Silas Deane Quotes
That a man should, but a few months since, confine himself from his creditors, and now on this occasion be able to advance half a million, is so extraordinary that it ceases to be a mystery. Everything he says, writes or does, is in reality the action of the ministry.
Beaumarchais had loaned the Americans ½ million French Livres. However, Beaumarchais served the French King Louis XVI as a spy and advisor on foreign affairs. The money had been secretly provided by the French government to help the American cause while still being able to officially deny to England that they were in any way involved in the rebellion. The American agent, Silas Dean, who arranged for the money saw through the ruse. See {624187} regarding the transaction. It was the first material aid that the French provided. Much more followed without which the American Revolution might never have been successful.
Silas Deane, 1737-1789, Member of the Continental Congress, Secret Agent sent to France & London, Dispatch about Pierre Beaumarchais to the Congressional Secret Committee of Correspondence, 1776
Sourced by: Eigen's Political and Historical Quotations
Beaumarchais had provided the Americans with credit in the amount of ½ million French Livres. However, Beaumarchais served the French King Louis XVI as a spy and advisor on foreign affairs. The money had been secretly provided by the French government to help the American cause while still being able to officially deny to England that they were in any way involved in the rebellion. The American agent, Silas Dean, who arranged for the loan saw through the ruse. See {624186} and {624184}.
An American soldier volunteered to spy for Russia and East Germany.
- Born: January 4, 1738
- Died: September 24, 1789
- Nationality:
- Profession:
Silas Deane was an American merchant, politician, and diplomat, and a supporter of American independence. Deane served as a delegate to the Continental Congress, then as the first foreign diplomat from the United States to France. Near the end of the war, Congress charged Deane with financial impropriety, and the British intercepted and published some letters in which he had implied that the American cause was hopeless. After the war, Deane lived in Ghent and London and died under mysterious circumstances while attempting to return to America.
