War of 1812 Talk

Agent 13 in the North Country – SLCHA’s War of 1812 Program on Saturday!

  

Canton How did an American-born undercover spy working for Spain become commanding General of the US Army during the War of 1812? Better yet how did this spy, [codename: Agent 13] remain undetected, unlike Benedict Arnold, his friend during the American Revolution, or more modern spies like the Rosenberg’s? The answer might disturb you. Crack the mystery of Agent 13 when Matthew Dudley presents Agent 13 in the North Country on Saturday, May 4^th, 2 p.m. at the St. Lawrence County Historical Association at the Silas Wright House, 3 East Main St., Canton.  This War of 1812 program is part of the St. Lawrence County Historical Association’s Commemoration of the 200th anniversary of the War of 1812, which was fought from 1812-1815.  St. Lawrence County was one of the battlefields of the War of 1812. 

Matthew Dudley’s research on General Wilkinson's fall from prominence will take you through our own backyard and the General's final mistakes along the St. Lawrence River that would destroy his future as an officer and as a Spanish agent. Dudley’s presentation will also include his plans for further investigation of Agent 13 this summer in Seville, Spain, at the General Archives of the Indies.

Matthew Dudley is a history major at St. Lawrence University.  He attributes his interest in history to spending so much time with his Nana while growing up, when they would watch the History Channel all the time. She recognized his love for history early on and helped nurture it. Dudley specifically remembers bringing in the Civil War related history books she gave him for his sixth birthday to 1^st Grade Show and Tell.  Dudley, of Cazenovia, NY, is also a member of Laurentian Singers at SLU. In the future he hopes to continue his studies and attain a master’s degree in a linguistics-related field.

The SLCHA Gift Shop is a great way to learn about the War of 1812.  Books include The War of 1812 Activity Book and Sackets Harbor Powder Monkey, a young adult novel by local author Hope Marston.  SLCHA members receive a 10% discount on these books and most other items in the gift shop.

The St. Lawrence County Historical Association at the Silas Wright House is open Tuesday through Saturday noon to 4 p.m., Friday noon to 8 p.m.  Admission to the museum is free; admission to the archives is free for members and children, $2.50 for college students, and $5 for the general public.  The St. Lawrence County Historical Association is located at 3 E. Main St., Canton.  Parking is available in back of the SLCHA, next to the museum’s main entrance.

The St. Lawrence County Historical Association is a membership organization open to anyone interested in St. Lawrence County history.  For more information, or to become a member, call the SLCHA at 315-386-8133 or e-mail info@slcha.org.  War of 1812 programs are made possible in part by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature.  Visit the SLCHA’s website, www.slcha.org, for more information on St. Lawrence County history.

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