THOMAS JEFFERSON, CIPHER CODES USED FOR SECRET DIPLOMATIC CORRESPONDENCE.

Scope and content:

Nine codes are included. Most of these are simple substitution ciphers, numerals being substituted for words or syllables. Two are more complicated; one is developed from a column arrangement of the Lord's Prayer; another is a dictionary cipher involving the use of a French-English pocket dictionary. One of the number codes in Jefferson's hand has a note, "frequently throw in numbers higher than 1545, which meaning nothing will serve to perplex." Some codes are endorsed with names of users, Robert R. Livingston, J. M. [James Madison?], Thomas Jefferson, Edmund Randolph, Edmund Pendleton. [56]

Physical location:

Slipcase, shelved with other slipcases and volumes

Physical description:

16 items. 24 pp. Printed and manuscript, 13 partly in Jefferson's hand or endorsed by him.

Access and use