The Secret Letters of 75

  “Remove the chains,” Mr. Roberts said.

  The guard looked uncertain. “You sure, sir? What if ‘e tries to get away?”

  Mr. Roberts replied, “Then I shall stop him… with this.”

  The guard’s eyes traveled to the pistol at his waist. Grinning, the guard nodded, “Aye! That’ll stop ‘im, aw’ right!”

  The guard took out his keys and removed the manacles. Jonathan rubbed his chaffed wrists.

  “Thank you, Corporal,” Mr. Roberts said, and told Jonathan to follow him.

  Everyone on deck was busy getting ready to weigh anchor. Quietly, they slipped down the ladder and into the waiting boat and rowed back to Boston.

  Jonathan squinted in the daylight, looking around in disbelief. Minutes ago he was on his way to a prison in St. Augustine, and now he was on his way back to Boston.

  “Where are you taking me?” he asked.

  “You’ll soon see,” Mr. Roberts replied, not wanting to speak in front of Sam.

  When they reached the shore, Mr. Roberts paid Sam and led Jonathan to his house.

  When they were finally alone in the room, Mr. Roberts took off his hat and jacket, saying,

  “I’m Mr. Roberts, the artist to whom Jamie is apprenticed. I’ve made arrangements for you to meet with Jamie and Sarah tomorrow night. You’re probably hungry, too. While you have a bath and a shave, and I’ll make some dinner.”

  Jonathan shook his head in disbelief. As he looked around, he saw evidence of the man's trade as a painter.

  “Mr. Roberts! I can hardly believe it!” He pumped the man’s hand excitedly. How are Sarah and Jamie?”

  “Doing fine. You should stay here until The Raven sails.”

  “Do you think the British will come looking for me?”

  Mr. Roberts shook his head.

  “I told the guard you were wanted for questioning by General Gage. They have orders to sail and they won’t waste time waiting for you. Once the ship is out to sea, you’ll be safe. But you should stay here, because if anyone recognized you, you could be arrested again. I’ve sent word to Jamie that we will meet them at the Green Dragon tonight.”

  Jonathan stepped forward, saying, “I don’t know how to thank you, Mr. Roberts!”

  “You’re quite welcome. I’ve met your daughter, Sarah, and I know Jamie well. They are both admirable, and I’m happy to help them."

  In the golden light of dusk, Thomas Pullings found Sarah and Jamie waiting for him at the dock. They had received a message from Mr. Roberts to meet him at the Green Dragon at ten o'clock that evening.

  Floating down the river, a symphony of frogs and crickets played upon the evening breeze. A noise rustled in the tall bull rushes, and a blackbird winged upward, a mere silhouette in the sky.

  By the time they reached the open waters of the harbor, night had fallen. The only lights came from the towering ships anchored nearby, where the Falcon, the Lively, and the Sprite stood like giants at rest. A shallow, creeping fog cloaked their small boat from watchful eyes on the ships.

  Mr. Pullings drew the boat alongside the same pier where he had left them before, and whispered quietly, “Go now, and hurry back as soon as you can. I’ll wait here.”

  They climbed up the ladder, and soon they were heading towards Orange Street. The whole town seemed asleep as they hurried through dark alleys. Redcoats patrolled the streets with their rifles ready, but Jamie and Sarah kept hidden in the shadows. After twenty minutes, they arrived at the Green Dragon. Smoke poured out into the street as they opened the heavy wooden door. Sarah looked around the room anxiously, searching among the crowd of soldiers for Mr. Roberts.

  “What time is it?” she asked. Jamie pulled out a pocket watch.

  “Ten minutes to ten.”

  She relaxed, “We’re early. He's not here yet.”

  “Let’s get a table and have some cider.”

  They found an empty table in the corner and sat down and gave their order. The air was thick with tobacco smoke from clay pipes. A group of men near the bar broke into bawdy laughter.

  Neither of them spoke. They looked at the crowd of unfamiliar faces. It was so different from the old happy crowd that used to gather here. Jamie remembered the good times he had spent here with the Sons of Liberty, including Mr. Revere, Dr. Warren, Jonathan Harper, and the others. Here they had raised their glasses to the toast of “Liberty!” and had all sworn allegiance to their cause upon the Bible- except for Dr. Church. But now it was a den of Tories and British soldiers. Their toasts were made to King George and to victory for the British army.

  When their mugs of cider arrived, Jamie paid the waitress and Sarah leaned forward, asking, “Do you think something has happened?”

  Jamie didn’t want to contemplate the thought. Something could indeed have happened. Mr. Roberts may have been caught sending his messages, and might now be in the stinking hull of a prison ship, on his way to St. Augustine.

  Jamie sipped his cider, pondering his answer. As he was framing the words in his mind, she cried, “Look!” Her eyes were glowing with relief, “It’s Mr. Roberts!”

  When Jamie turned around to see him, he saw that he was dressed as a British officer, and he was alone.

  Mr. Roberts navigated his way through the crowd. Jamie could not get a clue from his expression as to why he wore a uniform. He smiled briefly when he reached the table.

  “You’re on time,” he said, “Good. Sorry I was delayed. You will both return with me to my house, where your father is waiting.”

  “Then he’s free?” Sarah cried.

  “Shh!” Mr. Roberts whispered hoarsely, “Keep your voice down!”

  Sarah regretted her outburst and shrank in silence. They looked around, but no one in the noisy tavern seemed to have taken notice.

  Mr. Roberts lowered his voice, leaning in closer to speak.

  “I was able to secure his freedom by wearing this,” he explained, “Let's go.”

  He led them back through the gas-lit streets. As soon as he opened the door, Sarah saw Jonathan standing before the hearth.

  “Father!”

  They embraced tightly, as both shed tears of joy and kissed one another.

  "We've been so worried about you!" Sarah declared, “What happened?"

  Mr. Roberts stepped forward.

  "That will have to wait. We must go quickly."

  Jonathan nodded and put on a jacket and a wide brimmed hat, pulled down to hide his face.

  They were soon on the street, moving through the dark shadows of Boston. They passed only one or two people on their way home from a tavern.

  Ten minutes later, they were on Orange Street, heading for the lonely pier where Mr. Pullings waited in his boat.

  “You there!” cried a man’s voice, “Stop!”

  Mr. Roberts froze and looked back to see a Redcoat heading towards them from the Neck.

  “Just do as I tell you, and stay calm,” Mr. Roberts told them quietly.

  As they waited for the guard to approach them, Sarah squeezed Jamie’s hand nervously and held her breath.

  “Good evening, Corporal,” Mr. Roberts smiled. The guard noted his uniform and saluted.

  “Good evening, sir. What’s your business being out this way?”

  Mr. Roberts replied, “I’m Lieutenant Smith, of the Falcon, and this is my son, James, and my daughter, Sarah. I’m sending them back to Charlestown to their mother. This man here is going to row them across and drop me at my ship.”

  The guard looked at the small group suspiciously, and Mr. Roberts nudged Jamie, saying, “Say hello, Jamie.”

  Jamie quickly bowed and said, “Good evening, sir.”

  Sarah gave him a short curtsey, daring not to reveal her American accent, and Jonathan kept his face down but touched the brim of his hat in greeting.

  The guard looked intently at each of them. Finally, the corporal saluted.

  “Right. Just checking, sir."

  “Very good, Corpor
al.” Mr. Roberts returned the salute and led the group away. As soon as the guard was out of sight, they ducked into a black alley and cut across to the pier. Jonathan thanked Mr. Roberts once again before they piled into the boat, and Mr. Roberts waved as they pushed off silently into the dark mist.

  They reached home in the early hours just before dawn. All the way back to the farm, Sarah and Jamie told Jonathan about how they found the proof that Dr. Church was a traitor and took it to General Washington. When they described their narrow escape from Dr. Church, Jonathan hugged Sarah once more, grateful to be reunited.

  Jamie shook Jonathan's hand, saying, "It's good to have you back, sir."

  "It's good to be home. Mr. Roberts told me about what you did--going to General Gage's wife to find me. That took a lot of courage…from both of you. I owe you my life, and I'll never forget what you've done. I'm very proud of you, and very grateful."

  Sarah smiled back at him.

  "Thanks, Father. General Washington now has the proof he needs to bring Dr. Church to trial. He's asked us to testify at the court martial."

  Jonathan shook his head sadly and sat down.

  "I can't believe that Dr. Church was able to deceive us--right under our noses…especially mine, and I didn't believe you. Can you ever forgive me?"

  Sarah and Jamie looked at one another, and then smiled at Jonathan.

  Sarah said, "Perhaps, if you let us sleep in late this morning."

  Jonathan laughed and nodded, "Agreed!"

  Table of Contents

  Chapter 30: The Trial

  Dr. Church’s military court martial was held in early October, 1775, with General Washington acting as judge. The court room was filled with men and women who knew Dr. Church, including most of the Sons of Liberty.

  Jonathan sat with Mr. Holbrook and Paul Revere. The room was buzzing with excitement, for the very idea that the man who was President of the Committee of Safety and Surgeon General for the Continental Army was being charged with espionage made it all the more shocking.

  General Washington began the proceedings by pounding a wooden gavel. The crowd became silent and then he read the charges.

  “We are here to investigate the charge of treason against Dr. Benjamin Church of Boston. Dr. Church, please rise and give the court your plea.”

  Dr. Church held his head high as he stood, appearing confident.

  “I plead not guilty, sir.”

  “Very well. Since this is a military court and not a civil court, we will proceed with the case. The prosecutor will give his testimony and present his witnesses.”

  Mr. Willis, a short, stocky man in a blue and buff coat stood up and held a paper in his hand.

  “Dr. Church, was this letter written by you?”

  Dr. Church took the letter written in code and glanced at it.

  “No,” he replied.

  General Washington leaned forward and warned, “I suggest that you look at it closely, Doctor.”

  The Doctor looked at it again, and insisted, “I did not write this letter.”

  Mr. Willis tilted his head, asking, “You did not give this letter to a woman to be delivered to Major Cane of the British Army?”

  “No,” Church replied flatly.

  “Very well, then I shall call Elizabeth Mowry!”

  Dr. Church turned to see the red-headed woman enter the court room. She gripped her dark shawl tightly around her shoulders. She stole a look at him, and his face seemed carved of granite.

  After she was sworn in, Mr. Willis showed her the letter and asked, “Is this the letter that Dr. Church gave you to deliver?”

  She glanced at it nervously and nodded, “Yes, it is.”

  Dr. Church stood up and declared, “That woman is lying! I never gave her that letter!”

  Mr. Willis ignored Dr. Church and asked her, “Did you take many letters to General Gage from Dr. Church?”

  General Washington stared directly at her, she replied nervously, “Yes.”

  “How many?”

  “Oh, I can’t remember,” she shrugged.

  Mr. Willis turned to Mrs. Mowry, asking,

  “How long have you been taking letters to General Gage for Dr. Church?”

  She shrugged, “Oh, for a year or two.”

  The court room erupted as the astonished spectators gasped.

  “She’s lying, I tell you! Those letters were never from me!” Dr. Church insisted.

  Mr. Willis told Mrs. Mowry that she could step down for the moment.

  “I now call Mr. Robert Wainwood of Newport.”

  Through the door at the back of the room, Mr. Wainwood walked into the court and stood before the prosecutor.

  “Mr. Wainwood, do you recognize this letter?”

  After a short glance, Mr. Wainwood nodded his head, “Yes, I do.”

  “And do you see the person who gave you this letter in this court room?”

  Mr. Wainwood looked around, and pointed to Mrs. Mowry.

  “There she is. She’s the one who gave it to me. She wanted it delivered to Captain Wallace. She wanted him to take the letter to Boston and deliver it to Major Cane, who is General Gage’s aide.”

  Excited chatter in the court room prompted Washington to pound his gavel, shouting above the noise, “Order! We will have order in this court, or the room will be cleared!”

  Dr. Church addressed General Washington, declaring, “Sir! I demand to be heard! I did not write that letter. She is lying!”

  “We shall see, Dr. Church, in good time. Continue with your case, Mr. Willis.”

  Mr. Willis, nodded politely and announced, “I now call General Washington to testify.”

  The room grew silent as Washington took his place in the witness stand. Mr. Willis held up another letter and asked,

  “You were given another letter, General. And I believe this one has Dr. Church’s signature on it, does it not?”

  Washington examined the second letter with the ink that had washed off, and he nodded, “Yes, it does.”

  “And would you tell the court what the letter says?”

  General Washington cleared his throat and then began to read.

  “It says, ‘Make sure you take… the Charlestown Road…. returning from Lexington. I fear… the road to Boston may… lead to am – bush of troops.”

  The crowd began to exclaim their outrage, and Washington addressed the court once again. “Please! Ladies and gentlemen! I understand your anger, but we must have quiet before we can proceed.”

  The uproar subsided.

  “I object!” Dr. Church shouted, “That is not my letter, either!”

  Washington looked at him, asking, “It isn’t? Then how can you explain that this was found in your own library at your house in Cambridge? When it was first brought to me, it had more words on it, which made it look like any ordinary letter. But once the ink became wet, some of the words were washed away, and these words were left….this message, one that was clearly meant for the British Army before they had marched to Lexington and Concord.”

  Dr. Church demanded angrily, “Whoever told you that was lying!”

  General Washington crossed the room and faced Dr. Church defiantly.

  “Really?” Washington replied, “If that is the case, we now have four people who are lying. Or are you lying?”

  Dr. Church clamped his mouth tightly shut, breathing hard through his nostrils. Finally, a smug smile grew on his lips.

  “It doesn’t matter, because you can’t prove any of this. You have no proof!”

  Washington left the stand and returned to his seat at the desk. He turned to Mr. Willis, “Mr. Willis, Call those two witnesses that I have waiting.”

  Mr. Willis nodded in agreement, and announced, “I call Sarah Harper and James Quayle to the witness stand.”

  The door opened and Sarah and Jamie stepped into the room. Dr. Church’s mouth dropped open and his face went from red to white in a heartbeat. He slowly dropped into his seat. br />
  Sarah and Jamie stood before Mr. Willis, who asked them, “Would one of you please tell the court how you came to suspect that Dr. Church was giving information to the enemy?”

  Sarah and Jamie looked at one another and she nodded her head at him to start. He gazed out at the crowded room and saw many of their friends from the Sons of Liberty. He cleared his throat and began telling them about the night they were at the Green Dragon with the Sons of Liberty, and everyone had sworn on the Bible to keep their secret, except Dr. Church. Then he explained how he had seen Mrs. Mowry at General Gage’s house while he was there painting a mural with Mr. Roberts.

  Sarah told the court how they had taken another letter from Mrs. Mowry that was also written in code. She went on to tell how she and Jamie followed the red-headed woman and her son to Newport. She described other letters, some written in code, found at Dr. Church’s house.

  “What happened to those?” asked Mr. Willis.

  Sarah replied, “Mrs. Mowry’s son came in and held a pistol on us while he threw them into the fire. While Jamie tried to stop him, I managed to get one of the letters out, but the others burned.”

  “And this is the letter that had the two different types of ink,” concluded Willis.

  “Yes, sir.”

  Willis nodded.

  “Thank you, Miss Harper. You may step down. I now call Corporal Joshua LaBlanc of the Continental Army.”

  The door opened once more and Joshua stepped into the court room wearing a blue uniform and black leather boots. He smiled at Sarah and Jamie as he took his place.

  "Corporal, please tell us what did you do before you joined the Continental Army?”

  Joshua replied, “I was a groom for General Gage. I took care of the officers’ horses at the General’s house in Boston, sir.”

  Willis nodded, and asked, “And you can confirm that letters were delivered to General Gage?”

  Joshua nodded, “I sure can! It was her!” He pointed to Mrs. Mowry. “She was there lots of times; a regular visitor.”

  Willis asked him, “And was there anyone else you saw at the Governor’s house?”

  Joshua looked around and his eyes settled on Dr. Church. He pointed his finger at him and said, “He was there, too. Dr. Church came several times. I even saw him talking to the General once.”

  The crowd exploded into angry voices, and Washington banged his gavel to restore order. Dr. Church looked stricken with fear, shaking his head in denial.

  When it was quiet, Mr. Willis asked, “And when did you last see Dr. Church at the General’s house?”