Masked dispatches : cryptograms and cryptology in American history, 1775-1900

This is an examination of codes and ciphers as they figured in American history prior to the twentieth century, prior to the era of wireless or radio communication and the advent of the elec- tronic age� It forms a backdrop for understanding modern cryptology and the role of cryptology (not- withstanding its traditional secrecy) in the growth of this nation� Our guide is Dr� Ralph E� Weber of Marquette University, whose 1979 United States Diplomatic Codes and Ciphers, 1775–1938 (Chicago: Precedent Publishing) established him in the fore- front of students of this arcane subject� Cryptology—the art and science of code-mak- ing (cryptography) and code-breaking (cryptanaly- sis)—depends on the prevailing state of technology and the perception of threat: • Technology determines the means of commu- nications� Technology also provides the means for protecting and the means of exploiting intercepted communications� • Perception of threat depends upon a number of considerations, such as the estimated degree of risk, or the damage that might occur, should an unintended recipient become privy to the contents of the communication�