men would take the City and put an end to the war, and save
the stores and Long Island from devastation. All the best of
their troops are on Long Island. There is about 300, most of
them Hessians, at Brooklyn Ferry. 350 New Town, British; 1500
British Jamaica; 800 Yeagers, Flushing; 200 Jerico, most of
them Dragoons; 400 foot, 70 Dragoons Oyster Bay; 150 Lloyd’s
Neck, N. Leveys; 400 Hempstead, Dragoons; Stripping Barns and
out houses for boards to build huts for Winter. 40 wagons
100 troops this day at Smith Town collecting cattle, sheep,
Boards, &c. They make no distinction between Whig and Tory,
abuse all to a great degree, and no redress can be obtained.
Count d’Estaing’s dispatches for France are taken and brought
to town but are Cypher prepared so they cannot be found out. I
will note to you that much provision is brought to town from
the Jerseys privately; flour, beef, &c. I saw a gentleman of
my acquaintance, lately from England, where he hath been three
years; he saith Independence will certainly be granted this
session of Parliament. My business is expensive; so dangerous
traveling that I am obliged to give my assistants high wages,
but am as sparing as possible. I have drawn on you for fifty
Pounds in Specie, York Money, which please accept. I should
be glad to have given you a better account but it cannot be
obtained their movements are so strange that causes every one
to admire. Hoping this may be of some service I remain Your
most Obedt. Hbl. Servt,
“SAMUEL CULPER.”
In a letter enclosing the preceding to Headquarters Major Tallmadge
adds:
“It may not be amiss to observe, in addition to Culper’s
letter, that the gentleman mentioned by him to have lately
arrived from England, is one Doctr. Nicoll, a gentleman of
my acquaintance, on the varacity of whose report I have been
persuaded I might safely depend--Your Excellency will perceive
by the enclosed that C---- has drawn for 26 or 27 Guineas. In
addition to this he has forwarded an order for the payment of
sd. money to his friend. If your Excellency should see fit to
transmit any money, it may be safely entrusted to the Bearer,
on whose integrity I could depend in matters of much greater
importance.”
As will later be observed, General Washington was now in receipt of
a secret formula for their correspondence, which he wished to put to
use. Therefore he answered Major Tallmadge saying: “I should be glad
to have an interview with Culper myself, in which I would put the mode
of corresponding upon such a footing that even if his letters were to
fall into the enemy’s hands, he would have nothing to fear, on that
account.” However in his letter following the above he says: “When I
desired an interview with him I did not know his peculiar situation. I
now see the danger that so long an absence would incur and I must leave
it entirely to you to manage the correspondence in such a manner as
will most probably insure safety to him and answer the desired end.”
* * * * *
Major Tallmadge answered this on December 23d, saying: “Since your
Excellency judges it improper to have an interview with C----, any
private instructions which you may wish to transmit him, not so proper
for me to transcribe, may be very safely conveyed to him, as from the
regularity of his dispatches and the characters of the persons who I
know are entrusted with their conveyance from N. Y. to Brook Haven,
I dare venture to say there is not the least probability, and I had
almost said hardly a possibility of a discovery.”
* * * * *
From Philadelphia on January 2d, 1779, came instructions for Major
Tallmadge to forward his letters through General Putnam. “There are
regular Expresses established between Danbury and the Head Quarters
of the Army,” it reads. “And you therefore need not in future send a
special messenger the whole way. Send your letters to General Putnam at
or near Danbury, letting him know that they are to be forwarded with
dispatch. I shall get them sooner than by a single express.”
* * * * *
Culper’s next letter, dated Feb. 26, is one of great length,(105)
detailing the strength and position of all the troops of the enemy.
In the closing paragraph he says: “Coll. Floyd returned on his Parole
the 16. I earnestly wrote you for his discharge. I repeat it again, I
anxiously desire you would not forget. I am very likely to stand in
need of his services. I desire you will send me one hundred pounds, by
the next appointment without fail, as I have spent already forty pounds
more than I have received from you. Board is £3 per week in New York
besides other necessary expenses postage and etcetra.”
“SAMUEL CULPER.”
* * * * *
An enclosure from Brewster accompanied the above letter. His in full is
as follows:
FAIRFIELD, Feb. 26th, 1779.
_Dear Sir._ I have returned from the Island this day. Genl.
Erskine remains yet at Southampton. He has been reinforced
to the number of 2500. They have three redoubts at South
and East Hampton and are heaving up works at Canoe Place at
a narrow pass before you get into South Hampton. They are
building a number of flat bottom boats. There went a number of
carpenters down last week to South Hampton. It is thought by
the inhabitants that they will cross over to New London after
the Continental Frigates. Col. Hewlet remains yet on Lloyd’s
Neck with 350, wood cutters included. Col. Simcoe remains at
Oyster bay with 300 Foot and Light Horse. There is no troops
from Oyster Bay till you come to Jamaica. There is one Regt.
of Highlanders and some at Flushing and Newtown, the numbers I
cannot tell, but not a regiment at both places. The most of the
shipping of force has left New York. There is one 50, one old
East India man, one 20 that is repairing at the ship yard, the
Scorpion at N. City Island, one old India man at Huntington,
40 guns, the Halifax Brig at Oyster Bay, one sloop of ten guns
they are repairing all their flat bottom boats in New York and
building a number at the ship yard. This intelligence is as
late out of New York as the 20th of the month. The inhabitants
is fitting a number of Privateers out in the City. There was
one French ship brought in with 500 hogsheads of Sugar last
week. I am with respect, Yours, &c.
CALEB BREWSTER.
From General Washington at Middlebrook dated March 21st, 1779, came a
long letter of instructions, most of which will be found in another
chapter. To Tallmadge he says: “With this letter you will receive
fifty guineas for S. C. which you will cause to be delivered as soon
as possible, with an earnest exhortation to use them with all possible
econemy, as I find it very difficult to obtain hard money.... As all
great movements and the fountain of all intelligence must originate
at, and proceed from the Head Quarters of the enemy’s army, C. had
better reside at New York--mix with and put on the airs of a tory,
to cover his real character and avoid suspicion.... The temper and
expectation of the tories and refugees, is worthy of consideration; as
much may be gathered from their expectations and prospects. For this
end an intimacy with some well informed refugee may be political and
advantageous--Highly so will it be to contract an acquaintance with
a person in the Naval Department, who may either be engaged in the
business of procuring transports for the embarkation of the troops, or
in victualling them.”
* * * * *
An unusual line heads Samuel Culper’s next letter. It reads:
“_Sir._ No. 10 10 April 10 1779.
It is the forerunner of their use of a code. Without alteration his
letter follows just as it was originally written.
“Whenever I sit down I always feel and know my Inability to
write a good Letter. As my calling in life never required
it--Nor led to consider how necessary a qualification it was
for a man--and much less did I think it would ever fall to my
lot to serve in such publick and important business as this,
and my letters perused by one of the worthiest men on earth.
But I trust he will overlook any imperfections he may discover
in the dress of my words, and rest assured that I indevour to
collect and convey the most accurate and explicit intelligence
that I possibly can; and hope it may be of some service toward
alleviating the misery of our distressed Country, nothing
but that could have induced me to undertake it, for you must
readily think it is a life of anxiety to be within (on such
business) the lines of a cruel and mistrustful Enemy and that
I most ardently wish and impatiently wait for their departure.
I sincerely congratulate you on the miscarriage of the Enemies
intended expedition up the Sound. I can discover no movement
on foot at present. Their excursions are always very sudden and
seldom begin to move before dark, and it will be ten to one
if ever it will be in my power to give you early intelligence
of their sudden excursions, as I can only write at times. All
I can say you must be every where upon your guard, and be
more assiduous than ever in order to defeat the designs of
our Enemies. Within and without their lines I am confident
that they are using every art to distract your army and to
divide the Country. It is a matter of surprise to me to see
such numbers of deserters come in since the General’s pardon,
published in the News Paper. But it is some releaf to find
that they are mostly those that deserted from them heretofore.
On the 25 Last Month 7 Sail Transports with about one hundred
and seventy Scotch Troops of the Duke of Athol’s Regiment
arrived from Halifax under convoy of the Rainbow of 44 Guns,
Sir George Collier, who is come to succeed Admiral Gambier.
On the 26th, 23 Sail arrived from England (which place they
left the 2th Jany.) under convoy of the Romulus of 44 guns.
They were chiefly loaded with stores and provisions for the
Army. Very few goods came in the fleet. They say they have a
large supply of money come in the Romulus. I have conversed
with several gentlemen of different sentiments that came in
the fleet and those that have a desire in favor of the Crown
cannot give me a sufficient reason to think that any troops
will come out this Spring, or that Great Britain will certainly
continue to act against America. And those on the contrary say
they will withdraw their force and give us Peace. On the 4th
April arrived 7 Sail of Transports from Cork with provisions.
The enemy now have a very large supply of Provisions and Stores
indeed I think enough for three months without any addition.
On the 6th Admiral Gambir sailed for England in the Ardent of
64 guns together with a number of transports, how many I am
not able to ascertain nor think it very material--and this day
sails another small fleet under convoy of the Rose, of 20 guns.
All transports laying in the East or North River are completely
victualed and waterd for sixty five days for their compliment
of troops that they were accustomed to transport. The number of
Ships, Brigs and Snows in the Harbour differeth not much from
two hundred, out of which thers two sloops of war, four Frigets
and two forty four guns ships and an old Indiaman with their
usual number of guns for their defense, and an old 74 Store
Ship, with only her upper teer of guns in. It is currently
reported that Admiral Gambier met an express soon after he
sailed from the Hook, from the West Indies and turned him back
and now lays at the Hook. We expect every day to hear important
news from England. The Enemy seem to be in high spirits, and
say now Great Britain is Roused and will support them and carry
on the war at all events and appear to be more sanguine than
ever. But I dont wonder at it for they are kept as ignorant as
possible and believe every report that is in their favour. The
Torys say they have not the least doubt but that they shall
succeed and enjoy their possessions yet.
“N. B.--
No. 10 represents N. York
20 Setauket
30 and 40 2 Post Riders.”
Another letter also marked No. 10 and dated April 12, addressed to
John Bolton is signed only with the initials S. C. It begins: “Your
No. 6 came to hand, together with a Vial for a purpose that gives me
great satisfaction, and twenty guineas. It is a great satisfaction to
me to hear that his ---- is well pleased with my letters.” The rest
of the two sheets is a repetition of his letter of the 10th and may
be a rough draft of it. It at least puzzled Major Tallmadge and he
promptly started across the Sound for Setauket. There he found Abraham
Woodhull suffering from the greatest fright of his life. It was only
one of a series soon to follow, and was perhaps the least serious of
them all. It would be hard to imagine that when Alexander Hamilton read
this from Tallmadge to General Washington his usual calm countenance
was not convulsed in smiles. The full letter will be found among the
notes.(106) Here is the extract:
“I must now relate an anecdote respecting the Vial which I
forwarded Culper. Much pleased with the curious ink or stain,
and after making some experiments with the same, he was set
down to answer my letter which accompanied it. He had finished
the enclosed when very suddenly two persons broke into the
room (his private apartment). The consideration of having
several officers quartered in the next Chamber, added to his
constant fear of detection and its certain consequences made
him rationally conclude that he was suspected and that those
steps were taken by said officers for discovery. Startled by
so sudden and violent an obtrusion he sprang from his seat,
snatched up his papers, overset his table and broke his Vial.
This step so totally discomposed him that he knew not who they
were or even to which sex they belonged--for in fact they
were two ladies who, living in the house with him, entered
his chamber in this way on purpose to surprise him. Such an
excessive fright and so great a turbulence of passions so
wrought on poor Culper that he has hardly been in tolerable
health since. The above relation I had from his own mouth. He
is much pleased with the Ink and wishes if any more can be
spared to have a little sent him. By this he thinks he could
frequently communicate intelligence by persons permitted to
pass the lines. Some pieces of useful intelligence respecting
the movement of the Enemy in this late intended Expedition to
New London; and which I have reason to believe in a great
measure defeated their intentions, have been communicated by
Culper.”
In the same letter Major Tallmadge incidentally states: “Culper
was the other day robbed of all his money near Huntington, and
was glad to escape with his life.”
Culper’s next letter was dated from New York, April 29th. It was a
“Stain” letter and only a poor copy of it has survived. Letters of
importance were already on their way to Headquarters when from Smith’s
tavern in the Clove, on June 13th, 1779, General Washington addressed
Major Tallmadge as follows:
“Your letter of yesterday with the enclosures from Culper
came duly to hand. Should suspicions of him rise so high as
to render it unsafe to continue in New York I should wish
him by all means to employ some person of whose attachment
and abilities he entertains the best opinion, to act in his
place, with a request to be critical in his observations rather
than a mere retailer of vulgar reports--To combine the best
information he can get with attentive observation will prove
the most likely means to obtain useful knowledge--a mode of
conveying it quickly is of the utmost importance and claims
much attention. When I can procure more of the liquid Culper
writes for, it shall be sent, at present I can not say when
this may happen--I thank you for the information respecting
Long Island--The letter to Mr. Deane shall be sent.”
Two letters, both dated June 5th, and numbered 13, were the next
received from Abraham Woodhull. In them he relates his narrowest escape
from capture.(107)(108) Colonel Simcoe and his Rangers hastened to
Setauket in April, 1779, upon information furnished by John Wolsey
against him. Fortunately, he was with Robert Townsend in New York at
the time; but they fell upon his father and plundered him in a most
shocking manner.[12] Hardly was it thought possible that Woodhull would
be able to pay the price of satisfaction, but through a friend he
accomplished it.
Woodhull’s next letter is worthy of study. Two features of it are here
emphasized. In full it will be found among the notes.
“No. 14. 20 June 20, 1779.
“Your No. 8, on the 16th, found me at 20, anxiously concerned
for our interest, and unwilling it should be neglected, and
some reason to fear that by delay the door might be shut
and out of my power to performe what I proposed in my No.
13, which I have concluded would be your desire. I thought
proper to detain 40 until I went to 10 to endeavour to gain
the best intelligence I could, and settle the plan proposed.
I returned on the 19, and my success hath exceeded my most
sanguine expectations.(109) I have communicated my business
to an intimate friend, and disclosed every secret, and laid
before him every instruction that hath been handed to me. It
was with great difficulty I gained his complyance, checked by
fear. He is a person that hath the interest of our Country at
heart and of good reputation, character and family as any of
my acquaintance. I am under the most solomn obligations never
to disclose his name to any but the Post, who unavoidably must
know it. I have reason to think his advantages for serving
you and abilities are far superior to mine. I must call on
you for ten guineas which will about defray my charges with
what I have received. If what I have done is disapproved of
it can be dropped, but if mine was worth attention this will
not certainly be of less value. You will receive a letter
from him in a short time beginning at No. 1. He will expect an
ample support at the same time he will be frugal; as long as
I am here shall be an assistant and do all that I can. In the
Interim I remain
“Your most Obt. Huml. Servt.,
“SAMUEL CULPER.”
General Washington received through Major Tallmadge on June 26th, the
news of Simcoe’s raid, and the next day answered in a long letter with
which he sent ten guineas for Culper and mentioned one George Higday,
who had attempted to get him information from New York.(110)
Entire direction of the Secret Service within the City of New York
having now been placed in the care of Robert Townsend, his first
letter(111) must have been looked forward to with anxiety by Abraham
Woodhull, who announced its receipt in his No. 15, which is incorrectly
dated June 31, 1779:
“Enclosed you have Mr. Saml. Culper Junr’s letter, which is
but short but hope it may be of some service. He hath wrote in
the stile of Loyalty, I think through fear like me at first
unaccustomed to the business and filled with fear but the
longer one continues in the business if unsuspected of more
real service can he be. I have appointed to see him on the
8th inst. and shall repeat again to him those instructions
that I have received from time to time from you, and use my
utmost endeavor to acquaint him with the steps I used to take
and circumstances necessary to judge from, that a person
unaccustomed would not readily conceive of. My greatest
desire is that he may be useful and answer your most sanguine
expectations. He wishes that the ink or stain might be
forwarded. He hath hinted to you the prospect of their making
excursions in to Connecticut very soon. Very probably the war
will be carried on in that manner, as free liberty is granted
to the Refugees to plunder as much as they can. You must keep
a very good look out or your shores will be destroyed. It is
a pity that company could not be destroyed at Lloyd’s Neck.
Their refugee boats are continually coasting along and much
endanger 40. They entirely disown the defeat of their troops
in Carolina, and I confess I am not fully satisfied about
it. Have not yet seen nor heard of its being published by
authority. Just received the enclosed and the boat awaiting
have not had time to write as I would. Please excuse hast and
any imperfections you may discover, and am your humble servant,
“SAMUEL CULPER.”
These letters, with those significant words, “You must keep a very
good look out,” were on their way, but had not had time to reach Major
Tallmadge when he was surprised by a night attack. Lord Rawdon, with
nearly all of the British light horse, accompanied by a body of light
infantry, had come upon them under cover of the darkness and compelled
them to fight, principally with the broadsword, until Colonel Sheldon
found it necessary to order their retreat. Tallmadge lost in the affray
a fine horse, most of his field baggage, and the money and letters
that General Washington had sent him for the Culpers. Upon receipt of
this information at Headquarters, General Washington replied to Major
Tallmadge on July 5th, as follows:
“_Sir_: I have just received your letter of the 3d. The loss
of your papers was certainly a most unlucky accident and shows
how dangerous it is to keep papers of any consequence at an
advanced post. I beg you will take care to guard against the
like in future. If you will send me a trusty person I will
replace the guineas.
“I observe yourself and other officers have lost some
cloathing. Though I have not given an order of the kind
before, yet in this particular exigence I am ready to give one
on the Clothier to those officers who have been the sufferers
for such articles as are absolutely necessary. You will be
pleased to communicate this to Col. Sheldon and request him to
send the Pay Master with a proper return to Head Quarters.
“The person who is most indangered by the acquisition of your
letter is one Higday, who lives not far from the Bowery, on
the Island of New York. I wish you could endeavour to give
him the speediest notice of what has happened. My anxiety on
his account is great. If he is really the man he has been
represented to be, he will in all probability fall a sacrifice.
I am, etc.”
Nine days later, Samuel Culper’s seventeenth letter, dated July 9th,
was forwarded to Major Tallmadge. He begins by saying it is a long
time since he has heard from him and cannot tell if he wants him to
continue the correspondence, and continues, saying: “I yesterday had
an opportunity of seeing Mr. Culper, Junr. and repeated again all my
instructions ever received from you. I have kept no secret from him and
have consulted every thing and he’s determined to pursue every step
that he may judge for advantage and is determined as soon as I can
communicate to him your authority for my engaging him he will disengage
himself from every other business which at present affords him a
handsome living--He’s allowed to be a person of good sense and judgment
and his firmness and friendship towards our Country I do assure you
need not doubt. I have known him several years and confident he is a
sincere friend, and will be frugal of all moneys he may receive, and
hath undertaken it solely for to be some advantage to our distressed
Country, and have determined to forward you for the future weekly
intelligence if possible, as I have concluded to remain here as long
as I possibly can (although I look upon myself all the time in danger)
for the sole purpose of advantage to our correspondence.
“Below is what intelligence I could gain from C. Junr. It is
but trifling but he assured theres nothing more worthy of
notice. On the 4th, 10 sail arrived from Halifax under Convoy
of the Romulus of 44 guns with about one hundred of the new
raised Scotch, believe the Duke of Athol’s. Same day 10 Sail
sailed for Cork. On the 6th, 10 sail of Merchantmen from the
West Indies, but brought nothing new, only that Admiral Byron
was cruising for a reinforcement that was expected to join
Count d’Estaing. On the 4th, a Packet from Georgia with an
account of Genl. Provost being with his army 16 miles south of
C. Town, on St. John’s Island. Hardly any thing is said about
the enemy in that quarter. He tells me the spirits of the enemy
in general are much lower than heretofore and that he heard a
very noted refugee say there would certainly be a peace or a
Spanish war in four weeks. The times grows worse within the
Enemy’s lines and Protection for those called rebels is almost
banished, in fact Refugees are let loose to plunder within and
without their lines. Parties of them are hiding in the woods
and laying wait for the unwary and ignorant to deceive them,
putting on the character of people from your shore, and have
succeeded in their design too well. Carried off 10 or 12 men
and stripped their houses lately from about 20. The roads from
here to 10 is infested by them, and likewise the shores. It
makes our correspondence very dangerous and requires great care
and a strict observance of the before mentioned characters and
circumstances. Sincerely,
“SAMUEL CULPER.
“N.B.: Culper Junr. should now be furnished with some money. I
gave him 4 half Joes on the 8th. instant.”
Meanwhile, General Washington had prepared instructions for the
Culpers, a copy of which is still preserved among the papers of Colonel
Tallmadge, as follows:
“INSTRUCTIONS
“C---- Junr, to remain in the City, to collect all the useful
information he can--to do this he should mix as much as
possible among the officers and Refugees, visit the Coffee
Houses, and all public places. He is to pay particular
attention to the movements by land and water in and about the
city especially.
“How their transports are secured against attempt to destroy
them--whether by armed vessels upon the flanks, or by chains,
Booms, or any contrivances to keep off fire Rafts.