Promptly before the end of the month came orders to Major Tallmadge to re-engage the Culpers. From Headquarters at New Windsor General Washington wrote:
Your two favors of the 24th and 25th have been duly received. Fully impressed with the idea of the utility of early, regular and accurate communications of the kind in contemplation, I shall make no difficulty in acceding to the proposal contained in your private letter from New Port of the 25th. But at the same time I am engaging in behalf of the United States a liberal reward for the services of the C——s, (of whose fidelity and ability I entertain a high opinion) it is certainly but reasonable, from patriotism and every other principle, that their exertions should be proportionately great, to subserve essentially the interest of the Public. All the interior and minute arrangements of the Correspondence, I request you will settle with them as expeditiously and as advantageously as may be: and especially that you will urge, in very forcible terms, the necessity of having the communications as circumstantial, frequent and expeditious, as possible. The great object of information you are very well acquainted with—such as, Arrivals, Embarkations, Preparations for Movements, alterations of Positions, situation of Posts, Fortifications, Garrisons, strength or weakness of each, distribution and strength of Corps, and in general every thing which can be interesting and important for us to know. Besides these, you are also sensible there are many things, upon a smaller scale, which are necessary to be reported: and that whatever intelligence is communicated ought to be not in general terms, but in detail, and with the greatest precision.
At present I am anxious to know (for the reports have been very numerous vague and uncertain) whether another embarkation is preparing, and if so to what amount, and where destined. What the present force of the Enemy is; particularly on Long Island, in New York and at King’s Bridge. What Corps are at the latter place, how strong, and where posted exactly—and indeed what the situation, prospect, and designs of the enemy are, so far as they can be penetrated into.
The need of this information was anticipated both by Major Tallmadge and by the Culpers. Therefore much of it was in the intelligence forwarded by Culper Senior on May 8th.[(137)] That trip was quickly followed by another, from which he returned on May 19th, and wrote:
Sir. Your very pressing letter of the 3d inst. came to hand. And it is a matter of grief to me that I cannot completely execute your request. When at New York myself, together with Culper Junior almost racked our invention to point out a proper person and made several attempts but failed—no person will write. The enemy have got some hint of me for when passing at Brooklyn Ferry was strictly examined and told some vilian supported a correspondence from this place. I do assure you am greatly alarmed—and wished to be relieved from my present anxiety. I shall not think it safe for me to go to New York very soon—and can only supply you with verbal accounts as hath been the case for some time. If that will answer let me know as shall continue as heretofore until I hear from you. Austin Roe came from New York yesterday, who saith, Culper Junior informed as is the following.—Admiral Arbuthnot together with the troops mentioned in my last, sailed on Sunday last supposed to stop up the Delaware. And is something expected that Admiral Arbuthnot will soon appear at Block Island. The enemy have impressed 300 of your prisoners and put them on board of the ships of war—this is fact—Nothing material from any other quarter except a late arrival from Europe, and brings a prospect of peace. See the paper, and private accounts declare that the Russian Ambassador hath left the Court of Britain. I believe this is fact. I intended to have wrote you a very long letter but have not time now, but have neglected nothing that is of importance. Capt. Hazard with a party of refugees are about to take up their quarters again at Fort St. George. In haste am Yours Sincerely,
Saml. Culper.
The above was followed by his letters of May 27th[(138)] and June 4th[(139)] and then on the 27th of June he wrote, saying:
Your letter of the 23d instant was handed me yesterday by Mr. S. and observe the contents. Sorry it had not arrived one day earlier, that might have directed Austin Roe, agreeable thereto. I cannot think I would be safe in going to New York for reasons mentioned heretofore and the most can do in complyance with your very urgent request, is, have engaged a faithful and capable friend to report to me agreeable to your queries, on the 4th of July. Sooner could not obtain it.
Below is the report of Austin Roe this moment returned from New York and communicated to him by our late correspondents. A Cork Fleet just arrived at the Hook, numbers and particulars unknown—Arbuthnot’s Fleet cruising off the Hook. Accounts from the South favorable. Coll. Ludlow’s and the Jersey volunteers have left Lloyd’s Neck and are now at Jamaica. The Yeagers and Anspach Regiment amounting to about 800 men crossed Hell Gate yesterday on to York Island. The 17th Dragoons and mounted Yeagers are about Islip South. The enemy expect an attack and are contracting their lines, and collecting in force at the Bridge. There appears a greater number of Transports in full view about New York now than some time past but no Ships of force. Inclosed you have the papers, and believe me to be yours Sincerely,
Saml. Culper.