Historical Dictionary of United States Intelligence

Chronology

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1765 Sons of Liberty, the first American dissident group, established.

1772 Beginning of organized resistance by the Patriots, in the form of

Committees of Correspondence, against the British.

1775 29 November:Continental Congress establishes Committee of

Secret Correspondence, headed by Benjamin Franklin, to gather secret

intelligence.

1776 April:Committee of Secret Correspondence sends first Ameri-

can agent abroad to secure weapons. 4 July:Declaration of Indepen-

dence. 12–22 September:Nathan Hale’s disastrous espionage mission

behind British lines in New York City. 27 November:Continental Con-

gress appropriates first intelligence funds.

1777 George Washington organizes first intelligence service by initi-

ating contacts with Committees of Security in each state.

1778 George Washington organizes the “Culper Spy Ring” and other

spy networks.

1780 September:Benedict Arnold defects to the British.

1783 3 September:Treaty of Paris ends the Revolutionary War with

Britain.

1790 1 July:Congress establishes Contingent Fund to pay for Amer-

ican agents abroad.

1798 Congress passes Alien and Sedition Acts.

1804 May: The Lewis and Clark “Corps of Discovery” expedition be-

gins. Lewis and Clark carry secret orders to make accurate maps of the

West. Attempt to overthrow the ruler of Tripoli in order to end the taking

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