Ciphers Belonging to the Various American Peace Commissioners
ca. 1781
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Messages in secret code traveled across the Atlantic between the peace commissioners and Congress throughout the Revolutionary War. Ciphers like this were used to decode the messages. American peace commissioner Henry Laurens was imprisoned when he was caught en route to Paris with instructions, and the Americans learned the hard way that “treasonous” correspondence could land them in the Tower of London.
This primary source comes from the Records of the Continental and Confederation Congresses and the Constitutional Convention.
National Archives Identifier: 2450021
Full Citation: Ciphers Belonging to the Various American Peace Commissioners ; ca. 1781; Records of the Continental and Confederation Congresses and the Constitutional Convention, Record Group 360. [Online Version, https://www.docsteach.org/documents/document/ciphers-belonging-to-the-various-american-peace-commissioners, April 27, 2018]Activities that use this document
- Benjamin Franklin: Politician and Diplomat
Created by the National Archives Education Team
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