1 September 1863

Cobb, John (fl. 1863)

Document

Title: [Certificate of loyalty for a Missouri woman accused of spying for the Confederacy]

Written in Saint Francois County. Signed by Cobb, John A. Weber, Reinhart Laney, Elisha J. White, and Thomas Lang as citizens of Saint Francois County Missouri. The signees swear that they are personally acquainted with Catherine E. Murphy, a widow living in Farmington accused of spying for the Confederacy, and will vouch for her loyalty to the Union.

GLC01450.600.0001

1 September 1864

Foster, B. W., fl. 1864

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Petition to George Wortham to provide a scout for the county]

Petition signed by thirty-seven citizens of Tyrrell County, requesting that James Ludford be allowed to remain in the county as a scout. He is needed because of the nearby presence of Union troops, and the fear that some citizens have begun to spy for the North. Signed by Foster as Clerk of the Superior Court, and thirty-six other residents, some in pencil. Affixed with a yellow seal. Excerpt: "…the County…is not far from the island of Roanoke, now in the possession of the enemy…Albemarle Sound….is now full of the enemy's blockading fleet…there are some persons suspected of being…

GLC03067

May 24, 1704

Schuyler, Pieter, 1657-1724

Letter

Title: to Lord Cornbury re: spying on the French

Schuyler writes that some men have gone to spy on the French, and that he has enclosed a letter from the interpreter at Onondaga, which relates news of the continual trouble with Indians. Letter marked as a copy.

GLC03107.02077

May 11, 1709

Livingston, Robert, 1654-1728

Manuscript document signed

Title: Dispatch of Indians to Quebec and Montreal

Renselaer and Livingston send one pair of Indians to Quebec, and another pair to Montreal and order them to make what discoveries they can and to follow the instructions of Coll. Vetch and Coll. Nicholson. P.2 contains the instructions of Vetch and Nicholson, which ask the Indians to take exact notice of the amount of troops and provisions at Quebec and Montreal, and if any additional forts have been built. They also ask that the Indians sent ot Quebec find out if there is a stone wall around the city, the number of guns mounted, and when they expect a fleet from France.

GLC03107.02088

1709

Vetch, Samuel, 1668-1732

Manuscript document signed

Title: "Instructions to be given to the two Indians to be sent . . .

. . . to Montreal, and Quibeck." Document leaves instructions to take careful note of troops and fortifications in Canada. The document is also signed by Col. Fr. Nicholson.

GLC03107.00807

22 June 1766

Gage, Thomas, 1718-1787

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Johnson

General Gage about securing evidence against a spy at Johnson Hall and George Croghan's report from Fort Pitt about murders of Indians and white encroachment on their land. In regard to the latter, he contends that the white settlers at Redstone Creek, Pennsylvania, must be driven away. Indicates that they had originally been driven-off by the garrison at Fort Pitt, but later became too numerous. He adds, "If a skirmish happens and Blood is shed, you know what a Clamor there will be against the Military acting without civil Magistrates."

GLC03238

1861-1862 circa

Whiting, William H., 1824-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Wade Hampton

Forwards information to Hampton that was obtained from a spy of General Holmes'. The spy, "Dr Vauchamps," claims "65000 men are to land immediately below Mathias point that Johnston is not to be attacked till after Fredericksburg is taken." Is not sure the report is accurate and advises Hampton "you had better not push your movement farther on the Occoquan but resume your position to be able to take advantage of circumstances." The letter is undated, but was most likely written at some point shortly before McClellan began his Peninsula campaign, in which case the report would be at least…

GLC03516

1 August 1783

Carleton, Guy, 1724-1808

Letter signed

Title: to Lord Frederick North

Transmits extracts of letters (not included) written by an unknown member of Congress to a friend which have come into his possession. Advises that the letters, " ... contain so much information, and appear to be written with so much judgment, that I cannot delay transmitting them to your Lordship." This letter is Carleton's retained copy, noted as duplicate no. 97. Written as Governor of Quebec to North as the British Secretary of State. One black and white bust engraving of Guy Carleton included.

GLC03305

February 5, 1779

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Letter signed

Title: to Benjamin Tallmadge

Notes that although the Culper spy ring [which he addresses as "he"] does not propose giving anymore information until the middle of March, he hopes if anything important comes up, he will be notified. Asks Tallmadge to communicate this. Samuel Culper was the code name for the spy network Tallmadge organized in New York City for Washington and in this letter, it is indicated as "C-- N.Y." Addressed to Tallmadge in the 2nd Regiment Light Dragoons, Durham, North Carolina. Severely foxed and discolored.

GLC03884

6 April 1778

Laurens, Henry, 1724-1792

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Robert Morris

Written as President of Congress. Transmits information about John Swanwick, an employee of Morris, concerning Swanswick's possible treasonous correspondence in Philadelphia. Instructs Morris to confidentially inquire into the matter.

GLC03907

8 December 1879

Ericsson, John, 1803-1889

Letter signed

Title: to Franklin Hanford

Comments briefly on a lecture Hanford gave. Discusses an account of a torpedo experiment he published in the Army and Navy Journal. Expresses his reluctance to have foreigners transmit information overseas. Mentions that he left out information about how the torpedo entered the water in deference to Commodore Jeffers of the Navy Department and Ordnance Office. Since the results were unfavorable, they may try more experiments and would like to keep the information quiet for now. Adds an autograph postscript at the bottom of page three where he discusses sketches and a record of the…

GLC03959.01

1860

Lincoln, Mary Todd, 1818-1882

Autograph letter

Title: to Abram Wakeman

Marked private. Requests that he call on Abraham Lincoln, her husband, today. Discusses someone referred to only as "E." Remarks "The game of espionage has been going on to a greater extent, than we have imagined - If the Heavens fall E shall never be restored - Nicoli - himself says that E's mind is positively deranged." States that, "I believe, if possible I shall love & venerate my blessed Husband more than ever." Tells Wakeman to burn this note and to report back to her after he sees "this person," possibly again referring to "E." Document is not dated but previous cataloging…

GLC04420

24 March 1776

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Josiah Quincy

Written just one week after Continental forces captured Boston. Thanks Quincy and the nation for their praise, saying "To obtain the applause of deserving men, is a heart felt satisfaction - to merit them, is my highest wish. If my conduct therefore...hath merited the approbation of the great Country, I shall esteem it one of the most fortunate & happy events of my life." Despite the joy of his victory, Washington cautions that the Americans must remain on guard. Worries about the British fleet at "Nantasket Road." But is more afraid of spies, "There is one evil I dread, & that…

GLC04442

17 October 1780

Paine, Thomas, 1737-1809

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Nathanael Greene

Begins by stating that he is thankful no one can publish his letters after his death since he does not write any. Discusses the treason of Benedict Arnold and the British spy John Andre. Comments on the capture of Andre and wonders why Andre was not able to escape as he was on horseback and the three Americans on foot. Remarks on Arnold's escape, "But why, if Providence had the management of the whole, did she let Arnold escape. Perhaps to be hung afterwards by the Enemy for some act of traitorship against them. In this case he will have no apology left and all Parties will call him what…

GLC04454

22 April 1919

Wilson, Woodrow, 1856-1924

Document signed

Title: [Presidential commutation of the sentence of Otto Bruno Reichelt, convicted of violating the Espionage Act on 4 October 1918]

Reichelt was convicted in the U.S. District Court of New Jersey, for violation of the Espionage Act of June 15, 1917, and sentenced to eight years in the State Penitentiary at Baltimore, Maryland. Wilson commuted his sentence to end at once, no reason given for clemency. Countersigned by Attorney General A. Mitchell Palmer. Printed document with blanks filled in with type.

GLC04549

January 25, 1781

North, William, 1755-1836

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lewis Morris

Written by Captain North as Inspector General in Virginia to Morris, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, as a New York State Senator. References Morris's letter of 1 January 1781. Sends his opinions on Virginia at the beginning of the campaign in that state. Criticizes the leadership of Governor Thomas Jefferson saying "Our Situation since we are here has not been so happy as it might be ... if the Head is in trouble, the members can not enjoy themselves." Goes on to say that he might think North Carolina in trouble, but "This State has every thing in its power but does nothing."…

GLC04829

1861-1865 ca.

Photograph signed

Title: [Pauline Cushman]

Full length pose in uniform with sword. Cushman served as a Union spy in Louisiana.

GLC04987

25 December 1780

Wayne, Anthony, 1745-1796

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George Washington

Expresses frustration with contradictory accounts from New York. Updates Washington on the movements of the British fleet and states that Benedict Arnold boarded one of the vessels. Reports that he does not know if they have sailed yet. Gives information on Arnold's activities and says he was definitely in New York on Saturday 23 December because he was seen by someone. Remarks that he is attempting to form an intelligence network, "I am endeavouring to form a Chain of Intelligence & will succeed if practicable - should any thing material turn up you may be assured of being Informed…

GLC04863

circa 1861-1865

Gardner, Alexander, 1821-1882

Photograph

Title: [Men in civilian dress next to cabin]

A print of a photograph of seven men (six white and one African-American), in civilian dress posed in front of a small wooden building. "Sibley" tents in left background. Previous title for this item called these men spies, however research has not uncovered any evidence of this. It is not impossible, however it is not proven either. Verso notation: "VI" "553"

GLC05111.01.0181

circa 1880-1890

Volck, Adalbert John, 1828-1912

Printed document

Title: Index for Confederate War Etchings

A index listing all the etchings.

GLC00493.30

1866

Dawson, Henry Barton, 1821-1889

Book signed

Title: The Gazette Series. Vol 1-2

Edited, signed, and privately printed by historian Henry B. Dawson. Inscribed four times (before each volume) by Dawson 11 May 1866 to Edward De Witt "as a memento of the days of auld lang syne." Consists of four volumes bound as two books. Volumes one and two (bound together) contain articles and information related to the arrest of British Major John Andre, who was captured by Americans and hanged for treason in 1780. These volumes also contain articles pertaining to the history of Yonkers. Volume three is entitled "Papers concerning the boundary between the states of New York and New…

GLC08733.01

1866

Dawson, Henry Barton, 1821-1889

Book signed

Title: The Gazette Series. Vol 3-4

Edited, signed, and privately printed by historian Henry B. Dawson. Inscribed four times (before each volume) by Dawson 11 May 1866 to Edward De Witt "as a memento of the days of auld lang syne." Consists of four volumes bound as two books. Volumes one and two (bound together) contain articles and information related to the arrest of British Major John Andre, who was captured by Americans and hanged for treason in 1780. These volumes also contain articles pertaining to the history of Yonkers. Volume three is entitled "Papers concerning the boundary between the states of New York and New…

GLC08733.02

6 October 1778

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Letter signed

Title: to William Alexander

Remarks upon the importance of information received from spies. "Every minutiae should have a place in our collection: for things of a seemingly triffling nature when conjoined with others of a more serious cast may lead to very valuable conclusions." States that what the British are foraging and amassing in New Jersey may tell them something about their plans. Asks him to collect information about this and other circumstances that may help ascertain the British movements.

GLC06193

February 25, 1777

Putnam, Israel, 1718-1790

Letter signed

Title: to John Neilson

Reports that there is intelligence showing that the British are planning a movement toward Delaware. Advises that if this occurs, Colonel Neilson should join him immediately with his men. Warns him not to be fooled, "be careful that you are not deceived into this Movement by any Foraging Party for the Enemy, but previous to taking this step observe if possible whether or not they are really prepared for a March." Informs that the British are building pontoons in New York and that he should try to find out if any arrive at Amboy, New Jersey. Also instructs Neilson to spare no expense to…

GLC06307.02

10 December 1864

Christensen, Christian Thomsen, 1832-1905

Broadside

Title: [Wanted poster for saboteurs of Union military stations and vessels in the New Orleans area]

Issued by Christensen as Assistant Adjutant General, by order of Union Major General Edward Richard Sprigg Canby. Lists the names of "persons belonging to parties organized for the purpose of burning depots, store houses, &c., and destroying transports and other vessels, on the Mississippi River." Lists F. F. Beale, Joe Smith, Thomas Lynch, George McCoan, Frank Nichols, William Jones, George Reafly, and Joe Rasmey, all of whom are commanded by Samuel Abels and Benjamin F. Cox. Requests that naval officers give aid or information that may assist in the fugitives' capture. "Confidential…

GLC06157.02