Decoding Revolutionary Correspondence
November 1, 1781, from Robert R. Livingston to John Jay
Code/Cipher: WE033
Source: Papers of the Continental Congress, Roll 105, Page 302 [also numbered Sheet 16] (Code appears from Page 303)
Manuscript:
PCC at Footnote.com
Jay Papers ID 596 (with translation to the first cipher passage); ID 5188 (with partial translation and one wrong decoding "interests"; see Notes I below); ID 812 (draft with deleted plaintext); ID 11661 (encoding worksheet with full plaintext)
Electronic Text of Wharton (The Libary of Congress | American Memory)
Searchable Text of Sparks (Google)
In Plaintext
Sir,
Your letter to Congress of April last having been read and answered by them, though not so minutely as I would wish, I forbear making any remarks upon it, because I am not yet perfectly acquainted with their sentiments (and would not wish any which might interfere with them) having just entered upon the office, in consequence of which I open this correspondence, though long since appointed. I beg of you, agreeably to the directions of Congress, to address in future your public letters to me, and to notify the Count de Florida Blanca of this alteration in our system, our acknowledged situation rendering it improper to do it formally.
Congress have at length completed the organization of their executive departments by the choice of General Lincoln for their Secretary at War. It is expected that order and system will arise out of this mode of doing business and the strictest economy.
A little aid from [Europe] with this [might] serve to reestablish our finances, without which our exertions will be [feeble].
If the great powers of Europe, with every advantage that settled governments enjoy, feel themselves under the necessity of making foreign loans, can it be expected that a war of six years in the heart of our country should not have abridged the resources of a state which had every necessary for their army to import; which never manufactured for itself; which had no marine; and which, with a number of internal enemies in their bosom, had civil government to establish?
Perhaps it would be impossible to offer a better picture of the resources of this country, and the stability of her funds when they shall be well managed, than by comparing our present debt with the duration of the war and the exertions we have made. For though our enemies may allege that our debt was relieved by the depreciation of bills, yet it must be remembered that that very depreciation was a tax, though an unequal one, borne by the people of these States, and as it has not produced national ruin, it must follow that the States had sufficient resources to bear this burthen. These resources, though lessened, still remain.
[But] public credit is too much weakened to enable us to avail ourselves of them. Without foreign loans, [none are to be made here while the] quantity of circulating medium is so small as it is at present, while both continue low, and while commerce yields such great profits. everything therefore depends, if the war is continued with spirit in America, upon procuring foreign loans. Nor can any of the belligerent powers lay out their money to half the advantage in any other way.
The only object for which Britain continues the war is the recovery of this country. What better plan of finance, then, can be adopted by France or Spain than by timely aids of ships and money to blast this hope, and by a speedy peace to terminate their expenses? If, on the contrary, they wish to linger out the war till Britain is more exhausted, this country affords them the easiest means of doing it.
Furnish us with money.
Armies may be maintained here for one-third of the expense that Britain lays out upon hers. This France has experienced. Though her affairs were not perhaps managed with the strictest economy, though her bills were extremely low, her supplies cost at least one-third less than the British paid at New York, without taking into account the hire of transports, the seamen employed, paid, and fed in that service, and the number of them that fell into our hands. Be persuaded yourself, and endeavor to persuade others, that if this is a war of finance, which all modern wars are, Britain is most vulnerable in America.
I congratulate you upon the important success of our arms in South Carolina and Virginia, of which I enclose you official accounts. On the returns you will find a number of British-American nominal regiments. These were recruiting in Virginia and North Carolina, and their success will show the truth of what Britain advances with respect to the number of her partizans in America. I will venture to say that with similar advantages their recruiting parties would have been more successful in any country in Europe. Besides the troops mentioned in the returns, the enemy lost during the siege near two thousand negroes. Previous to the surrender, in a naval engagement with the Count de Grasse, the Terrible, a British seventy-four, was burnt, so that our affairs here stand upon the most respectable footing imaginable.
With one exception, you will not, I am persuaded, neglect to avail yourself of this moment of success to press a treaty loan or subsidy. They are essential to vigorous exertions next campaign and to extricate us from the difficulties into which the failure of public credit has [involved us].
This, Sir, is a great and leading object, upon which the happiness of your
country very much depend[s]. You will undo[u]btedly endeavour to
penetrate the views of the court. Represent them fully to us. Accommodate yourself to them as far as your instructions will justify.
For my part I never was fully convinced that Spain was materially interested in our independence unless [led] to it by some present advantage.
Your letter have held up different ideas. I wish you to explain more fully upon what they are founded.
You have doubtless received your commission for negotiating a [peace]. You may form some judgement of the views of Congress by the instructions which accompany it. How far they should influence your conduct in Spain must in some measure depend upon what you suppose the engagements between France and Spain, and the sacrifices France may make to Spain or England, at the general peace, of what we suppose to be our territory.
But this is a delicate subject, and I quit it till I am more fully acquainted with the views of Congress thereon, for I confess to you that the sentiments I have hazarded are rather my own than any that I know to be theirs, and should weigh accordingly with you. The provision trade with the Havana being very considerable and important to Spain while she has fleets and armies to maintain there, it might be proper to suggest to the Spanish ministry the advantage of allowing small convoys of frigates, which would enable us to carry it on in vessels of greater burthen, and by that means diminish the expense of freight and insurance, both of which eventually fall upon Spain. A few frigates would answer the purpose, as the stations of the enemy's ships are almost always known on this coast, and indeed they seldom have any out but frigates cruising singly.
Another thought strikes me, which perhaps, if digested, might be ripened into a plan advantageous to France, Spain, and America. While France keeps an army here she must draw bills or export money. She has, for the most part, preferred the former, at the loss of forty per cent. The money of Spain is lodged at the Havana, and can not be brought to Europe without great hazard; whereas the risk of sending it here under convoy is extremely small. It may be vested in European bills to such advantage as to pay the whole expense of transportation, and even an interest, till the bills are negociated in Europe. This plan affords France a market for her bills, Spain a cheap and easy way of bringing her money home, and America a circulating medium which enables her to tax with advantage.
As I know the confidence you once had in D-- [NB. Deane, according to Wharton], I must caution you against any communication with him; some letters have been published by Rivington said to be his, which, being compared with others received here, have the marks of authenticity.
The enclosed act of Congress informs you of the appointment of Mr. Hanson, of Maryland, to the presidentship.
I must beg the favor of you to be particular in your information with respect to the views and politics of the Spanish minister.
I shall write very frequently to you, and shall in return expect that you will omit no opportunity of letting me hear from you. A court calendar, if one is printed with you, with notes of your own thereon, might be of some service to us. I shall use our private cipher, as corrected by that sent by Mr. Toscan, till you receive the one transmitted by Mr. Thomson, in which case, as it is less troublesome, be pleased to use that, if you are sure it came safe.
I am, dear sir, with the sincerest regard and esteem, &c.,
Robert R. Livingston.
Verification Dump
(Page 303)
... and the strictest economy.
1 A Z K F R
/
15 O L O W F
2 B Y I E S
18 R J R T J
/
3 C X J D T
12 L O L Z C
22 V E V P M
6 F U F A W [wrong column]
10 I Q B I A
13 M N M Y D
53[from]
13 M N M Y D[should be E?]
21 U F U Q L
18 R J R T J[wrong column]
15 O L O W F
22 V E V P M
14 N M N X E
/
23 W D W O N
17 Q I Q U H
20 T G T R K
8 H S D H Y
/
20 T G T R K [should have continued with the 5th column]
19 S H S S I
2 B Y I E S
19 S H S S I
/
22 V E V P M
9 J R C J Z [should be I]
7 G T E G X [wrong column]
4 D W H C U
18 R J R T J
/
2 B Y I E S
5 E V G B V
9 J R C J Z
22 V E V P M
2 B Y I E S
/
52[to]
9 J R C J Z [column(s) skipped?]
7 G T E G X
2 B Y I E S
2 B Y I E S
20 T G T R K
26 Z A Z L Q
10 I Q B I A
26 Z A Z L Q
19 S H S S I
19 S H S S I
19 S H S S I
/
15 O L O W F [should have continued with the 3rd column]
6 F U F A W
18 R J R T J
/
6 F U F A W [should have continued with the 4th column]
17 Q I Q U H
14 N M N X E
4 D W H C U[should be A]
23 W D W O N
3 C X J D T
22 V E V P M
19 S H S S I
/
15 O L O W F
19 S H S S I
20 T G T R K
19 S H S S I
15 O L O W F
17 Q I Q U H
3 C X J D T
23 W D W O N
19 S H S S I
2 B Y I E S
4 D W H C U
17 Q I Q U H
/
15 O L O W F
6 F U F A W
18 R J R T J
/
2 B Y I E S
7 G T E G X
3 C X J D T[should be 5(E)]
9 J R C J Z
20 T G T R K
10 I Q B I A
24 X C X N O
14 N M N X E
8 H S D H Y
/
23 W D W O N
18 R J R T J[should be I]
21 U F U Q L
12 L O L Z C
2 B Y I E S[should be B?]
7 G T E G X
/ --
1 A Z K F R
12 L O L Z C[should be 14(E)?]
5 E V G B V
10 I Q B I A
12 L O L Z C
2 B Y I E S
(Page 304)
... These resources, though lessened, still remain.
2 B Y I E S
17 Q I Q U H[should be U(6)]
20 T G T R K
22 V E V P M
4 D W H C U
2 B Y I E S
15 O L O W F
2 B Y I E S
4 D W H C U
20 T G T R K
/
3 C X J D T
9 J R C J Z
7 G T E G X
3 C X J D T
19 S H S S I
20 T G T R K
/
17 Q I Q U H
19 S H S S I
/
18 R J R T J
24 X C X N O
15 O L O W F
/
14 N M N X E
21 U F U Q L
4 D W H C U
17 Q I Q U H
/
23 W D W O N
22 V E V P M
11 K P A K B
11 K P A K B
14 N M N X E
14 N M N X E
2 B Y I E S[should be 22(E)]
8 H S D H Y
52[to] enable us to avail ourselves of them
23 W D W O N
17 Q I Q U H
20 T G T R K
8 H S D H Y
24 X C X N O
21 U F U Q L
7 G T E G X
6 F U F A W
23 W D W O N
1 A Z K F R
5 E V G B V
10 I Q B I A[should be I]
5 E V G B V
24 X C X N O
21 U F U Q L
15 O L O W F
26 Z A Z L Q
14 N M N X E
9 J R C J Z[should be 19(S)]
/
24 X C X N O
15 O L O W F
24 X C X N O
7 G T E G X
26 Z A Z L Q
1 A Z K F R
5 E V G B V [the above plaintext "none are" is supplied from the encoding worksheet]
7 G T E G X
15 O L O W F
5 E V G B V
26 Z A Z L Q[should be E]
13 M N M Y D
26 Z A Z L Q
8 H S D H Y
2 B Y I E S
17 Q I Q U H
2 B Y I E S[should be 5(E)?]
9 J R C J Z
7 G T E G X
[The encoding wordsheet shows that "while" should be inserted here.]
18 R J R T J
17 Q I Q U H
13 M N M Y D[should be 5(E)?]
10 I Q B I A
21 U F U Q L
6 F U F A W
23 W D W O N
20 T G T R K
17 Q I Q U H
19 S H S S I[should be 20(T)]
13 M N M Y D
24 X C X N O
6 F U F A W
24 X C X N O
2 B Y I E S
20 T G T R K
12 L O L Z C
25 Y B Y M P[should be U(21)?]
15 O L O W F
11 K P A K B
18 R J R T J
19 S H S S I
14 N M N X E
20 T G T R K
/
13 M N M Y D
2 B Y I E S
13 M N M Y D
10 I Q B I A
6 F U F A W
13 M N M Y D
is so small as it
is at present, while Both continue low, and while
commerce yields such great profits. Every thing
therefore depends, if the war is continued with
spirit,
10 I Q B I A
13 M N M Y D
27[America]
4 D W H C U [columns skipped?]
16 P K P V G
12 L O L Z C
14 N M N X E
22 V E V P M
1 A Z K F R
15 O L O W F
24 X C X N O
21 U F U Q L
20 T G T R K
19 S H S S I
14 N M N X E
20 T G T R K
/
11 K P A K B
/
1 A Z K F R
24 X C X N O
18 R J R T J
22 V E V P M
2 B Y I E S
7 G T E G X
23 W D W O N
/
12 L O L Z C
12 L O L Z C
11 K P A K B
24 X C X N O
2 B Y I E S
nor can
any of the belligerent powers lay out their money
to half the advantage in any other way.
...
(Page 305)
6 F U F A W
6 F U F A W
18 R J R T J
24 X C X N O
19 S H S S I
19 S H S S I
19 S H S S I
21 U F U Q L
19 S H S S I
/
6 F U F A W
10 I Q B I A
7 G T E G X
4 D W H C U
/
25 Y B Y M P
24 X C X N O
14 N M N X E
22 V E V P M
25 Y B Y M P
(Page 306)
23 W D W O N
17 Q I Q U H
20 T G T R K
8 H S D H Y
24 X C X N O
14 N M N X E
22 V E V P M
/
7 G T E G X
14 N M N X E
12 L O L Z C
5 E V G B V
11 K P A K B
20 T G T R K
10 I Q B I A
24 X C X N O
14 N M N X E
you will not, I am persuaded, neg-
lect to avail yourself of this moment of success to press
1 A Z K F R
7 G T E G X
18 R J R T J
2 B Y I E S
10 I Q B I A
20 T G T R K
2 B Y I E S
/
12 L O L Z C
23 W D W O N
10 I Q B I A
14 N M N X E
/
12 L O L Z C
18 R J R T J
/
19 S H S S I
4 D W H C U
2 B Y I E S
19 S H S S I[wrong column]
2 B Y I E S
3 C X J D T
8 H S D H Y
20 T G T R K
19 S H S S I
7 G T E G X
13 M N M Y D
10 I Q B I A
18 R J R T J
22 V E V P M
/
7 G T E G X
19 S H S S I
2 B Y I E S
5 E V G B V
13 M N M Y D
20 T G T R K
10 I Q B I A
10 I Q B I A
12 L O L Z C
52[to]
vigorous
exertions next campaign and to
5 E V G B V
3 C X J D T
20 T G T R K
20 T G T R K
19 S H S S I
3 C X J D T
26 Z A Z L Q
19 S H S S I[should be 20(T)]
2 B Y I E S
/
21 U F U Q L
19 S H S S I [wrong column]
/
21 U F U Q L [PCC is "22"; this transcription error has been corrected by the encoding worksheet]
18 R J R T J
23 W D W O N
22 V E V P M
/
20 T G T R K
19 S H S S I
7 G T E G X
/
3 C X J D T
19 S H S S I
6 F U F A W
21 U F U Q L
2 B Y I E S
4 D W H C U
4 D W H C U
12 L O L Z C
7 G T E G X
2 B Y I E S
2 B Y I E S
2 B Y I E S
/
10 I Q B I A
13 M N M Y D
20 T G T R K
23 W D W O N
/
6 F U F A W
8 H S D H Y
17 Q I Q U H
9 J R C J Z
8 H S D H Y
/
3 C X J D T
8 H S D H Y
22 V E V P M
6 F U F A W
6 F U F A W
19 S H S S I
12 L O L Z C
6 F U F A W
18 R J R T J
2 B Y I E S
/
24 X C X N O
6 F U F A W
/
11 K P A K B
6 F U F A W[wrong column]
5 E V G B V
21 U F U Q L
5 E V G B V[should be I]
16 P K P V G
/
4 D W H C U[wrong column]
20 T G T R K
14 N M N X E
4 D W H C U
17 Q I Q U H
20 T G T R K
/
8 H S D H Y
10 I Q B I A
19 S H S S I
/
17 Q I Q U H
14 N M N X E
16 P K P V G
24 X C X N O
12 L O L Z C
15 O L O W F
16 P K P V G [these two codes 15 16 are transcription errors and the correct codes (5 7 4) have been supplied from the encoding worksheet]
5 E V G B V
7 G T E G X
4 D W H C U [wrong column]
/
4 D W H C U
25 Y B Y M P [should be S]
This, Sir, is a great
and leading object, upon which the happiness of your
country very much depend[s]. You will undo[u]btedly en-
deavour to
16 P K P V G
22 V E V P M
14 N M N X E
2 B Y I E S
3 C X J D T
18 R J R T J
26 Z A Z L Q
20 T G T R K
2 B Y I E S
/
3 C X J D T
8 H S D H Y
22 V E V P M
/
22 V E V P M
10 I Q B I A
14 N M N X E
23 W D W O N
8 H S D H Y
/
15 O L O W F
1 A Z K F R
/
3 C X J D T
8 H S D H Y
22 V E V P M
9 J R C J Z
23 W D W O N
4 D W H C U
18 R J R T J
18 R J R T J[wrong column?]
represent them
fully to us
1 A Z K F R
24 X C X N O
9 J R C J Z
23 W D W O N
22 V E V P M
13 M N M Y D
12 L O L Z C
8 H S D H Y
6 F U F A W
3 C X J D T
5 E V G B V
/
2 B Y I E S
15 O L O W F
17 Q I Q U H [PCC is 7; the transcription error has been corrected by the worksheet]
1 A Z K F R
19 S H S S I
22 V E V P M
12 L O L Z C
1 A Z K F R
/
3 C X J D T
15 O L O W F
/
7 G T E G X
4 D W H C U
2 B Y I E S
22 V E V P M
/
18 R J R T J[should be 1(A) 8(S)] [the transcription error corrected as follows by the encoding worksheet]
1 A Z K F R
8 H S D H Y
/
6 F U F A W
6 F U F A W
1 A Z K F R
/
1 A Z K F R
8 H S D H Y
/
25 Y B Y M P
23 W D W O N
4 D W H C U
8 H S D H Y[should be 18(R)]
/
17 Q I Q U H
14 N M N X E
19 S H S S I
3 C X J D T
18 R J R T J
6 F U F A W
7 G T E G X[should be C]
18 R J R T J
19 S H S S I
15 O L O W F
13 M N M Y D
19 S H S S I
/
15 O L O W F
19 S H S S I
12 L O L Z C
15 O L O W F
/
3 C X J D T
17 Q I Q U H
2 B Y I E S
20 T G T R K
17 Q I Q U H
6 F U F A W
13 M N M Y D
for my part I never was fully convinced
that
34[Spain]
/
23 W D W O N
26 Z A Z L Q
19 S H S S I
/
25 Y B Y M P
10 I Q B I A
20 T G T R K
22 V E V P M
18 R J R T J
10 I Q B I A
[1(A) omitted here]
12 L O L Z C
15 O L O W F
25 Y B Y M P
/
2 B Y I E S [wrong column]
23 W D W O N
20 T G T R K
22 V E V P M
18 R J R T J
2 B Y I E S
[2(S) omitted here; the encoding worksheet shows it is a transcription error]
3 C X J D T [wrong column?]
22 V E V P M
8 H S D H Y
/
10 I Q B I A
23 W D W O N
/
15 O L O W F
6 F U F A W
18 R J R T J
10 I Q B I A
23 W D W O N
4 D W H C U
22 V E V P M
16 P K P V G
2 B Y I E S
23 W D W O N
4 D W H C U
26 Z A Z L Q [should be E; the encoding worksheet shows the plaintext was spelled wiht "a"]
14 N M N X E
4 D W H C U
14 N M N X E
/
21 U F U Q L
24 X C X N O[should be N; the "e" in "yesca" of the encoding worksheet looks like a "c", which may have caused use of a wrong column (i.e., the fourth or "c"'s column)]
12 L O L Z C
2 B Y I E S
2 B Y I E S
19 S H S S I
/
15 O L O W F
14 N M N X E
6 F U F A W
3 C X J D T[NB. At least on 16 April 1782, Livingston [or his transcriber] wrote "lead" for past participle "led".]
/
20 T G T R K
12 L O L Z C
/
2 B Y I E S
18 R J R T J
/
11 K P A K B
25 Y B Y M P
/
8 H S D H Y
15 O L O W F
25 Y B Y M P
14 N M N X E
/
16 P K P V G
9 J R C J Z
7 G T E G X
19 S H S S I
14 N M N X E
14 N M N X E
7 G T E G X
/
11 K P A K B
3 C X J D T
5 E V G B V
1 A Z K F R
13 M N M Y D
20 T G T R K
6 F U F A W
16 P K P V G
5 E V G B V
/
your letter have held up different ideas. I wish you
to explain more fully upon what they are founded,
you have doubtless received your
2 B Y I E S[should be 3(C)]
12 L O L Z C
13 M N M Y D
25 Y B Y M P
19 S H S S I
19 S H S S I
8 H S D H Y
2 B Y I E S
23 W D W O N
23 W D W O N
/
6 F U F A W
12 L O L Z C
18 R J R T J
/
24 X C X N O
14 N M N X E
7 G T E G X
12 L O L Z C
20 T G T R K
10 I Q B I A
10 I Q B I A
20 T G T R K
17 Q I Q U H
14 N M N X E
7 G T E G X
/
1 A Z K F R[wrong column]
/
16 P K P V G
22 V E V P M
11 K P A K B
[4 (D W H C U) omitted here; the transcriber's error]
14 N M N X E
you may form some judgement of the
views of Congress by
20 T G T R K
19 S H S S I
7 G T E G X
10 I Q B I A
23 W D W O N
19 S H S S I
7 G T E G X
18 R J R T J
17 Q I Q U H
12 L O L Z C
20 T G T R K
17 Q I Q U H
15 O L O W F
24 X C X N O
2 B Y I E S
which accompany it, how far they should
influence your
3 C X J D T
12 L O L Z C
14 N M N X E
3 C X J D T
4 D W H C U
5 E V G B V[should be 3(C); occasional wrong encoding of "c" as "e" may be due to similar appearance of "c" and "e" of the plaintext]
7 G T E G X
2 B Y I E S
24 X C X N O
34[Spain]
must in
(Page 307)
some measure depend upon what you suppose
49[the]
10 I Q B I A [should be E; the plaintext in the encoding worksheet looks like an "i" without a dot]
13 M N M Y D
5 E V G B V
6 F U F A W[manuscript in PCC may also be read as 16; the encoding worksheet is clearly "6"]
16 P K P V G
5 E V G B V
14 N M N X E
7 G T E G X
24 X C X N O
3 C X J D T
19 S H S S I
/
25 Y B Y M P
7 G T E G X
18 R J R T J
6 F U F A W
5 E V G B V
22 V E V P M
14 N M N X E
/
35[France]
/
51[and]
/
34[Spain]
/
51[and]
/
49[the]
/
19 S H S S I
26 Z A Z L Q
9 J R C J Z
20 T G T R K
10 I Q B I A
6 F U F A W
17 Q I Q U H
9 J R C J Z
2 B Y I E S
2 B Y I E S
/
35[France]
13 M N M Y D
26 Z A Z L Q
25 Y B Y M P
25 Y B Y M P
10 I Q B I A
11 K P A K B
2 B Y I E S[wrong column]
/
52[to]
/
34[Spain]
/
15 O L O W F
9 J R C J Z
36[England]
/
1 A Z K F R
7 G T E G X
/
20 T G T R K
8 H S D H Y
14 N M N X E
/
7 G T E G X
22 V E V P M
14 N M N X E
2 B Y I E S
11 K P A K B[should be 1(R) 1(A)]
15 O L O W F
/
16 P K P V G
2 B Y I E S
10 I Q B I A
3 C X J D T
22 V E V P M
of what we suppose to be our
20 T G T R K
21 U F U Q L[should be 22(E), verified by the encoding worksheet]
18 R J R T J
20 T G T R K
19 S H S S I
20 T G T R K
12 L O L Z C
18 R J R T J
2 B Y I E S[wrong column]
13 M N M Y D [corrected by the encoding worksheet]
(Page 308)
...
I must beg the favor of you to be
particular in your information with respect to
49[the]
22 V E V P M
17 Q I Q U H
7 G T E G X
15 O L O W F
2 B Y I E S
/
51[and]
16 P K P V G
12 L O L Z C
12 L O L Z C
10 I Q B I A
3 C X J D T
10 I Q B I A
24 X C X N O
1 A Z K F R
19 S H S S I
/
26 Z A Z L Q[should be 24(O), verified by the encoding worksheet]
6 F U F A W
/
7 G T E G X
4 D W H C U
2 B Y I E S
/
34[Spanish]
/
32[minister]
...
Notes
I.
Page 307 (or sheet 21) of this letter contains an interlinear translation: "what we suppose to be our 20 (i) 21 (n) 18 (t) 20 (e) 19 (r) 20 (e) 12 (s) 18 (t) 2 (s)", which turns out to be wrong.
A little knowledge of cryptography may make one think it obvious that this is wrong because "20" is used for both "i" and "e", while "s" is represented by "12" and "2". In practice, however, this translation is not so absurd as it may look.
Cipher in reality often includes errors. On the very same page, the word "engagement" is enciphered as "ingagement". This shows that "e" may be confused with "i". Further, transcribers occasionally omit a digit of a code, especially "1", which is no more than a simple stroke. Page 306 of the same letter contains "7", which should actually be "17", and "8", which should actually be "18".
Thus, the interlinear translation "interests" should not be dismissed out of hand. Two instances of both 20(e) and 18(t) seem to be convincing evidence to support this translation in preference to other possibilities such as "advantage" or "necessity".
However, frequency analysis readily shows that every code from 1 to 26 in this letter occurs 10 to 60 times. If simple substitution were employed, this means that least frequently used letters in English such as Z or Q were used more than one sixth of the times than the most frequently used letter, E. Further, three successive occurence of one letter such as 19 19 19 and 2 2 2 is very unlikely in simple substitution.
As it turns out, the cipher used here is a polyalphabetic substitution with some codes (27-61) reserved for frequently used words (WE033 as classified by Ralph E. Weber) and the above sequence reads "territory" instead of "interests".
II. "I" and "J"
The cipher table WE033 lists "j" and "i" in this order. One might be tempted to think this is an error in the cipher table. However, many instances for "I" and one for "J" are properly rendered. Back in those days, "I" and "J" and "U" and "V" are not always distinguished. Dictionaries at that time often mixes words beginning with "I" and those beginning with "J". For example, "jam", "iambics", "japan", and "ice" would appear in this order!
III. Mr. Toscan
In his concluding remark, Livingston writes "I shall use our private cipher, as corrected by that sent by Mr. Toscan, till you receive the one transmitted by Mr. Thomson." Mr. Toscan carried Jay's letter of April 25, 1781, to America (October 3, 1781, from Jay to the President of Congress; May 29, 1781, from same to same).
First posted on 23 September 2008. Last modified on 13 October 2008.
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