Letter from Joseph Cerneau to the Marquis de Lafayette, 1825 June 10

On the paper used as an envelope:

To the Illustrious Brother

General La Fayette

Orient of New York the 10th Day of the fourth masonic

month of the year of the true Light 5825

June 10, 1825

To the Most Illustrious Brother Lafayette, Grand Inspector General of the 33rd Degree and Active Member du Supreme Council of the United States of America.

Most Illustrious Brother

Allow me to have the honor to introduce to you The Illustrious Brother Richard S. Spofford Dr. a New-Bury port?, this Brother, by his virtues and his remarkable zeal for the Royal Art, has been judged worthy to be admitted to becoming one of the members of our Sovereign Grand Consistory furthermore, this Sublime Group intends to entrust this Illustrious Brother as its plenipotential representative in the State of Massachusetts. He will be invested in this sublime a dignity during the first session, which I think should take place next Monday.

I could not introduce you, my Illustrious Brother [Lafayette] to a more dignified a Mason, more worthy of your attention. Kindly grant him an audience with a moment of your time if your schedule permits.

Please inform Mister your son [George Washington], that he can count on my Brotherly friendship. Kindly accept, Dear Illustrious Brother the expression of my haut consideration. It is a honor to be Your Most Devoted Brother.

Jh Cerneau

Sovereign Grand Commander

translated by Kamel Ousseyel, September 6, 2026