The First Conspiracy

A footnote inspired author Brad Meltzer to write “The First Conspiracy: The Secret Plot to Kill George Washington.”

The footnote at the bottom of a page of a history book referred to the plot to kill Washington in the early months of the American Revolution.

Meltzer decided to research the subject and discovered the plot to kill Gen. Washington involved the temporarily exiled British governor of New York bribing Americans to betray the Revolution by killing its military leader. 

The plot even involved the Life Guard, the elite soldiers sworn to personally protect Washington with their lives. And even the housekeeper where Washington stayed in New York City.

Meltzer and co-author Josh Mensch developed an entire book from their research. 

Meltzer, for his part, applies the literary skills of his thriller novels, which include “The Escape Artist,” “The President’s Shadow,” “The Book of Lies,” etc., with his non-fiction detective work, such as “History Decoded: The 10 Greatest Conspiracies of All Time,” which was a book and a History Channel TV series.

“The First Conspiracy” is a history book that reads like a thriller.

Granted, there are several blank spaces left in the research – things that will likely never be known. But the book feels like Meltzer and Mensch fill in more blanks than are left blank.

So, why have most Americans never heard of the plot to kill Washington, and what historically led to one of the largest public executions in history?

Timing, possibly.

While Washington and investigators were uncovering the plot to assassinate him in New York, other Founders were voting for independence in Philadelphia. 

The assassination plot unraveled in the waning days of June 1776.

“The First Conspiracy” is an intriguing book. One fraught with what-ifs.

Had the plot been successful, it’s hard to imagine what America would have looked like without Washington. Even amidst the genius of the founding generation, Washington is the one considered the indispensable figure.

Everything from winning the war, to gathering legislators together for the Constitutional Convention to the shape of the Presidency hinged on Washington.

Without him, we would be a different nation. Even one, as Meltzer and Mensch speculate, that might still have a tea time each afternoon.