The Lodge thereafter proceeded to admit Ralph Walker overseer employed for the Bridge of Kelso as an apprentice who hereby gives his obligation for the payment of £1 11s 6d sterling to the Lodge next St Johns Day as also 2 sh. sterling speaking money, a mark, and half a crown for being recordid in the Books of the Grand Lodge and chose for his Intenders Thomas Walker and Will Cockburn.

There was likewise produced the jewels of the Grand Lodge with the Stewards Rods to be used at the Procession, and authorised the Treasurer to pay the several accompts due for the new Sashes commissioned for the Office-bearers, with the Ribbons, Masters Gloves, and Apron, and an acct. to the Taylor for mounting Aprons to the Office-bearers, with what money the Master has pay’d out for the Charter more than he has received and for running Expresses to Edr. for Musick &c., and other things needful at the Procession according to the accompt given in extending to the sum of —– and then the Lodge adjourned till three afternoon.

Eodem die post meridiem
(On the same day)

The Office Bearers repaired to the Right Worshipful’s Lodgings and being propperly cloth’d attended him from his house to the Town Hall where they were joined by the other members of their Lodge, as also by John Henderson of Lerston, member of the Grand Lodge, and by the Revd. Mr Robert Monteith minister of the Gospel at Longformacus member Grand Lodge, Mr John Cleghorn member of ——– with a band of Musick from Edinburgh consisting of two French horns two Hautboys and a Basson all Brethren and members depending on the Grand Lodge.

The Lodge being tyled, the Master gave order for the same to be opened, whereupon the Right Worshipful produced the above mentioned commission from the Most Worshipful Grand Master for Scotland nominating and appointing him to act as Substitute Grand Master at the foundation laying as by the Tenor above written, which was read accordingly.

Order of Procession

1. When the Trades received orders from the Depute Grand Master they marched from the churchyard to the Market place with their propper Colures and different Bands of Musick, and drew up on the Parad where they waited for further orders—which being given they marched off accordingly in decent order towards the foundation of the Bridge.
2. Then followed some operative masons imploy’d at the work, not of any regular Lodge, two abreast headed by a. forsman with a mallet in his hand.
3. The Two officers of the Lodge to clear the way.
4. A Party of the Military with screw’d Bayanots and the Drums baiting the Granadiers March.
5. The Brethren of the different Lodges who had Deputations from their respective Lodges with the other visiting Brethren according to the Roll they stand in the Grand Lodge, three in a rank.
6. Three Stewards of the Lodge of Kelso.
7. The brethren of the Lodge of Kelso—three in a rank according to their Juniority.
8. The two Wardens of the Lodge.
9. The gentlemen masons not deputed by any Lodge.
10. The Golden Compasses carried by an operative.
11. The Secretary carrying the Grand Masters Deputation in a Green Purse and the Treasurer carrying the medals in a Purse.
12. A Steward.
13. The Golden Square, Level, and Plumb, by three operatives.
14. The whole Band of Musick.
15. The Golden Mallet, carried by the master builders, preceded by their stewards.
16. The Substitute supported by the Old Master and Deputy Master.
17. The Gentlemen of the Committee.
18. A Body of Operatives.

In this manner they proceeded to the place where the foundation Stone was to be laid, and so soon as the Master and Brethren had Ceremony placed ymselves in propper Order, they ordered the Musick to play the Anthem alone, which was afterward sung by some of the Brethren, all the musical Brethren joining in the Chorus, then the Treasurer delivered the medals to the Senior Warden, who delivered them to the Substitute Grand Master, which were put by him into the foundation-stone, the silver one on the inside and the copper ones on each side. Then the piece of marble with the Inscription on it was fixed in the under part of the foundation-stone, in a place hollowed out thereof on purpose. Then the master builder, with the assistance of some operatives, proceeded to lay the stone in its Bed, during which time the musick again play’d ye anthem, Then the Golden Tools, being laid upon a Table before the master, placed to the East of where the stone is to be laid, here the music stops, and the operative who carried the square delivered the same to the substitute, who us’d the square in like manner. Then the operatives who carried the level and Plumb delivered the same to be used as above. After the stone was proven, the master builder delivered the mallet to the Substitute, with which he gave three knocks upon the stone, and then pronounced the following words:

‘God’s good Greeting be with this our happy meeting
And success to this our happy undertaking.’

Then the Brethren performed the honours of masonry by giving three loud claps and huzas, and then the Anthem was play’d. The substitute, returning to his former Post on the East of the Table, address’d himself in a short speech to the Subscribers and Directors then present, to the Inhabitants of the Place and to the master builder and people under his cure, then the honours of masonry were performed as above. Then the whole Returned in the same order, and in due form, with the Right corner of their aprons tucked up till they came to the Town House where they drew up in two Lines, and inverted their procession into the Town Hall, those that went formerly last going in first, during which time the Musick continued playing, ‘till the Brethren were seated, and served by the Stewards, after which the Substitute Grand Master desired leave of the Brethren that he might retire a little with his Deputy to the Balcony of the Town House, in order to propose Drink three Bumper Toasts with the Trades and other Inhabitants of the Town of Kelso, who were drawn up in the Mercat Place, with Tables and Liquor before ym waiting for that Purpose, which they approved of. And he accordingly retired to the Balcony aforsaid and drank a health to His Majesty, a health to his Grace the Duke of Roxburghe, and a third to the success and prosperity of the Bridge, each of which was accompanied with three loud huzas of all present, a flourish of the Musick and a Roll of the Drums.

The Depute Grand Master and others with him return’d to their seats, where they continued for some time, with Musick, and Harmony common among Masons, and notwithstanding the prodigious Crowd of Spectators, the whole was accompanied without any unfortunate accident. A Committee was appointed to inspects the minutes and accompts relating to the Procession, then the Lodge was closed in due form and adjourned to next Quarter day.

Signed Ja Lidderdale M^r’