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Correspondence from David Curwen to Aleister Crowley
7a Melcombe Street London NW1
[Undated: circa May 1947?]
My Dear Crowley,
I really do not know why I bother to reply to your letter, except that I feel I owe some respect to one who is so much older, and with whom I have corresponded so long.
You know that your letter is really amusing. You call me a debtor when all the time I feel fooled by having paid you money, quite a large sum for a worthless piece of information. In truth I divulged to you far greater and useful information, that my teacher have me for nothing; and I asked nothing from you in return.
After I had gotten over the feeling of having been fooled, I took it as my punishment for not knowing better; I should have learned by now that occult secrets are not bought with money, and all that purports to be secrets for money is "phoney."
In connection with S.S. from all the facts that, with much difficulty, I got from you, I have long ago come to the conclusion that the Sovereign Sanctuary is now but a figment of your imagination. Maybe at first you hoped to start such a fraternity, but it all came to nothing.
Therefore to talk to me about a business point of view it is really laughable nonsense. Please tell me, in the event of your death, who will immediately look after your affairs? Who will see to it that you are decently interred for instance? You have corresponded with many people all around the world, and in all probability promised each a share in your assets, that I now wonder what will happen then.
In elementary business, when a man buys shares or becomes entitled to anything, he gets a document from an authoritative source to prove it. When you send me a special document giving me the right to participate in the assets of the Sovereign Sanctuary drawn up by a solicitor and witnessed; when I know that you have chosen your executors and trustees to see that the affairs of the S.S. are properly carries out, then you may approach me and put it as a sensible business proposition. Until then let's not mention this S.S. again. Leave it to the children to play games. They like titles and grandiose names to call themselves by.
And another thing, do not take the attitude with me of being "let down"! I am one of those people who insists on paying their debts in full. I have always done so, but I owe you nothing. Quite the reverse is the real state of affairs, for I have already spent quite a bit in your direction with very little return. Let's call it a day.
Best of Luck and good health,
Yours Faithfully,
David Curwen
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