Scanned Document - National Security Agency

Pulling no punches, Church describes the Then he makes what appears to be an
defiant attitudes of the colonists (''Tl~e people appeal for financial help thinly disguised as a
of Connecticut are raving in the cause of
Liberty. . . . The Jersies are not a whit behind
declaration of loyalty ("I am out of place here
by choice and therefore out of pay, and
Connecticut in zeal. The Philadelphians determined to be so unless something is
exceed them both"). offered in my way").
Then follows an account of his
observations of colonial troops, of which
some "made a most warlike appearance," and
comments on the availability of clothing
([manufactured] "in almost every town for
the soldiers"), on provisions ("very plenty"),
more cannon ("280 pieces from 24 to 3
pounders") and powder ("20 tons of powder
lately arrived at Philadelphia, Connecticut &
Providence").
Church seems impressed by the
widespread circulation of separate colonial
bills (colony-backed paper currency) that
were "readily exchanged for cash." By cash,
he presumably means metallic money (coin).
His remarks hint at the growing viability and
integration of the colonial economies.
He warns of increasing American support
for independence (the Declaration of
Independence was almost a year in the
future) and gives his views of the consequent
American intentions, both military ("These
harbours will swarm with privateers. An
army will be raised in the middle provinces to
take possession of Canada") and diplomatic
("Should Britain declare war against the
colonies, they are lost forever. Should Spain
declare against England, the colonies will
declare a neutrality which will doubtless
produce an offensive & defensive league
between them"). He recommends a solution
("For the sake of the miserable, convulsed
Empire, solicit peace; repeal the Acts or
Britain is undone .... For God's sake prevent it
by a speedy accommodation").
Church reports the number of American
troops under arms ("i8,ooo men brave &
determined"), and adds that the Continental
Army is being augmented to 22,000 men.17
Church conveniently follows up these
remarks with elaborate instructions on how
British correspondence should be forwarded
to him ("Contrive to write me largely in
cipher, by way of Newport, addressed to
Thomas Richards, merchant. Inclose it in a
cover to me, intimating that I am a perfect
stranger to you ... Sign some fictitious
name...").
Lastly, Church adds a prophetic warning
("Make use of every precaution or I perish).
Based on the contents of the deciphered
letter, and despite his later self-serving claim
that he deliberately padded troop strength
figures to deter the British aggression,
Church was imprisoned.18 As far as General
Washington and his staff were concerned,
Church was guilty of traitorous commun-
ication with the enemy.
What ultimately to do with Church
seemed simple enough - hang the lout! But
that course of action was blocked. Americans
respected the law - of the Continental
Congress, if not of the British.
The previous June, during the session in
which Washington was appointed com-
mander in chief, the Continental Congress
had adopted articles of war. Article XXVIII
provided that anyone caught communicating
with the enemy should suffer such
punishment as a court martial might direct.
Unfortunately for those who would like to
have seen Church hanged, Article LI limited
such punishment to thirty-nine lashes, or a
fine of two months' pay, and/or cashiering
from the service.