Reduced Fac-simile of Letter from Nath’l Sackett, a Delegate to the “Provincial Congress of the State of New York,” from Dutchess County and member of the Committee on Conspiracies.
(Original paper in possession of Charles H. Ludington, New York City.)
Accordingly we find Nathaniel Sackett, of whom mention has already been made, addressing to Colonel Ludington this significant letter:
Sir
you will proceed on inquiring for a proper person to Remove into the City of New York. in your enquiry you are not to make any use of my name to any Person, but let it appear to be an act of your own unless you find one that in your opinion and skill is possessed of abilitys to carry a secret matter into Execution. upon your finding such a Person and his consenting to Remove into the city you will then desire him to come with you immediately to me, and you will enjoin secrecy upon and direct him not to mention either his business or my name to any Person. any Person that you may converse with in a confidential manner, you will Lay them under the strongest Bonds of secrecy in your Power. and lastly you will conduct the whole Business with the utmost secrecy in your Power and disclose only such parts as you may find absolutely necessary for procuring a proper Person to be imployed for Secret Purposes and will actually Remove to the City of New York.
I am Sir your humble Servt.
Nathl. Sackett.
Frederick Burgh Precinct, Feby. 14th, 1777.
To Colonel Henry Ludington Esqr.
The purport of this was unmistakable. Colonel Ludington was to find some one to serve as a spy in New York, and he was to do it with such prudence and tact that nobody but himself would seem responsible for the negotiations until they had proceeded far enough to give assurance of the fitness and trustworthiness of the man selected for the work. Colonel Ludington proceeded promptly with the undertaking, and with commendable caution, as the following document shows: