“Since this I have received a letter from President Dwight, confirming the fact which he had asserted in a note to his Discourse of the 4th of July, 1798, viz, that ‘Illuminatism exists in this country; and the impious mockery of the Sacramental Supper described by Mr. Robison has been enacted here.’ ... “But if all this evidence, added to that which arises _prima facie_ from the existing state of things; from the wonderful and alarming change which has been suddenly and imperceptibly produced too generally in the principles and morals of the American people, be insufficient to convince and satisfy candid minds of the actual existence, and secret and extensive operation, of Illuminatism in this country, the following documents which were received through a most respectable channel, and for the authenticity of which I pledge myself, must, I conceive, remove every doubt remaining in the minds of reasonable men. If any branches of this Society are established in this part of the United States, the members no doubt will feel irritated at this disclosure, and will use all their secret arts, and open endeavours, to diminish the importance of these documents and the reputation of him who makes them public.” (Note B, pp. 33 _et seq._) The note concludes with a solemn statement by its author to the effect that he stands prepared to sacrifice all, even his life if necessary, for the cause of religion and his country. See also the preface of the sermon. [796] _Wolcott Papers_, vol. viii, 26. [797] _Wolcott Papers_, vol. viii, 26. [798] On the very day of the national fast the editor of the _Chronicle_ busied himself at his familiar task of rebuking the clergy on account of their practice of indulging in “political preaching”. The latter were again admonished to confine their attention to the divine book of Revelation and to abandon their interest in the reveries of Robison. This, however, was only such a jibe as had intermittently issued from this source. [799] _Independent Chronicle_, May 9, 1799. [800] _Ibid._ [801] _Independent Chronicle_, May 30, 1799. [802] _Ibid._ [803] _Ibid._ [804] _Ibid._, June 10, 1799. [805] _Cf._ especially the _Independent Chronicle_ of May 9, 13, 16, 20, 27, 30, and June 3, 6, 10, 13, 1799. [806] _Ibid._, May 13, 1799. [807] _Independent Chronicle_, May 20, 1799. [808] _Cf. supra_, pp. 281 _et seq._