Capturing Correspondence - Turbutt Wright Responds to a Mail Robbery
I had great difficulty locating information on Continental Congressman Turbutt Wright.
But, I really love his name and, therefore, spent a good deal of time piecing together what I could.
I have made him the feature of this story of the Virginia Mail Robbery though there were at least two other people who served on the committee with him.
Turbutt Wright
Turbutt Wright first joined the American Revolution in 1773 when he was elected to the Maryland Assembly.
Wright spent time on the Committee of Safety which acted as the Colonial Government while power was being assumed from the Royal Governor.
After independence was declared, he was chosen to attend the State Constitutional Convention.
In late 1781, Wright was selected to represent Maryland at the Continental Congress.
Stolen Correspondence
In his one year as a Continental Congressman, Turbutt Wright made his rounds on several committees. The most notable of which involved a mail robbery.
In June of 1782, a mail carrier was robbed by several men in Virginia, taking money and important correspondence which was headed for some of the nation’s leading politicians.
When the new Postmaster, Ebenezer Hazard, reported this to the Continental Congress a committee was established featuring Wright, Theodorick Bland and Thomas McKean.
Report on Mail Robbery
The Report on Mail Robbery (which for some reason was written by James Madison, despite his not being on the committee) decided to delegate the responsibility to the Middle States.
New Jersey and Delaware did nothing, but Maryland and Pennsylvania offered rewards for the capture of the bandits.
This is fortunate, as the criminals were apprehended in Pennsylvania the following August. Unfortunately, I was unable to locate any sources which discussed the fate of these burglars.
Prisoner Exchanges
Turbutt Wright’s other notable efforts mostly included discussions on prisoner exchanges.
When Henry Laurens was released from the Tower of London, the Continental Congress discussed whether Lord Cornwallis should be released as well. Wright believed it was best to leave this discussion up to the Ministers in Paris who could communicate more efficiently with their French allies.
Furthermore, Wright was appointed to the committee which considered the Asgill Affair, a tense situation where George Washington was considering a revenge hanging of a British Officer.
Homeward
After a year in the Continental Congress, Turbutt returned to White Marsh, the home he inherited from his father.
He passed away just months later at the young age of 42 from unknown causes.
If you have not read my articles on Henry Laurens or Charles Asgill I highly recommend them.
Both have extremely interesting roles in the final days of the American Revolution. (Laurens was my very first article too!)
Henry Laurens - The Only American to Stay in the Tower of London
Revenge Hanging - Joshua Huddy and the Charles Asgill Affair
Turbutt Wright has no book about him.
Instead, I’ll just recommend an unrelated book that is one of my favorites…’Unlikely Allies.’
This strange but true story tells about Founder Silas Deane’s journey to France where he persuaded that nation to support the United States in war.
Pick up a copy through the Amazon affiliate link below (you’ll support this site, but don’t worry, Amazon pays me while your price stays the same).
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