Appreciating history.
This novel does an unusual thing—it uses fiction to present the reader with a false narrative of the past. But that only makes the reader hyper aware of the truth. If America had lost the war, then hypothetically, it would be a horrific tragedy, like Washington's own fictional fate in the novel. Why? Because as Creighton already knows, there is much to criticize about British imperialism.
Against imperialism.
As noted, Creighton is no fan of British imperialism. How against it is he? When he discovers that the American colonies are planning their war for independence, he joins them and rats out Colonel Gower—his own family. Not to mention, he doesn't know whether the Americans will accept him or kill him when he admits his own connection to British intelligence. Why? Because imperialism is evil, in his opinion, and he has a low esteem for the British kingship.
Political tyranny.
This novel pokes fun at the reader by suggesting the hypothetical alternative to the American Revolution. Hypothetically, they might have lost the war. If that happened, then the ending of this novel would be the obvious path of events. As the Americans well know, the consequence for treason is to be hanged by the British army. Therefore, this novel is a literal depiction of what it is that was wrong with British royalty—that they kill anyone who opposes the throne.
