George Washington Letter to Colonel Benjamin Tallmadge,
July 25, 1779

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During the Revolutionary War, founding father John Jay’s brother, Sir James Jay, invented a method for the Patriots to communicate with each other that could not be intercepted by the British. Washington called Jay’s invention “sympathetic stain” or “white ink.” We would call it invisible ink.

On July 25, 1779, Washington sent two small bottles, along with a letter, to the manager of his secret service, Colonel Benjamin Tallmadge. Washington explained that the solution in bottle #l is used to write a message, and that the solution in bottle #2 is used to recover the message. He urgently requested that Tallmadge keep Washington’s involvement secret.

This important letter from the Revolutionary War came to Westchester through Tarrytown resident Brigadier General Henry Storms. He acquired it on Evacuation Day in November of 1845. Evacuation Day celebrated the final removal of British troops from New York City on November 25, 1783, and its anniversary was celebrated well into the 19th century.

This record is associated with:

• Tarrytown