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Interpreting the Evidence

John Jay to Philip Schuyler about Writing in Cypher, February 19, 1780

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About this Activity

  • Documents in this Activity:
  • Historical Eras:

    Revolution and New Nation (1754 - 1820s)

  • Thinking Skill:

    Historical Analysis & Interpretation

  • Grade Level:

    Middle School
    High School
    College University

  • Topics:

    American Revolution
    Communication

  • Primary Source Types:

    Written Document

  • Regions:

    New York State
    United States

  • Creator:

    NYS Archives Partnership Trust Education Team

  1. Load John Jay to Philip Schuyler about Writing in Cypher, February 19, 1780 in Main Document Viewer
  2. Load John Jay to Philip Schuyler about Writing in Cypher, February 19, 1780 in Main Document Viewer
  3. Load John Jay to Philip Schuyler about Writing in Cypher, February 19, 1780 in Main Document Viewer
  4. Load John Jay to Philip Schuyler about Writing in Cypher, February 19, 1780 in Main Document Viewer

Suggested Teaching Instructions

Document Description
John Jay to Philip Schuyler suspending correspondence, writing in cypher, February 19, 1780.
Historical Context
Secret communications and spy networks were a very important part of the process of intelligence-gathering during the Revolutionary War. Coded letters and spies often conveyed information that was pivotal to the outcomes of individual battles and the whole war itself. These documents show some of the ways in which officers were able to gather and communicate information secretly, as well as prevent the enemy from communicating intelligence.
General Philip Schuyler was a member of a notable early Albany, NY family. He was appointed a Continental Army Major General in 1775 by the Continental Congress, but was quickly replaced in 1777. In 1779 he resigned from the army.  He joined the Continental Congress, first serving as a NY State Senator (1780), then as a U.S. Senator for NY (1788).
Essential Question
What were some of the methods used by armies to communicate and gather intelligence about the enemy?
Check for Understanding
Divide students into small groups of 4.  Each group will construct a cipher (cypher) letter from General Schuyler.  The letter should be written in response to John Jay and include information in the content about how to decode the cipher.
Historical Challenges
Research the different spy codes created during the Revolutionary War.  How did collected intelligence impact the outcome of the war? What is a cipher and how can it be used today in 21st century communication?
Interdisciplinary Connections
ELA: Develop a secret code. Write a letter in the code you developed.
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