Environs, endeavoring to designate the particular corps, and
where each is posted.
“To be particular in describing the place where the works cross
the Island in the Rear of the City--how many Redoubts are upon
the line from River to River, how many Cannon in each, and of
what weight and whether the Redoubts are closed or open next
the city.
“Whether there are any Works upon the Island of New York
between those near the City and the works at Fort Knyphausen or
Washington, and if any, whereabouts and of what kind.
“To be very particular to find out whether any works are thrown
up on Harlem River, near Harlem Town, and whether Horn’s Hook
is fortifyed. If so, how many men are kept at each place, and
what number and what sized Cannon are in those works.
“To enquire whether they have dug Pits within and in front of
the lines and Works in general, three or four feet deep, in
which sharp pointed stakes are fixed. These are intended to
receive and wound men who attempt a surprise at night.
“The state of the provisions, Forage and Fuel to be attended
to, as also the Health and Spirits of the Army, Navy and City.
“These are the principal matters to be observed within the
Island and about the City of New York. Many more may occur
to a person of C. Junr’s penetration which he will note and
communicate.
“C---- Senior’s station to be upon Long Island to receive and
transmit the intelligence of C---- Junior.
“As it is imagined that the only post of consequence which the
enemy will attempt to hold upon Long Island in case of attack
will be at Brooklyn, I would recommend that some inhabitant in
the neighborhood of that place, and seemingly in the interest
of the enemy, should be procured, who might probably gain daily
admission into the Garrison by carrying on marketing, and from
him intelligence might be gained every day or two of what was
passing within, as the strength of the Garrison, the number and
size of the Cannon, &c.
“Proper persons to be procured at convenient distances along
the Sound from Brooklyn to Newton whose business it shall be to
observe and report what is passing upon the water, as whether
any Vessels or Boats with troops are moving, their number and
which way they seem bound.
“There can be scarcely any need of recommending the greatest
Caution and secrecy in a Business so critical and dangerous.
The following seem to be the best general rules:
“To intrust none but the persons fixed upon to transmit the
Business.
“To deliver the dispatches to none upon our side but those who
shall be pitched upon for the purpose of receiving them and to
transmit them and any intelligence that may be obtained to no
one but the Commander-in-Chief.”
Robert Townsend acknowledges receipt of the above instructions in his
second letter, dated July 15th,(112) and in transmitting it Samuel
Culper added the following:
“Mr. C. Junr. informed me at our interview that Christopher
Duychenik, Sail Maker of 10, formerly Chairman of the Committee
of Mechanics, is amongst you and is positively an agent for
David Mathews, Mayor of 10, under the direction of Tryon he
assisted Mathews, John Rome and others in affecting their
escape. Mr. C. Jr. wishes for some of that Ink or Stain that he
may paint out his character to you. Don’t fail to forward it
immediately, and when you receive the History of his conduct
be very caucious how you handle it for if it should get to
the above mentioned persons ears C. Jr. tells me they would
immediately suspect him. In the mean time I would advise and
is approved on by Culper, Junr. Obtain the Mayor’s signature
and let a letter be wrote suitable for deception, and let it
be handed him by some person of good address, praying his
assistance to escape from the tyranny of Congress, which is the
term used by the Mayor--or something like this plan I do not
doubt will have the desired effect. John Rome is Secretary to
M. Genl. Jones. It is not in my power to favour you with the
Mayor’s signature at present. I am your &c.
“SAMUEL CULPER.”
General Washington forwarded the ink as requested, together with the
following letter, dated West Point, July 25, 1779.
“_Sir_: All the white Ink I now have (indeed all that there is
any prospect of getting soon)[13] is sent in phial No. 1 by
Col. Webb. The liquid in No. 2 is the counterpart which renders
the other visible by wetting the paper with a fine brush after
the first has been used and is dry. You will send these to
C----r, Junr., as soon as possible, and I beg that no mention
may ever be made of your having received such liquids from me
or any one else. In all cases and at all times this procedure
and circumspection is necessary, but it is indispensably so now
as I am informed that Govr. Tryon has a preparation of the same
acid or something similar to it, which may lead to a detection
if it is ever known that a matter of this sort has passed from
me.”
[Illustration: John Jay’s letter to General Washington introducing
through his brother James Jay, the invisible ink that was used so
successfully by the Culpers. The secret of its manufacture still
remains a mystery.
_See page 51._
]
It is not surprising that General Washington so frequently expressed
satisfaction with the intelligence that Robert Townsend was now
furnishing. His third letter as well as those that follow is a good
example. No. 3 is dated 10 July 29, 1779:
“_Sir_, Since my last the number of the Enemy within these
lines have not been augmented by any arrivals. The Romelus,
Daphne and Delaware did not sail as I advised you, owing,
I believe, to the unexpected account of your taking the
Garrison at Stony Point. The account was truly alarming
to the Torys--However, like true Philosophers, they soon
reconciled themselves to it by saying that it would tend to
their advantage in the end, as it would tend to rouse the
British Troops, which in their opinion is all thats wanted
to put a final end to the war. General Clinton, I am told,
was much alarmed. He left New York the next evening attended
with all the Horse (himself mounted on the lowest and meanest
amongst them) which was then in Town, and it is said, declared
that he wou’d make W. pay for it.--
“The Greyhound Frigate, with Lord Cornwallis, General
Patterson, late Adjt. of the Army, & Col. Stewart, son of Lord
Bute, arrived the 21st Inst. Nothing can be collected more
than from news papers, as no private letters came by her. It
is generally believed by the Torys that the Fleet said to have
on board 5000 Troops for N. Y. and 2000 for Carolina, sailed
before the Greyhound. The most intelligent of the Torys expect
a Spanish War, and affect to wish it, as they suppose that
England has at this time a Fleet much superior to the united
Fleets of France and Spain.
“The LeBlond Frigate arrived on Monday last from Penobscot
with Dispatches, in consequence of which (it is said) Sir
Geo. Collier with the Raisonable sails tomorrow. I cannot
learn whether any other Ships goes with him. The movement of
the Troops in consequence of the taking of Stony point, has
prevented my obtaining an account of their situation. The 54th
Regiment marched in town from the Bridge on Monday last. A
number of Transports are ordered to be ready to take on Troops,
said to be the 54th Regt., Queens Rangers and Lord Rawdon’s
Corps, and to be commanded by Lord Cornwallis--it is said by
some of the officers that they are intended for Carolina. This
is also the general opinion. I believe they are bound to the
Southward, as I heard a Pilot belonging to Cape Fear, North
Carolina, say that he expected to go with them. General Vaughan
is positively going home, and some say General Clinton. It
is positively said that preperations are making to Fortify
Governor’s Island, the Narrows at Staten Island, the Gorge at
Fort Knyphausen, repair the Fortifications at Paulus Hook & the
Battery at New York; all of which places are to be put in the
best state of defense.
“The times now are extreamly difficult--guard boats are kept
out every night in the North and East Rivers to prevent any
boats from passing, & I am informed that some persons have been
searched on Long Island; therefore whenever you think that my
intelligence is of no service, beg you will notify me, ’till
which time I will continue as usual. Privateering flags very
much. I have recd. your Dictionary,[14] and will be glad to
have the Stain as soon as possible, when shall endeavour to
find some shorter route to forward my letters. I am, Sir, Your
Hbl. Servant,
“SAMUEL CULPER, JUNR.”
August 6th is the date of Townsend’s 4th letter. It was written
altogether in the stain and required the services of two of the
General’s secretaries to copy it. The first half of the first page is
in the handwriting of Alexander Hamilton but the rest of the three
pages was written by McHenry.(113)
Meanwhile, Samuel Culper continued to advise Robert Townsend that he
should give up his business in New York.[15] In a letter to Tallmadge,
dated August 12th, he writes:(114)
“I do assure you he is a sincere friend and capable of
rendering service to our country. And as such a one I have
again most earnestly endeavoured, and begged him to disengage
himself from all concerns that may interfere with the Public
business he hath undertaken.”
Jonas Hawkins called for Townsend’s fifth letter, but fearing capture
destroyed it before reaching Woodhull. He advised Tallmadge of this in
a letter, mostly in cipher, dated August 15th.(115) The sixth shared
the same fate. Woodhull called for the next, which follows:
No. 7.
LONG ISLAND, Sept. 11th, 1779.
“_Sir_, Your No. 11 & 12 have come to hand, the contents I duly
note. I am very sorry that No. 5 was destroyed, tho’ I can’t
say that it contained any intelligence that wou’d have been of
material consequence--The bearer thought himself in danger.
I believe it was merely imaginary. From timidity and the
situation of affairs at that time, he did not choose to come
to N.Yk; I therefore met him at a place quite out of danger on
Long-Island. I then made an appointment for No. 6, at wch. time
he came, I wrote it, and took it over the Ferry that he might
run no hazard from the Inspector of Letters there. However he
was so much intimidated that it shared the same fate as No. 5.
“I have now the pleasure of seeing our mutual friend Saml.
Culper, Sen. who will run every hazard to forward this.
“I had informed you in No. 6, of the arrival of the British
Fleet consisting of about 70 sail, under convoy of Adml.
Arbuthnot in the Europa of 64 Guns & Russel of 74 Guns--The
number of the Troops from the best information I can collect
does not exceed 3000. They are all new troops, and in bad
health, and are now encamped in and about Bedford; three miles
from Brooklyn Ferry. The 44th. and 3 Hessian Regts. embarked
a few days ago, and are to sail this day--Their destination
said to be for Quebec--This is generally believed--Sir James
Wallace in the Experiment sails sometime for Georgia, with one
Store Ship and two or three other vessels, but no Troops. No
prospect of any other movement further than some vessels are
fitting for Horses. The general opinion is that there will be
no Campaign opened from N.York. The most knowing and judicious
of the Torys think that some troops must be sent to the West
Indies. They have now given up all hope of the second division
so much talked of, as they think they will be wanted at home.
Their spirits in general was much dejected with the accounts of
a Spanish war, and Lord North’s declaration that he had formed
no alliances nor had any prospect of forming any. Their spirits
are now in some measure elevated with the accounts of the
destruction of the American Fleet at Penobscot.--I hope it will
be but a temporary elevation. It certainly is a bad stroke, and
I think it cou’d not be owing to want of inteligence of Sir
Geo. Collier’s sailing. A vessel arrived a few days ago from
St. Kitts, but nothing transpires further than that the French
had embarked 6000 Troops, with an intent, as is supposed, to
take Antegua. The most judicious of the Tory’s think that the
Spaniards have by this invaded Jamaica, and make no doubt
but that they will succeed. A fleet of 12 sail of victualers
arrived yesterday from Cork--Another fleet was to sail in
about four weeks after them, but they are not expected soon
as its thought that the Spanish War will occasion a general
embargo for some time, for the purpose of manning their fleet.
The Guards, 54th, and two Hessian Regts. do duty in and about
N.York. The guards are in the City, 54th encamped at Greenwich,
one Hessian Regt. Near Jones’s on DeLancey’s land, and the
other near the water works. The number on Staten Island I do
not know--On Long Island the new troops as mentioned, a Regt.
of Horse about Flushing, a guard of about 30 men of the 3d.
Battalian of DeLancey’s Brigade, with a party of the Militia
Horse are at Jamaica, as a guard for the General. He might have
been taken off with much ease sometime ago, but it would now
be very difficult, and the Queens Rangers are at Oyster Bay.
Their number is about 450, near 100 of which are mounted. The
3d. Batallian of DeLancey’s brigade are at Lloyd’s Neck. From
the vicinity of the Queens Rangers, who can be there by means
of an alarm gun in two hours, I think it would by no means be
advisable to attack them. They were alarmed on Thursday night
last, and was there in one and a half hours after the alarm.
“My being unwell for a week past, and my engagement in business
has prevented my obtaining a more particular account of the
situation of the enemy. I intended to have disingaged myself
from business agreeable to the solicitations of my friend
Samuel Culper, Sen; but find it will be attended with more
difficulty than I expected, owing to my having a partner, as
I can make no excuse to do it. Untill I can, will continue to
write as usual, and shall be less expensive.
“The Europa, Russel, Renown and four or five Frigates are now
in port. It is thought by many that all the large ships on this
station will be ordered to the West Indies to re-inforce Byron.
“The works at the Battery goes on very slow. The Hessians are
repairing the Fort on Bunker hill, with some alterations. A
very large Fort is building at Brooklyn on the west side of
the road, and abt 80 rods due north from Cobble Hill. A large
number of the Militia of Kings and Queens County are at work
on it. The Militia of Suffolk have not as yet complyed. The
orders, a copy of which you will have forwarded. I fear if they
do not comply that devastation will attend that Loyal County.
No late accounts from Georgia, the last were that their lines
was more contracted. It is the general opinion that nothing
more can be done there till they have re-inforcement which it
is thought will be sent about the beginning of October. You may
rest assured that I will use every endeavour to comply with
your requests. I have made some overtures to a person to convey
letters by a shorter route, and flatter myself that I shall
succeed.
“I am, Sir, Your most obedt. Servt,
“CULPER JUN.”
The General thought it was not necessary for Townsend to give up his
business, and so replied from Headquarters at West Point, September 24,
1779:
“_Sir_, It is not my opinion that Culper Junior should be
advised to give up his present employment. I would imagine
that with a little industry he will be able to carry on his
intelligence with greater security to himself and greater
advantages to us, under cover of his usual business, than if he
were to dedicate himself wholly to the giving of information.
It may afford him opportunities of collecting intelligence that
he could not obtain so well in any other manner. It prevents
also those suspicions which would become natural should he
throw himself out of the line of his present employment. He
may rest assured of every proper attention being paid to his
services. One thing appears to me deserving of his particular
consideration, as it will not only render his communications
less exposed to detection, but relieve the fears of such
persons as may be entrusted with its conveyance to the second
link in the chain, and of course very much facilitate the
object we have in view; I mean, that he should occasionally
write his information on the blank leaves of a pamphlet, on the
first, second, and other pages of a common pocket book, or on
the blank leaves at each end of registers, almanacks, or any
new publication or book of small value. He should be determined
in the choice of these books principally by the goodness of
the blank paper, as the ink is not easily legible unless it is
on paper of a good quality. Having settled a plan of this kind
with his friend, he may forward them without risk of search or
the scrutiny of the enemy, as this is chiefly directed against
paper made up in the form of letters.
“I would add a further hint on this subject. Even letters may
be made more subservient to this communication, than they
have yet been. He may write a familiar letter on domestic
affairs, or on some little matters of business, to his friend
at Setauket or elsewhere, interlining with the stain his secret
intelligence, or writing it on the opposite blank side of
the letter. But that his friend may know how to distinguish
these from letters addressed solely to himself, he may always
leave such as contain secret information without date or place
(dating it with the stain), or fold them up in a particular
manner, which may be concerted between the parties. This last
appears to be the best mark of the two, and may be the signal
of their being designated for me. The first mentioned mode,
however, or that of the books, appears to me the one least
liable to detection. I am, &c.
“GO. WASHINGTON.”
FOOTNOTES to “GENERAL WASHINGTON’S SPIES”:
[12] This, as related by John Jay and Robert Townsend to James Fenimore
Cooper, has been woven into fiction as the basis of the tenth chapter
of _The Spy_.
[13] James Jay, brother of John Jay, claims the credit of this
invention. In a letter to Thomas Jefferson he says: “The curious
experiments in Sympathetic Inks, fluids with which if one writes on the
whitest paper the letters immediately become invisible, are generally
known; and so is likewise the facility with which the writing with
any one of them may be rendered visible. For this reason I presume
the subject has been considered as a matter of mere curiosity and
entertainment, and has never been applied to any use in Politics
or War. When the affairs of America, previous to the commencement
of hostilities, began to wear a serious aspect, and threatened to
issue in civil war, it occurred to me that a fluid might possibly be
discovered for invisible writing, which would elude the generally known
means of detection, and yet could be rendered visible by a suitable
counterpart. Sensible of the great advantages, both in a political and
military line, which we might derive from such a mode of procuring and
transmitting intelligence, I set about the work. After innumerable
experiments, I succeeded to my wish. From England I sent to my brother
John in New York, considerable quantities of these preparations.
He furnished Silas Deane with them when that gentleman first went
to France. When Mr. Deane was in Paris, he writ to me in London,
requesting further supplies of them, which I accordingly sent him. In
the course of the war, General Washington was also furnished with them,
and I have letters from him acknowledging their great utility, and
requesting further supplies. Gordon in his history of the Revolution
relates the fact, but without mentioning the author of the contrivance.
“By means of this mode of conveying intelligence, I transmitted to
America the first authentic account which Congress received, of
the determination of the British Ministry to reduce the Colonies
to unconditional submission; the ministry at the time concealing
this design, and holding out conciliatory measures. My method of
communication was this: To prevent the suspicion which might arise
were I to write to my brother John only, who was a member of Congress,
I writ with black ink a short letter to him, and likewise to 1 or 2
other persons of the family, none exceeding 3 or 4 lines in black
ink. The residue of the blank paper I filled up, invisibly, with
such intelligence and matters as I thought would be useful to the
American Cause. All these letters were left open, and sent in that
condition to the Director or Secretary of the General Post Office, with
a letter insinuating that I thought it could not be the intentions
of Government, in their restraining laws, to put a stop to family
intercourse; and therefore requesting the party to read over the
letters, and if nothing improper appeared in them, that he would permit
them to pass in the mail to New York. They passed accordingly, and on
their arrival in New York were sent into the American Lines. In this
invisible writing I sent to Franklin and Deane, by the mail from London
to Paris, a plan of the intended Expedition under Burgoyne from Canada.”
[14] See it on page 218.
[15] Oakman & Townsend was the firm name, Henry Oakman being the
partner at this time, supplying ships and the public with dry-goods and
groceries.
SECRET SERVICE SECRETS
The hazard of transmitting letters in the ordinary way between
Headquarters and the Culpers continued to increase. It taxed the
ingenuity of General Washington, as his preceding letter indicates;
and Major Tallmadge carefully studied the subject. The first crude use
of a few ciphers (ten for New York and twenty for Setauket) was no
longer deemed sufficient. Early in July, 1779, Major Tallmadge prepared
a “pocket dictionary” in which a new code was arranged. Copies were
furnished the Culpers as well as Headquarters. Reference to it is in
a letter from Washington dated July 27, 1779,[16] and a copy of the
code is now among the letters of General Washington in the Library of
Congress.
In letters Major Tallmadge’s name was never used on Long Island. He
was always addressed as John Bolton. He had also a number, which was
721. Abraham Woodhull was always addressed as Samuel Culper or Culper
Senior, and was known by the number 722. Robert Townsend was Culper
Junior, and his number was 723. Austin Roe[17] 724, Caleb Brewster 725,
George Washington 711, New York 727, Long Island 728, Setauket 729,
etc.
The stain letters were doubtless the most clever, but only fragments of
them have survived. However, copies of those that reached Headquarters
were made by Alexander Hamilton and other trusted members of the
General’s official family, and these are still preserved among the
Washington Papers. Sometimes they reached the General in a manner that
alarmed him, as the following extract shows:
“C----r, Jr. should avoid making use of the Stain upon a Blank
sheet of paper (which is the usual way of its coming to me).
This circumstance alone is sufficient to raise suspicions. A
much better way is to write a letter in the Tory stile with
some mixture of family matters and between the lines and on
the remaining part of the sheet communicate with the stain the
intended intelligence. Such a letter would pass through the
hands of the enemy unsuspected and even if the agents should
be unfaithful or negligent, no discovery would be made to
his prejudice, as these people are not to know that there is
concealed writing in the letter and the intelligent part of it
would be an evidence in its favor.”
Probably Major Tallmadge had not explained that Townsend’s method was
to conceal the sheet by forwarding with it to him an entire package of
the same folded letter-paper, in which there was no way of discovering
this particular sheet except by knowing its position.
It was such a letter from Townsend that Culper Senior mentions in his
of September 19th.(116) He also relates how it became necessary for him
to expose himself in order to protect Brewster, who with his boat was
waiting for it. Culper Junior’s tenth letter is dated October 9th.(117)
In it he says: