George Washington on the Illuminati

Offering everyone some light reading prior to tonight's podcast. These three letters, one addressed to George Washington, and two addressed from George Washington to a Rev. Snyder, are some of the most well preserved and best attested mentions of the Illuminati in relation to the Freemasons.

Letter to Washington regarding the Illuminati:

Sir,

You will, I hope, not think it a Presumption in a Stranger, whose Name, perhaps never reached your Ears, to address himself to you, the Commanding General of a great Nation. I am a German, born and liberally educated in the city of Heydelberg, in the Palatinate of the Rhine. I came to this Country in 1776, and felt soon after my arrival, a close Attachment to the Liberty for which these confederated States then struggled. The same attachment still remains not glowing, but[Pg 119] burning in my Breast. At the same Time that I am exulting in the Measures adopted by our Government, I feel myself elevated in the Idea of my adopted Country, I am attached, both from the Bent of Education and mature Enquiry and Search to the simple Doctrines of Christianity, which I have the Honor to teach in Public; and I do heartily Despise all the Cavils of Infidelity. Our present Time, pregnant with the most shocking Events and Calamities, threatens Ruin to our Liberty and Government. The most secret Plans are in Agitation; Plans calculated to ensnare the Unwary, to attract the Gay irreligious, and to entice even the Well-Disposed to combine in the general Machine for overturning all Government and all Religion.

"It was some Time since that a Book fell into my hands, entitled 'Proofs of a Conspiracy, &c. by John Robison,' which gives a full Account of a Society of Freemasons, that distinguishes itself by the name of 'Illuminati,' whose Plan is to overthrow all Government and all Religion, even natural; and who endeavor to eradicate every Idea of a Supreme Being, and distinguish Man from Beast by his shape only. A Thought suggested itself to me, that some of the Lodges in the United States might have caught the Infection, and might cooperate with the Illuminati or the Jacobin Club in France. Fauchet is mentioned by Robinson as a zealous Member; and who can doubt Genet and[Pg 120] Adet? Have not these their confidants in this country? They use the same Expressions, and are generally Men of no Religion. Upon serious Reflection I was led to think that it might be within your Power to prevent the horrid Plan from corrupting the Brethren of the English Lodges over which you preside.

"I send you the 'Proof of a Conspiracy,' &c. which I doubt not, will give you Satisfaction, and afford you matter for a Train of ideas, that may operate to our national Felicity. If, however, you have already perused the Book, it will not, I trust, be disagreeable to you that I have presumed to address you with this Letter and the Book accompanying it. It proceeded from the Sincerity of my Heart, and my ardent Wishes for the common Good.

"May the Supreme Ruler of all Things continue You long with us in these perilous Times: may he endow you with Strength and Wisdom to save our Country in the threatening Storms and gathering Clouds of Factions and Com motions! and after you have completed his Work, on this terrene Spot, may He bring you to the full Possession of the glorious Liberty of the Children of God, is the hearty and most sincere Wish of

Your Excellency's very humble and devoted Servant,

G. W. Snyder.

Washington’s First Response:

Sir,

Many apologies are due to you, for my not acknowledging the receipt of your obliging favour of For the 22d ult, and not thanking you, at an earlier period for the Book you had the goodness to send me. I have heard much of the nefarious & dangerous plan, & doctrines of the Illuminati, but never saw the Book until you were pleased to send it to me. The same causes which have prevented my acknowledging the receipt of your letter, have prevented my reading the Book, hitherto, namely, the multiplicity of matters which pressed upon me before, & the debilitated

state in which I was left after a severe fever had been removed, and which allows me to add little more now, than thanks for your kind wishes and favorable sentiments, except to correct an error you have run into, of my presiding over the English Lodges in this Country. The fact is, I preside over none, nor have I been in one, more than once or twice, within the last thirty years.

I believe notwithstanding, that none of the Lodges in this Country are contaminated with the principles ascribed to the society of the Illuminati.

With respect

I am, Sir,

Your Obedient Humble Servant

Washington’s Second Response:

Rev. Sir,

I have your favor of the 17th instant before me and my only motive to trouble you with the receipt of this letter, is to explain, and correct a mistake which I perceive the hurry in which I am obliged, often to write letters, have led you into.

It was not my intention to doubt that the doctrines of the Illuminati, and principles of Jacobism had not spread in the United States. On the contrary, no one is more, fully satisfied of this fact

that I am.

The idea I meant to convey, was, that I did not believe that the Lodges of Freemasons in this Country had, as Societies, endeavored to propagate the diabolical tenets of the first, or the pernicious principles of the latter, (if they are susceptible of separation) That individuals of them may have done it, or that the founder, or instrument employed to found the Democratic Societies in the United States, may have had these objects, and actually had a separation of the people from their Government in view, is too evident to be questioned.

My occupations are such that but little leisure is allowed me to read News Papers, or Books of any kind. The reading of letters and preparing answers, absorb much of my time.

With respect,—I remain,

Revd Sir,

Your Most Obedient Humble Servant