GEORGE WASHINGTON

GEORGE WASHINGTON

(1732 - 1799) First President of the United States and commander of the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War. WASHINGTON AND HIS SPIES Important war-date L.S. "Go: Washington" as Commander in Chief of the Continental Army, 1p. 7.25 x 11.75 in, "Head Quarters West Point", Oct. 2, 1779 to Major BENJAMIN TALLMADGE. In full: "Dear Sir I have recd yours of the 30th Sepr by Mr Helmerharsen to whom I have granted a Warrant for 5000 dollars to be accounted for by Colo. Sheldon. The State of the military Chest will not allow of a further sum at this time. When this is expended, be pleased to make a Return of the Names of the Men inlisted, and you may draw a further Sum. I am anxious to hear what effect the Count D'Estaings arrival to the southward will have upon the politics of New York, be pleased therefore to forward C--- letters or any other intelligence the momt you obtain them. I am Dear Sir Yr most obt Servt Go: Washington". The letter is written in the hand of Washington's aide, TENCH TILGHMAN (1744-1786) and is docketed on verso by Tallmadge. Two short tears in blank margins, repaired on verso, else very fine condition. BENJAMIN TALLMADGE (1754-1835) was a Continental Army officer and spymaster operating out of New York. Placed in charge of bringing intelligence from British-controlled New York to the Continental army, he did so by assembling a network of spies known as the Culper Spy Ring which ultimately exposed John Andre and Benedict Arnold. In researching this letter, we find that Washington's warrant book entries for this date included $5,000 "To Henry Frederick Helmerharsen for recruting 2d Regt Dragoons..." On Oct. 10, Washington's spy Abraham Woodhull ("Samuel Culper"), the "C---" mentioned in this letter, forwarded to Tallmadge an Oct. 9 report from fellow spy Robert Townsend ("Samuel Culper, Jr.") on reactions in New York on d'Estaing's arrival in Georgia. The report mentioned preparations undertaken with the expectation of an invasion by the French, the British relief at the news of d'Estaing's arrival in Georgia, and intelligence that men were boarding naval vessels for transport south to meet the invasion. Included in "The Papers of George Washington"