were fully satisfied that the so-styled “Grand Chapter of the
State of Texas” was not a legal masonic body and therefore
withdrew from all masonic connection or intercourse as Royal Arch Masons with
that body or any person or persons working under its authority or recognizing
its legality. And from a laudable desire
to advance the interest of the Royal Craft, they on the first day of April A.
D. 1848, proceeded in a body to the City of Galveston, and procured themselves
to be formally healed in San Felipe de Austin Chapter No. 1, held in that city
under the jurisdiction and authority of the “General Grand Chapter of Royal
Arch Masons for the United States of America,” and immediately forwarded on to
the General Grand officers a petition for a Dispensation to hold a Chapter if
R. A. Masons in the City of Houston, to be distinguished by the name Washington
Royal Arch Chapter No. 2.
