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With a rich military tradition and vast empire stretching across the globe, the British were no strangers to espionage. In the American colonies, British military and civilian authorities ruled with an iron fist, ruthlessly ferreting out spies and informants suspected of aiding the rebellion. Military units comprised of Loyalists were routinely tasked with counterintelligence missions, and networks of informants were developed in occupied New York City and the surrounding area among an extensive Loyalist population eager to report suspicious persons or activities.