Kentucky Gazette

Charleston (S. C.) Times, of the 17th October, 1809.

HORRIBLE DISCOVERY !!!

COMMUNICATED BY DR. FITZGERALD.

The labors of the "Invisible Spy," are anticipated—the infernal machinations of the "Association," are detected. By one of those wonderful occurrences, by which Providence betrays great crimes, and flagitious conspiracies, I am enabled to display to the astonished view of the community, the unheard of crimes and daring projects of this band of parricides. The midnight hour has already sounded, and tho' languid and fatigued, from the pressure of professional labors, I cannot lay my head on my pillow, without sounding the tocsin of alarm to my fellow-citizens, and rousing them from apathy to a sense of danger. Could the mind of man have conceived it possible, that the damned projects which have been nurtured thro' ages of villainy and vice, in the old World, should so soon have invaded those shores, dedicated to loyalty, simplicity and virtue. That these projects should not only have been adopted and pursued, but pursued and adopted by men who had insinuated themselves into the confidence of the people—who had grown gray in the service of the public, and conducted themselves with such profound hypocrisy, as to have driven malice to madness, and made envy gnaw her fingers to despair! But the subject would require the pen of a Burke or a Robertson, to do it justice.

Yesterday, at 25 minutes after 3 o'clock, P. M. (I am thus particular, because I mean to make oath to all I shall relate) I was called on to attend a patient attacked with a fever—I hastened to the place to which I was directed, and in a house of a very genteel appearance, was shown into a chamber, where lay a young man of a very interesting countenance—his fever was high, and I instantly discovered every symptom of its being the endemic or yellow fever. My enquiries betrayed to my patient, the nature of his complaint, & instantly excited in him a strong & very evident alarm. He groaned most piteously, and to my endeavors to console and quiet him, replied in a most expressive manner, "O Sir, I could bear disease, and I think death, but guilt—guilt—who could sustain the weight of it?" Being convinced by his extreme agitation that there was little to be done for the body, while the mind labored under so much distress, I endeavored to insinuate myself into his confidence sufficiently to prevail on him to dismiss his apprehensions, to disburden his mind, by communicating to me the cause of his uneasiness. It was with difficulty that I at length succeeded. He frequently declared it was impossible; that his life would certainly be forfeited, should it ever be known, or even suspected, that he divulged the secret. At length, after a most solemn assurance, that his name should never be revealed, I prevailed on him to comply, and he proceeded nearly as follows;

"It is now about twelve months since I became acquainted with —,—[We think proper to omit these names until the culprits are within the fangs of justice.]— Their manners appeared to me to be open, simple and condescending; and I was flattered by the attention which they paid me. Little thought I what a viper slept beneath the roses. During the last winter, in one of those social hours, when the mind is prepared to acquiesce in anything that will gratify friend —— , requested me to retire with him for a moment, that he might make me a very particular and confidential communication. He then informed me that for about twenty years past there had existed in this city, an association of gentlemen, whose minds had soared above vulgar prejudices, and throwing off the shackles and restraints which error imposes on childhood, had united for the purpose of promoting the greatest good of mankind, on the most expanded principles. He proceeded to request me to join the society, and to be permitted to propose me as a member. Totally unsuspicious of the principles and objects of the association, I consented, and at the time appointed for my introduction I attended my supposed friend, late at night, & proceeded to the place of meeting. In — alley, I was ushered into a gate on the north side, which apparently opened into a small house, which I perceived, after entering it, was only a screen from suspicion—a few paces within the yard, I was conducted to what appeared to be a well, with a pump in it, and every thing adjusted apparently for the purpose of drawing water; but to my surprise, upon my companion's striking a particular spot, a trap door flew open, and I perceived by means of a dim light within, that the supposed pump was the support of a flight of steps that wound round it, by which we descended some feet below the surface of the earth; and on our placing our feet on the last step, the door closed upon us—we then turned into an arched passage, which passed under the alley and conducted us to a winding flight of steps on the other side of it, by which we ascended to the upper story of a high house—here in a kind of anti-chamber, I was welcomed by another acquaintance, apparently with the most cordial warmth, whilst my conductor entered to announce my attending. In a few minutes she returned, and I was introduced within the door which first presented itself, and "hich I now found opened into a small lobby. Immediately as we entered, my attendants locked the door, and secured the key—think of the horrors that I felt, when each drew a stiletto from his bosom, seized me by the arms, presented their weapons to my breast, and informed me in a most solemn manner, that I must now become one of their number, or never pass that door alive! Resistance was vain: they out-numbered me, and I was unarmed. Dazzled with surprise, and utterly unable to express the indignation which I felt, I was led on as an unresisting victim to this Moloch sacrifice.

One of my conductors then gave three stamps with his feet, and the second door flying open, exhibited to my view, a sight that I can scarcely, even now that I have become almost familiarized to it, think of without trembling.

"Arranged on each side of a long table sat about 50 men, before them lay daggers, tomahawks and pistols, and behind them hung carbines, crossed upon the wall; whilst against it leaned pikes, made after the fashion of those used by the United Irishmen.— In the back ground of this banditti scene, on a seat elevated half way almost to the arched ceiling, sat their chief; on his head a huge conical cap covered over with bear skin; a large buffalo skin cloak, (of domestic manufacture) thrown over his shoulders; two mustachios very naturally painted on his lips, and curling round to his ears; and a monstrous sabre, said to have been presented to him by Marshal Bernadotte, formed the tout ensemble of his terrible personage.

The most solemn silence was preserved, as I was conducted into the presence of the venerable of this lodge; and his falchion flashed across my eyes, as he waved it with a signal that brought fifty naked daggers near my person. Surrounded by a triple row of men, who appeared ready for my destruction, the venerable rose, and collecting in his air and manner all the dignity of his august station, addressed me as follows; Young man, you are now arrived at a moment which must finally decide whether you become a member of this respectable institution, or a tenant of the glen grave. The object of our institution is, to foster the perfectibility of our nature—freed from those shackles which the artificer of priestcraft, or the fanaticism of parents impose on the young mind, we soar above groveling prejudices; and equally independent of civil laws and popular opinions, we acknowledge no government but our wills, and no principles but those which our systems inculcate. Our security depends upon our courage, and the keenness of our weapons; and we disdain even to impose on our associates an oath. Oaths! have their sanction in a system of opinions which we wholly reject, our fear is universal and uniform in its influence on human actions. The rules to which you must acknowledge submission are but few, and the sanctions simple, and equally intelligible to all men—who disobeys must die. Under this penalty therefore, we call upon you to subscribe the following articles:

1st. Blind and implicit obedience shall be paid to every mandate of this Society, whatever be the danger or supposed criminality attending it.

2nd. I solemnly renounce all submission or obedience to any institution, civil or religious on the whole earth; and make the promotion of the views of this institution, & the propagation of its tenets, the sole end & object of my existence.

3d. The most scrupulous silence shall be observed to every thing relating to this institution; except when licence shall be given by the venerable."

To these abominable rules, I was obliged to subscribe my name, and the venerable then proceeded—'That you may know the full extent of the obligation which you have assumed, and the danger of disobedience be pleased to draw back that curtain.'

"I complied with the promptitude which every circumstance was calculated to excite; but who can describe the horrid object that presented itself to my view, and from which I recoiled with a velocity that had nearly overturned a half dozen of the surrounding, and as I perceived, smiling spectators!"

[We here stop the press, in order to send off the manuscript to the magistrate, that the leaders of this mighty Band may be secured: and we earnestly beg that the public will suspend their rage, and not until satiate the march of JUSTICE.]

"Aghast! at the awful sight that presented itself, I turned an enquiring eye to the superior, with a smile on his lips, which seemed to reproach me with my girlish qualms, thus addressed me:" You there behold, young man the unhappy victim of his own temerity; he was long a member of our body, shared in our confidence, and enjoyed with us that flow of soul which is felt only when the mind is left to its native expansiveness. But unfortunately he was lately attacked by disease, and in a paroxysm of fever, during a state of delirium revealed to his mother the existence and views of our institution. True nevertheless, to his fidelity he availed himself of the first strength which his returning health afforded him to attend the meeting and apprize us of our danger. The only means of security that we resort to, were instantly resolved on, and upon the casting of lots, which is our usual method upon such occurrences, it fell to him to assassinate his mother. It was in vain that he urged all the many arguments to which puling boys are apt to resort on such occasions; the promotion of the greatest good is the basis of our system and it was necessary to obey. He had the temerity at length to refuse, and fifty daggers at once vindicated the rights of the society over every individual of its members." With the nonchalance imaginable, he then stretched out the point of his sabre, and replaced the curtain."

Here my patient paused: and by this time, I begun to conjecture that he was himself in delirium, but upon approaching his bed and feeling his pulse, I found that disburdening his mind had restored him to a considerable share of tranquility; and the exertions of speaking had produced a diaphoresis that augured an abatement of fever. I therefore ventured to interrogate him further, and shall give the substance of his communications in form of a dialogue:

Doctor.—Sir, you astonish me beyond measure! How was it possible for such a society to have remained so long undetected? The very workmen who constructed the building, it is to be supposed, would long since have betrayed their mysterious place of meeting.

Patient.—Oh, no, sir; there was early provision made against that danger. Beneath the foundation of their building, is a profound vault, capacious and of impenetrable strength; the members amuse themselves with calling it the cave of Phalaris.

Here the workmen were all (except one) immured, and perished miserably: here also are deposited the remains of those on whom in the cant of the society, they impose silence. The workman who escaped, was not in the city, when the others were, under the pretence of an invitation to a civic feast, lured to their destruction.

Doctor—And is that man still in existence?

Patient.—No: he returned lately to the city, and by order of the society I killed him.

There was a cool indifference, a carelessness in the air and manner of my patient, as he uttered these last words, which alarmed me much. It was evident, that as the fever cooled, his alarm subsided, and so did his contrition.

I now began to see my danger; the possession of this secret might prove fatal to myself, should my patient recover; I was evidently in his power. But it was consoling to reflect, that under existing circumstances, he was very much in mine, and his own principle, of the greatest good, not less than a salutary provision, might excite a hope that this should prove his last sickness.

The opportunity was not to be lost, and I proceeded:-

Doctor.—When, sir, could this society have been instituted, and who were its patrons or promoters?

Patient.—You, no doubt, sir, recollect the time when the rage of civism possessed the minds of three fourths of the inhabitants of this city, I was but young, but I remember well, that Boutineau, the pirate was admitted into good company, and the walls dedicated to the Most High resounded with the celebrated Hymn of the Marseillois.— Processions of Frenchmen crowded our streets, and the bonnet rouge was admitted to grace the brows of those who had been crowned with revolutionary laurels. About this time, you may recollect a society was formed from which emanated a variety of patriotic speeches, and, which attempted boldly to give the tone to public sentiment.—If you will enquire, you will find, that several of those whose names I have mentioned to you, were members of that society, and more than one of them, I believe, had the honor of occupying the presidential chair, and administering the fraternal kiss occasionally to its mongrel members. In this institution, sir, originated this society: and the fraternizing letters of Marat, Robespierre, David and other Gallic worthies elegantly framed, and suspended on their walls, prove their French connections. All the world wondered at Boutineau's insolvency: but he was the nursing father (in the language of a celebrated historian) to the institution; and his munificence ruined him.

Doctor.—But I presume you have long since dropped your foreign correspondences?

Patient.—Very far from it; we daily correspond with every part of Europe, and participate in the promotion of all the great events that happen there. Bonaparte himself knows who surrounds and supports his throne, and on whose will his destiny is suspended We frequently hold communication with the old world, by means of the envoys. It is not very long since one was despatched to Gibraltar, Leghorn, and Rome; and Aaron Burr is now on a mission to the associates of England and Russia.

Doctor.—What connection can you have with him?

Patient.—Aye, now our views begin to unfold themselves; are you surprised to hear of our connection with him, who has acquired the title of the emperor of the Quids, and Grand Master of the Choice Spirits? A little precipitancy had nearly ruined us once, but we will play a surer game the next time. The emperor of Russia was installed a member at Erfurth, and should he come into the union, and send a sufficient force by way of Kamtschatka, across the North Western coast of the continent, where he is already seriously extending his dominions, we have no doubt of the effect of a formidable attack upon our back settlements, every thing is in active preparation on the Atlantic coast, for a powerful co-operation. All the late movements of the society in this city, are directed solely to that end—for this they have emerged to light, assumed a new name, and adopted a rule, which you have seen noticed by the "Invisible Spy," relative to procuring pictures of all the most eminent men in the U. States.

Doctor.—Why, sir, you surprise me; (and I felt his pulse, for I again suspected a delirium)—you surprise me, sir, beyond expression; what possible connection can there be between the portraits of our eminent men, and the invasion of the back settlements by a Russian army.

Patient.—There, sir, you behold the very characteristic of a master stroke; every suspicion is lulled until the end is effected. Why sir, have you never heard the story of Rubens, (I think it was) who prevailed upon a poor fellow, for a large sum of money, to submit to be nailed to a cross, that he might catch the true expression of the crucifixion and after having fastened him, took advantage of his defenceless situation, to stab him to the heart. In this story, sir, you find a development of the plot. There are several painters in the society; to these will be assigned the distinguished part of disposing of the president and other very great men; particularly, I suppose the commander in chief. The latter we apprehended no difficulty in getting to sit, to have his picture taken, as he thinks well of his person; and they prepared the way 8 years since for succeeding with the former, by introducing one of our most finished artists to him. Our adepts will procure the best opportunities, and no doubt they will use them to effect— We apprehend no difficulty in this part of the undertaking; but there is one subject that has created very considerable uneasiness, so much so, as to have obliged us lately to despatch an envoy extraordinary to a very numerous and respectable Senior establishment at N. York, over which Mr. Burr at present presides, and in which capacity he is the acknowledged Chief of the American branches.

From the same paper of the 24th October.

PROOF POSITIVE!

I am a modest man, and should never have dared to come forward with this avowal, but for the success of Dr. Fitzgerald. The secret I am about to communicate, should have gone with me to the grave, but as it fully confirms the confession of the Doctor's patient, I ventured to avow it. Some time in July last, I got into my possession an American Dollar, of the coinage of 1808—it was remarkably bright; and admiring it for its beauty, I resolved to put a mark upon it, so that should it ever again come into my possession, I might recognize it. I thought that from this fact, several inferences might be drawn, as important to commerce as the picking up of bottles at sea have been to mariners. I took this dollar to an engraver and got him to mark it with the figure of a hawk—happening to be at a tavern in the evening, I gave it to the waiter for my entertainment; to my surprise I received this identical dollar the next day from a lawyer, who had gained a suit for me in Equity. I parted with it immediately for the discharge of my shoemaker's bill, resolving to try how soon it would again be returned to me. I had never shown this dollar to any one, and did not appear to observe the mark when I received it; two days after, going to one of the Banks to receive the amount of a note I had got discounted, the teller, to my surprise, handed me this dollar. I parted with it successively to a lawyer, to a sailor, butcher, baker, merchant; paid it at the Post-Office for letters; and last of all gave it to a minister, as part of his fee for his aid in uniting me to an amiable woman; but it never remained four days out of my hands. Astonished at this circumstance, I reflected upon it frequently; I passed whole nights without sleep in pondering upon this curious occurrence; at last I resolved I would melt this dollar, and see of what it was composed; but when examining it, I thought I could discover a mark round the side, as if it had been cut open; and after some time I discovered that it was screwed together, and succeeded in opening it, when I discovered it was hollow, and contained a billet, on which was written the following words: "Go into the yard of—, on the N. side of—. Alley, go to the pump, lift it up and explore its mysteries."—I now perceived that it was by the agency of some superior being that this was done; I accordingly went, found everything as represented by Dr. Fitzgerald's patient; saw the miseries he endured (for soon after I had taken my station be was brought in) and I can confirm every word he has spoken. The Buffalo skin, and Bernadotte's sword, I particularly remember, for the skin was pure blue, and the sword was six-feet long. I was so terrified. that I resolved never to communicate what I saw— for first, being of a very incredulous disposition, I was apprehensive no person would believe it; and then, if I should have been found out by these monsters—but Dr. F. has, I find, been believed even by those men who are said to be enlightened. I am therefore induced also to hope for credit. especially as there are now two witnesses swearing to the same thing.