“Philadelphia, May 20, 1780.
“Sir:
“I take pleasure to recommend to your kindly consideration, Mr. Roderick Barclugh, who is a gentleman of substance and of good parts.
“He is on a secret mission for me to New York, to learn of the arrival of some important treasure ships of the English, and also to assist in our mutual business of privateering.
“He is traveling incognito and if you can further him on his journey, our common cause will be very materially assisted.
“With every sentiment of esteem and regard, I am, dear General,
“Your most obedient servant,
“(Signed) R. FitzMaurice.“To His Excellency, General Washington.”
“I told you! I told you!” said the leader, “he calls himself Mr. La Fitte, and here’s Mr. Barclugh on a secret mission to New York about some treasure ships. I wonder if he has any treasure aboard naow. Boys, you jest peel off that feller’s clothes a little more.”
The other two went at Barclugh with surprising energy, and examined every seam of his clothing, and brought off a buckskin belt that was around his waist, and the three went at its contents.
First they brought off fifty gold pieces, English guineas.
Then they felt some papers in a small pocket and lo, here were bills of exchange on the Bank of Amsterdam for eighty thousand pounds in gold.
The leader held the bills up and counted three each for twenty thousand pounds and two each for ten thousand pounds, and then turning to his companions, said seriously:
“That beats my reckonin’. Boys, this fellow is an infernal rascal, for he has more money on his person than any one man can honestly earn. Say, Mr. Feet, where did you git this treasure? Did you earn it? Did you find it? Does it belong to you?”
“Gentlemen,” replied Barclugh, “if you will conduct me to the camp of General Washington, I will present you with the guineas I have and any reasonable reward you may ask.”
“Nary a guinea will an American soldier ask from a stranger to perform his duty. You will be conducted safely, with every guinea you have, to Captain Thomas Storm and he will turn you over to Colonel Abraham Brinkerhoff, who has command of our precinct,” were the soldierly words of the spokesman of the party as he continued: