Two Centuries On, a Cryptologist Cracks a Presidential Code

Two Centuries On, a Cryptologist Cracks a Presidential Code#265457

By Rocketfan - July 2nd, 2009, 1:57 pm

- July 2nd, 2009, 1:57 pm #265457

For more than 200 years, buried deep within Thomas Jefferson's correspondence and papers, there lay a mysterious cipher -- a coded message that appears to have remained unsolved. Until now.

The cryptic message was sent to President Jefferson in December 1801 by his friend and frequent correspondent, Robert Patterson, a mathematics professor at the University of Pennsylvania. President Jefferson and Mr. Patterson were both officials at the American Philosophical Society -- a group that promoted scholarly research in the sciences and humanities -- and were enthusiasts of ciphers and other codes, regularly exchanging letters about them.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1246484 ... =yhoofront

From Bill Simmons:

See " The Sneeze" time stamp - 7:45

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/st ... ons/090903

#265459

By LUconn - July 2nd, 2009, 2:13 pm

- July 2nd, 2009, 2:13 pm #265459

Maybe this dude can find the treasure in Bedford. Do you know this guy HMO?

*please disregard this post if dated before 2017 and accept my apologies*

#265465

By RubberMallet - July 2nd, 2009, 2:26 pm

- July 2nd, 2009, 2:26 pm #265465

maybe he will clear the Gate's name once and for all!

Formerly ishbox.

<--idiot, i guess, per bigsmooth/thepostman

<--smart jerk per bigsmooth

SuperJon wrote: I love dc Talk.

#265483

By adam42381 - July 2nd, 2009, 5:14 pm

- July 2nd, 2009, 5:14 pm #265483

Pretty impressive. Send him to Bedford then to Oak Island.

LUnpretty11 wrote:PH, your BJ skills impress me.

#265485

By RubberMallet - July 2nd, 2009, 5:38 pm

- July 2nd, 2009, 5:38 pm #265485

they still haven't figured out oak island?

Formerly ishbox.

<--idiot, i guess, per bigsmooth/thepostman

<--smart jerk per bigsmooth

SuperJon wrote: I love dc Talk.

#265487

By Liberty4Life - July 2nd, 2009, 5:45 pm

- July 2nd, 2009, 5:45 pm #265487

Up next, cracking the code in front of the CIA building.

#265489

By Hold My Own - July 2nd, 2009, 6:05 pm

- July 2nd, 2009, 6:05 pm #265489

LUconn wrote:Maybe this dude can find the treasure in Bedford. Do you know this guy HMO?

I do not, however I am confident that I know someone who knows him...I will tap into my resources.

I tried reading that article but I got about half way through and between being bored and confused I gave up....I couldnt understand this thing to save my life. Anyone care to do the Cliff notes?

Sly Fox wrote:In my experience with the Falwell family over the past 30+ years, they have never been shy about stating what they believe and standing by it. If anything it should be on their family crest.

#265501

By adam42381 - July 2nd, 2009, 8:17 pm

- July 2nd, 2009, 8:17 pm #265501

RubberMallet wrote:they still haven't figured out oak island?

They're supposed to begin a new dig there this year. I've been fascinated by the whole thing for a while.

LUnpretty11 wrote:PH, your BJ skills impress me.

#265508

By ATrain - July 2nd, 2009, 8:27 pm

- July 2nd, 2009, 8:27 pm #265508

What the heck is on Oak Island?

4:28:2009-RIP Jeff Taylor

PAmedic wrote:you're absolutely right

#265522

By Kolzilla41 - July 2nd, 2009, 9:10 pm

- July 2nd, 2009, 9:10 pm #265522

I have googled Oak Island and Bedford and not found anything regarding treasure. Can you guys fill me in?

#265525

By El Scorcho - July 2nd, 2009, 9:25 pm

- July 2nd, 2009, 9:25 pm #265525

Fun coincidence, for me: I'm reading this on the day I set up LU's first cryptographic services.

Good read. Thanks for sharing.

"With the threat of hell hanging over my head like a halo..."

#265544

By RubberMallet - July 2nd, 2009, 11:08 pm

- July 2nd, 2009, 11:08 pm #265544

adam42381 wrote:
RubberMallet wrote:they still haven't figured out oak island?
They're supposed to begin a new dig there this year. I've been fascinated by the whole thing for a while.

i did a paper on it in highschool.

i have family in novascotia and i'm hoping to visit one day.

Formerly ishbox.

<--idiot, i guess, per bigsmooth/thepostman

<--smart jerk per bigsmooth

SuperJon wrote: I love dc Talk.

#265566

By Cider Jim - July 3rd, 2009, 7:39 am

- July 3rd, 2009, 7:39 am #265566

Bedford County is supposed to be the home of the Beale Treasure:

Sometime between 1819 and 1821, Thomas Jefferson Beale is said to have buried a vat of gold, silver and jewels somewhere near the present-day Bedford County town of Montvale. The loot was conservatively estimated in 1993 to be worth $20 million.

Beale left behind three coded messages: The first told the exact location of the treasure; the second told the contents; the third told who owned the treasure. It is said that only the second code has been broken.

http://www.bealetreasure.net/

"If Cider hit the books any harder, they'd press charges"--Lefty
"When you’re right you’re right"--Purple
"I shall not participate in many discussions..."

--Fumble (1961-2009), RIP

#265577

By ATrain - July 3rd, 2009, 11:12 am

- July 3rd, 2009, 11:12 am #265577

RubberMallet wrote:
adam42381 wrote:
RubberMallet wrote:they still haven't figured out oak island?
They're supposed to begin a new dig there this year. I've been fascinated by the whole thing for a while.
i did a paper on it in highschool.

i have family in novascotia and i'm hoping to visit one day.

Ok...but whats on there?

4:28:2009-RIP Jeff Taylor

PAmedic wrote:you're absolutely right

#265666

By adam42381 - July 3rd, 2009, 9:30 pm

- July 3rd, 2009, 9:30 pm #265666

ATrain wrote:
RubberMallet wrote:
adam42381 wrote: They're supposed to begin a new dig there this year. I've been fascinated by the whole thing for a while.
i did a paper on it in highschool.

i have family in novascotia and i'm hoping to visit one day.
Ok...but whats on there?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oak_Island
http://www.oakislandtreasure.co.uk/

LUnpretty11 wrote:PH, your BJ skills impress me.