Jasper County Democrat, Volume 21, Number 12, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 11 May 1918 — SUFFERED FOR HIS COUNTRY [ARTICLE]

SUFFERED FOR HIS COUNTRY

Silas Deane, First American Diplomatic Agent, Received Harsh Treatment From Government. Silas Deane, the first diplomatic agent of the United States, was born at Groton, Mass., close to 200 years ago. He became a merchant and was a delegate to the first Continental congress. In the. spring of 1776 he was sent to France, as a secret diplomatic agent. He posed as a merchant from Bermuda, and upon his arrival in Paris sought an interview With Count de Vergennes, the Minister of Foreign Affaires, who refused to receive him. Deane was reduced to the direst poverty and was ejected by his landlady. Subsequent American ambassadors have complained of the lack of suitable embassies, but Deane was reduced to a point where he had to accept poor lodgings from a sympathetic Frenchman. Eventually he was given an audience with Vergennes and began the diplomatic relations which eventually resulted in the French alliance. In 1777 Deane was recalled. In the bitter controversy which followed his recall Thomas Paine revealed the fact that supplies furnished the colonies had been furnlfetied by the French government. Tins was considered a. diplomatic indiscretion and it cost Paine his place as secretary of the Committee on Foreign Affairs. Deane, driven into poverty and exile, died in England in 1789. Half a century later his claim for his services abroad was adjusted by congress and a large sum was paid his heirs.