PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND.

ica, was instituted. Ten years later, in 1874, there were sixty-four courts in America, all working under charters granted by the High Court of England. The American members asked for a subsid- iary High Court, chiefly for the purpose of settling any disputes of a domestic nature, arising in any of the courts located within the United States, subject, of course, to an appeal to the mother High Court in England. This request was refused by the parent body, and an agitation for separation looking towards an “Independent Order” for Amer- ica was begun. This movement culminated in the establishment in Newark, N. J., on March 24, 1894, of Court Independence, by Thomas Matts and others. The foremost man in this movement was Col. Alonzo B. Caldwell. who by common consent has been honoured with the 'credit of being the founder of “Independent Forestry.”

The organization of Court Independence was followed soon after by a call to all who favoured “Independence” to assemble on June 16. 1874, in National Convention at Newark. N. J. In the meantime two courts. General Kearney, N0. 2, and Court United States. No. 3. were organized, the last named being located in New York city. The call for this convention was signed by nearly five hundred members and the session continued for two days. On the second day, the following resolution was carried unani- mously, most of the delegates rising from their seats with enthusiasm:

“\VHEREAS, The Ancient Order of For- esters, having been fully tried for several years on this continent under the rule of the English “General Laws” and not having met with sufficient success in this country, owing to the arbitrary and vexatious government which those laws imposed upon the Order,

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believing that an Independent High Court in America, with a liberal constitution and wholesome laws. would better serve the tastes and wants of the American people, and supply the necessities and all the wants of the Ancient Order: therefore, be it

“Resolved, That we, the delegates in con- vention now assembled. do humbly declare ourselves Free and Independent Foresters, and resolve to proceed forthwith to the for- mation of an Independent High Court of the United States of America, and enact such laws for its govemment for ourselves and our posterity, as shall be liberal, just and equitable.”

On this the second day of the convention, June I 7, 1874, the Independent Order of Foresters was launched with a full staff of oflficers, A. B. Caldwell being elected most worthy high chief ranger, and James Saunders of Illinois. right worthy high per- manent secretary. It is for this reason that the 17th of June is regarded as the birth- day of the Independent Order of Foresters. and as such is celebrated in many parts of its now world-wide jurisdiction. A constitution and laws were adopted and vigorous meas- ures to extend the new order were put in operation by the oflicers and members. Sev- eral attempts were made to effect a recon- ciliation with the mother court, but without avail.

The next convention was held in Phila- delphia, Pa.. October 19, [875. There were then forty-six subordinate courts scattered over eleven different states. At this session not only were rituals adopted for the subor- dinate court degree, but an advanced degree and a degree for the ladies named “Miriam Degree,” were perfected. Up to this time no insurance benefit existed in connection with the Order, but at this meeting a scheme