Thomas Hickey Joins Conspiracy to Kill George Washington

Thomas Hickey Joins Conspiracy to Kill George Washington
Today the author talks about the beginning of the plot to assassinate, or kidnap, General George Washington. I will also relate some of the other events that happed that week. To read the full versions, purchase and read my book, The American Revolution – 1776.

It is part of the
United State History Series

Transcript:

Thomas Hickey Joins Conspiracy to Kill Washington
Early June 1776 – Thomas Hickey Joins Conspiracy to Kill Washington
General Washington had arrived at New York on April 13, 1776, to take charge of the defenses of New York against the expected British invasion of the city. Washington occupied a mansion called Richmond Hill, in Manhattan, to use as his headquarters. The approximately 150-man Commander-in-Chief’s Guard made camp on the 26-acre estate. Three taverns in the vicinity served as gathering places for these soldiers, Lowrie’s Tavern, The Highlander, and Corbie’s Tavern.
Wider Plot
Washington had learned earlier of a plot hatched by British Royal Governor William Tryon, holed up in the HMS Halifax in New York Harbor, and New York Mayor David Matthews to recruit regiments to resist rebel forces in the New York area. The plot went much deeper than that, though details are sketchy. Apparently, the larger plot involved recruiting members of the Commander-in-Chief’s Guard to kidnap, or kill, General George Washington, Israel Putnam and other senior members of Washington’s staff on the eve of the British invasion. They were also to spike cannon and blow up ammunition supplies. The plot included the activation of the Loyalist forces and blowing up bridges and other strategic structures. Tryon had also employed an engraver to print counterfeit bank notes to aid in disrupting the rebel effort. Matthews had recruited a local gunsmith, Gilbert Forbes, to supply guns to Tryon’s efforts and supply intelligence on rebel troop movements. If successful, the plot would probably have dealt a fatal blow to the Patriot cause.
Members of the Commander-in-Chief’s Guard
Several members of the Commander-in-Chief’s Guard met sometime in early June at Corbie’s Tavern. It was here that a key part of Governor Tryon’s plot began to take shape. Five members of the guard, William Green, Thomas Hickey, James Johnson, Matthew Lynch and John Barnes gathered to share a drink or two. Gilbert Forbes also attended the meeting at the tavern. Details are murky; however, it is apparent that Forbes recruited the members of Washington’s Guard to either kill or kidnap Washington, paying them 10 shillings apiece for their efforts. He also recruited them to pass some of the counterfeit money.
Thomas Hickey (? – June 28, 1776)
Historians know little about Thomas Hickey other than that he was an Irishman that had come to the colonies as part of the force attached to Major General William Johnson’s command during the French and Indian War. Hickey deserted from the British Army. When hostilities erupted between Britain and the colonies, Hickey joined the Patriot cause. He resided in Wethersfield, Connecticut and had enlisted in Knowlton’s Rangers. The commander of that unit had selected Hickey to serve on the Commander-in-Chief’s Guard. Washington had met, and liked, Hickey and considered him one of his favorites. At some point he became disillusioned with the Patriot cause and began exploring ways in which he might undermine it.

Other Events from the week

General John Sullivan arrived at the American positions along the St. Lawrence and Richelieu Rivers on June 1. He had about 6000 men, bringing the total in the American force up to about 6,082 soldiers.

The same day, British General John Burgoyne lands at Quebec with 1000 soldiers, supplies and an ample supply of monies to conduct the campaign to drive the Americans out of Canada.

Like many of the men under his command, American Major General John Thomas died of smallpox near Sorel in Quebec, Canada on June 6.

Fearing impending British invasion, the Continental Congress voted to raise an additional 13,000 troops to defend the city on June 3.

On June 3, 1775, Continental Congress resolved to establish a “Flying Camp,” battalion. This battalion was to consist of 10,000 men drawn from Pennsylvania, Maryland and Delaware.

Commodore Parker’s naval squadron arrived off the Charleston, South Carolina coast and began preparing to invade on June 4.

John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, Edward Rutledge, James Wilson, and Robert Livingston received appointment on the Committee on Spies from Congress to study methods of dealing with people charged with supplying intelligence or supplies to the British on June 5.

On June 4, 1774, the President of the Continental Congress wrote a letter to the Annapolis Convention, which would convene again on June 21. In the main body of the letter, Hancock expresses his fear of the British enslaving the colonists. He goes on to report that the British have lined the colonists coast with warships, hoping to starve them into submission and preparing to send in an army of foreigners to subdue them.

After his return to Virginia, Clark spent some time reflecting upon the plight of the settlers in Kentucky. Conversation with various Virginians about the colony and Henderson’s plants gradually shaped his opinion. He had concluded that Kentucky would be better off as part of Virginia, so he returned to Harrodstown and called the settlers together to hold a meeting to decide what to do on June 6.

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