Spies, Espionage, And Secret Writing In 1770's - Historical Writing Series Part 5

A special thanks to Brian Allison for sharing the expertise with us!
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[@EarlyMusicDiva]

Mrs Crocombe sits down to read Jon's letter over a steaming cup of high-tannin tea, and, before her astonished eyes, a secret nutmeg recipe appears between the lines...

[@ljb8157]

@@redletterboxxx there's always one of you

[@jcortese3300]

This dude REALLY needs to be invited to give a talk t the International Spy Museum!! Historical tradecraft would be a fascinating lecture!

[@cecilyerker]

Brian is probably my favorite recurring guest on this channel, and also the best dressed by a mile. I'm kinda digging this atmospheric lighting choice.

[@thschnick]

I just rewatched all of the videos on letters, quills, ink, etc the other day. Nice to see Mr. Allison back for another video.

[@scarletletter4900]

The secret ingredient in the sympathetic stain is... Nutmeg!

[@stevenjohnson2273]

Still a secret.

[@BrilliantLove2]

Scarlet Letter 🤣🤣🤣. Who knew!!!

[@rtyria]

This comment needs more likes.

[@BeardedBarley1]

Hahahahahaha!

[@Zenas521]

lol

[@angrychileh308]

This writing man is such a gentleman ,I never want to see him in current time clothes

[@neenmach]

Kind of agree with you. Would ruin the mystique.

[@dextardextar]

Absolutely not, he's clearly not of this era.

[@comradegarrett1202]

Right? He's always dressed impeccably

[@BarbaraFischer4]

Writing Man...the next superhero? 😀

[@kck9742]

He's soooo handsome.

[@chris15252]

Brian may be on to something about the sympathetic stain. I found a chemistry book from 1863 that has some interesting information about tannic acid as well as other acids that have the same precipitation reaction with iron sulfate. The book is available freely on google books and is called “A manual of elementary chemistry, theoretical and practical”. The information about vegetable acids starts on page 576. My chemistry knowledge is limited to high school and some college chemistry so it’s a stretch to say I fully understand it. But, I thought it might be worth checking out.

[@Nahrku]

"Never believe anything that somebody tells you, look it up yourself. You all have minds, you all have reason - look it up, read it, find out. Don't take my word for it, I might be wrong. (...) Always do your research." Truly words to live by in history and life in general! I love your videos, it's such a realistic, hands-on approach to history that nonetheless always manages to fascinate me! Keep up the amazing work and have a lovely day!

[@psychedianic]

I'm in love with fountain pens, handwriting, all writing-related things. Mr. Allison's presentations make my day. Advising people to think for themselves....outstanding advice! 😘💗

[@thed.a.4939]

Same here!

[@robh.5595]

I could sit and listen to Brian for hours. Absolutely brilliant, getting him on the show, and sharing his knowledge with us all.

[@ToastAndJellyfish]

So delighted to see Mr. Allison back, sharing his knowledge with us once again! The previous videos on writing materials and methods were absolutely wonderful, and this one is just as engaging and informative. Thank you!

[@comradegarrett1202]

He's so good, I hope he becomes a permanent regular on the channel

[@IntrepidFraidyCat]

Love you screen name!

[@rebeccahaggerty2345]

Brian was a delight to watch and listen to. Very handsome and clearly passionate. I always love to hear people speak about something they are excited about. What a treat!

[@cindymaag4212]

"Do not take anyone's word for it" - Wisdom and brilliance! I love Brian's realism and practicality.

[@BaptistJoshua]

Yeah? I don't believe you.

[@southernwanderer7912]

Brian Allison is one of my favorite guests. He's full of knowledge.

[@NikkiMKarLen]

"TURN: Washington's Spies" is absolutely amazing. Season 3 is the best thing ever!

[@outdoors_review]

Im ganna watch it right after this video is done.

[@scott236]

I really miss that show

[@imabigscrewball]

I only saw the 1st season. But it was great

[@robdixon7732]

I'm about to start season 3 now.

[@KorbinX]

It was a great series!!

[@regalpanda4224]

I can only image what the child version of myself would say if I went back in time and told him I was enjoying a video about secret writing in 1700s.

[@alexandresobreiramartins9461]

Washington: What's a... "video"? Is that Latin?

[@alexhook9151]

Young me wouldn't be surprised that it was a historical video but instead surprised that I wouldn't have to rewind the video when I was done with it 😅

[@fepatton]

Nice touch using the shadowy lighting! Brian Allison is my favorite guest on your videos - he inspired me to try making quill pens! Hope you have him back again. :-)

[@The_Kentuckian]

I kinda want Brian to be my tour guide for all of my future vacations. He's very knowledgeable & genial.

[@rockerbaby0403]

Having Brian Allison as a guest makes for such a fascinating video. It's so wondering seeing someone who is so knowledgeable and clearly passionate about his work. And it doesn't hurt that he's an absoulte dish!

[@fxs7224]

Brian Allison is a terrific guest. His knowledge and presentation are great. This is a thoroughly delightful video.

[@piggugudu1327]

Espionage is always fascinating! I especially loved seeing the boiled egg messages in Turn (even if they aren’t historically accurate it seemed like such a cute way to give a message XD) Special codes and ciphers in beautiful calligraphy letters have an allure that is hard to find in more modern forms of covert communication - end to end encryption in whattsap just isn’t nearly as romantic 😄

[@dj-kq4fz]

I don't understand why this doesn't have more views. Fascinating subject, excellent guest/expert, typical high quality Townsends content. I hope people will take a look. Oh wait, just realized there's no nutmeg mentioned.

[@sapphossmalldog228]

I had the opportunity to read through an archive of "The Ladies Floral Cabinet and Pictorial Home Companion" and it one of them they had a user submission of "rebellion poetry" from the Revolutionary war. Rebellious messages hidden in published poetry. I will have to see if I can find it. It is also rife with reader recipes!

[@robredfeather8731]

A truly fascinating episode, thank you. I love your cooking eps. And I love your historical eps like this one. Keep doing them all. Thank you.

[@aprila3998]

I knew they probably had seen the show turn Washington spies, it was scary how what he said was what happened to me. I started getting interested in this particular time period because of the show. Even though it may have Hollywood things and it is not 100% accurate it sparked the curiosity of how it really happened and so I went and researched things myself. This is how I found the Townsends website and later the channel on KZbin. I truly feel like I have gone on a trip to a museum and I'm standing in front of them, at times I wanted to jump in and add things to the conversation because of how real this Interview is, it felt like I was there. Amazing!!!!

[@timbushong4387]

So good - love it. Great job, Jon and all. "Turn" rocks, too.

[@fujitafunk]

I love how this guy can make you interested in just about anything. I watched his video on writing quills and how they’re made and never in my life, would I have thought that was interesting. Not to take away from Townsends, but I love when you have guests on the channel. It really adds so much and you can tell just how much he’s loving just listening to his guests too.

[@juliebaker6969]

If the chemical analysis showed just regular ingredients, perhaps the secret lies in the method of processing. Or there IS another possibility. Today we have the ability to microencapsulate fragrances that can be printed on paper, essentially creating a "scratch-n-sniff" patch that releases it's scent when the microencapsulation is broken open by scratching the paper. Perhaps the secret was a process, or catalyst, necessary to develop the writing, not the ingredients themselves. Or maybe it was that there was an inhibitor in the ink that prevented the reaction that made the ink visible. And the inhibitor needs to be counteracted or washed away before the ink becomes visible. This is certainly an intriguing conundrum. Be sure to make a video on it if you come up with an answer, I'd be fascinated to watch it.

[@juliebaker6969]

@@JohnNNJ of COURSE we have technology like that NOW. But it's what technology they had during the Revolutionary War that's at issue. The trick is to find an ink that is invisible under normal circumstances. One that will NOT become visible with the use of usual reagents of the time period. And critically; One that, after 240 years has passed will leave no residues, save that of the standard iron gall ink of the period. All that, using only the materials and technology available at that time.

[@juliebaker6969]

@@JohnNNJ A. You're rambling. B. Nothing you said was germane to the subject. So you took printing in highschool, I took chemistry, your point's what? C. Nothing you said is relevant to invisible ink technology in 1776. Unless you're 260 years old, and your highschool printing class was during the Revolutionary War, that is.

[@bryanl1984]

@@juliebaker6969 Actually his comment IS germaine. The idea of an inhibitor to the tannic acid reaction is actually pretty simple and quite possible to apply in that period.

[@juliebaker6969]

@@bryanl1984 well if you can reproduce the process, with period technology that is, and come up with something that fits ALL criteria, you're more than welcome to prove it. I'm sure that the scientists and forensic documents experts that have been trying to explain it for the last 2 centuries would greatly appreciate the assistance.

[@bryanl1984]

@@juliebaker6969 Just as a hypothetical "thought experiment" I'm pretty sure they had Oxalic acid for detergents. In theory another reducer could work too as a substitute. I'm unsure about the Iron Sulfate ink ingredient they were using but, even that is possible but, Iron Oxide (or manganese oxide and a few others) can be combined with oxalic acid to become transparent. You could write with the oxalated mixture and it should be temperature stable and mostly chemically stable (to things other than oil of vitriol aka sulphuric acid but who'd try that on a letter?). When they want to expose the writing, they could use a VERY strong base or acid; Sal Ammoniac decomposed to produce Ammonia in concentrations high enough reverses the oxylation. So could "calcinating" Saltpeter to produce Nitrogen Dioxide to Nitric Acid when combined with moisture. Additionally, oxalic acid, soda lime and potash were used as detergents at the time and I could easily see the discovery of reducing agents on metal pigments being made when trying to wash off an ink stain for it to turn clear. This period is sort of the "birth" of chemistry and the scientific method but, there's LOTS of "Alchemical Science" accumulated up to that point and these techniques would be known, somewhat available ingredients wise and pretty cryptic to the lay population.

[@kimfleury]

I had a crazy busy week last week and most of this week. I'm exhausted and relaxing with this video. It's a very interesting overview of a fascinating topic.

[@Scriptorsilentum]

two grown men in period clothing having a fascinating discussion about the 18th century, before it and long after it. Absolutely terrific video, gentlemen; very well done! Am glad I have subscribed. The clothing - have you noticed how the shirts and lace/cloth neckties really "set them off"? Another commenter offered how the clothing worn actually gives them a better appearance. I agree.

[@BarbaraFischer4]

Townsends has such cool videos & I really enjoy these videos with Brian Allison too!

[@brian-beeler]

If this subject interests you I highly recommended reading "The Codebreakers - The Story of Secret Writing" (1967) by David Kahn. How good is it? At the UK's GCHQ request the author removed some parts and in 1982 the NSA tried to stop its republishing.

[@edrudicil7296]

My Great Great Great Great Grandfather was Capt. Peter Tarter with Gen Washington at Yorktown. The surrender of the British was signed in his Farther in-laws house. I love your channel as it bring me closer to how his life must have been like. Thanks You.

[@bobgerhardt5616]

Excellent video! Didn’t expect it on a Wednesday and didn’t see a notification - just stumbled on it. Hope you’ll do more on this topic!

[@soliscrown1272]

Every time I watch a Townsends video, I wish I had a time machine.

[@m005kennedy]

Some demos of the invisible inks and such would make a great follow up video.

[@jamesvatter5729]

These interviews with Brian are great info!

[@lensmann4002]

While a work of fiction for young readers, the book 'The Scarlet Stockings Spy' by Trinka Hakes Noble features a secret code used by a brother and sister to monitor the comings and goings of ships inPhiladelphia PA while the city is under British Occupation during the Revolutionary War. It is a well told story with excellent illustrations.

[@shermanium7834]

love it! just reading Jeff Shaara's "The Glorious Cause" right now! He writes about Ben Franklin recieving invisible inked letters from John Jay in March 1777 while negotiating in Paris. John's brother James created this version of the ink. (p.214)

[@prairieprepper]

I would love to see more on this topic and hear more from Brian! What a great video. And what a great response to that little girl. I think she'll remember that day long into her life and be stronger for it.

[@katla9384]

Brian, you listed some very important clues to what the invisible ink was made out of. One, it was exotic. This means it was probably from the East Indies. Frequent enough trade to get, and close enough to not take a year after placing an order. Two, it was used as a medicine at the time. He refers to it as a medicine because that's what other people used it for. It actually being a medicine make the code very simple to refer to it in letters, and no crown official would ever suspect because it was a medicine. It could be seen as completely toxic now, but it was a medicine then. It would be interesting to check the cargo lists of ships coming in from the East Indies on dates when he states that his medicine came in.

[@minstrelgirl451]

Very good thoughts!

[@DanCooper404]

It's nutmeg!

[@jakekarr9733]

Thank you, The Pinkertons are a huge interest to me as well.

[@MossCoveredBonez]

Definitely want to learn how to make inks, but the clothes line is the most fascinating part to me

[@censusgary]

It’s amusing to realize that codes, ciphers, and invisible inks have been around for almost as long as writing has existed. There’s an ancient story about a king who sent a secret message by writing it on a servant’s shaved head, then keeping the guy hidden until his hair grew back. Then the servant traveled to the court of another ruler, where his head was shaved, the message was read, and then the writing was washed off his scalp. Obviously, it took quite a while to send a message that way. If it absolutely, positively had to be there overnight, they must have used a different method.

[@lesahanners5057]

This is such a splendid series Jon, I can't seem to get enough of it. As an avid lover of history and it's multifaceted components, I so admire listening to Brian's commentary of it. Spies, codes, and cypher's is such a fascinating subject, it always brings shivers of delight to hear tales of the Revolutionary War concerning it. Thanks so much for doing another episode in this wonderful series with Brian. He brings such a body of knowledge to this topic. You both looked so like a couple of gentlemen from the period, I could imagine one of the code courier's coming through the door as you spoke. Thank you once again. Have a great day!

[@FireDragonAndromeda]

I still remember getting introduced to the caeserian cypher in primary school and figured it out with a decipher quickly by remembering that some letters are gonna be used more often than others.

[@elitecombatfitnesscentral6170]

"TURN-Washington's Spies" is my all time favorite series

[@tee1up785]

@ELITE COMBAT FITNESS CENTRAL Never heard of it. Sounds like it will be good. Is it on Netflix?

[@elitecombatfitnesscentral6170]

@@kevinrussell6530 yes I have the book

[@IntrepidFraidyCat]

@@tee1up785 It was on AMC. There were 4 seasons. It's available on Netflix.

[@IntrepidFraidyCat]

I loved that series. AMC only did 4 seasons.....but 11 of Walking Dead. Ugh, the dumbing down of America.

[@tee1up785]

@IntrepidFraidyCat thank you. I’ll check it out.

[@trojanette8345]

Nice touch to do a late afternoon interview. Love the changed up lighting. My gr-grandmother once referenced that her father who was in the civil war knew of a secret "sympathetic" writing. We thought it was a reference to him writing condolence letters to the families of deceased military officers :| . She also did mention that "everyone kept a little bottle of acid". It was a strange stray comment.

[@susanlangley4294]

Trojanette83 Thank-you. As an archaeologist, I think this is a significant observation and comment.

[@trojanette8345]

@@susanlangley4294 Oh, wow. Thank You. I happen to be a little bit of a 'history buff'. Actually, happened to have started out being a history major in college before being shooed out of the department b/c my professors of the time didn't deem women to be worthy enough nor smart enough to be involved in history!! True story. My main professor went so far as to deny me any grades for 7 mos INTO my coursework. I complained to the dean....lot of good that did me. Come to find out the dept dean was his friend. Lol. I promptly changed majors so as not to waste any more money doing coursework for which there would be no outcome. Nonetheless, I never lost my love of history or research. I am always very keen to catch the little 'tidbits' or crumbs of information that some people might gloss-over or be quick to dismiss. Me, on the other hand I am always thinking and figuring just how do these tidbits (I call them gems) fit into the larger picture? Am I wrong to think this way? My friends get playfully annoyed at me sometimes. They can't figure out HOW I am able to see / seek / find the things that I do. I tell them all you have to do is open up your eyes and SEE.

[@fauxparis6290]

Another great video! I absolutely loved the advice given in this and will be sure to use it!

[@teresitaromero4325]

I so so love your channel and this guest is fascinating. Keep up the great work!

[@jamesellsworth9673]

Fascinating! Love the setting and the videography that showcases two men talking! In Oneida, New York in the 1980's, we had a code breaker living two doors down from us...and working in journalism.

[@robdixon7732]

So funny you posted this. I've been watching TURN on Netflix. It's great!

[@joeyhardin1288]

Loved the series!!! Thank you. God Bless and stay safe.

[@emmabenuska699]

The shadowy room is very effective for planning spycraft🗝🍻🥚

[@IngridRollema]

Lovely to see Mr. Allison again. And Jon, of course! :-)

[@robredfeather8731]

Oh, and great guest as well. Brian Allison is awesome.

[@becsackville6446]

Love it when Brian comes to visit. Always get me going off looking into things further

[@johnr7279]

Very neat change of pace for this one--super job!

[@olddawgdreaming5715]

Very interesting ! Thanks for sharing with us Jon.

[@marcydow9580]

Thanks to Townsends for this great interview. Brian Allison is very interesting.

[@wanderlustjake]

Great job guys! Very interesting and well done! Thank you again for another very informative video

[@kayspence759]

Two handsome gentlemen discussing interesting things. 👍

[@jimseiler4651]

Great interview! Thanks.

[@juliamaxfalcon5483]

Such a fascinating discussion! Videos with you two are some of my favorites :)

[@Btn1136]

I think one of the biggest appeals of Townsend’s is that it reminds us of the joy we get when we do what we love.

[@Zelmel]

I had never actually heard of "Turn" until this video, but I will definitely be watching it now! Brian's descriptions of it make it sound so amazing, AMC should be paying him advertising fees!

[@stevethornton3901]

Really great episode - thanks Jas!

[@Zenas521]

This was a fun episode. Thank you.

[@vivian4949]

Thank you Jas and Brian.

[@tcf098]

Who disliked this video? Capt. Simcoe, is that you?

[@chrisnemec5644]

Well, there are now 3 dislikes, proving there are at least 3 crazy people who watched it.

[@imabigscrewball]

Chris Nemec I hate to say it but it's the radical left. I hate to say it because it's a non-political channel, but who else would find a problem?

[@NikkiMKarLen]

Tories.

[@Anon-zv3my]

This thread is the best. I needed this laugh. Thanks guys.

[@reconphil]

Trolls

[@GeschichtenUndGedanken]

What a great episode. Thank you very much.

[@DavidMaurand]

I have greatly enjoyed all the episodes with Brian Allison. Special callout to whoever did the lighting.

[@timedebtor]

I'm pretty sure that the earliest known writing obfuscation strategy was dunking text engravings into wax, to make uniform blocks. As far back as 4th Century BC includes substitution ciphers were eventually included in kamasutra.

[@DaveKeller-t5k]

Very interesting well done hope to see more in the future

[@Arariel3]

That's it! Now I know why he seems familiar. Brian Allison reminds me of a spy from an older movie, like maybe one of James Bond's cohorts or nemesis! Even better, maybe one of the spies featured in the Wild Wild West.

[@bilbobagginses4941]

i was waiting for Culper to come up. Bravo!

[@mythnam]

Turn has been sitting in my Netflix list for a while, might be time to bump it up...

[@laurela.235]

This guest is my favorite! He is fascinating!

[@TheNetymags]

I’ve always have used any book or movie as a gateway. Since I was a child I have always looked up and found out more about any story. Love having a map also to any book or movie so I can imagine where the characters are and moved around

[@ontheheath]

This was a really interesting video.While the topic was fascinating, the thing that struck me most was the beautiful chiaroscuro lighting in that room. Really lovely!

[@3nertia]

I love how I can know a subject, watch one of these videos, and learn stuff I never knew!

[@LindaCasey]

Gads I love this look! I love this time. I love this subject. And, Brian is so Mr. Darcy-esque! Wonderful show. Thank you. 🌹

[@mscavsfan]

This was awesome. I love this guy's knowledge and listening to him.

[@StanleyDWilliams]

Excellent explanation of how Hollywood and stories are a gateway to historical learning. (starting about 15:12)

[@ironmanfanman4001]

The mention of hollywood is exactly what I experienced with the movie Pearl Harbor. It started a love affair with history. From WW1 to Modernity. It's all intertwined, we still feel the affects of the First World War today. The map of the Middle East looks the way it does due to treaties of the French and British.

[@mahna_mahna]

Thanks to Brian Allison for giving us all this great info while obviously not feeling very well.

[@robertroe9563]

I especially enjoyed the show being a Roe myself and having familial ties the Culper spy ring.

[@twycross3]

Thomas Jefferson made the Cipher Wheel so he could send coded messages to France

[@stevenjohnson2273]

The two of you make what could be a boring subject very interesting.

[@pixelpatter01]

What a treat it is listening to two intelligent people discussing a subject.

[@doubtful_seer]

I would absolutely love more videos about the history of spying. Particularly women’s roles in spying and espionage because they were often overlooked or not searched for proprietary reasons. Also, I loved that story about teaching the children to question. In particular, and I know it’s only because she was the one to speak up, thank you for saying it to a little girl. I’m sure she will remember that for a long time to come and will help her stand her ground and question the whys of the world in many situations, which is absolutely invaluable.

[@lisaflint7027]

The little girl that said "I don't believe you!", that little girl is me! I am a big fan of Turn, but it also spurred me to seek the real story about the spies of the American Revolution, and as I suspected, the producers and writers of the show certainly took some dramatic license with the real story. Even so, I'm still a fan of the show, especially if it encourages people to learn more about history.

[@rs8034a]

His comment on cinematic history is very insightful

[@marianniezayas1531]

Reminds me of National Treasure....one of my fave movies. I suppose that and The Patriot were my gateways into this time period.

[@OurTreasuredHome]

Hello, thank you for a very interesting video. I have something that is very interesting. My mom was doing our ancestor and according to the records that she found the man holding the reins of General George Washington is my grand father 12 generations back. We thought that was pretty cool. However I love this part of history because people do not realize how advanced we were back then. Thank you for sharing, God bless, stay safe and have a wonderful day.

[@DanielTsosie]

I work in computer crypto now, but I love the history of the past. Washington's ink does sound interesting. If the ink was described as a stain, I would want a lightly exo thermic reaction when paired with its regent. If the order was 1. writing the message with agent 2 innocent ink message, perhaps the ink for step 2 also needed to fade under heat. At that point once treated, you could hold the letter to a back lighting and be able to see ink that was in the white areas, and the faded parts that were inked over. Sort of a stained glass effect. It's like Roman Concrete though, you'll need an example and a mass spectrometer to even hazard a guess.

[@VickieV1333]

I always love when Brian Wilson is on! A very interesting episode on spying and I must say I loved the series TURN!!

[@LeutnantJoker]

Something I notice whenever I see people in historical dress-up: Is it just me or do people look way more attractive and respectable and just overall "better" than in modern clothes? This is true for most stuff, be it medieval, or early modern times.. at least IMO

[@d4n4nable]

People still look pretty good in modern suits. It's just that, for the most part, we gave up on appearance and look at it as vanity. Of course, you could argue the new vanity is in looking like a slob on purpose, often.

[@JegoEXP]

I think being unique or a little bit different sets you apart from everybody else.

[@ChiTownPulse]

I think it’s the more structured design rather than flowing loosely.

[@emdash2997]

I think we romanticize the past, and one of the wonderful benefits of that is to be immediately enchanted whenever we see people in period clothes. I agree, the outfit transports him to another time and he looks so put together.

[@s.leemccauley7302]

But nearly anything beats fig leaves....just saying

[@NSYresearch]

Once again a facinating subject. And i totally agree about tv etc. If one child watches a historical film and then reads a book about that period ...its done its job.

[@debbiewilson6527]

I absolutely loved the series Turn. One of the best things I have ever seen. I'm also loving this series.