“Saml. Culper.”
Again on the 8th of October he wrote:
729—462—0th, 1780.
Sir. 708—356 of the fi of 616 came to hand, together with the enclosed blank, the lines of which were easily discovered and some sentences could be read. The paper being so bad I judge is the reason. To prevent the like for the future have forwarded you some good paper which please make use of for that purpose alone. The 174 return’d last night from 727 but without a blank from C. Jur. The present commotion that hath risen on account of that infamous Arnold, together with little or no intelligence at this time was the reason that he did not write. That have only to say the Enemies embarcation goes on but slow. They don’t seem to act with spirit about it. Culper Junr. is to be with me on the ef instant, if no unforeseen accident doth prevent. If possible, and think proper, come and see him. It may be of mutual advantage. There appears nothing in the way but the dangers of the Seas, and hope this invitation will come to hand timely for the purpose. Have just heard that Capt. Cornelius Conklin with a boat’s Crew hath fell into the hands of the refugees near Treadells Banks with the loss of Lieut. Ketchak Killd Dead. Their misfortune is owing to Abijah Tooker of Seatauket. Have nothing further to ad, and am yours Sincerely,
Saml. Culper.
Comparatively few letters from this period to the end of the war have survived. The next is Woodhull’s, as follows:
“New York, December 24, 1780.
“Sir. I yesterday returned from New York and shall now communicate all that have been able to collect. General Arnold saild on the 20th instant, from Sandy Hook, with a detachment not exceeding sixteen hundred men, consisting of British, Germans and volunteers. Arnold is intrusted with the command of a Military Chest where he may give and take thousands. Coll. Simcoe with part of his regiment is gone with him. Various are the conjectures concerning their destination. Some say to the West Indies, some to the Carolinas, some to the Floridas, others to Virginia. The latter the most probable, as a very noted Refugee, (I think by the name of Charles Williams) formerly an inhabitant of the beforementioned place, is gone with a large quantity of goods suitable for cloathing negroes. I am told Arnold’s having the command is displeased many of the independent gentlemen of the Army, and is called by some the Rebel Fleet. The enemy have certain accounts of a large fleet sailing from France, and in consequence thereof, four thousand Troops may be expected to arrive shortly at New York or to the Southward.... Admiral Rodney hath sent a considerable number of prisoners, both masters and seamen, to England, a step unheard of heretofore, which drew tears from our unfortunate countrymen. I hope you’ll endeavour to exchange as many as possible, for the prisoners will suffer more this winter than ever, as the tender and well disposed inhabitants are debarred from sending them any assistance without endangering themselves....
“Samuel Culper.”
A mystery concerning the next letter remains unsolved. It appears to have taken three months to get to Tallmadge. It is an invitation from Arnold, inviting him to become a traitor, like himself. In forwarding a copy of it to General Washington Major Tallmadge says: