Herald Of The Valley

Closing of the Masonic Lodges in Russia
The following Imperial Decree is extracted from the Hamburgh journals, received last night:--

ST. PETERSBURGH, AUG. 30.

The rescript directed by his Majesty on the 18th inst to the Minister of the Interior, Count Kotzebue respecting the dissolution of all secret societies and Freemason's Lodges, is as follows.--

"Count Peter Pawlowitsch--The troubles and disorders which have arisen in various other states through the existence of secret societies, some of which under the names of--Freemasons, were at first founded for charitable purposes, and others secretly pursued political objects. have induced some Governments to pay stricter attention to them, and in the end, wholly to prohibit such secret associations. As I always direct particular attention to the creation of a firm bulwark against every thing that may be injurious to the empire, and especially at a time like the present, when unhappily, so many states offer sad examples of the ruinous consequences of the philosophical societies now in vogue. I have found it necessary to the general good to command as follows, with respect to the abovementioned secret societies.

"1. All secret societies, under whatever name they exist (as well as the Freemason's Lodges,) shall be closed, and the establishments not be allowed.

"2 All the members of such societies, as soon as they shall be informed of this measure, are to engage, in writing to take no part hereafter, under any pretext, in any secret society, under whatever well meaning name it may exist either in the empire or in foreign countries.

"3 As it does not become officers in the public service to bind themselves by any oath but that which the laws determined, the Ministers and Authorities are bound to require from their subordinate to them a frank declaration, whether they belong to any Freemason's Lodge, or other secret society, in or out of the empire, and what that society is.

"4. A written engagement is to be taken from the members of them, that they will break off all intercourse with them; and he who refuses to sign such an engagement, shall be dismissed from the public service.

"5. The Authorities in the Governments are strictly enjoined to take care that no Lodges subsist or be created any where, or under any pretext whatsoever.

"6. That all persons employed in the public service engaged by their signatures, according to the 3d and 4th sections, not to belong to any secret society, either now or in future, without having signed such an engagement. they cannot be employed in our service.

"I am convinced that you will neglect nothing to effect the due execution of my order; and that you will communicate this to the other ministers, that they may co-operate with you for this purpose.

(Signed)
"ALEXANDER."

This ukase (rescript) has been read partly, in the Russian language, partly in the translation, to all public officers and free masons. In consequence, all other members of Freemason's Lodges now present, have signed the engagement required, and they are already delivered to the Minister. The Police, too have already examined the places where the Freemasons held their meetings, to see whether all the emblems, &c. were removed. Last week the Freemasons sold their furniture, by auction among themselves. All have shewn the greatest readiness to execute his Majesty's commands. A great many persons were discharged from their offices shortly before the Emperor's departure.