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Spies of the American Revolution

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Spies of The American Revolution"

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Wendell P. Chase III
Armstrong State University
Political History of America / Georgia
18 September 2014

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Spies of The American Revolution

Contrary to popular belief, the art of intelligence and counterintelligence is not really all that new to the United States, but goes all the way back to the days of The American Revolution. Had it not been for the bravery of men and women alike, and the utter will to be free from the British rule, our military leaders would not have been so well prepared to engage the enemy and win in decisive battles.
Long before the conception of organizations like the National Security Agency (NSA), Federal Bureau of …show more content…

The Culper Spy Ring has also been credited with uncovering information involving the treasonous correspondence between Benedict Arnold and John Andre, chief intelligence officer under General Henry Clinton, commander of the British forces in New York, who were conspiring to give the British control over the army fort at West Point. Major Andre was captured and hung as a spy in October 1780, on Washington’s orders.With military communications coded by intelligence officer Alexander Hamilton. The Continental Congress established numerous secret intelligence committees, including the Secret Committee; which became the Committees of (Secret) Correspondence, chaired by Benjamin Franklin; and the Committee on Spies, charged with the task of purchasing weapons for the revolutionaries abroad. Members of these committees included the likes of John Jay, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, and Robert Livingston.
Initially, Congress directed foreign agents on operations abroad, though after the passing of the Constitution, President Washington took over such activities, using the Congressional exemption that allowed him to keep secret the spending of the president 's Secret Service or

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Spies of The American Revolution"

contingency fund. Congress had begun appropriating funds for the president 's discretionary use in 1790, a tradition that has continued until the present. During the Revolution, Washington 's spy

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