January 15, 1776

Dr. Benjamin Church was embroiled in scandal during the British occupation of Boston. In July 1775, he wrote a “much-talked of traiterous letter to a ministerial officer in Boston,” as described in Dunlap’s Pennsylvania Packet. Church entrusted this cipher letter to his former mistress. As a physician to the Continental Army, he understood the stakes of writing to a British officer. “ I wish you could contrive to write me freely in cypher,” Church wrote. “Sign some ficitious name,” he suggested, with a caution to “make use of every precaution.” 

Unfortunately for Dr. Church, his letter ended up in the hands of George Washington, who enlisted someone “capable of decyphering the Letter” to determine its contents. Washington and the whole of the Continental Army around Boston were irritated by Church’s disclosure of information about the American forces. Church also made his feelings about the war clear. In the letter, Church observed that “a view to independance grows more and more general.” He predicted that the colonies might be “lost forever” and urged the British officer, “for God’s sake, prevent it by a speedy accommodation” of the colonists’ grievances.

Dunlap’s Pennsylvania Packet or, the General Advertiser
Printed by John Dunlap

CAMBRIDGE, January 4, 1776.

The following is a copy of Dr. Church’s much-talked of traiterous letter to a ministerial officer in Boston, dated July 23, 1775.

I HOPE this will reach you; three attempts have I made without success; in effecting the last the man was discovered in attempting his escape; but fortunately my letter was sewed in the waistband of his breeches; he was  confined a few days, during which time you may guess my feelings; but a little art and a little cash settled the matter. ‘Tis a month since my return from Philadelphia. I went by way of Providence to visit mother. The Committee for Warlike Stores made me a formal tender of 12 pieces of cannon, 18 and 24 pounders. They having —— to a previous resolution to make the offer to General Ward. The make a merit of my services I sent them down; and when they received them, they sent them to Stoughton to be out of danger, even though they had formed the resolution, as I before hinted, of fortifying Bunker’s-Hill; which, together with the cowardice of the clumsy Col. Gerrish, and Col. Scammon, were the lucky occasion of their defeat. This affair happened before my return from Philadelphia. We lost 165 men killed then, and since dead of their wounds: 120 now lay wounded, the chief will recover. They boast you have 1400 killed and wounded in that action. You say the rebels lost 1500, I suppose with equal truth. The people of Connecticut are raving in the cause of liberty. A number from this colony, from the town of Stamford, robbed the King’s stores at New-York, with some small assistance the New-Yorkers lent them. These were growing turbulent. I counted 280 pieces of cannon, from 24 to 3 pounders, at Kingsbridge, which the Committee had secured for the use of the Colonies. The Jersies are not a whit behind Connecticut in zeal; the Philadelphians exceed them both. I saw 2200 men in review there by General Lee, consisting of Quakers and other inhabitants, in uniform, with 1000 rifle-men, and 40 horse; who, together, made a most warlike appearance. I mingled freely, and frequently, with the members of the Continental Congress. They were united, determined in opposition, and appeared assured of success. Now to come home: The opposition is become formidable; 18000 men, brave and determined, with Washington and Lee at their head, are no contemptible enemy. Adjutant-General Gates is indefatigable in arranging the army. Provisions are very plenty. Cloaths are manufacturing in every town for the soldiers. Twenty tons of powder lately arrived at Philadelphia, Connecticut, and Providence. Upwards of 20 tons are now in camp. Salt petre is made in every colony; powder-mills are erected, and constantly employed in Philadelphia and New-York. Volunteers of the first fortune are daily flocking to the camp; 1000 rifle men in two or three days. Recruits are now levying to augment the army to 22,000 men. Ten thousand militia are appointed in this province to appear on the first summons. The bills of all the Colonies circulate freely, and are readily exchanged for cash. Add to this, that unless some plan of accommodation takes place immediately, these harbours will swarm with privateers. An army will be raised in the middle provinces to take possession of Canada. For the sake of the miserable convulsed empire, solicit peace, repeal the acts, or Britain is undone. This advice is the result of warm affection to my King and to the realm. Remember I never deceived you; every article here sent you is sacredly true. The papers will announce to you, that I am again a member for Boston. You will there see our motley council. A general arrangement of officers will take place except the chief, which will be suspended but for a little while, to see what part Britain takes in consequence of the late Continental petition. A view to independance grows more and more general. 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 and defensive league between them. For God’s sake, prevent it by a speedy accommodation. Writing this has employed a day. I have been to Salem to reconnoitre, but I could not escape the geese of the capitol. To-morrow I set out for New-port, on purpose to send you this. I write you fully, it being scarcely possible to escape discovery. I am out of place here by choice, and therefore out of pay; and determine so to be, unless something is offered in my way. I wish you could contrive to write me freely in cypher, by the way of New-port, addressed to Thomas Richards, merchant, inclose it in a cover to me, intimating that I am a perfect stranger to you, but being recommended to you as a gentleman of honour, you took the liberty of enclosing that letter, intreating me to deliver it as directed; the person, as you are informed, being at Cambridge. Sign some fictitious name. This you may send to some confidential friend at Newport, to be delivered to me at Watertown. Make use of every precaution, or I perish.