Correspondence from Aleister Crowley to Wilfred Talbot Smith

3 Jan 36

Care Frater 132

93

On Monday afternoon I received your cable worded: Official Lewis [H. Spencer Lewis] investigation need photostat of your suzerainty from Reuss [Theodor Reuss] to confirm our position with authorities."

The wording is somewhat obscure. I am assuming that the exposure of Lewis by Clymer [R. Swinburne Clymer], Batchelor and perhaps others, and possibly definite complaints, have decided the Sate or the Federal authorities to enquire into the whole matter. I am, therefore, asking to consult with Schneider [Max Schneider]. He has copies of my correspondence with Lewis and with himself on the subject.

I think it may simplify your point of view if I put down very briefly my opinion. I think that Lewis is one of that type of people whom it is impossible to class either as honest or as dishonest. I am fairly sure that he has every intention to defraud, but I also think that he has a certain magical knowledge and power; see remarks in "Magick" [Magick in Theory and Practice] page 97. There is also a certain excuse for his method. For instance, he has taken this silly book of Franz Hartmann's "Among the Rosicrucians" which can be bought in the open market for one dollar, and issued it chapter by chapter as secret instruction at something like 40 dollars. Now provided that one has a sincere wish to get somebody to read that book, I think he has found the only way to do it. And, dealing as he is with the lowest type of barbarians, one can admit that he had no option. I want the fullest details of all this investigation with any documents at your disposal.

You speak of "my suzerainty". It was Reuss who had the suzerainty. It was I who acknowledged him. On the other hand, my price for doing so, if I may put it in such vulgar language, was the Charter referred to in the Manifesto of the O.T.O. par. 6. You see that this covers America. The real facts of the situation at that time were that Reuss and myself were the only people in a position to take any effective action of any kind. That Charter is not immediately accessible, but the Manifesto of the O.T.O. was published and circulated quite widely in 1913. Reuss was working with me almost every day, and if he had made any objection to my claim, he would have done so. There is also in existence a pamphlet, issued by Reuss, with photographs of various prominent Grand Masters and other high officials of the Order. My photograph appears therein. Its publication is certainly later than the Manifesto.

Let us now examine Lewis' claim to hold a Charter from Reuss. The only document so far put forward, apart from the contemptible Toulouse forgery, is the Facsimile Reproduction No. 20" in Clymer's book [An Expose of the Imperator of A.M.O.R.C.]. You will note that this has my own private seal in the centre of the five seals at the bottom, and this was designed entirely by myself. We are in touch with the engraver who cut the die, if any question arises about the date. But I do not see how this can happen as the document was issued evidently before Lewis received it. This document is dated 1921. At this time I was in retirement in Sicily but in communication with Reuss in Basle and, I think, Munich. This document appoints Lewis (whom I recognise as a member of the 95°, not the 96°, of the Rite of Mizraim; and VII°, not X°, of the O.T.O.) to be an honorary member, not a full member, and to represent our Sovereign Sanctuary as "Gage of Amity near the Supreme Council of the AMORC at San Francisco (California)". This document is then a Diploma of sorts, as it says itself. It is not a Warrant. It is not a Charter. It confers no authority whatever. And, even as a Diploma, it is revocable.

You will notice that the name of the Order is printed big across the middle of the document. It is quite absurd for Lewis to try to use it, and not use it at the same time; and I think it is pretty certain that he has no other document on which to rely. I am sure that no responsible authority in my serious Fraternity would have given Lewis any Warrant or Charter. Reuss, in his last years, that is after his paralytic stroke, got very careless and desperate, and handed out honorary diplomas without proper enquiries on the chance that one or more of them might fall into good hands. And that, no doubt, is how Lewis got his Diploma at all.

I wish you would make all possible enquiries about all this, and let me know at once.

Now to turn to a totally different subject. I do not at all understand what you mean by confirming your position with the authorities. Has the District Attorney been asking you for proof of authority to act as representing the Order of R[ose] C[ross]?

My own view is that the authorities would not be impressed by Charters issued by unknown people. The real evidence is the existence of a body of literature with allusions and symbols which they can recognize as property in the full legal sense of the term. It is unquestionable that Lewis has appropriated numerous phrases and symbols from the Equinox. It is also to be particularly noticed that we do not make claims to be the Rosicrucian Order. See again the very carefully worded expressions of page 97 of "Magick". You will also notice that in "One Star in Sight" we do not explain the meaning of the letters R.C. This is in accordance with the tradition of the Rosicrucian Fraternity. This tradition has been violated by Lewis, and his action cannot be approved by us.

But it is still possible to condone the offences of Lewis on promise of amendment. I think he is going to find it pretty hard sledding to keep out of jug on his position as it stands at present. And if he does not "bring forth works meet for repentance", we shall certainly not stir a finger to help him. He might begin (for instance) by returning to us some of the money which he obtained by appropriating our property. You should also be able to ascertain whether the figures on page 126 of Clymer's book are accurate: "AMORC has real and personal property valued at about half a million dollars, nearly 400,000 dollars in cash in bank and an annual income of 350,000 dollars."

But even if these figures are exaggerated, I feel pretty sure that he could contribute a sum of 25,000 dollars towards the establishment of the Order in this country. And if I am freed from my present preoccupations by such a transfer, I shall be prepared to come over to California and save him. This at least is suggested as a basis for negotiations.

Now I want you to take very special notice of what I am about to write. I am absolutely sick of the eternal petty squabbles in your part of the world. They render you ridiculous in the eyes of everybody concerned. You have simply got to find a modus vivendi, so as to co-operate loyally and heartily in public life without recriminations based on personal dislike. It is the first quality of any man engaged in a public career that he should be able to sink his private feelings completely in the interests of his work. You could not run a peanut stand on the principles which you have been displaying. It is most utterly senseless and degrading. If you knew how often I have been tempted to wash the whole pack of you, you would be surprised. It is only because I have been taught to exercise infinite patience with petty stupidities that I have not scrapped your entire outfit long ago.

These are strong words; but they only represent one tenth of one per cent of what I feel about you. I do not think it is your fault of Schneider's fault, but I do think off you as comrades in misfortune. The fact that your hackles all stand on end every time you meet, must be regarded as a particular dealing of God with your souls. You should regard it as an excellent opportunity of training for your part in public life. You will never get anywhere if you keep losing your temper and nursing your grievance.

The present situation is one of enormous opportunity, and I look to you both to stand loyally by each other without any personal feelings.

It seems to me that Schneider is more likely than yourself to succeed in negotiations. He managed excellently well in getting something done this autumn when you appeared perfectly incapable; and I was very surprised to receive a cablegram from you at all on the subject of Lewis. But how brainless of you it was not to consult him before you sent the cable! I cost you umpteen words in the address. He could have told you that "Crowley Chancellor London" was sufficient; and it would have been useful to communicate with him about the existing negotiations in the matter of Lewis. It might have helped you to word your cable in a more informative manner.

Please do not be offended by these remarks. Their bitterness springs from my deep appreciation of your magnificent qualities; which accentuates my regret that they should be rendered useless by such miserably worthless incidents. Now do pull your socks up, and put this thing over. So far Schneider has been talking to Lewis on a friendly basis; while you, if I interpreted your cable correctly, have already appeared as hostile. It, therefore, seems to me as if he were the proper person to carry on with the assistance of the events which have led to your appearing in the matter. The most useful thing that you can do until I have fuller information and can write more clearly, is to sit on the fence in as mysterious manner as you can adopt. On no account compromise yourself by taking an attitude either for or against him. Feed Schneider with any information that comes your way without a moment's delay.

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Baphomet.

OHO [Outer Head of the Order].

P.S. Am having my diploma from Yarker [John Yarker] as 96° Mizraim (National Grand Master) photographed. Expect copy by next mail.

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