30 Biographical Memoir of Count Rumford. 



almost all the states of Europe saw their citizens serving under op- 

 posite colors, each asserted that he was fighting for his country ; and 

 the chance of arms itself, which is the universal umpire, has not 

 terminated this kind of contest. Fortunately, honor and fidelity are 

 points respecting which there are no disputes, and in those happy mo- 

 ments, when reason, induced by exhaustion, at length puts an end 

 to the bloody quarrels of nations, honor and fidelity rally all the vir- 

 tuous and brave. 



Mr. Thomson remained firmly attached to the royal government, 

 and served it with courage and address, whether in the field of battle 

 or in the cabinet ; but he did not participate in all the mad schemes 

 of some of its partisans. Those against whom he fought always re- 

 spected him, and of this feeling he received a very honorable proof 

 at the end of the war, when several cities of the United States sent 

 him urgent invitations to return. 



It is well known that one of Washington's first exploits was to com- 

 pel the English troops to evacuate Boston, on the 24th of March, 

 1776. Mr. Thomson was employed to carry the news of this un- 

 fortunate affair to London. Missions of this kind are not generally 

 such as procure rewards ; but the prepossessing appearance of the 

 young officer, and the accuracy and the extent of the information 

 which he gave, made a favorable impression on Lord George Sack- 

 ville, then Secretary of State for the American department, and so 

 celebrated for the misfortunes of his administration. He thought he 

 had made a good acquisition by attaching such a man to his office, 

 and having received abundant proofs of his talents and fidelity, raised 

 him, in 1780, to the important post of under Secretary of State. 



This appointment would have been a very advantageous one under 

 a more able minister ; but Mr. Thomson soon experienced the most 

 painful feeling that can affect an honorable man, that of the incapaci- 

 ty of his benefactor. The royal army seemed condemned to every 

 kind of misfortune. Public opinion pronounced more decidedly 

 against the ministers. To the reproaches which their imprudence 

 might have merited, calumnies were added, as always happens when 

 men in place are unsuccessful. Mr. Thomson saw himself about to 

 become the object of some of these imputations. He perceived that 

 a desperate cause can only be served with honor by serving it at the 

 peril of one's life, and he returned to the army, where he obtained 

 the command of a division. This was at the commencement of 

 1782. The English were confined to Charleston, and reduced to a 



