Silas Deane Research Paper
Jack Phillips
USH-A
Larson- H per
Silas Deane: murdered by an old friend?
Silas Deane was a man of promise, he came from humble origins, but he rose to great heights. However, he did fall from respect, and lived out his life thought to be a traitor and a cheat. He died in an unusual manner, however. On the deck of the ship that would bring him back to America for the first time in over a decade, he fell extremely ill and died. Silas Deane was murdered by a certain Dr. Bancroft. This is not definite by any means, but it is the most probable cause of his death. The murder of Silas Deane protected Bancroft, and so shows the motive of the murderer, and his circumstances show his ability to perform the act. Dr. Bancroft was an American spy and the personal secretary of Deane while Deane was in France working for the United States. However, it is now known that Bancroft was a double agent, actually working for England. Deane knew …show more content…
This is highly improbable however, because of his previous good spirits toward setting off to America. He had said in many of letters prior to that voyage how he had envisioned building a canal from Lake Champlain to the St. Lawrence R., and had spent hours working out his plans to build that canal down to the number of workmen, and the amount of time required. Does it not seem odd that he would go to so great an extent to plan his business in America if he never intended to set a foot ashore on America? Also, the circumstances on the boat raise questions about the suspected suicide. When Deane fell very ill, he had just decided to take a stroll with the captain and was speaking to him when he suddenly succumbed to the drug possibly administered to him, or by him. It makes no sense that he would decide to speak to the captain if he were planning on his death, but would more likely stay where he was least likely to receive immediate medical
USH-A
Larson- H per
Silas Deane: murdered by an old friend?
Silas Deane was a man of promise, he came from humble origins, but he rose to great heights. However, he did fall from respect, and lived out his life thought to be a traitor and a cheat. He died in an unusual manner, however. On the deck of the ship that would bring him back to America for the first time in over a decade, he fell extremely ill and died. Silas Deane was murdered by a certain Dr. Bancroft. This is not definite by any means, but it is the most probable cause of his death. The murder of Silas Deane protected Bancroft, and so shows the motive of the murderer, and his circumstances show his ability to perform the act. Dr. Bancroft was an American spy and the personal secretary of Deane while Deane was in France working for the United States. However, it is now known that Bancroft was a double agent, actually working for England. Deane knew …show more content…
This is highly improbable however, because of his previous good spirits toward setting off to America. He had said in many of letters prior to that voyage how he had envisioned building a canal from Lake Champlain to the St. Lawrence R., and had spent hours working out his plans to build that canal down to the number of workmen, and the amount of time required. Does it not seem odd that he would go to so great an extent to plan his business in America if he never intended to set a foot ashore on America? Also, the circumstances on the boat raise questions about the suspected suicide. When Deane fell very ill, he had just decided to take a stroll with the captain and was speaking to him when he suddenly succumbed to the drug possibly administered to him, or by him. It makes no sense that he would decide to speak to the captain if he were planning on his death, but would more likely stay where he was least likely to receive immediate medical