Thomas Hickey’s target: George Washington

Thomas Hickey was the first person to be executed on accounts of treason against the United States. He joined the Commander-in-Chief’s Guard, which was essentially George Washington’s personal protection group that watched over him, his papers, and all funds regarding the Continental Army. It was a perfect position for Hickey to be in to follow through with his assassination plot of the future Mr. President.

Things seemed to be going pretty well for Hickey until he got put in jail for using counterfeit money. While doing time, he felt inclined to blurt his entire plan to take down General Washington to some fellow prisoners. Isaac Ketchum was one of those prisoners and turned Hickey in.

During his court martial, Hickey pleaded not guilty. He claimed that he was part of the plan to the extent of the counterfeit money so he could get some cash. But as far as the mutiny being planned, he said he only agreed to be put on the list to protect himself in case the British took American forces prisoner. His claim was not found valid and he was swiftly convicted.

Thomas Hickey was stripped from his rank and hanged on 28 June 1776 in front of 20,000 people. He was the only conspirator to be executed. George Washington recalls the scandal in his letter below.

George Washington refers to the assassination incident involving Thomas Hickey

“The plot had been communicated to some of the Army and part of my Guard engaged in It—Thomas Hickey one of them, has been tried and by the unanimous opinion of a Court Martial is sentenced to die…”

Read the rest of the letter in Fold3’s Continental Congress Papers, and find out more about Hickey here and here.

The Failed Assassination