The Black Freeman and his Slave were BOTH Spies! — Hercules and Cato Mulligan

Many know Hercules Mulligan as a character in the play Hamilton and ironically, he is the only personae in that play who actually was black. He was also a very successful spy for the American cause.

Mulligan was one of the first colonists to join the Sons of Liberty, a secret society formed to protect the rights of the colonists and to oppose British policies that limited them. He was a member of the New York Committee of Correspondence, a group that rallied opposition to the British and coordinated with groups in other colonies through written communications. Mulligan and the Sons of Liberty knocked down a statue of King George III in Bowling Green and then melted the lead to cast bullets to use against the British.

Mulligan remained in New York as a civilian tailor after George Washington’s army was driven out during the New York campaign in summer 1776 and collected vital intelligence as he fitted British officers for their clothes. As a black man, Mulligan was essentially invisible in colonial New York. This allowed him to be an incredibly successful spy. The information Mulligan collected saved Washington’s life on two occasions. The first occurred when a British officer, who requested a watch coat late one evening, told Mulligan of their plans: “Before another day, we’ll have the rebel general in our hands.” Mulligan quickly informed Washington, who changed his plans and avoided capture.

Interestingly, Hercules Mulligan, a freeman, held a slave, Cato. Cato also spied for the Americans together with Mulligan, and often acted the role of courier, exploiting his status as a slave to pass through British held territories without being questioned or detained. In 1778, Cato was granted his freedom in return for his service during the war. He was discharged in 1783 and moved to Plymouth, Massachusetts.

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Published by Michael Carver

My goal is to bring history alive through interactive portrayal of ordinary American life in the late 18th Century (1750—1799) My persona are: Journeyman Brewer; Cordwainer (leather tradesman but not cobbler), Statesman and Orator; Chandler (candle and soap maker); Gentleman Scientist; and, Soldier in either the British Regular Army, the Centennial Army, or one of the various Militia. Let me help you experience history 1st hand!