28 Sketch of the Early History of Count Rumford. 
than one occasion, Washington conferred with him upon important 
military affairs. 
After his acquittal by the committee at Woburn, Thompson not- 
withstanding was still accused of “ toryism” by the populace, and 
the mob again threatened him, till he at length formed the desperate 
resolution to quit forever his native country, and espouse the cause 
of her enemies! He had first, through the envy and jealousy of 
others, failed of promotion in the army, which appears to have been 
the highest object of his ambition, and to this had been added gross 
insult from the populace and injustice from public officers; and he 
unquestionably considered his personal safety in danger ; but, trying 
as were the circumstances, his decision can hardly be justified. 
This act, in the eyes of his countrymen at least, must ever remain 
as a blemish upon his otherwise illustrious character. As remarked 
by Cuvier, it was unquestionably an evil to fight against his country- 
men, but we should perhaps rather lament it as an evil, than impute 
to him blame. 
Having determined to leave the country, Thompson communi- 
cated his design to no one but his brother before mentioned, who, 
taking him in a common horse-cart, started from Woburn in the 
night, and proceeded with him directly to Rhode Island, where he 
left him. ‘Thompson soon made his appearance at Newport, and 
was taken on board the British ship of war Scarborough, in which he 
sailed for England; and even his mother for months did not know © 
where he was. 
The precise time of his departure from the country, [ am not able 
to determine, but his biographers say he was sent to England im- 
mediately after the evacuation of Boston by the English troops, which 
occurred March 24th, 1776, to convey intelligence of that event. 
In 1781, he sailed again for New York, where he raised a regi- 
ment of dragoons, and was in consequence promoted to the rank of 
Colonel, and remained connected with the British army till the close 
of the war, when he again went to Europe never to return. His 
subsequent brilliant course in the scientific world is well known. 
Though he had been persecuted from his native country, and been 
associated with those who for a time at least, were her enemies, yet 
_ he ever cherished an ardent affection for the land of his birth. In 
a letter to a relative written December, 1808, he says, “I never can 
forget the place of my birth, nor the companions of my early years.” 
In another letter he remarks, “ you cannot conceive how much 
have the happiness of my native country at heart.” 
