When was it published?

December 12, 1751 in The Virginia Gazette

Foreign News December 12, 1751

The Virginia Gazette

Q: What keywords are associated?

Naples, Free Masons, Edict, Murmuring, Investigation, King, Sicilian Majesty

Richmond, Williamsburg, Richmond County, Virginia

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What is this article about?

In Naples, an edict against Freemasons caused murmuring among members, including distinguished persons. The King ordered an investigation, which found no violations of religion, morality, or state interests, leading to the dropping of all inquiries and prosecutions.

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OCR Quality

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Full Text

They write from Naples, that the last Edict against the Free Masons did at first occasion much murmuring on the Part of those who frequented their Lodges, among whom there were divers Persons of Distinction; which the King being informed of, he immediately ordered the Commissioners appointed to execute the Edict, to find out the Bottom of the Affair: Accordingly they made diligent Inquiry, and have at last reported to his Sicilian Majesty, that they could not find any Thing done amiss at the Free Masons Lodges, either against Religion or Morality, and that there was no Reason for suspecting the Members thereof of holding Maxims pernicious to the State. In Consequence of this Report, the King has ordered all Inquiries and Prosecutions on this Score to be dropt.

What sub-type of article is it?

Political

What keywords are associated?

Naples Free Masons Edict Murmuring Investigation King Sicilian Majesty

What entities or persons were involved?

His Sicilian Majesty

Where did it happen?

Naples

Foreign News Details

Primary Location

Naples

Key Persons

His Sicilian Majesty

Outcome

all inquiries and prosecutions on this score to be dropt

Event Details

The last Edict against the Free Masons occasioned much murmuring among those who frequented their Lodges, including divers Persons of Distinction. The King, informed of this, ordered the Commissioners to investigate. They reported finding nothing amiss against Religion or Morality, and no pernicious Maxims to the State. In consequence, the King ordered all Inquiries and Prosecutions to be dropped.