A Letter from George Washington’s Spymaster, 1780

Background

Spying against the British in New York was dangerous work. In 1778, George Washington’s spymaster, Benjamin Tallmadge, set up the Culper Spy Ring. In this cryptic letter, Tallmadge (who uses the name “John Bolton”) tells Washington that the members of the Culper Ring think it is too dangerous to continue their work and suggests that “Mr. Mulligan” might be willing to continue. Could Mr. Mulligan be Hercules Mulligan? Although Hercules Mulligan was not an official member of the Culper Ring, he did report to Tallmadge. At the end of Tallmadge’s letter, you can read the letter that “Culper” sent about the dangers of spying in New York. The names and details had to be disguised in case the British found the letters.

Here are some of the code names used.

Code Name = Actual Name
John Bolton = Benjamin Tallmadge
711 = George Washington
C (Samuel Culper) = Abraham Woodhull, a member of the Culper Spy Ring
C Jr. (Culper Jr.) = Robert Townsend

Transcript

Letter from Benjamin Tallmadge to George Washington, May 8, 1780

Wethersfield May 8th 1780

Sir, I have the honour to enclose to Your Excellency a Line from C—. At his earnest request I have lately had an interview with him at Setauket, who informs that C. Jun^r, who resides at N.Y., has of late declined assisting him. Even C. Senior grows timid, & thinks the intercourse had better be dropt for the present, & if any movements of Consequence should be in Contemplation he will renew his Services at any time. He wishes however to be informed of some Person at N.Y. whom he may Confidentially trust in the business. If M^r Duchie, or M^r Mulligan, have ever done any thing in this way, he would be obliged by a hint of it. C— informs that C. Jun^r has wrote your Excellency some time ago, that he proposed laying aside the business for the present. C. Supposed that the Boat crossing at such regular periods has given Cause for Suspicion, & for this reason would be glad (if nothing very important requires his attention in his former employment) not to have the Boat cross immediately. The next appointment is on the 24th of May ins^t., By which time I hope to be hond with a Line from Your Excellency on the Subject,— that I may reply to C— by the [illegible] Conveyance.

I have the honour to be your Excellency’s most Obed^t Serv^t Jno. Bolton

Setauket May 4th 1780

Sir I have had an interview with C Jun^r—And am Sorry to find he declines Serveing any longer as hinted in my last—If any Person can be Pointed out by 711—at NY—who can be Safely relyed on to Supply C. Jur Place I will make myself known to him, And Settle a Plan for the Purpose—C. Jur will nevertheless afford every assistance in his Power, & give verbal information as he can collect. I have rec^d 20 Guinies Sometime ago, which you Sent me & with them have been Paying off the expences already accrued, And find a ballance Still due me, As soon as Convenient could wish you to forward me an additional Sum—I have for some time Suspected that Daniel Duehee living with Hugh Wallace has bene employd by 711—if this be the Case could wish to be informed of it: I Shall Probably See Joⁿ Bolton this evening and therefore forbear, And Shall refer you to him, And am your &c. Saml Culper

Document Source: Library of Congress

Excerpt

Letter from Benjamin Tallmadge to George Washington, May 8, 1780

Wethersfield May 8th 1780

Sir,

I have the honour to enclose to Your Excellency a Line from C —. At his earnest request I have lately had an interview with him at Setauket, who informs that C. Jun^r, who resides at N.Y., has of late declined assisting him. Even C. Senior grows timid, & thinks the intercourse had better be dropt for the present, & if any movements of Consequence should be in Contemplation he will renew his Services at any time. He wishes however to be informed of some Person at N.Y. whom he may Confidentially trust in the business. If M^r Duchie, or M^r Mulligan, have ever done any thing in this way, he would be obliged by a hint of it. C — informs that C. Jun^r has wrote your Excellency some time ago, that he proposed laying aside the business for the present. C. Supposed that the Boat crossing at such regular periods has given Cause for Suspicion, & for this reason would be glad (if nothing very important requires his attention in his former employment) not to have the Boat cross immediately. The next appointment is on the 24th of May ins^t., By which time I hope to be hond with a Line from Your Excellency on the Subject,— that I may reply to C— by the [illegible] Conveyance.

I have the honour to be

your Excellency’s

most Obed^t Serv^t

Jno. Bolton

 

Setauket May 4th 1780

Sir

I have had an interview with C Jun^r—And am Sorry to find he declines Serveing any longer as hinted in my last—If any Person can be Pointed out by 711—at NY—who can be Safely relyed on to Supply C. Jur Place I will make myself known to him, And Settle a Plan for the Purpose—C. Jur will nevertheless afford every assistance in his Power, & give verbal information as he can collect. I have rec^d 20 Guinies Sometime ago, which you Sent me & with them have been Paying off the expences already accrued, And find a ballance Still due me, As soon as Convenient could wish you to forward me an additional Sum—I have for some time Suspected that Daniel Duehee living with Hugh Wallace has bene employd by 711—if this be the Case could wish to be informed of it: I Shall Probably See Joⁿ Bolton this evening and therefore forbear, And Shall refer you to him, And am your &c. Saml Culper

 

Document Source: Library of Congress

intercourse: communications

contemplation: full consideration

obliged: required

accrued: added as interest on money

forbear: withhold