The letters of Martinez de Pasqually

I would inform you that on the first day there should be received ?. the Marquis de Segur, cousin of the blue cord, and ?. the Marquis de Calvimont, uncle of the brother, Baron de Clairmont. I agree with the ?.?. Deputy that the Sovereign Tribunal will give only the constitutions, and I am charged with giving all the ceremonies of the different receptions, my Sovereign Tribunal having neither the time nor health to give himself entirely to this work.

All the brothers here with me, as all the brothers of your Orient, have paid for their degrees. They do not complain of the money which should be given for their constitution and furniture. They should not fear to invest their money' in things so useful and helpful to the Man of Desire. The price of these constitutions amounts to two Louis-d'or for every degree. If you are the Grand Mother Lodge – as I have accorded you the title, verbally, at Paris – you will have the authority to confer as far as the degree of Grand Architect, which makes, in all, sixteen Louis-d'or, including the degrees of Apprentice, Companion, Particular Master, Grand Élus Master, Apprentice Companion, Master Priest and Grand Architect Master.

I am making extracts for myself of all the ceremonies of all the receptions of the different degrees, the same as of the catechisms and different explanations, general and secret.

I have a confidential secretary who has now written for me nearly a year. He returns fees to the brother secretary (for writings of a Grand Temple), 86 livres, not wishing to multiply accounts. In the matter of finding proper subjects for admission to our Order, I will say to you that yesterday I received a letter from P. ?. de Granville, in which he asks me for authority to advance Brother Barbarin a degree, who remains at the Orient with P. ?. de Granville, who assures me of the progress of the brother and that he sees and hears much. In consequence I have forwarded the needed authority to advance him to the Grand ?. R. degree.

Try, P. M., to inform me of the intention of the Sovereign Tribunal, that I may know whether he desires {?} advance or retreat in his relation to the Rosicrucians. I think this more suitable for the purpose than to prolong the matter, seeing how great his labour and how feeble his health (March 13th. P. S. – the name of Master ?… is called M. de Grivau, former Captain of Infantry.

You will in ? short time receive one of my letters which will instruct you in what I have done for the general good of La Chose and his members. It is an immense work. You will judge it by the title of the two folios. You will be able, if pressed, to give the degree of Grand ?. to the P. M. of Knighthood. You obtained it from the original, which you have in hand. I will supply afterwards that which is not complete, and you will impart to the novitiates the gifts of the degree, whatever may be wanting. Only that will be worked which is necessary, and all the members of the Order will be thoroughly conformed to the rules which I give in my circle. These deliberations will be sent you presently as they will be sent to the P. M. of Foix and to a few members of the Order removed from headquarters.