278 Life of Count Rumford. 



England, and closing his relations with Bavaria, had 

 sought political position and influence, he might have 

 found a seat in the House of Commons, or even a subor- 

 dinate office in the Cabinet. His foreign duties and his 

 obligations to the Elector debarred him, however, from 

 many positions of trust and honor in England, while, 

 as we shall soon see, the fact of his being a British-born 

 subject was a constitutional or conventional obstacle in 

 the way of his exercising a very high diplomatic office 

 which the Elector had assigned him. 



The following letter of Colonel Baldwin to Josiah 

 Pierce, half-brother of Count Rumford, concerns the 

 latter's kind care for their mother: 



" WOBURN, November 12, 1796. 



"DEAR SIR, I have received several letters from your 

 brother, Count Rumford, and his daughter Sally, all dated at 

 London. As one of the Count's letters relates principally to 

 your mother's concerns, I have transcribed it and enclose a copy 

 thereof for her perusal [referring to the letter dated July, 1796], 

 which you will please to deliver to her. Consult and determine 

 in what mode you would wish to have the business negotiated. 

 If you were coming here on business, you might bring an order 

 from your mother, drawn agreeably to your brother's plan, which 

 you will see in the copy of the letter herewith transmitted. You 

 might also take her power of attorney, which would enable you 

 to conform to any unforeseen circumstances. If you have no 

 business, or it should be inconvenient for you to come up, it 

 may be negotiated without your coming at present. My atten- 

 tion is fully occupied, but I shall not hesitate to devote sufficient 

 time to effect this benevolent design. 



" I do not know whether Sally has written to any of your family, 

 but she is very full in her apologies for not writing to more of 

 her friends, and wishes us to communicate her grateful remem- 

 brance and love to her relations and friends. There seems an 



