“I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country.” The last words of Nathan Hale, an American patriot sent to spy on New York by George Washington, but captured by the British and hanged.

George Washington was hit hard and resolved never to use amateurs to do his spying for him again. Instead, he set up the United States' first professional spy network - the Culper Ring.

They saved the critical fort at West Point, uncovered the treachery of Benedict Arnold, saved the newly arrived French under Rochambeau, the new American economy and George Washington himself. I think, they saved the Revolution, and the new United States with it.

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