Wethersfield, Jan. 28th, 1781.
Dr. Genl. Enclosed your Excellency will receive a copy of a letter from B. Arnold[56] which has this day come to hand. I am equally a stranger to the channel through which it was conveyed, the reason why it was so long on its way, or the motives which induced the Traitor to address himself thus particularly to me. I have determined to treat the Author with the contempt his conduct merits, by not answering his letter, unless Your Excellency should advise a different Measure....
Benj. Tallmadge.
Woodhull’s letter of February 8th, 1781[(132)], predicts success. He thinks it is not far distant, but nevertheless he urges vigilance and activity. He pleads in behalf of Samuel Townsend[57] who as a British prisoner is suffering severely. He calls to mind that all the money General Washington has been able to send him in the last twelve months is 29 Guineas.
Brewster had a letter to accompany this on its way to General Washington.[(133)] He captured a boat and with it eight persons, whose names he forwarded. They reached Fishkill and from there General Parsons also reported to Headquarters, but mentions only six men instead of eight. He suggests the exchange of two of the leaders of the British crew for Major Brush and Captain Conklin. General Washington from New Windsor, on Feb. 23d, questions Brewster as follows:
“Sir. I have recd. yours of the 14th. Your return mentions the names of eight persons sent to the provost Guard—General Parsons says[(134)] only six were committed. You should enquire of the corporal who had them in charge, how this happened. You will dispose of the Boat and what you took in her for the benefit of the captors.”
Culper Senior’s next letter, dated March 18th, 1781,[(135)] mentions that “C. Junr. is again in New York and entering into business again as heretofore, and you may soon I hope receive his dispatches,” but his letter following[(136)] on April 23d, states that they have found it necessary to employ another man to collect information. He says that Culper Junior has recently visited him, but that he will not send a letter out of New York on any account. It might have discovered them to put in a letter the reason for this. In fact Robert Townsend preferred the risk of the long trip to putting on paper the information for Woodhull. At that moment the British had information that might lead to their identity. William Heron, otherwise known as “Hiram, the Spy,” clever agent for Sir Henry Clinton, and good friend of our General Parsons, had reported to British Headquarters in a communication dated February 4th, 1781, that “Private dispatches are frequently sent from New York to the Chieftain here (George Washington) by some traitors. They come by the way of Setalket, where a certain Brewster receives them at, or near, a certain womans.” Townsend must have trembled when he discovered that Clinton had this information and perhaps his trip to caution Woodhull was made none too soon.
If the secret service was to be continued money was now badly needed. In another chapter will be explained the efforts General Washington was making to procure it. Doubtless Major Tallmadge explained this to Culper Senior, who thereupon agreed to finance the work. From Newport, Rhode Island, on April 25th, 1781, Major Tallmadge sent this information to General Washington in the following note:
Sir. In my late interview with Cr. the matter of a future Correspondence, to be rendered more regular and advantageous, was fully discussed. The plan which he has consented to adopt, on certain conditions, is for him to remain for the most part on Long Island and C. Junr. whom he thinks might be engaged again, to reside constantly at New York. That some confidential person must of course be employed to carry dispatches as it would cause suspicions which might lead to detection if either of the Culpers should be frequently passing from New York to Setauket, &c. they being men of some considerable note. What he will of course want will be a sufficient sum of money to defray the contingent expenses which as living at New York and traveling an Long Island is very dear, the expenses accruing must be considerable. C. Senior observes that he is already considerably in advance for the business, which from its situation and other circumstances he is sorry to believe has been of but little service to your Excellency the last campaign. He further observes that if in the present state of our public affairs it should be found difficult to furnish money for the purpose, he will advance 100 guineas or more if needed, receiving your excellency’s assurance that it shall be refunded by the Public, with reasonable interest, after the War. This money to be expended and properly accounted for whenever demanded. These are the outlines of the plan which Culper proposed, and which I promised him to communicate to your Excellency. If the whole or any part of it should be satisfactory, I shall immediately communicate the necessary instructions....
Benj. Tallmadge.