USA > Washington DC > Washington DC > Centennial history of the city of Washington, D. C. With full outline of the natural advantages, accounts of the Indian tribes, selection of the site, founding of the city to the present time > Part 73
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could not be identified, but their names and deaths are recorded in the archives of their country, and its grateful citizens honor them as of their noble army of martyrs. May they rest in peace. September, A. D. 1866."
The effect of the entire cemetery is to suggest neatness, coolness, and rest. A visit to the cemetery can scarcely fail to awaken or to enliven the spirit of patriotism, over which the varied forest trees, the oak, the chestnut, the walnut, the hickory, the elm, cast no shadows of mourning. While they laid down their lives, their country has survived.
Other cemeteries in or near Washington are the following: Battle Ground, Brightwood Avenue; Graceland, Fifteenth and II streets North- east; Harmonia Burial Ground, Brentwood road, two miles from the city; Mount Olivet, Bladensburg road; Prospect Hill, Lincoln Avenue; and Soldiers' Home, National.
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CHAPTER XXI.
SOCIETIES.
Masonry - Its Introduction into the United States- In Georgetown - Federal City Lodge, No. 15- Potomac Lodge, No. 43, and No. 5- Lorenzo Dow and Masonry - Masonic Hall in Georgetown - Masonic Hall Association in Washington - Masonic Temple- Grand Masters of the District of Columbia - Masonic Lodges - Knights Templar- Other Organizations- Odd Fellowship Introduced into the United States -First Lodge in Washington -Grand Lodge in the District of Col- umbia --- Odd Fellows' Hall - Lodges in Washington -- Grand United Order of Odd Fellows - Knights of Pythias - Washington Library Company - Washington Bible Society - Young Men's Christian Association -Women's Christian Association - Patriotic Orders -Scientific Associations.
F FREEMASONRY has passed through two stages of development, and is in its third stage. For several centuries it was a mere operative body; then for some hundreds of years it was both operative and speculative, and finally it became wholly speculative. The last change in its nature occurred soon after the death of Sir Christopher Wren, by the formation of the Grand Lodge of England in 1717, by the four lodges then in active work in the south part of England at the celebrated Apple Tree Tavern; and having now dropped its operative feature and become wholly speculative, it rapidly spread throughout the world. In its new form it was introduced into France in 1725; into Ireland, in 1729; into Holland, Russia, and Spain, in 1731; into Italy, in 1733, and into Scotland, in 1736-the Grand Lodge being organized in Scotland in 1736 on the same principles as in England in 1717.
In 1730 an attempt was made to introduce the organization into the English colonies in America by the appointment of a provincial grand master for New Jersey, but it is not known whether the incum- bent established many lodges. llowever, a lodge was organized in Boston, Massachusetts, in 1733, and others then speedily followed in other colonies. After the establishment of independence by the colo- nies, the lodges of this country availed themselves of the privileges possessed by similar bodies in all independent countries, and ceased to derive their warrants from the grand lodges of England or of Scot- land, as had previously been the case.
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Masonry is of ancient date in Georgetown. What was known for many years as Potomac Lodge, No. 5, Free and Accepted Masons, was reorganized in 1806. At the time of this reorganization its membership was composed mainly of Scotchmen. One of its ancient relics of which it came into possession at this time is a Bible, having on the flyleaf the following inscription: "A present from Mr. Colin Campbell to St. Andrews Lodge, 1773, Bladensburg." This Bible was used by this lodge until 1818. The lodge from which Potomac Lodge was the regular descendant was known as Lodge No. 9, and it belonged to the Grand Lodge of the State of Maryland. Little is known of this Lodge No. 9, except that on August 21, 1789, a peti- tion was presented to the Grand Lodge of Maryland praying for a warrant authorizing them to convene as a regular lodge, which peti- tion was granted, authorizing the lodge to meet at Georgetown, in Maryland. It is also known that Lodge No. 9 and Lodge No. 22 of Virginia assisted in the ceremonies of the laying of the corner stone of the Capitol building, at Washington, September 18, 1793, and that the marble gavel used at that time by President Washington, and which was manufactured for that express purpose, was presented to Lodge No. 29 of Maryland, being received by Valentine Reintzel from the hande: of the President himself. Valentine Reintzel was master of Lodge No. 9 at that 'time, and was made grand master of the Grand Lodge of the District of Columbia, when that lodge was formed in 1811. Soon after 1793 Lodge No. 9 ceased to exist, and if annalists are to be believed, from a most remarkable cause, the great accession to its membership.
Federal City Lodge, No. 15, the first lodge formed in Washing- ton, was chartered by the Grand Lodge of Maryland, September 12, 1793, precisely six days previous to the laying of the corner stone of the Capitol. Columbia Lodge, No. 19, was chartered October 22, 1795, but had only a brief existence, suspending prior to 1806.
Potomac Lodge, No. 43, was organized December 19, 1806, and retained this name until the Grand Lodge of the District of Columbia was formed, in 1811, when it became Potomac Lodge, No. 5, of the jurisdiction of the District of Columbia Grand Lodge. This grand lodge was formed by delegates from five lodges, January 8, 1811, and as has been before stated, Valentine Reintzel was the first grand master.
An incident worthy of note in the history of Masonry in the District of Columbia is this: That during the anti-Masonic frenzy which swept over the country from 1827 to 1836, Lorenzo Dow, on
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May 10, 1830, delivered an address to the members of Lodge No. 5, in which he avowed himself a Mason, and gave some wholesome advice to the lodge. Dow died in 1834, in Georgetown, at the house of George W. Haller, and was buried therefrom February 4, in Hol- mead's burying ground.
A new Masonic Hall was completed in Georgetown in July, 1859, and was opened on the 25th of that month. It then surpassed any room in the District of Columbia devoted to similar purposes. The lodge principally concerned in the erection of this hall then owned the marble gavel used by General Washington, when he laid the foundation stone of the Capitol of the United States, September 18, 1793. It passed to Columbia Lodge, No. 19, of Maryland; then to Potomac Lodge, No. 43, and at length it became the property of Potomac Lodge, No. 5. The hall opened as above mentioned cost $12,000, and it was looked upon as a real ornament to the town. This hall was dedicated October 18, 1859, the Knights Templar, Royal Arch Masons, and Master Masons meeting to the number of two thousand, and being addressed by Grand High Priest Mackay, of Charleston, South Carolina.
After several preliminary meetings, the Masonic Ilall Association was organized March 14, 1865, with B. B. French president, E. L. Stevens secretary, and W. S. Huntington treasurer. B. B. French served as president until December, 1870; J. Purdy, until December, 1875; N. Acker, until December, 1877; P. II. Hooe, until December, 1885; R. B. Donaldson, until March 8, 1887, and I. L. Johnson, until the present time. E. L. Stevens served as secretary until December, 1866; Noble D. Larner, from that time to December, 1875; R. Ball, until December, 1877; and Noble D. Larner, again, from December, 1877, until the present time. W. S. Huntington served as treasurer until December, 1871; the office was then vacant one year; N. Acker, from December, 1872, to December, 1875; A. T. Longley, until Decen-" ber, 1877; W. II. Goods, until the present time.
This association, in March, 1865, purchased property at the north- west corner of Ninth and F streets from Gonzaga College for $20,000, upon which they erected the Masonic Temple now standing there, at a cost of about $200,000, war prices accounting for its great cost. It is a four-story building, with a front on Ninth Street of 51 feet 5 inches, and on F Street of 131 feet 5 inches, and on the west end an L extends to the north 92 feet 10 inches. The corner stone of this building was laid May 30, 1868, by B. B. French, grand master; Andrew Johnson, then President of the United States, not only
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taking part in the ceremonies, but marching in the procession over the entire route. The address was delivered by Past Grand Master II. P. II. Bromwell, of Illinois, then a member of the House of Repre- sentatives. The temple was finished and dedicated May 20, 1870, the address being delivered by Ben: Perley Poore, of Massachusetts. Noble D. Larner was grand secretary on both occasions.
Following is a list of the grand masters of the District of Col- umbia from 1811 to 1892: Valentine Reintzel, 1811; A. McCormick, 1812-13; Amos Alexander, 1814; John Davidson, 1815-16; Amos Alexander, 1817; Daniel -Kurtz, 1818-19; William Hewitt, 1820-21; W. W. Seaton, 1822-24; Samuel Birch, 1825; John N. Moulder, 1826-27; William Hewitt, 1828-29; John N. Moulder, 1830-32; R. C. Weightman, 1833; Clement T. Coote, 1834; William W. Billing, 1835-37; John N. Moulder, 1838; M. Dove, 1839; Robert Keyworth, 1840-41; John Mason, 1842; William M. Ellis, 1844; W. B. Magru- der, 1845-46; B. B. French, 1847-53; W. B. Magruder, 1854; Charles S. Frailey, 1855-56; George C. Whiting, 1857-61; C. F. Stansbury, 1862; Y. P. Page, 1863; J. E. F. Holmead, 1864; George C. Whit- ing, 1865-67; B. B. French, 1868; R. B. Donaldson, 1869-70; C. F. Stansbury, 1871-74; I. L. Johnson, 1875-76; Eldred G. Davis, 1877-78; II. A. Whitney, 1879; Joseph S. McCoy, 1880; Noble D. Larner, 1881-82; E. H. Chamberlin, 1883; M. M. Parker,1 1884-85; T. P. Chiffelle, 1886; J. M. Yznaga, 1887; J. W. Lee, Jr., 1888; H. Ding- man, 1889; James A. Sample, 1890; Thomas F. Gibbs, 1891, and Fred G. Alexander, 1892.
The number of Masonic lodges in the District of Columbia on the 1st of January, 1867, was sixteen, fourteen of which were in
1 Myron M. Parker was born in Fairfax, Vermont, in 1843. He was preparing for college at the breaking out of the War, when he left school and enlisted in the First Vermont Cavalry, with which command he served until the close of the War. In 1865 he received an appointment in the War Department, where he served several years, holding positions of trust and responsibility.
He graduated from the law department of the Columbian University in 1876, and has since taken a lively interest in that institution, donating annually to the post-grad- uate class the " Myron M. Parker" prize.
In 1879 he was appointed assistant postmaster of the city. He was secretary of the Washington committee on the ceremonies incident to the laying of the corner stone of the Yorktown Monument. In Masonic circles he has been very prominent. Hle was Grand Master of Masons in 1884-85, and officiated as such at the dedication of the Wash- ington Monument. He was chairman of the Triennial Committee to receive and entertain the Grand Encampment, Knights Templar of the United States, at its twenty-fourth conclave, held in Washington in 1889, and is at present an officer of the Grand Encampment.
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Washington and Georgetown, as follows: Federal Lodge, No. 1; Naval Lodge, No. 4; Potomac Lodge, No. 5; Lebanon Lodge, No. 7; New Jerusalem Lodge, No. 9; Hiram Lodge, No. 10; St. John's Lodge, No. 11; National Lodge, No. 12; Washington Centennial Lodge, No. 14; B. B. French Lodge, No. 15; Dawson Lodge, No. 16; Harmony Lodge, No. 17; Acacia Lodge, No. 18, and Lafayette Lodge, No. 19. There were then also three chapters and two commanderies.
At the present time, besides the above, there are the following: Columbia, No. 3; Hope, No. 20; Anacostia, No. 21; George C. Whit- ing, No. 22; Pentalpha, No. 23; Stansbury, No. 24; Arminius, No. 25, and Osiris, No. 26.
The Grand Chapter, Royal Arch Masons, meets in Masonic Temple on the second Wednesdays of June and December.
There are the following chapters of Royal Arch Masons: Col- umbia, No. 1; Washington, No. 2; Mount Vernon, No. 3; Eureka, No. 4; Lafayette, No. 5; Washington Naval, No. 6; Mount Horeb, No. 7; and Potomac, No. 8.
Of Knights Templar there are the following commanderies: Washington, No. 1; Columbia, No. 2; Potomac, No. 3, and DeMolay Mounted Commandery, No. 4.
Of Scottish Rite Masons there are the following: Supreme Coun- cil, 33, Southern Jurisdiction of the United States; Mithras Lodge of Perfection; Evangelist Chapter; Robert De Bruce Council of Kadosh; Albert Pike Consistory, and Orient Lodge of Perfection.
Of the Royal Order of Scotland there is the Provincial Grand Lodge of the United States.
In addition to the above, there are the following: The Masonic
In 1882 Mr. Parker actively engaged in the real estate business, in which he has been very successful, his transactions running into the millions.
Hle has always been interested in the advancement of Washington, and has taken a leading part in all public enterprises, contributing largely of his time and means. He was one of the promoters of the proposed Constitutional Convention in 1889, the World's Columbian Exposition in 1892, and was one of the three selected to present the claims of Washington before the committee of Congress.
Mr. Parker has been closely identified with the growth and prosperity of Wash- ington, and is connected with many of her leading financial institutions, being a director in the American Security and Trust Company, the Columbia National Bank, the Colum- bia Fire Insurance Company, the Columbia Title Company, Eckington and Soldiers' Home Railroad, and other financial institutions. Mr. Parker also takes interest in charitable institutions, being a director in the Emergency Hospital, Washington Hospi- tal for Foundlings, and Training School for Nurses.
Ile was one of the organizers of the Washington Board of Trade, and for the past three years has been its president.
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Veteran Association; the Masonic Mutual Relief Association; St. John's Mite Association, and the District of Columbia Association of Fraternal Beneficial Societies.
Of colored Masonic organizations there are the following: The Grand Lodge, which meets on the second Wednesdays of June and December, and on December 27; ten lodges; the Grand Royal Arch Chapter, and four subordinate chapters; the Grand Commandery of Knights Templar and four subordinate commanderics; the Scottish Rite Supreme Council, 33, Southern Jurisdiction of the United States; Galahad Lodge of Perfection, 14, Buddah Chapter of Rose Cross, 18, Loraster Council of Kadosh, 30, and Jonathan Daviss Consistory, 32.
In the latter part of the eighteenth century, societies of mechanics and laborers existed in London, England, calling themselves " Ancient and Honorable Loyal Odd Fellows." From them the "Union Order of Odd Fellows" sprang, and spread rapidly throughout England. The order was at this time convivial in its nature, and attempts were made to abolish that feature. From these attempts a new system arose in 1813, and several seceding lodges formed the "Manchester Unity." This Unity now embraces most of the Odd Fellows in England.
The first lodge of Independent Odd Fellows formed in the United States was the Washington Lodge, in Baltimore, Maryland, April 26, 1819. At this time there were but five persons duly instructed in the principles of the order, but as only five members were required for the incipient structure of a lodge, arrangements were made to secure a charter from the Manchester Unity in England, for which purpose Thomas Wildey proceeded to the mother country for the charter, and procured a charter for the Grand Lodge of Maryland and the United States. Upon his return to Baltimore, the lodge above named was organized by Mr. Wildey and four others. At this time there were a few lodges in the United States, in New York City and Boston; but they were in no way national in their character. The second lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows was organized in Boston March 26, 1820, and another was organized in Philadelphia December 26, 1821. Both of these lodges received their charters from Baltimore in 1823, Maryland being regarded as the headquarters by virtue of the charter brought over from England. Maryland, however, shortly afterward relinguished this right to a body formed of representatives from different States, the name of which was "The Grand Lodge of the United States."
The first lodge established in Washington was named Central
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Lodge, No. - , and was instituted November 26, 1827. The Grand Lodge of the District of Columbia was instituted November 28, 1828. In the following October, Concord Lodge, No. - , was formed in this city, and soon afterward a lodge was established in Alexandria and also in Georgetown. All of these lodges, with the exception of Central Lodge, surrendered their charters, but previously to the surrender a portion of the members of Central Lodge had branched to form Washington Lodge in 1833, so that they were entitled to maintain their District Grand Lodge, which prevented them from reverting to the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of the United States.
In 1839, Central Lodge having passed through a period of depres- sion and again revived, lost a portion of her members residing in the eastern part of the city, in the vicinity of the Navy Yard, who formed Eastern Lodge, No. 7. About the same time Potomac Lodge, No. 8, was formed at Alexandria. In 1841 and 1842, two other lodges were organized, namely, Harmony Lodge, No. 9, and Union Lodge, No. 11, both in the vicinity of the Navy Yard.
A new Odd Fellows' Hall was erected in 1845, on Seventh Street, fronting on that street sixty-five feet, eighty feet in depth, and three stories high. The first story was of granite, and the other stories of brick. This hall was dedicated May 25, with most interesting cere- monies, in the presence of a large concourse of people from various States. In the procession that was formed there were one thousand Odd Fellows, and the line was three-fourths of a mile long. The lodges in the procession were as follows: Central Lodge, No. 1; Washing- ton Lodge, No. 6; Eastern Lodge, No. 7; Harmony Lodge, No. 9; Columbia Lodge, No. 10; Union Lodge, No. 11; Friendship Lodge, No. 12; Beacon Lodge, No. 15; Metropolis Lodge, No. 16; Excelsior Lodge, No. 17; and Columbia and Magenenu Encampments, all of Washington; Covenant Lodge, No. 13; Mechanics' Lodge, No. 18, and Mount Pisgah Encampment, all of Georgetown; Potomac Lodge, No. 8; Mount Vernon Lodge, No. 14, and Marley Encampment, all of Alexandria; besides several encampments from Richmond and Baltimore. Among the distinguished Odd Fellows present were Thomas Wildey, founder of the order in the United States, and James L. Ridgely, corresponding secretary of the Grand Lodge of the United States. The procession was under command of Cranston Laurie, grand master, assisted by his aids, William M. Randolph and John Waters. An address was delivered from a temporary rostrum, and an ode to Odd Fellowship was sung by the Harmoncons, who volunteered their services, Rev. Dr. Muller read a portion of Serip-
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ture; Rev. S. K. Cox offered prayer. An introductory address was delivered by Walter Lenox, vice grand, and an eloquent and powerful oration was delivered by William F. Giles, of Baltimore. The exercises closed in the evening with a levee in their new, spacious, and elegant saloon.
Of lodges of Odd Fellows, in addition to those mentioned above as taking part in the dedication of the new hall, there are now the following: Oriental, No. 19; Federal City, No. 20, and Golden Rule, No. 21.
There are the following lodges of the Degree of Rebekah: Naomi, No. 1; Ruth, No. 2, and Martha Washington, No. 3.
There are the following encampments: Columbian, No. 1; Mag- enenn, No. 4; Mount Nebo, No. 6; and Fred D. Stuart, No. 7.
There is also the Independent Order of Odd Fellows Relief Asso- ciation, and the Odd Fellows Veteran Association.
The Grand United Order of Odd Fellows opened a new lodge room at the corner of Eleventh Street and Pennsylvania Avenue September 1, 1870. This room was occupied jointly by the following lodges: Union Friendship, No. 891, with 90 members; Eastern Star, No. 1,028, with 120 members; John F. Cook, No. 1,195, with 70 members; Mount Olive, No. 1,333, with 60 members; J. F. N. Wilkin- son, No. 1,343, with 62 members; Bloom of Youth, No. 1,368, with 68 members; Rising Sun, No. 1,365, with 60 members; Star of the West, No. 1,369, with 90 members; Peter Ogden, No. 1,374, with 75 members; James McCrumill, No. 1,437, with 58 members. These were all the lodges there were then in Washington, but there were three in Georgetown which had a place of meeting in that city. This order is similar in its objects, organization, etc., to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, but its name is different, and it also differs in this, that it receives its charters from the parent body in England.
Of this order of Odd Fellows there are the District Grand Lodge, No. 20, which meets annually on the second Monday in September; the Washington Patriarchie, No. 18, which meets on the second Monday in each month; Georgetown Patriarchie, No. 42, which meets on the fourth Wednesday in each month; Past Grand Masters Council, No. 4, and Past Grand Masters' Council, No. 44. There are also twenty-four lodges of this order in Washington and George- town, and two associations, Relief Association and Hall Association.
Of the Knights of Pythias there are the Grand Lodge and fifteen subordinate lodges; the supreme section and four other sections of endowment rank; six divisions of uniform rank.
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Of the Knights of the Golden Eagle there are the Grand Castle and six subordinate castles.
Of the Knights of Honor there are the Grand Lodge and five subordinate lodges, and Columbia Lodge, No. 509.
Of the National Union there are the Cabinet and twenty-one councils.
Of the order of Chosen Friends there are six councils.
Of the Order of United American Mechanics there are the Amer- ican Guard Council, No. 1, and Liberty Council, No. 2.
The Order of United American Mechanics, Junior, has nine councils.
The Royal Areanum has four councils, and Iron Hall Branch, No. 340.
The Sons of Jonadab have ten councils.
The Royal Templars of Temperance have Capitol Council, No. 1. The Sons of Temperance have Friendship Division, No. 14. The Independent Order of Good Templars has the Grand Lodge, which meets annually in the fourth week in November, and fifteen subordi- nate lodges.
The American Legion of Honor has the Grand Council, which meets on the third Thursday in February, and it also has nine subor- dinate councils.
The Ancient Order of Druids has the Washington Grove, No. 1, which meets on the first and third Sundays of each month.
The Independent Order of Rechabites has twenty-six tents.
The Improved Order of Red Men has the Great Council, which meets on the second Monday of January, April, July, and October, and six tribes.
The Independent Order of Sons of Benjamin has two lodges, Col- umbia Lodge, No. 101, and District Lodge, No. 124.
The Washington Library Company was formed in March, 1811, and a constitution was adopted the same month, each share being fixed at $12. At an election held April 1, 1811, directors were chosen as follows: Buckner Thruston, Samuel H. Smith, James Laurie, William James, John Hewitt, Abraham Bradley, Jr., and Joseph Stretch. On April 5, 1813, the following were chosen directors: James Laurie, Thomas II. Gillis, Jonathan S. Findlay, George Way, William Parker, and Joseph Stretch. James Laurie was elected president, William Parker treasurer, and John C. Steiner librarian.
April 3, 1816, Josiah Meigs was elected president; William Parker, treasurer, and John Sessford, librarian. Josiah Meigs was
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7
elected president annually for several years. Under a joint resolu- tion of Congress passed March 3, 1823, the company became entitled to any surplus copies of books in the Department of State and a copy of the laws of the United States, the journals of Congress, documents, and state reports previously published, and state papers which might be published after that date. At that time the collec- tion of books in the Congressional Library was the private library of members of Congress and of a few privileged individuals, the citizens of Washington and citizens in general deriving no benefit from it, as they do at the present time. This fact made it necessary to do what could be done then to provide library facilities for the people. But it was seen that in order to make this library of the use to the public that such an institution ought to be, it was necessary that it should be better sustained than it had been so far. The company had a lot and a building on Eleventh Street, south of Pennsylvania Avenue, opposite Carusi's saloon, and the rooms were open from 2:00 P. M. to sunset. By 1857 the number of volumes in the library reached six thousand, and the institution was patronized by the best men in Washington. Soon after this time it was suffered to become of little use to the public, but in February, 1858, the rooms were enlarged and the building put in complete repair. The library was increased and the number of shareholders was also increased and the rooms were kept open afternoon and evening. A meeting was held February 11, 1858, to determine what the future of the library should be, at which it was resolved to appoint a com- mittee to place the claims of the library before the public. This committee consisted of twenty of the leading citizens of Washington. Soon afterward it was made public that the library had recently received several valuable donations, among them the magnificent library of the then late Dr. James Laurie, consisting of more than one thousand volumes, the donor being Dr. J. C. IIall. Other dona- tions had been made by Mrs. Dr. Thornton, Charles B. King, and J. F. Haliday. The committee of twenty citizens, on the 27th of Feb- ruary, published an address to the citizens of Washington, earnestly commending the library to them and hoping they would enable the managers to make it a "People's Library and Reading-room." This company continued in existence for several years after this period, and then turned its library over to the high school of Washington and disbanded.
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