“... The Commrs. had not, for some time previous to this date, sent any information of their situation to Congress, for they scarcely knew what to write, and hitherto they had said nothing in a discouraging style, but, on the contrary, had said everything they could ... to encourage Congress to persevere, and ultimately to expect aid from France. In these (Folger’s despatches), though, ... they could not avoid the mention of facts from which the most unfavourable conclusions must have been drawn by Congress had Folger arrived with the dps. instead of blank paper.... “... On the other hand, the British Ministers, from the contents of those despatches and letters, found in what state we were with the Court of Versailles.... This encouraged them to prosecute the war with vigour, confident that it must soon terminate successfully on their part.” The result of Hynson’s plot, if Deane’s conclusions be accepted, was, therefore, directly contrary to his aim. By his diversion of the despatches, British hopes were raised and British offers of concession delayed until the critical moment had passed and America’s courage had risen beyond all thought of compromise. Thanks to Hynson’s intervention, “when the Commissioners on the part of Great Britain eventually arrived in America to propose terms of accommodation to Congress, no discouraging intelligence had been received ... from the Commissioners in Paris, and they (Congress) still relied on the effect which the victory at Saratoga was expected to have in their favour. They were not, as the event has shown, deceived.” “In every age of the world,” Deane reflects, “many, if not most of the greatest events, have been produced from the most trifling causes.” A defensible, if not a profitable, argument might be brought forward to prove the “honest Rascal” the savior of the republic. And, to split a hair still finer, Isabella Cleghorn might, by the same token, be hailed as that savior’s inspiration. Lord Stormont believed in Hynson’s sincerity as would-be conciliator of the contending powers. Deane, despite heavy evidence, was never perhaps wholly convinced of his agent’s venality. And Hynson himself again and again protested to Smith: “My motives are not interest,” or, “while ever there is a prospect of the disputes being settled I shall still be in hopes.” Is the secret of these contradictions to be found in Smith’s sly, early hint: “He has a connection in England which he is anxious to resume?” And in Hynson’s own words to Isabella: “My dear girl, if I have success I shall be able to receive you with open Arms.”