Our Collection

At the Institute’s core is the Gilder Lehrman Collection, one of the great archives in American history. More than 70,000 items cover five hundred years of American history, from Columbus’s 1493 letter describing the New World to soldiers’ letters from World War II and Vietnam. Explore primary sources, visit exhibitions in person or online, or bring your class on a field trip.

Back to Collection Search

Beckwith, George, Sir (1753-1823) [British spy report]

High-resolution images are available to schools and libraries via subscription to American History, 1493-1943. Check to see if your school or library already has a subscription. Or click here for more information. You may also order a pdf of the image from us here.

Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC05224.02 Author/Creator: Beckwith, George, Sir (1753-1823) Place Written: New York Type: Autograph document signed Date: 10 September 1781 Pagination: 1 p. ; 32.3 x 20.6 cm.

Summary of Content: Reports on intelligence given by Jesse Sturges, "Washington's army passed that place on his march to Virginia, in order to form a Junction with the French." Informs that Washington has 5000 French and 2000 Continental troops. States that any boat in the Chesapeake that could carry men was used. Reports that the French fleet is in Lynnhaven Bay, Virginia.

Background Information: Beckwith was the head of British intelligence operations in the Colonies at the end of the Revolutionary War.

People: Beckwith, George, 1753-1823
Washington, George, 1732-1799
Sturges, Jesse, fl. 1781

Historical Era: American Revolution, 1763-1783

Subjects: Revolutionary WarMilitary HistoryRevolutionary War GeneralSpyingContinental ArmyBattle (Siege, Surrender) of YorktownGlobal History and CivicsForeign AffairsNavy

Sub Era: The War for Independence

Order a Copy Citation Guidelines for Online Resources

Copyright Notice: The copyright law of the United States (title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Under certain conditions specified in the law, libraries and archives are authorized to furnish a photocopy or other reproduction. One of these specific conditions is that the photocopy or reproduction is not to be “used for any purpose other than private study, scholarship, or research.” If a user makes a request for, or later uses, a photocopy or reproduction for purposes in excess of “fair use,” that user may be liable for copyright infringement. This institution reserves the right to refuse to accept a copying order if, in its judgment, fulfillment of the order would involve violation of copyright law.