But there are many other
sources where Silas Deane information can be found, many of which are listed
in the bibliography that also accompanies this site.
We would like to conclude by mentioning three specific areas where you might
continue your search beyond that bibliography. If you find anything of particular
interest, please let us know on the “Comments” section of this
site and we may possibly include it in updates of Silas Deane Online.
1. Bookstores: Every time we from the Museum go into a bookstore we are pulled
to the History section and then, more specifically in the larger book chains,
to the Revolutionary War section. There are often new texts published and
we find ourselves impelled to check the index in search of Mr.
Deane. If he is
mentioned, which averages about fifty percent of the time, then we make note
if Deane were
considered a hero or a rogue by that author. The most recent book on our
bibliography was found in this fashion: Freedom
Just Around the Corner; American History,
1585-1828 by Walter A. McDougay. This book gives an interesting twist on
the morals of many of the founding fathers, Mr. Deane included.
2.
General Web Searches for Silas Deane: These of course
must be taken with a grain of salt but can turn up interesting
ideas. You will
notice right
away that
many sites are fixated with “the mysterious death” of Silas Deane.
We at the Museum do not consider his death all that mysterious but this theory
has generated a great deal of interest. Our website has focused more on Mr.
Deane’s
contributions rather than his death or checkered past.
But a general search
on “Silas Deane” could send you to the Library
of Congress website or to university libraries that have helpful listings
of their holdings for Silas Deane. The Harvard University Library lists
an allegory
that Silas Deane wrote in 1779. This could be worth a look if you were
in Cambridge, Massachusetts with time on your hands.
The Library of Congress
has several listings relating to Silas Deane, including
several portraits that could be seen if you were in Washington, D. C.
Interlibrary loans throughout the country can make available many
texts at other libraries.
3.
Online Searches for Used Books: These too can often turn up new
and interesting information. For instance, in June 2004, we discovered
for
sale a very expensive
volume (price range from $5,500 to $6,500) from 1783 entitled: Thirteen
Portraits of American Legislators, Patriots and Soldiers Who Distinguished
Themselves
in Rendering Their Country Independent;…Drawn from the Life by
DuSimitiere… and
Engraved by Mr. B. Reading - quite a mouthful for a book title!
Who were those thirteen chosen patriots? You must take into account
that the thirteen
were chosen
by one individual in 1781, not by a general consensus of one grateful
nation, but yes, Silas Deane was among them, along with our first
generally acknowledged
American hero, George Washington (but not John Adams to keep with
our theme). Others included Baron von Steuben, General Gates, John
Jay, Henry
Laurens
and Benedict Arnold (though his portrait was removed in later editions
after knowledge
of his defection had become known). It is interesting to note that
the portrait of Mr. Deane from this collection can be found on the
Library
of Congress’s
Silas Deane listing.
In any event, we hope you have enjoyed learning
about Silas Deane’s achievements
and that some of you may want to the search for viable information about
this man from Wethersfield, Connecticut, who did a great deal for the
Revolutionary
cause. Good luck and keep us posted!
