The Foreign Service Journal, November 2018

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | NOVEMBER 2018 27 U.S. Diplomatic Couriers A Historic Timeline 1776: First American Courier. On July 10, 1776, four days after the Declaration of Independence was proclaimed, the Continental Congress commissions the first diplomatic courier, Captain Peter Parker, as commander of the U.S. sailing brig Dispatch to carry sensitive correspondence to France. 1776-1914: Dispatch Agent System. For nearly 140 years, the U.S. Department of State uses “bearers of despatch” (the spelling at the time) and forwarding agents to move sensi- tive documents. Bearers are trustworthy American travelers, including lawyers and merchants. Forwarding agents arrange deliveries via payments to ships captains. 1851: First Female Bearer of Despatch. In 1851, Matilda Frye, traveling with her lawyer husband, becomes the first female bearer of despatch when the U.S. minister in Lima hires her to carry a newly signed treaty from Peru to the United States. 1900-1912: Bilateral Agreements on Diplomatic Pouches. As the United States begins to assume a more global role, the Department of State negotiates more than 25 bilateral agreements to allow for the unimpeded exchange of diplomatic pouches. 1914: London and Paris Courier Operations. War between European powers begins in August 1914, disrupting official postal systems. U.S. Embassy London hires an individual to serve as a courier. U.S. Embassy Paris follows suit, and the two embassies begin exchanging docu- ments via courier. 1917: “War to End All Wars.” On April 6, 1917, the U.S. Congress declares war on the German Empire. With the United States no longer neutral, the Department of State requires more secure and reliable ways to move documents. 1917: Marine Couriers. In October 1917, at the request of the U.S. Secretary of State, the Navy assigns nine U.S. Marines to courier duty. The noncommissioned officers receive diplo- matic passports, wear civilian clothes and cover three routes in Europe, later adding an East Asia route. Amidst the Russian Revolution, four Marines carry dispatches into St. Petersburg, where they quickly assume duty to supplement embassy secu- rity. The success of the program leads to a demand for more Marine couriers, but Marine Corps commanders push back. 1918: Silver Greyhounds. In March 1918 General John J. “Black Jack” Pershing authorizes U.S. Army Major Amos J. Peaslee to organize a wartime courier service. Peaslee’s “Silver Greyhounds” (denoted by the greyhound patch on their uniforms) immediately reduce transit times between Paris and Washington from roughly five weeks to less than two. 1918: Diplomatic Courier Service Is Born. With the November 1918 armistice, the Silver Greyhounds’ con- signments shift from being primarily military to being primarily diplomatic. On Dec. 2, 1918, the Silver Greyhounds are formally assigned to the U.S. Department of State in advance of the Paris Peace Conference delegation. The Silver Greyhounds are the first U.S. organization dedicated specifically to the movement of diplomatic pouches. COVER STORY DIPLOMATIC COURIER SERVICE CENTENNIAL