“To intrust none but the persons fixed upon to transmit the Business.
“To deliver the dispatches to none upon our side but those who shall be pitched upon for the purpose of receiving them and to transmit them and any intelligence that may be obtained to no one but the Commander-in-Chief.”
Robert Townsend acknowledges receipt of the above instructions in his second letter, dated July 15th,[(112)] and in transmitting it Samuel Culper added the following:
“Mr. C. Junr. informed me at our interview that Christopher Duychenik, Sail Maker of 10, formerly Chairman of the Committee of Mechanics, is amongst you and is positively an agent for David Mathews, Mayor of 10, under the direction of Tryon he assisted Mathews, John Rome and others in affecting their escape. Mr. C. Jr. wishes for some of that Ink or Stain that he may paint out his character to you. Don’t fail to forward it immediately, and when you receive the History of his conduct be very caucious how you handle it for if it should get to the above mentioned persons ears C. Jr. tells me they would immediately suspect him. In the mean time I would advise and is approved on by Culper, Junr. Obtain the Mayor’s signature and let a letter be wrote suitable for deception, and let it be handed him by some person of good address, praying his assistance to escape from the tyranny of Congress, which is the term used by the Mayor—or something like this plan I do not doubt will have the desired effect. John Rome is Secretary to M. Genl. Jones. It is not in my power to favour you with the Mayor’s signature at present. I am your &c.
“Samuel Culper.”
General Washington forwarded the ink as requested, together with the following letter, dated West Point, July 25, 1779.
“Sir: All the white Ink I now have (indeed all that there is any prospect of getting soon)[13] is sent in phial No. 1 by Col. Webb. The liquid in No. 2 is the counterpart which renders the other visible by wetting the paper with a fine brush after the first has been used and is dry. You will send these to C——r, Junr., as soon as possible, and I beg that no mention may ever be made of your having received such liquids from me or any one else. In all cases and at all times this procedure and circumspection is necessary, but it is indispensably so now as I am informed that Govr. Tryon has a preparation of the same acid or something similar to it, which may lead to a detection if it is ever known that a matter of this sort has passed from me.”
John Jay’s letter to General Washington introducing through his brother James Jay, the invisible ink that was used so successfully by the Culpers. The secret of its manufacture still remains a mystery.
See [page 51].