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National Library of Medicine
Decode Dr. Church’s letter to find out what he wrote to the British army and decide for yourself if he was a traitor!
Supplies:
- Coded messages #1-6
- Code cipher
- Pencil
- Optional: download the Activity Guide for background information
Steps:
- Pick a line of Dr. Church’s letter to decode.
- Match letters from the alphabet to the symbols used by Dr. Church using the cipher.
NPS Photo
I hope this will reach you; three attempts have I made without success
I counted 280 pieces of Cannon from 24 to 3 pounders
18 thousand men, brave and determined, with Washington & Lee at their Head, are no contemptible Enemy.
A view to Independence grows more & more general
Should Britain declare War against the Colonies, they are lost forever.
Make use of every precaution or I perish.
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Explore more at-home-activities from Longfellow House - Washington's Headquarters National Historic Site.
Last updated: April 24, 2020