The Placer herald., 1856-11-22
The Royal Spv


the American Revolution, the employment
of Rivington, editor of the Royal Gazette,
in the secret service of the American com
mander, is the most astonishing.
The time that this remarkable connection
took place is of course unknown. There is
much probability that it may have commence
ed at the close of the campaign of l776,
as it is known that about that time Robert
Morris borrowed of a Quaker, five hundred
guineas in gold for the secret service of
Washington's army, and that intelligence of
vital and vast importance was obtained from
the disbursement of the Quaker's loan
The worthy quaker said to Morris:-"How
can |, friend Robert, who am man of peace,
lend thee money for the purpose of war;
Friend George, is, | believe, a good man.
and fighting in good cause: but am OPP
posed to fighting of any Sort Morris,
however, soon managed to quiet old Broad
blim's scruples; the gold was dug up from
his garden, and handed over to the Com
mander-in-Chief, whose application of it to
the secret service produced the happiest
effect upon the cause Of the Revolution in
that critical period of our destiny.
Rivington proved faithful to his bargain,
and often would intelligence of great I'M
portance, CLEANED at conyiviaI moments at
Sir William s or Sir Henrvs table, be in t e
American camp, before the convivialists had
slept off the effects of their wine.
The business of the secret service was so
well managed that even suspicion never
arose as to the medium through which in
telligence Of vast importance continually
being received in the American camp, from
The very headquarters of the British army;
and, had suspicion arose, the Kings printer
would probably have been The last man sus-
pecled, for during the whole of his connec
tion with the secret service his RoyoI Ga
zette literally piled abuse of every sort upon
the American General a. cause of America
In 1888 this remarkable mystery was solv-
ed. When Washington entered New York
a conqueror, by the evacuation of the British,
he said one morning to two of his officers:
suppose, gentlemen, we walk down to
Rivington's book store, he is said to be
very pleasant kind of fellow
Amazed as the officers were at the idea
of visiting such man they of course pre-
pared to accompany the Chief When they
arrived at the book store, Rivinston received
his visters with great poIiteness; for indeed
u6 N'S OiIC VI tilt liltSt cItUdnI ana DeSl
bred men of the age. Escorting the party
into a parIor, he begged the officers to be
seated, and then said to the Chief
will your ExrelIency do me the honor
to step into the adjoining room for moment,
that may show YOU the list of the aericul-
tural works | am about to order out from
London for your special use"
The locks on the doors of the houses in
New York city, more than three score years
ago We're not so good as now. The door Of
Rvingtons private room closed very imper-
tectly, and soon became ajar, when the off
GERS distinctly heard the chinking of two
heavy purses Of gold as they were success
sively put upon the table.
The party soon returned from the inner
room, when Rivington pressed upon bis guests
a glass of Madeira which he assured them
WAS prime article having imported it him
self
The visitors now rose to depart. Rvington,
cored to the door, said:
"Your Excellencv may rely upon my es-
pecial attention being given to the agrcutu-
raj works; which, on their arrival, will be
Immediately forwarded to Mount Vernon,
where | trust they will contribute to your
qualification amid the shades Of domestic re-
tirement."
Rlvington remained for several years after
the peace Of 1888, then returned to England,
and there died.
He was never called to account by his
government for the affair of the secret ser
vice. 1t was the general opinion at that
time if Rvngton had been closely pressed
on the delicate service characters Of greater
cabre might have appeared on the tapis
than the Kings Printer.