Cato | |
|---|---|
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation(s) | Spy, courier |
| Espionage activity | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Service branch | Continental Army, American Revolutionary War |
| Rank | Enslaved person |
Cato was an enslaved African American Black Patriot spy and courier operating out of British-occupied New York City during the American Revolution. Cato's enslaver, Hercules Mulligan, gathered intelligence through his connections as well as clients at his tailoring shop. Cato carried the information to Continental Army officers and other revolutionaries, including Alexander Hamilton and George Washington, often crossing the Hudson River into New Jersey. Cato's messages are credited with saving Washington's life on at least two occasions. Besides his intelligence activities with Mulligan, little definite information about Cato is available.