Norwich bulletin., 1913-01-14
SlLAS DIANE MARRIED
 A NORWICH WOMAN. Revolutionary Patriot Took Elizabeth SaItcnstaii For Wife.

Rev. George L. Clark, pastor of the Wethersf1eld Congregational church, read paper on Silas Deane, Revolu- tionary Patriot, before the Connecticut Historical society at the Wadsworth antheneum, Hartford. Tuesday even Ing. The following is brief outline of Afr. Clark's paper:
 Silas Deane was born in Groton in 1727, graduated from Yale in 1753, and came at once to Wethersfeld. taught school, engaged in business and by his enterprise. and shrewdness became in ten years a man of wealth and power. Deane engaged in busi- ness with his brother, Barnabas, and built the Si1as Deane house in Weth- ersfield shortly before the Revolution. In 1761 he married Mrs. Webb, who died in 1Te7. He later married EIiz- abeth, daughter of Colonel Saltenstall of Norwich.
 The first conquest made by the Americans, the capture of Ticonder- oga, May 10, 17T5, was largely due to the influence and money of Silas Deane, who advanced ss0 pound to the comrnissary, Capt Elisha Phelps.
 Washington visited Wethersfield and slept at the Deane house the night of June 2S, 1775. In the au- eussed in congress of sending a man to France to secure foreign sympathy and aid. Silas Deane. the Wethers- field patriot and business man, was  gress, and he was accordingly sent with 10000 pounds to buy 100 brass cannon and arms and clothing for 25.6e6 men.
 Arthur Lee, who arrived in Paris with Franklin late in 1776, was en- vious, ambition and interruptions. and at once began to work against Deane. He wrote home that Deane was extravagant and perhaps specu- lated with the funds in his hands.
 r1e hra far,f f Ina lat of hearty easnnaendation from Beau marchafs, Franklin and Vergenues. But cold looks, averted faces and vio- lent partisanship met him instead of whom he had loved with singular de- votten. had died during his absence. The Virginia and South Carolina fae- tioRs were arrayed against him.
 Deane explained his position before congress. showing hew he had spent the greater part of his private for tune for the good of the country but the opposition of the Lees. resulted in delaying any action of congress to- ward his vfndieation.
 Ha went to France again to gain the needed information and found that the French government had been pre- judiced against him. Ruin and dis grace threatened him on his return to Amariea, so that he becama discour- aged, morbid. Inisanthropic.
 Then came the publication of the fafneGs Rebel Mail. the Interception letters published in ths Arlington Royal Gazette, in which he argued that since France was weary of aiding Us, the colonies so fuil of jealousy and faction, congress so incapable and out prospects, Of comm cree so futile, 1t might be wise fer the colonies to come to an understanding with England on some basis that would give them local self government, with the stability of connection with the mother country. In this time of gloom similar senti- neiats had been uttered by even such men as Franklin and Washington.
 These letters raised such q storm that Deane was driven from the sooi- ety of patriefs and made an exile. lie escaped to Gheut, RneEe he remained in ebseurity and poverty fer a year and half aad then went ta haslaAa.