82 Life of Count Rumford, 



as he could present for his security, and a reasonable 

 degree of reliance upon the support of his friends, 

 attempt resolutely to face down his calumniators, is to 

 be referred to the one or the other of these two reasons. 

 Either he felt that there was no reasonable hope that he 

 should succeed in this courageous attempt, and that 

 if he were allowed to remain at home it would be as 

 a suspected person smarting under a sense of wrong, to 

 lead an aimless and miserable life ; or else he really 

 desired and expected that he might yet obtain a place 

 of honor and service in the patriot army. He lingered 

 about the camp. He devoted himself zealously to the 

 study of military tactics. He continued his experi- 

 ments on gunpowder. He strolled between Woburn, 

 Medford, Cambridge, and Charlestown, learning what- 

 ever his inquisitive and observing mind could appro- 

 priate. But there was one set of men whom he never 

 could conciliate, who mistrusted his purposes and cast 

 upon him lowering looks as they met him about the 

 camp. These were the general and field officers from 

 New Hampshire, who looked upon him as a dandy 

 and an upstart at least, if not also as at heart a traitor. 

 They would not associate with him, still less confide in 

 him. 



Major Baldwin records under date of June 4, 1775 : 



" Sunday, A. M., went to Meeting : after Meeting at noon 

 went down to see the Men-of-War fire, &c. to Lechmere Point, 

 and viewed Boston, &c. Major Thompson and Lieut. Reed 

 was my company." 



"June 13. Tuesday, A Manifesto came out from General 

 Gage. We are in expectation that the Troops will be out soon. 

 I am poorly with a cold. Major Thompson went to Woburn." 



It was to avert and oppose that expected sortie of the 



