The early days of the Revolutionary War. It supposedly began with Thomas Hickey, a private in Continental Army, and New York governor William Tryon. In an astonishing power-grab, the two men, along with New York's mayor, plotted to kill Hickey's boss: a man by the name of George Washington. In the end, Hickey was caught, brought to trial, and found guilty. Supposedly, he became the first person in the new nation to be executed for treason. To send a clear message, Washington made every member of the military attend the hanging.