Key Messages
Uncovering The Plot To Assassinate George Washington: The True Story Of The American Revolution
In The First Conspiracy, you’ll get to experience the true story of a shocking plot to assassinate George Washington, who at that time was the general of the nascent American army and future first president of the United States.
In this gripping narrative, you will delve into the circumstances that enabled his election as the commander-in-chief, the challenges he faced in his first year, and most importantly – how he managed to avert dark forces determined to bring him down.
You’ll find out why a brutal British Loyalist wanted to thwart Washington at all costs – why there were those who betrayed him and how he dealt with them.
All this serves as a window into what life was like during this period in American history under British rule and is set against a backdrop of epic war stories from which heroes emerged amidst tragedy.
Don’t miss out on your chance to discover the secret plot to bring down George Washington!
The Colonies Call For Liberty And Prepare To Go To War With Britain
In 1775, a momentous event took place in Philadelphia at the Second Continental Congress.
Leaders from across all 13 American colonies gathered to discuss the Crown’s oppressive policies and determine their next steps.
This was a crucial meeting – one that would have major implications for the future of the colonists and America as a whole.
The preceding year had seen bitter disputes between Great Britain and its colonial subjects over taxes, trade and tariffs, which were met with protests of escalating intensity.
The Britishresponse had been to send armies in order to reassert total control.
All this changed on April 19th when British troops marched on Concord and Lexington, Massachusetts, resulting in a deadly skirmish between local militia groups and the armies of the Crown.
Following this incident, many began to think that it may be time for every colony to organize and bear arms against Great Britain.
At this historic conference, colonial leaders embraced the concept of liberty suggested by Thomas Paine’s Enlightenment philosophy: the right of self-rule for people around the world.
On May 10th in Philadelphia, delegates debated whether or not it was time to stand up against England’s tyranny – ultimately leading America towards its independence.
The Unassuming George Washington Is Chosen To Lead The American Revolutionary Army
At the Second Continental Congress in 1775, the delegates agreed to form a national American army with the purpose of taking on the British.
With this decision came a key question – who would lead this force? Of all the candidates put forward at the conference, George Washington stood out as the perfect choice.
Washington had already earned his stripes in battle, fighting as an experienced leader during the French and Indian War.
Additionally, he was tall and imposing while also being able to hold himself well – he even turned up wearing military attire when all other delegates wore civilian-style waistcoats and frock coats.
But it wasn’t just Washington’s physical appearance and combat experience that won him favour; he was also known for his modesty and humility as he did not boast or campaign for position like some of the other delegates did.
Furthermore, he was an adept listener and a straight-talker.
He expressed himself clearly and with pinpoint accuracy when addressing Congress members – traits that were much admired by those in the room.
In short, everyone could see why Washington was made for leadership.
When it came to voting at the end of the conference, it was clear there was no other choice: by unanimous vote, George Washington became commander-in-chief of this revolutionary new army!
Governor Tryon Of New York Viciously Attacked Those Who Dare Challenge The British Crown, Including George Washington
When George Washington was appointed general of the new continental army, little did he know that his archnemesis in the fight for American independence would soon become William Tryon, governor of New York.
Tryon had been born into an aristocratic family in England and had served as an officer in the British military before leaving for America in the 1760s to seek his fortune.
He was then appointed governor of North Carolina, where he imposed increasingly high taxes on local citizens and squandered public funds to build himself a lavish mansion.
The infamous incident between William Tryon and the Regulators proved to be a turning point; when they refused to back off from their protests against unfair taxation, Tryon responded by hiring a band of mercenaries and opening fire on them.
Even more shockingly, he sentenced several Regulators’ leaders to a death sentence – drawing and quartering – without fault or mercy.
It became very clear that Governor Tryon of New York was unbendingly loyal to the Crown and not afraid to punish those who questioned its absolute authority.
This, coupled with the fact that George Washington came face-to-face with him during his procession through New York City, clearly set William Tryon up as one of George Washington’s enemies who would prove otherwise elusive en route to achieving American independence.
The Constant Lack Of Loyalty And Undefined Allegiances Of The Revolutionary War Posed A Great Challenge For George Washington
In early revolutionary America, allegiances were constantly shifting.
This created an atmosphere of confusion and suspicion at every level – within the armies, within towns and cities, and even within families.
People’s loyalty to one side or the other could not be determined by anything as concrete as nationality, religion or language – it was simply a question of which side they declared their allegiance to at each given time.
George Washington was particularly affected by this problem, as he had to contend with senior generals who had previously served in his rival’s army before switching sides, and with people who compromised their loyalties for whatever side was offering them more money or seemed likeliest to win the conflict at any given moment.
It made it almost impossible for him to feel safe in his own army and know who was loyal to him – ultimately making leading his troops into battle much more difficult than it would have been under different circumstances.
Governor Tryon’S Dangerous Plot To Assassinate George Washington And Turn Patriot Soldiers To The British Side
In 1776, William Tryon’s unwavering allegiance to the British Crown provided the motivation for him to try and kidnap George Washington.
In March of that year, the Continental Army had recently succeeded in driving the British out of Boston.
As a result, Britain began amassing an even greater force before attacking New York City – Little did they know that Washington and his army were also headed there as well.
When Governor Tryon learned about this, he plotted to use turncoat soldiers who could pose as patriots and then turn their guns on fellow Americans when the Britishforce arrived.
Meanwhile, George Washington had already arrived at New York ahead of his rival and was heavily guarded by his ranked Life Guards.
However, this didn’t stop Tryon from putting a plan in motion to kidnap him and destabilize the independence war effort.
With help from a gunsmith named Gilbert Forbes, Tryon attempted to bribe over one hundred continental soldiers – including some from Washington’s elite Life Guard – with money obtained from a clandestine Loyalist network; persuading them to switch sides in the event of an attack.
Although this plot never came to fruition, it goes to show how far Governor Tryon was willing to go in order to serve his cause!
The Amazing Story Of How A Chance Encounter In A Jail Saved George Washington And The American Nation
The failed attempt to kidnap and assassinate George Washington in 1776 may have been prevented by the simplest of things – loose talk.
Two of Washington’s Life Guards, Michael Lynch and Thomas Hickey, had happened to join Isaac Ketcham in a city jail cell in New York.
To Ketcham’s surprise, they revealed their knowledge of Tryon’s plot – not only were they aware of it, but they were also part of it.
With the information that these two Life Guards leaked, Ketcham took action.
Knowing he would benefit from securing his release from jail, he wrote to the New York Provincial Congress to tell them what he knew.
And so it was that due to some carelessness on Lynch and Hickey’s part – most likely driven by their desire for fame or a reward – George Washington was saved from Tryon’s potentially successful plan.
Representatives at the Provincial Congress were shocked when they heard about this double betrayal and Thomas Hickey was tried, convicted and hanged for treason – making it the first time in American history that someone had been found guilty of treason against her own country instead of Britain.
Hickey’s public execution sent a powerful message throughout the country: anyone who dares betray America will be punished without mercy.
Moreover, his death demonstrated just how important one individual is – if it hadn’t been forloose talk leaking secrets that could have led to Washington’s untimely end, America might not even exist today!
So next time you think about discussing sensitive topics around potential wrongdoers… watch your words!
Wrap Up
The final summary of The First Conspiracy is that in 1775, George Washington became general of the new Continental Army.
In response, William Tryon, the governor of New York sought to assassinate him by bribing some of Washington’s own soldiers.
Fortunately, his attempts were foiled and one of Washington’s bodyguards, Thomas Hickey, even faced direct consequences for his involvement in the conspiracy – he was hanged.
This book teaches us a great lesson about loyalty and courage and how they can triumph over even the most ambitious efforts to take them down.
It’s a reminder to always remain vigilant and never be tempted by the offers of those who would seek to harm us.
