94 Life of Count Rumford. 



There was really nothing secret or disguised in the 

 plans which he formed for seeking " in a foreign land 

 and among strangers," at the risk of homelessness and 

 poverty, the peace and protection which he could not 

 find in his own dwelling. He did not privately steal 

 away. He remained in and about Woburn two months 

 after writing his last letter to Mr. Walker, in which he 

 so deliberately avowed his intentions. He settled his 

 affairs with his neighbors, collecting dues and paying 

 debts, well assured that his wife and child would lack 

 none of the means of a comfortable support. Having 

 thus made all his preparations, he started from Woburn, 

 October 13, 1775, in a country vehicle, accompanied by 

 his step-brother, Josiah Pierce, who drove him near to 

 the bounds of the Province, on the shore of Narragan- 

 sett Bay, whence young Pierce returned. Thompson 

 was taken by a boat on board the Scarborough, British 

 frigate, in the harbor of Newport. (See Appendix.) 



What Major Thompson said or did to secure him- 

 self a favorable reception from the commander of the 

 vessel, whether he sought refuge as a persecuted suf- 

 ferer, or proffered service as a new-won friend, there are 

 no means at this time for knowing. The vessel itself 

 very soon came round to Boston, and he came in her 

 in some capacity. Here he remained till the evacua- 

 tion of the town by the British forces, of which event 

 he was undoubtedly the bearer of tidings to England, 

 in despatches from General Howe. Here the work 

 of conversion, slow or protracted, was completed ; and 

 henceforward we are to know Benjamin Thompson, till 

 the close of the war, as in council and in arms an op- 

 ponent of the cause of liberty for his native land. He 

 must have done appreciable service in the four or five 



