American Intelligence

The **American intelligence** consists of a dense network of spies whose roles were defined during the American Revolution.

A corrupt fringe group conspires against both the United States and the British monarchy. They are the ones who use and blackmail the businessman James Delaney in exchange for a rather rare and scarce type of gunpowder.

## History

 Carlsbad

Various agents infiltrate Regency London intending to undermine the British monarchy and secure American independence and other political and economic affairs. One of them is Dr Dumbarton, stationed at St Bartholomew's Hospital. Dumbarton comes to an understanding with entrepreneur James Delaney after he put spies on his trail and treated his wounds after a confrontation with a Malaysian man in a dark alley. Part of their conversation covers the monopoly of the tea trade — going against the interests and plans of the East India Company and the benefits of the British Crown.

The two meet again at a soiree organised by Countess Musgrove, a French socialite from the Louisiana colonies. The woman is identified as being behind the mysterious figure of 'Carlsbad' and having a key role in the network of American spies. In the following days, Delaney has to bargain with the woman about Nootka Sound and the tea trade with the East Indies. In return, he must secure a large amount of rare gunpowder.

The Countess confirms Delaney's assumptions. They effectively sent The Giant to kill him. However, the outcome of the failed assignment prompted them to court him instead.

 Back-stabbing Game

Whilst Delaney collaborates with George Cholmondeley, a maverick chemist to produce the rare gunpowder with the assistance of the League of the Damned headed by Atticus, the American intelligence reveals cracks in their front. Delaney caught wind of a possible double-crossing by Dumbarton during the smuggling. In fact this delivery would have ended up in the hands not of the American Independents but of the British.

After the arrest, Delaney realises that only a double agent could have sold them to the guards.

Countess Musgrove gets rid of incriminating letters by burning them and is subsequently threatened by Lorna Bow on behalf of Delaney—she turned out to be just a pawn in Dumbarton's hands and they have no qualms exposing her.

As for the doctor, Delaney disposes of him after extracting a confession from him. Dumbarton was a double agent and by his own admission, no man serves only one master. James then killed him and pinned the letter that would incriminate him to the chest of the traitorous spy as a warning to Sir Stuart Strange.

 A New World

Following his escape and clash with the Redcoats, Delaney and the surviving League of the Damned set sail not to the Americas, but rather to Ponta Delgada in the Azores, Portugal to meet the mysterious Colonnade.

## Appearances

Season 1
* S2, Ep. 3: Episode 3
* S1, Ep. 4: Episode 4
* S1, Ep. 5: Episode 5
* S1, Ep. 6: Episode 6
* S1, Ep. 7: Episode 7
* S1, Ep. 8: Episode 8

## References

1. ↑ Knight, Steven (writer) & Nyholm, Kristoffer (director); January 21, 2017 BBC; January 24, 2017, FX; "Episode 3". *Taboo*.
2. ↑ Knight, Steven & Ballou, Emily (writer) & Nyholm, Kristoffer (director); January 28, 2017 BBC; January 31, 2017, FX; "Episode 4". *Taboo*.
3. ↑ Knight, Steven & Hervey, Ben (writer) & Engström, Anders (director); February 4, 2017 BBC; February 7, 2017, FX; "Episode 5". *Taboo*.
4. ↑ Hardy, Chips & Knight, Steven (writer) & Engström, Anders (director); February 11, 2017 BBC; February 14, 2017, FX; "Episode 6". *Taboo*.
5. ↑ Knight, Steven (writer) & Engström, Anders (director); February 18, 2017 BBC; February 21, 2017, FX; "Episode 7". *Taboo*.
6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Knight, Steven (writer) & Engström, Anders (director); February 25, 2017 BBC; February 28, 2017, FX; "Episode 8". *Taboo*.