Part 9

_Dr: Sir._ I have recd yours of the 13th as I have your several late favors with their enclosures--It is impossible for me, circumstanced as matters are, to give a positive answer to C. Junior’s 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 shall be his aim, and if not that I shall think myself bound to represent his conduct in the light it deserves[24] and procure him a compensation of another kind. I shall take the first good opportunity of sending you a further sum of money for contingencies. I am Dear Sir, Yours, &c.

GO: WASHINGTON.

It certainly was not possible at the moment to realize the importance of the messages that were now arriving. Woodhull’s inference that they contain much good intelligence is prophetic. The first is dated

SETAUKET, September 18th, 1780.

_Sir._ Your favour of the 12th inst, together with the enclosed came to hand on the 15, at 12 o’clock. I immediately set off and have done all that in me lay, and is communicated in the blank inclosed, and it contains much good intelligence, I hope all that’s needful. Our spirits are extremely low here. We Pray for your best endeavours. The times requires you to be vigilent and active. Sir George Rodney’s Fleet hath arrived. See the Paper. I have induced C. Junr. to shorten the present rout the letters take, as mentioned in the blank. It will be done in the course of ten days I hope similar to your plan proposed. I have made several discoveries of villany but have not time to write now. Forbid the boat man on with 725 to come any more, and desire Governor Trumbull immediately to grant him no favours, or else it will be too late. In my next will state the matter to you. In the greatest haste am yours sincerely

SAMUEL CULPER.

N.B. 17th Dragoons at the Branch.

* * * * *

GREENFIELD, Tuesday morning, 6 o’clock 19th Septr. 1780.

_Sir._

I have been impatiently waiting at this place for some time for the arrival of C’s Dispatches, which have this instant come to hand. A very heavy gale of wind prevented the boat from crossing at the time appointed. I hope the enclosed may be satisfactory. I shall inform Genl. Heath of what respects the French Army at New Port, agreeably to your Excellency’s orders. Enclosed is an account of expenses from C. A man is obliged always to ride to New York from the place where the boat lands and wait Culper’s answer; his expenses on the road and in the city for himself and horse must be very considerable. Your excellency will furnish such supplies, in answer to the enclosed, as may be judged necessary. I had the honor last night to receive your Excellency’s favor of the 16th inst. the contents of which shall be duly forwarded to C. Junr. I have the honor to be, with great Regard, Sir, Your Excellency’s most Obedt. Servt.

BENJA. TALLMADGE.

At this period the Culpers were using more care to conceal the intelligence in their letters, as will be observed upon examining Woodhull’s, dated August 27th.(126) Townsend’s were now all written with the stain. Tallmadge’s efforts to shorten the line of communication have been preserved in a series of three of his letters to Headquarters written during the month of August.

Incidentally, in his zeal he almost betrayed the identity of Culper Junior. The first letter, dated August 10, 1780, reads:

“Since I last saw your Excellency I have been endeavoring to open communications with New York by crossing over to Cow Neck to the westward of Oyster Bay. If this can be effected, Dispatches may be bro’t from New York to the White Plains in 12 hours on contingencies, as the whole land course on both sides would not exceed 34 miles, & the Sound not more than 10 miles over, I am the more induced to this step, as C---- Junr. has a near Relation living near Cow Neck, whom if I can also engage, I am sure of C---- Junr’s services.”

Tallmadge’s next letter in this series is dated from North Castle, August 20, 1780: and reads:

“_Sir._ Since my last I have made several attempts to open a communication with Culper, Junior, by the way of Oyster Bay or Cow Neck. The person whom I mentioned to Your Excellency as the properest man to engage and secure Culper’s services, was away from home, at New York, and last Monday night I sent over an Officer who formerly resided at Oyster Bay, but the person in question was then too ill to be seen. I shall still pay attention to this matter, tho the Refugee boats which frequently pass up and down the Sound makes crossing very dangerous.

“Enclosed is a letter from the person who has for a long time bro’t dispatches from the Culpers. Your Excellency will perceive he has been attacked by some of the Refugee Boats. He requests more men, as may be seen by the enclosed. Your Excellency will please to direct me in the matter. There are several Continental Crews at Stamford and Horseneck, whose duty I am unacquainted with. Perhaps one of those can be spared.

“I am sorry Lt. B.----r was drove from L.I. so suddenly as dispatches from Culper Junior were then waiting for him. I have the Honor to be Your Excellency’s most Obedt. Servt.

“BENJ. TALLMADGE.”

In the next letter, dated from Bedford, August 28, 1780,(127) he says:

“After sending several times across the Sound to open a new communication with Culper Junior, without success, I have finally referred the whole matter to him, who I expect will appoint such place and pick on such persons for his confidential friends, as will best answer our purpose, and inform me thereof.”

FOOTNOTES to “SECRET SERVICE SECRETS”:

[16] See _Memoir of Colonel Benjamin Tallmadge_, p. 130.

[17] It was this Austin Roe who fell from his horse and broke his leg while hurrying to keep an engagement with George Washington in 1790. The President was then touring Long Island and, probably without disclosing his reason to any one, requested the presence of those who had faithfully served him during the Revolution. Austin Roe had long occupied the Setauket homestead, later known as the Dering property, and still later owned by the Irwins who in 1936 moved the house to a new location. Roe’s brother, Captain Daniel Roe, was at the time occupying the Roe homestead at Port Jefferson, then called the Townsend house. Captain Nathaniel Roe was a cousin, not in the neighborhood at the time. Austin “bore the title of Captain,” his biographer says, but few knew what he commanded.

[18] Colonel Simcoe had been captured and was at the time a prisoner in New Jersey.

[19] Washington Papers, March 23d, 1780, No. 17458.

[20] Austin Roe might justly be called the Paul Revere of New York, with this difference, that instead of taking one wonderful ride Roe took a hundred. Paul Revere at his fastest speed did not equal this ride of Austin Roe that saved Newport from the British. Fifty-five miles he rode to reach Abraham Woodhull while Brewster waited to carry the message from Robert Townsend across the Sound. It gave General Washington the information that 8000 British troops were embarking at Whitestone destined for Newport, and that Admiral Graves with eleven ships was already on the way to Rhode Island to meet the French Fleet which they were assured consisted of only seven sail. The message reached Washington in time to get the information to British headquarters that an immediate attack upon New York was contemplated and therefore the forces were withdrawn from Newport before they had an opportunity to accomplish the work of destruction.

[21] On the tenth of July, 1780, a powerful fleet under Admiral Tarnay arrived in Newport Harbor, having on board some six thousand troops under the command of Count de Rochambeau. The expedition had been secretly fitted out at the instance of Lafayette, and nothing was known of it by the Americans until his return in May. On the 17th Lafayette left headquarters with full authority to arrange plans with the French commanders for future operations. Hall’s “Life of Parsons,” p. 296.

[22] As early as 1778 the British on Long Island had a method of transmitting important news that was as rapid almost as the telegraph is today. For this purpose beacons were established and a system of signals arranged. Among the papers of Major John Kissam have been preserved some of the instructions which so clearly state the eminences upon which these beacons were erected that there would be little trouble in locating them at the present day. Following are unabridged copies of these instructions:

Signals: Col. Hamilton will be so good as to place a man at the most convenient heights, to see Laurel Hill and Morris’s house. He will observe what signals are made from there--if there are 3 guns from Laurel hill and 3 fires from there or Morris’s house,

2 guns and 2 fires ditto, or

1 gun and 1 fire from ditto, and report the same to the commander in chief on board the Grand Duke at Whitestone. Ol. DeLancey, Aid de Camp.

Signals by day and night for Long Island and Kingsbridge. To be made from Norwich hill, Sutton’s hill and Flushing Heights in Queens County, L. I. viz.

1st. On the Enemy’s landing in force eastward of Norwich: by night, 1 beacon fired at each, by day 1 large smoke at each.

2d. On Enemy landing in force westward of Norwich hill; by night 2 beacons fired at each; by day, 2 large smokes at each.

Signals acknowledged from Morris’s house. By night; 1st signal, 1 rocket, 2d. signal, 2 rockets. By day    none    none

N.B. The fires and smoke to be kept up while the Enemy remain on the Island, or until otherwise observed. After every signal a Light Dragoon to be sent from Morris’s house to Head Quarters with the intelligence.

Mem. Norwich hill is 2 miles south of Oyster Bay, Sutton’s Hill [now Beacon hill] is 3 miles from Cowneck Point; Flushing Heights are near Ustic’s house.

Appointed by the Commander in Chief, WM. TRYON M. G.

Scorpion A copy P. BROWN.

* * * * *

HEMPSTEAD PLAINS, July 30, 1778.

To Major Kissam. _Sir_, In the absence of Col. Hamilton you will take command of the Queens County Militia, & execute such measures as you shall think necessary for the benefit and protection of the County. In particular you will observe the following directions respecting the Beacons on Cow Neck and near Norwich, and take steps requisite for their being carried into execution.

Whenever any Beacons to the Eastward are seen on fire, you will immediately set fire to those under your care, making one fire or more, as you observe those to the Eastward have done, in every instance following their example: and whenever you have so done, you will send an express to the commanding officer of the King’s forces at Jamaica, informing him that 1, 2, or 3 beacons (as the fact shall be) are fired to the Eastward.

In all cases when you have certain intelligence of the Enemy being landed on this Island in force, you will fire all the 3 beacons, and dispatch an express as above with the information, always keeping up the fires until the intelligence shall have reached New York. You will of course have a distinct beacon at each place in readiness to be fired, and if it should happen in the day time, encourage the smoke as much as possible.

A corporal and 4 men are to mount guard at each place on them, night and day, always keeping a centinel looking out for signals. These men you will change weekly, or at your discretion and excuse them from all military duty. A compensation will moreover be made them in proportion to their diligence and service.

These directions are to be strictly observed by the Guard at each of the 2 places fixed on by Brigr. Genl. DeLancey for the erection of the beacons, and the guard stationed on the hill near Norwich will also observe to send an express to Cow neck whenever the beacons under their care are fired. WM. TRYON. M: G:

* * * * *

SCORPION OFF NEW CITY ISLAND, Jan. 30, 79

Signals.--If the Rebels are attacking any vessels; or landing or landed between this station and Hempstead Bay; the Signals by night are 2 fires on Lawrence Hewlett’s Point; by day, 2 smokes on the same.--If the attack is made in Cow Bay the signal by night is 1 fire on Lawrence Hewlett’s Point: if by day 1 smoke on the same.--The above signals will be answered from the Scorpion; by day by hoisting the colors, or hauling them down, if hoisted previously; by night with lights, false-fires or musquets. PHILIP BROWN.

[23] The Spies of Washington did not record the names of the British vessels in Gardiner’s Bay but the heir to the island, John Lyon Gardiner, who was a boy ten years old when the fleet arrived, made record on February 9, 1796, in which he says: “There were eleven ships of the line and perhaps some frigates. They came in August, 1780, and went out in March, 1781. There was the ‘Royal Oak,’ 74 guns, Vice Admiral Arbuthnot, ‘London,’ 90 guns, Rear Admiral Graves, ‘Colloden,’ 74 guns, Capt Sweeny, ‘Bedford,’ 74 guns, Capt Affleck, ‘Prudent,’ 74 guns, Capt. Charles Ogle, ‘Robuste,’ ‘America,’ ‘Shrewsbury,’ ‘Europe,’ ‘Rising Sun’ and ‘Swan.’”

[24] Note. Before these accounts are finally closed, justice and propriety call upon me to signify that there are Persons within the British Lines--if they are not dead or removed, who have a claim upon the Public under the strongest assurances of compensation from me for their services in conveying me private intelligence; and which when exhibited I shall think myself in honor bound to pay. Why these claims have not made their appearance ere this, unless from either of the causes above mentioned--or from a disinclination in them to come forth till the B. force is entirely removed from the United States, I know not--But I have thought it an incumbent duty on me to bring the matter to view that it may be held in remembrance in case such claims should hereafter appear. Go: Washington. [The private account book of Culper Senior, in the Library at East Hampton, L. I., shows that he received the balance due him on August 2, 1790. There is nothing to show that Robert Townsend ever asked for or received his. Before the capture of Major André he was anxious for assurances that if he used his own money to promote the service he would be compensated at the close of the war. Later it is probable that he preferred not to risk discovery by preparing an itemized bill, as Woodhull was obliged to do.]

TOWNSEND’S PERSONALITY

There is no good reason to question those who say in the veins of Robert Townsend flowed the blood of Norman Conquerors. Upon his own immediate ancestors he could look with pardonable pride. The first on Long Island was John Townsend, one of the patentees of Flushing in 1645 and of Rustdorp as Jamaica, Long Island, was then called, in 1656.

Among John’s children was John, usually called John 2d. He had, among others, a son James, whose son Jacob, born in 1692, was the father of Samuel Townsend and grandfather of Robert Townsend, whose _alias_ was Culper Junior. Robert’s father, Samuel, was born in 1717. He married Sarah, the daughter of William and Mary (Hicks) Stoddard. Mary’s parents were John and Deborah (Almy) Hicks.

When Robert’s father, Samuel Townsend, was in his twenty-fourth year, he was appointed by George Clarke, then Lieutenant-Governor and Commander-in-Chief of the Province of New York, Ensign in the Company of Militia Foot in Queens County, Joseph Weeks then being Captain. His commission is dated December 15, 1741, and bears the signature of George Clarke, and also of the Deputy Secretary, George Moore.

[Illustration: HOUSES ONCE OCCUPIED BY WASHINGTON’S SPIES.

_See page xi._ ]

Samuel Townsend is described in family documents as a fine old gentleman, of regular features, straight nose, a large blue eye, high forehead. A snuff-colored or gray suit, with silver knee- and shoe-buckles, a white stock of cambric lawn gathered in five plaits, fastened behind with a paste buckle, showing no collar, narrow ruffles at the shirt-bosom, gold-headed cane, and cocked hat. An uncle used to say he hated to see Sam and Sarah come into meeting, they looked so tall and proud. He was said to be a member of Meeting by birthright, his parents being strict Friends, and his wife, although baptized in the Episcopal Church, preferred the Friends. They had sons, Solomon, Samuel, Robert, William, and David, and daughters, Audrey Sarah and Phebe.

Solomon was seven years older than his brother Robert. Much has already been published about him. He married Anne daughter of Peter Townsend of Orange County, New York, and they had eight children:(128) Hannah, Anne, Mary, Phebe, Samuel, Jacob, Peter, and Solomon.

Robert Townsend, _alias_ Culper Junior, was born November 25, 1753, and died at Oyster Bay, Long Island, March 7, 1838, aged eighty-four years, three months, and ten days.

Robert Townsend’s father, Samuel, was always a successful merchant. He conducted his business at Jericho, Long Island, until 1743, after which he moved to the property now known as “Raynham Hall” at Oyster Bay, which he had purchased in 1740. Himself a learned man, he was always careful to see that the education of his children was not neglected. Pride radiates in the handwriting still preserved on a page of his ledger, where he records:

“Sarah Townsend went to school to Rebeccah Coles ye 27th of October, 1766. Rebecca Coles School ceased ye last of February, 1767. Sarah and Phebe Townsend bagan school with John Townsend’s wife ye 16th March, 1767.”

The ages of the girls at that time were five and seven years. Ten years earlier the tuition of Robert who became Culper Junior began under the same teacher. Notes preserved by a nephew read: “My uncle Robert Townsend went to her school when only three years old, so young that Madam Townsend used to permit him and her little son Ephraim of about the same age to play at the pond with the young ducks instead of obliging them at their tender age to pour over to them unintelligable school books.”

A sister-in-law of Madam Townsend was Zerviah Townsend who married Dr. Matthew Parish, here mentioned because of her influence over the destiny of Robert. It is recorded by a contemporary that “while the British lay at Boston on the eve of the Revolution, she said to Solomon Wooden, ‘The Lord has assured me and spoken to me and advised’ that the Troops by Boston shall withdraw; likewise all the Men of War; and that America shall be the Mother of Nations and feed them with bread.”

At the commencement of hostilities, Samuel Townsend was slow in renouncing his allegiance to the King. A former experience was probably responsible for this caution. When in 1758 he had attempted to get justice for the neutral French and prisoners of war that had been brought into Kings County in 1756, he was held in the custody of the Sergeant-at-Arms of the General Assembly of New York for several days and was then not released until they had passed a Resolve, that “the said Samuel Townsend, for writing and sending the said Letter, is guilty of a high misdemeanor and most daring Insult on the Honour, Justice and Authority of this House,” and he was further required to pay a heavy fine and promise that for the future he would be more cautious to avoid every occasion of exposing himself to their censure or reproof.

There was another Samuel Townsend in Oyster Bay active for the Crown as early as December, 1774, “who proposed to convince the world that his Majesty is not without friends here who will support his government.” Later he joined the American army and if British Headquarters confused the two men, they did no more than some of the biographers have done. Upon capture he was severely punished by the British in the Provost, New York, while for Samuel of Raynham Hall most of them had great respect.[25]

Samuel Townsend began active service in the Provincial Congress on May 24, 1775, and usually was present in the sessions to July 1st. Toward the end of July, he again took his seat and toward the close of May, 1776, he became active. He was with them at White Plains from July 9th to August, and during August attended the Provincial Convention and was also one of the Committee of Safety. But he did not follow them to Fishkill, where they began meeting on September 5, 1776. He, therefore, although elected a member of the committee to draft the first State Constitution, was not able actively to participate in their deliberations, and choosing to remain at home was obliged to subscribe to the Oath of Allegiance to the King.[26]

His appointment on committees to advise with and assist Brigadier-General Woodhull in protecting the stock was an important service, as the letters still preserved show. One, dated July 12, 1776, emphasizes this:[27]

The Provincial Convention on August 24th unanimously resolved, that Robert Townsend be a commissary to supply General Woodhull’s Brigade with provisions till such time as General Washington shall give further orders for that purpose, and that Mr. William Smith and Mr. Samuel Townsend be a committee to wait on General Washington with a copy of these resolutions and submit the expediency and necessity of the same to his consideration and advice; also that they submit to His Excellency’s consideration the propriety of ordering Colonel Smith’s and Colonel Remsen’s regiments of militia to join the said brigade.

On the 26th of August, Samuel Townsend and William Smith reported in the following words:

“Your committee, ordered to wait on General Washington with a request from this Convention that he would be pleased to order Col. Smith and Remsen’s regiments, that are now in General Greene’s lines at Brookland, into the western part of Queens county, to join General Woodhull, with that part of his brigade that has been lately ordered out from the western part of Suffolk and Queens counties by this Convention.... That according to order they waited on His Excellency, and conferred with him on the subject above mentioned, and that he seemed well pleased, but he said he was afraid it was too late.... General Washington appeared well satisfied with the proceedings of the Convention, and said that he should at all times, when he had it in his power, be ready to give them any assistance consistent with the public good; and that he would immediately give orders that Col. Smith’s and Remsen’s regiments should march into Queens county to join General Woodhull....”

The Convention, upon receipt of the above report, addressed General Woodhull as follows: