GEORGE WASHINGTON AUTOGRAPHED SIGNED LETTER
September 24, 1779
- Quick facts
- letter written by George Washington. Commander in Chief of the Continental Army, to Major Benjamin Tallmadge, from Headquarters, West Point, NY
- content focuses on the activities of Robert Townsend (Culper Jr.) a secret agent from Oyster Bay, Long Island.
- signed as Commander in Chief by Washington, the letter refers to Townsend by his code name, Culper Jr., and discusses techniques used in spying including invisible ink.
- includes three handwritings: 1) George Washington (signature); 2) James McHenry (aide-de-camp; took dictation from Washington); 3) Benjamin Tallmadge (p. 4, docketed “Letter Sept 24 ’79, Rec. 26th Do/ditto).
- Full details about this collection
- Transcription:
Head Quarters West-point 24th Sepr 1779.
Sir,
I this morning received your letter of the 22d with its several inclosures. It is not my opinion that Culper Junr. 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 derive 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 communication 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 &c. pages of a common pocket book — on the blank leaves at each end of registers for the year — 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 risque 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 his communications, than has been yet practiced. He may write a familiar letter on domestic affairs, or on some little matters of business to his friend at Satuket 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 a 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 for their being designed for me. The first mentioned mode however, or that of the books, appears to me the one least liable to detection.
I am Sir Your most obedient and humble servt. Go: Washington
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GEORGE WASHINGTON AUTOGRAPHED SIGNED LETTER
September 16, 1780
- Quick facts
- letter written by George Washington. Commander in Chief of the Continental Army, to Major Benjamin Tallmadge, Headquarters, Bergen County, dated September 16, 1780.
- content focuses on his great regard for Culper Jr. (Robert Townsend) by pledging support to him after the war.
- includes three handwritings: 1) George Washington (signature); 2) Tench Tilghman (aide-de-camp; took dictation from Washington); 3) Benjamin Tallmadge (reverse; not shown).
- Full details about this collection
- Transcription:
Head Quarters Bergen County 16th Sepr 1780.
Dear Sir
I have received yours of the 13th: as I have your several late favors with their inclosures. It is im: :possible for me, circumstanced as matters are, to give a positive answer to C- juniors request, as I cannot, without knowing his views, tell what are his expectations. Of this – both you and he may rest assured, that should he continue servicable and faithful, and should the issue of our Affairs prove as favorable as we hope, I shall be ready to recommend him to the public, if public employ should be his aim, and if not, that I shall think myself bound to represent his conduct in the light it deserves, and procure him a compen: :sation of another kind. I shall take the first opportunity of sending you a further sum of Money for contin: :gencies.
I am Dear Sir Your most ob.’ Servt Go: Washington
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NATHANIEL WOODHULL AUTOGRAPHED SIGNED LETTER
March 4, 1776
- Quick facts
- authored and signed by Nathaniel Woodhull on March 4, 1776. The letter is addressed to Major General Philip Schuyler (1733-1804) and signed “Nathl Woodhull, Presidt.”
- Nathaniel Woodhull (1722-1776), the eldest son of Nathaniel Woodhull and Sarah Smith, was Woodhull was born at St. George’s Manor, Mastic, Long Island, New York on December 30, 1722.
- In 1775, he was appointed to head the combined militias of Suffolk and Queens Counties.
- Woodhull was captured and fatally injured by the British on August 26, 1776. He died on September 20, 1776, at the age of 54 and was buried at his Mastic home.
- Culper Spy Ring member Abraham Woodhull (Culper Sr.; 1750-1826) and General Nathaniel Woodhull (1722-1776) were first cousins, once removed. Nathaniel Woodhull and Richard Woodhull IV (1712-1788; Abraham’s father) were first cousins. Their common ancestor was Richard Woodhull II (1649-1699).
- Full details about this collection
- Transcription:
In provincial Congress New York March 4th 1776
Sir,
We have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of yours of the 21st & 28th ult. with a list of such officers as have served in the last campaign. We fear from a want of proper information and the necessity we are under of immediately compleating the four Regiments ordered to be raised for the defence of this Colony, some Gentlemen now absent may be neglected whose merits ought to be considered – in our confused state we shall endeavour to do Justice to individuals as far is consistent with the public service; in this arrangement Mr. Pain’s merit will be considered. In the appointment of the Captains to our four Battallions we have thro’ mistake omitted Captain Wynkoop whose services during the last Summer justly merit the attention of the public. We could wish Sir it was in your power to provide for him on the Lake as we are informed he is well qualified for service in that Department – but if it should not be in your proper power to provide for him, we beg to have the earliest notice, that we may appoint him to the first vacancy. We have ordered Six hundred fathom of taned rope two fishing nets & ropes for four, to be sent to Mr. Commissary Livingston at Albany to whom we have also ordered the quantity of Pitch & Tar, you formerly wrote for to be sent. You will receive by this conveyance blank Commission for Col. Van Schaicks Regiment.
We are Sir with esteem Your most Obed’t humble servants By Order – Nath. Woodhull President
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JAMES JAY AUTOGRAPHED SIGNED LETTER
January 9, 1808
- Quick facts
- James Jay (1732-1815) was an American physician and politician, and elder brother of John Jay.
- during the American Revolution, Jay supplied medicines to George Washington and developed an invisible ink used by Washington, Thomas Jefferson, his younger brother John Jay, and members of the Culper Spy Ring.
- in this letter, Jay refers to a request he presented to Congress asking for reimbursement for what congressional records describe as developing “…secret mode of correspondence… was very useful in the Revolutionary War, and no doubt might be again …”
- Full details about this collection
- Transcription:
Washington Jan. 9. 1808
Dear General
The critical state of National Affairs, will no doubt occasion some embar[r]assment among mercantile gentlemen, let their for-tunes be what they may. My son in law, Mr. Okill, is a prudent young fellow, and I presume has adapted his measures to the Times. Yet to Let him see that I am not insensible to the State of things, nor un-mindful of himself, I send him, by this Post, my note for $2000. If He should want the money, I shall esteem it a favor if you will get it discounted for him. The distance I am from N.Y. prevents me from offering him Cash, but before this note is due I expect to have the pleasure of taking you by the hand. As to Public Affairs, I can say nothing worth notice. Mr. Rose is not yet arrived here. As to myself, I am soliciting an old Debt, and not a small one, from Congress, and there is great reason to think I shall not solicit in vain. I remain, with great regard,
My Dear General Your Most Obt. Servt. James Jay
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MAP: THE SOUTHERN PART OF THE PROVINCE OF NEW YORK: WITH PART OF THE ADJOINING COLONIES
Thomas Kitchin (1718-1784)
Access online:The Southern Part of the Province of New York: with Part of the Adjoining Colonies.
[London]: Printed for R. Baldwin, 1778.
Thomas Kitchin was an English engraver, cartographer, and hydrographer to the King of England. This Revolutionary war-era, hand colored British map of New York was published in the London Magazine. It focuses on “Hudsons River,” extends from Albany to Long Island, and includes parts of Massachusets Bay (sic), Connecticut, and New Jersey. A note at the northeastern border of New York reads “Bounds of New York and Massachusetts Bay not settled.”