#culper sr

[icarusbetide]

connection between wartime administration & federalist-lean?

There's an argument that wartime service and experiencing Congress' failures firsthand as Washington's aide de camp pushed Hamilton further into the ideals that would later be seen as Federalist: a national instead of state outlook, a permanent military power, and a strong, efficient government.

I was wondering if that argument can be applied on a broader scale: is there an overall connection between revolutionary wartime administration and federalist-leaning political beliefs?

I'm by no means qualified but for my own curiosity's sake, I tried to find the political inclinations of former leaders in the war as well as members of Washington's family, who arguably should have seen the same inefficiencies as Hamilton.

Major Generals:

Washington: Tried very hard to be nonpartisan, but pretty federalist when all's said and done. Especially in 2nd term as president and in last years of life Horatio Gates: Supported Jefferson's presidency, so assuming he was leaning Democratic-Republican? Henry Knox: Federalist Philip Schuyler: Federalist William Alexander, Lord Stirling: Not sure John Sullivan: Federalist, led drive in New Hampshire for Constitution's ratification Thomas Mifflin: Federalist according to Wikipedia (was also aide to GW from June to August 1775) Arthur St. Clair: Federalist. Governor of Northwest Territory, removed by Jefferson in 1802 due to political party differences. Benjamin Lincoln: Federalist, strong policies and presence in Massachusetts Thomas Conway: Unreliable source says Federalist William Moultrie: Some sites say Federalist but he had falling out with Washington because of his pro-French actions towards Genet. Possibly nonpartisan.

Washington's family (Aides, Culper, Life Guard. If they died before we can quantify as "Federalist", then not included):

Note: I tried to include length of service and timeline, arguably important (there during Valley Forge or good period?), but it's difficult in consideration of leave and such. Used Wikipedia's dates.

Edmund Randolph (August - November 75): Wiki says Federalist but I know enough about him that he was often the swinging vote in Washington's cabinet, and that he didn't sign the Constitution because he thought it too strong. Tench Tilghman (August 76 - June 80 | June 80 - Nov 83): Died in 1786. I shouldn't include him but raise a glass for our hardworking Tilghman. Robert Harrison (Nov 75 - May 76 | Military Sec May 76 - 81): Died in 1790. Wikipedia says Federalist. John Fitzgerald (Nov 76 - July 78): Couldn't find John Walker (Feb - March 77): Unreliable source says Federalist Samuel Blachley Webb (June 76 - Jan 77): Couldn't find William Grayson (Assistant Sec. July - August 76 | Aide August 76 - Jan 77): Leader of Anti-Federalist faction with Mason, Monroe, etc. died in 1790 Alexander Contee Hanson Sr. (Assistant Sec. June - Sep 76): Federalist according to Wiki Alexander Hamilton (March 77 - April 81): Is this even a question? Stephen Moylan (March 76 - June 76 | Sept. 76 - Jan 77): "Firm Federalist" according to Founders Online James McHenry (May 78 - August 80): Federalist, GW's Secretary of War in 2nd term when cabinet members were much more partisan. Richard Kidder Meade (March 77 - November 80): Couldn't find. I know that he was very close with Hamilton, which makes me think it possible that their politics had some similarities? But entirely speculation. Hodijah Baylies (May 82 - Dec 83): Federalist. According to Founders Online, Gallatin was advised against Baylies because he was a "decided and we believe a sentimental federalist”. David Cobb (June 81 - Jan 83 | June 83 - Dec 83): Wiki says Federalist Peregrine Fitzhugh (July 81 - Oct 81): Not sure if same Peregrine Fitzhugh, but in a letter to Jefferson in 1807, said: "It is true I have been called a Federalist, and feel a pride in being so: but my Federalism is firmed in those principles which dictated the correct and memorable declaration that we were all Federalists all republicans" William Stephens Smith (July 81 - June 82): Federalist (member of Congress as Federalist in 1812) David Humphreys (June 80 - Dec 83): Federalist. He was part of the Hartford Wits and wrote the poem The Anarchiad. "In 1802, Thomas Jefferson...decided to replace Humphreys...Historians speculate that Humphreys's closeness to the Federalist Party motivated Jefferson’s decisions." from Mt. Vernon Richard Varick (Aide & Priv Sec May 81 - Dec 83): Apparently Federalist and later mayor of New York Benjamin Walker (Jan 82 - Dec 83): Federalist, elected to Congress as Federalist

Caleb Gibbs (May 76 - Dec 80): Couldn't find Nathaniel Sackett: Couldn't find Benjamin Tallmadge (1778 - 1783): Federalist, part of minority in Congress during Jefferson & Madison administrations

Other aides who might've had administrative work, although I'm not sure:

Aaron Burr: Very short run with Washington, and Israel Putnam's aide. Technically Democratic-Republican, but some historians have noted his politics did not always align with a party.

James Monroe: Aide to Stirling, Republican-Democratic

Concerns:

First concern: I'm not sure if the other major generals' aides would see as much administrative work directly with Congress as Washington's aides. I'm under the impression that other generals would report to Washington, than Congress, but I'm not sure.

Second concern: I also want to add that other factors would have most definitely played a role, such as familial and economic interests, which may or may not have been influenced by the war. Still, I thought it would be an interesting exercise.

Third concern: A lot of this is very shallow research as I did not have the time or energy to really dig into all of them. Please let me know if there is any inaccurate information (even Federalist or Democratic Republican is a very broad term and I'm sure their beliefs varied).

Please let me know if you see any inaccurate information, or anyone/some branch I did not consider!

[melpomeneprose]

CHARACTER QUESTIONNAIRE !!

Tagged by: myself.

Tagging: @withinycu, @adrienne-lafayette-official, @johngravessimcoe, @cavalrylad, @musenssang, @philip-hamilton-official, @sharp-teeth-and-wide-grins, @virgosjukebox. 💙

✧･ﾟ   𝐃𝐀𝐒𝐇 𝐆𝐀𝐌𝐄.

► BENJAMIN TALLMADGE.

Name: Benjamin Tallmadge.

Alias(es): Ben, Major Tallmadge, 2nd Continental Light Dragoon, Tall-boy, & Captain Tallmadge. “Beagle tilting his head.” (Creator of Washington’s spies tv).

“Beagle” “Washington’s hunting dog” (affectionate & derogatory, from both sides)

Gender: male (he/him).

Orientation: not your business.

(Bi, repressed and ashamed about it, but bi, in my personal portrayal and reading/headcanons, having read his memoirs & letters, but the truth is… as with Alexander Hamilton, we’ll never know). Age: 22-24.

Date of birth: February 25, 1754

Place of birth: Setauket or Brookhaven, Long Island, NYC.

For simplicity he’ll say, New York, sometimes.

Spoken language(s): English, Latin, trying really hard for French thus far not succeeding. Do code books count?

Occupation(s): soldier, spymaster, congressman, statesman. (au: lawyer) (modern verse: law student).

★  ⸻   APPEARANCE

Eye colour: blue, the kind you can drown in, it’s his most attractive feature, according to popular opinion.

Hair colour: dirty blonde.

Height: 6’0” (tall by 18th century standards).

Other: rarely ever seen out of uniform.

Has anxiety & PTSD, should probably touch grass. Deserves a hug and deserves better.

★  ⸻   FAVORITE

Colour: red, white, gold and blue, neutral black that suits everything or gray works to.

Song: Benjamin’s playlist.

Food: bread, salt, cheese, or fish.

Drink: brandy or wine.

★  ⸻   HAVE THEY...

Passed university: Yale college, top of his class!

Had sex: not your business.

Had sex in public: no.

Gotten pregnant/someone else pregnant: wants kids, but not that way, and not at this exact moment. Given the war.

Kissed a boy: no. (Yes) Nathan Hale.

Kissed a girl: yes.

Gotten tattoos: no.

Gotten piercings: no.

Been in love: he’s not sure if it counts, to be blunt, but for reason of answering, yes.

Stayed up 24+ hours: for the cause, yes.

★  ⸻   ARE THEY...

A virgin: not your business, also a construct society cruelly and hypocritically only applies to the fairer sex. (No).

A cuddler: yes.

A kisser: circumstantially.

Scared easily: most certainly not!

Jealous easily: yes!

Submissive: switch.

Dominant: none of your business.

In love: verse/thread dependant.

Relationship status: I am married to honour and the revolution until this is over. (Single).

★  ⸻   RANDOM QUESTIONS

TW for self-harm/suicide mention.

Have they harmed themselves: not unless you count accidentally falling in the Delaware river.

Thought of suicide/ideated: under the pressure of war, atrocities, violence and bloodshed. Yes. But rarely.

Attempted suicide: only if you count a Protestant martyr complex, as the son of a preacher it runs in the family.

Wanted to kill someone: side eyes Simcoe.

But he didn’t enjoy the killing in question.

Have/had a job: Washington’s staff.

Fears: death, abandonment, losing control, not being enough, losing the war, tyranny, his own capacity to help vs harm and the moral dilemma of mundane human existence and soldiering.

Sibling(s):

Samuel Tallmadge.

William Tallmadge.

John Tallmadge.

Isaac Tallmadge.

Parent(s): Susannah Tallmadge (née Smith)(deceased)/Rev. Samuel Tallmadge sr.

Children: verse/thread dependant.

Children In history:

Frederick A. Tallmadge

Maria Jones Tallmadge

William Smith Tallmadge

Harriet Tallmadge Delafield

Benjamin Tallmadge Jr.

Henry Tallmadge.

Significant other(s): Nathan Hale (deceased), Sarah Livingston (ex lover, kinda, sorta, it’s complicated & traumatizing).

Significant other(s) in history:

Mary Floyd (1784 to 1805).

Maria Hallet (1808 til death in 1835).

Pet(s): he should like to have a beagle, or grey hound, but, none presently.

Benjamin’s Wikipedia.

Benjamin’s memoir.

In canon: TURN.

Culper ring.

[theworstfoundingfathers]

Who is the worst? Round 1: William Short vs Abraham Woodhull

William Short (1759–1849) was an American diplomat during the early years of the United States. He served as Thomas Jefferson's private secretary when the latter was a peace commissioner in France, and remained in Europe to take on several other diplomatic posts. Jefferson, later the third President of the United States, was a lifelong mentor and friend. In a 1789 letter, Jefferson referred to Short as his "adoptive son."

During his time in Paris as Thomas Jefferson's private secretary, William Short served as charge d'affaires in Jefferson's absence. Short's appointment to this role was President Washington's first appointment under the new Constitution, and thus Short holds the honor of being the first Presidential nominee in U.S. history. After Jefferson returned to America in 1789, Short continued as charge d'affairs, and since he was the highest ranking American diplomat in France he essentially served as the replacement U.S. Minister for three years. During this time, in what would become a lifelong correspondence, Short provided Jefferson with detailed reports on the progress of the French Revolution. After 1792, Short became increasingly disillusioned with the excessive violence of the Revolution, which resulted in several friends being arrested or murdered.

Abraham Woodhull (October 7, 1750 – January 23, 1826) was a leading member of the Culper Spy Ring in New York City and Setauket, New York, during the American Revolutionary War. He used the alias "Samuel Culper" (later "Samuel Culper Sr."), which was a play on Culpeper County, Virginia, and was suggested by George Washington.

The Culper Ring was a successful operation that provided Washington with valuable information on the British Army headquartered in New York from October 1778 to the end of the war. After the United States gained independence, Woodhull served as a magistrate, as had his father before him, and served as a judge in Suffolk County, New York.

Woodhull served as a lieutenant in the Suffolk County, New York, militia in the fall of 1775 but resigned after a few months.[4] He was motivated by the murder of his cousin Brigadier General Nathaniel Woodhull of the New York militia, who was wounded by sword and bayonet cuts after he had been captured on August 29, 1776.[5] According to some reports, he had been deprived of medical care and food and suffered an agonizing death on September 20, 1776,[2] and Abraham Woodhull was inflamed against the British by that event. He did not immediately take up arms or begin spying, however, and was more placid than some of his friends, who joined the Continental Army at the outset of the war.

His wife had the same name as his mother. A little weird :/

[honorhearted]

???? +do the Forces that Be thinking bringing Culper Jr. into the Ring was a good idea?

Send me ???? + a question and I will consult the magic 8 ball here for your answer from my muse.

Ben never liked hearing his own doubts reflected back at him. He didn’t truly know Townsend, and thus, didn’t feel quite so comfortable with this uncertain link.

“Starting to doubt the order of things, are we?” he muttered, anxiously rolling the ball around and around between his hands. “Thus far, everything has been fine -- if anything, Culper Sr. has been more of an issue -- but I hardly see how this little toy is going to clarify all doubt.”

Nevertheless, he shook the orb and asked, “Do the Forces that Be think bringing Culper Jr. into the Ring was a good idea?” Flipping the ball over, he peered down at the window and awaited the outcome with dread. “Better not tell you now...” 

Great.

[starsarefire824]

“Abe cocked his head to the side and rested his ear against his shoulder, a position he had come to find gave him comfort ever since he was a child. It was like a hug that required no one else. With this and the aid of the rum, his worry and dread seemed to dissipate: the terror of Simcoe, his guilt over Thomas, and how his father would never stop comparing them. Other things, like how he always missed Anna and that it seemed he could never give Mary what she needed. It was Washington and the rest of the ring, or figuring out how his farm was going to survive another season. It was the enigma that was Robert. They all became fuzzy, softer at their edges, as if they belonged to someone else. Or even better, they were some glimmer of a nightmare long forgotten in the morning sun.

He could let them dissolve into the ether and focus on his body slackening or that his mouth tasted sweet with drink. His mind wandered to warmer things: Anna’s soft skin, and how her cheek felt against his face when he hadn’t shaved, or while he labored in his fields he’d bask in the hot summer sun against his back that contrasted so delightfully with his hands buried in the cool earth. His mouth twitched as he relaxed into the sensation, almost as if he was really there, inside the memory, able to feel the breeze on his skin and hear the summer bugs call to one another. He could smell the sweet scent of Mary’s hair, wild and firelit when he held her close on the winter nights. Then, Robert’s hands arrived at the forefront of his mind, with his graceful, long fingers, and his eyes, as deep in color as the earth beneath Autumn’s blanket of leaves. Eyes that hid the man behind them as deftly as the fallen leaves of the forest hid the rich soil below. Could Abe ever truly know him? Would Robert let him try? His mind burrowed deeper within the thought, allowing himself to sink into the feel of him, if only for a moment: Abe imagined those pretty fingers tracing the ridgeline of his bare hip, Robert’s gaze darkening with want. What  would  he look like? Hungry and unlaced from the confines of his daytime self? What would Robert look like when he begged for what he wanted?” X- Chapter 2 of “We Could Be the Embers”

[romeo-oh-nomeo]

‪Abe and Townsend shootin' the breeze and playing together as pals? My prayers have been aNSWERED ‬

[ninjasteve]

I haven't watched the turn finale yet but from the gifs I've seen I can reasonably assume that abe and Townsend move in together and spend the rest of their lives playing checkers

[headoverhiddles]

When they won’t pronounce your cabbage farming nemesis guilty

[culperring]

-Turn Season 3 Episode 10, Trial and Execution 

[annastrxng]

My Text Meme & Edits: Abraham Woodhull

[arc-palaceofwonders]

Abe, would you ever stop screwing things up?

Send my muse questions they can only answer with “yes” or “no”

"...Yes..."

[culpers]

I'll fight for you, too.

[majorxbennyxboy]

Rivington: Well, Robert, are you enjoying your present employment? couldn't ask for a better job, hmmmm?

Robert: ah...y,es,,,very much...

Robert, later, looking haunted: father... I have spoken falsehood...

[abe-woodhull]

So I am yet again avoiding real-world responsibilities in favor of trying to find out more about the Culpers. I found some letters in the library of congress awhile back so I’m actually going over them now.

Abe’s handwriting is just totally illegible. Maybe it’s because I’m not accustomed to reading 18th-century letters with my 21rst century eyes and I’m completely out of practice, but I can’t read a word. I managed to get through one that was just about him traveling to New York soon that was like half a page. He signs Samuel Culper like this:

I’ve moved on to reading Robert’s letters because I’m praying he has better handwriting. He does, some of them are just faded to the point where I can’t make them out. He also writes “sir” in the most extra way possible:

I love these dudes, okay, they’re great.

[taraross-1787]

This Day in History: Agent 355

On or around this day in 1780, a female agent in one of Washington’s spy rings may have been arrested. Can you believe that this woman was so good at hiding her identity that we still do not know who she was!? We can mostly just guess at what happened to her.

The mystery lady, a.k.a. Agent 355, was a member of the Culper Spy Ring, which operated in the New York area under the supervision of Benjamin Tallmadge. Other members included Abraham Woodhull (a.k.a. Samuel Culper, Sr.) and Robert Townsend (a.k.a. Samuel Culper, Jr.). They used business or family relationships in the area as cover for their activities.

The system used by the spy ring was perhaps a bit sophisticated for that time.

As Townsend collected information, he encoded it using a system of number sets that had been created by Tallmadge. These sets assigned numbers to 763 commonly used words, places, and people. If a word was needed outside of this set, then a mixed up alphabet was used to create it. Once created, the coded message was written in invisible ink, but a regular, mundane letter would be written on the same page, thus hiding the contents of any given secret message.

The story continues at the link in the comments.

[starsarefire824]

“He found the war had made him go places and do things he never thought he was capable of. Things that had nightmarish consequences he didn’t see coming. Things he could never take back. Thomas, Anna, Ensign Baker, Robeson, Corporal Eastin, Samuel Townsend, Hewlett, his father. All of them caught in the crossfire of his choices. The sound of their names could roll off his tongue like some horrifying poem. Robert. He realized now that all the fleshly nighttime praises and moonlit confessions could never make it up to him. The truth of it was, no matter how hard he might wish for it or try to will it into fruition, that nothing had changed since last night.”

-Chapter 4, I’m Trying All the Time