“The Strange Case of Silas Deane” creates a new perspective on what people see as history. Although many people define history as something that happened in the past, through “The Strange Death of Silas Deane,” the writers make it clear that this average view of history can be highly misleading. Story involves examining evidence and drawing connections. There are conflicting opinions as to what the truth really is, but given the evidence the case cannot be concretely proven. Silas Deane, son of a kind blacksmith, was a gentleman full of enthusiasm and hungry for wealth. Deane was driven to evolve from a blacksmith's son to minister plenipotentiary of the French court of the United States. People saw him as a determined man who enjoyed “fame, honor and wealth.” This merchant-turned-politician was sent to France as an ambassador to the colonies. During his time in France, he was accused of exploiting his position to make a private fortune. In 1776, Deane had communicated with a friend who had a house in France, Edward Bancroft, to change his occupation and become Deane's "private secretary" in Paris and a spy for America when he was in England. Both Deane and Bancroft exploited their connections in France to run lucrative private operations, and both decided to gamble illegally on London's insurance markets. Historians did not realize that Edward Bancroft was a double agent until the records of multiple British officials were opened nearly a hundred years later. One of the members of the British intelligence organization, Paul Wentworth, realized that Bancroft would be a useful spy. At this point he introduced him to two Secretaries of State who convinced Bancroft to submit reports on the American negotiations... middle of paper ...any problems after eating and even dizziness. If he were trying to kill himself, why would he complain about his illness? He was a man smart enough to know they would happen. Although the death of Silas Deane is unsolved, there are many signs that indicate what the outcome could be. The most reasonable outcome seems to be that Bancroft convinced someone to poison Deane out of fear of his personal death and there is a lot of evidence to support this theory. It can be surmised that Bancroft probably feared the idea that he might lose his high title, his income, respect, and perhaps his freedom. He was capable of making Deane's death happen and certainly had a reason for his death. The only part of the puzzle that's missing is whether or not he actually did it. Although the verdict has not been determined, it is commonly believed that Silas Deane's death is strange.