Silas Deane’s Obituary
London, Oct. 20th, 1789

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Silas Deane, who died a few days since, at Deal in Kent, is one of the most remarkable instances of the versatility of fortune which have occurred perhaps within the present century. Being a native and merchant of Boston, at an early period of the American war, he was selected by Congress as one of the representatives of America at the Court of France. During his residence in that kingdom he lived in great affluence, and was presented by Louis XVI. with his picture, set round with brilliants, as a mark of respect on account of his integrity and abilities. Having, however, soon after being accused of embezzling large sums of money intrusted to his care for the purchase of arms and ammunition, Mr. Deane sought an asylum in this country, where his habits of life, at first economical, and afterwards penurious in the extreme, amply refuted the malevolence of his enemies. So reduced, indeed, was this gentleman, who was supposed to have embezzled upwards of L100,000 sterling, lately been, that he experienced all the horrors of the most abject poverty in the capital of England, and has for the last few months been almost in danger of starving.

Reprinted, from a London paper, in the American Mercury, published at Hartford, Dec. 28th, 1789.

Descriptive Title: Document 34
Description: The American Mercury, Obituary
Location: Connecticut Historical Society Museum
Copyright: Connecticut Historical Society Museum
Author/Creator: The American Mercury
Date Created: December 28, 1789
Publisher: Connecticut Historical Society Musuem
Editor: J. Hammond Trumbull
Subject: Silas Deane’s Obituary
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