“Samuel Culper.”
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An enclosure from Brewster accompanied the above letter. His in full is as follows:
Fairfield, Feb. 26th, 1779.
Dear Sir. I have returned from the Island this day. Genl. Erskine remains yet at Southampton. He has been reinforced to the number of 2500. They have three redoubts at South and East Hampton and are heaving up works at Canoe Place at a narrow pass before you get into South Hampton. They are building a number of flat bottom boats. There went a number of carpenters down last week to South Hampton. It is thought by the inhabitants that they will cross over to New London after the Continental Frigates. Col. Hewlet remains yet on Lloyd’s Neck with 350, wood cutters included. Col. Simcoe remains at Oyster bay with 300 Foot and Light Horse. There is no troops from Oyster Bay till you come to Jamaica. There is one Regt. of Highlanders and some at Flushing and Newtown, the numbers I cannot tell, but not a regiment at both places. The most of the shipping of force has left New York. There is one 50, one old East India man, one 20 that is repairing at the ship yard, the Scorpion at N. City Island, one old India man at Huntington, 40 guns, the Halifax Brig at Oyster Bay, one sloop of ten guns they are repairing all their flat bottom boats in New York and building a number at the ship yard. This intelligence is as late out of New York as the 20th of the month. The inhabitants is fitting a number of Privateers out in the City. There was one French ship brought in with 500 hogsheads of Sugar last week. I am with respect, Yours, &c.
Caleb Brewster.
From General Washington at Middlebrook dated March 21st, 1779, came a long letter of instructions, most of which will be found in another chapter. To Tallmadge he says: “With this letter you will receive fifty guineas for S. C. which you will cause to be delivered as soon as possible, with an earnest exhortation to use them with all possible econemy, as I find it very difficult to obtain hard money.... As all great movements and the fountain of all intelligence must originate at, and proceed from the Head Quarters of the enemy’s army, C. had better reside at New York—mix with and put on the airs of a tory, to cover his real character and avoid suspicion.... The temper and expectation of the tories and refugees, is worthy of consideration; as much may be gathered from their expectations and prospects. For this end an intimacy with some well informed refugee may be political and advantageous—Highly so will it be to contract an acquaintance with a person in the Naval Department, who may either be engaged in the business of procuring transports for the embarkation of the troops, or in victualling them.”
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An unusual line heads Samuel Culper’s next letter. It reads:
“Sir. No. 10 10 April 10 1779.