Life of Count Rumford. 353 



[.Copy.-] 



"DEAR SIR, I send you herewith a small Pamphlet which 

 will explain to you the Causes which ha^~ rendered it impossible 

 for me to go to America this Spring as I had intended. I have 

 not, however, given over all ideas of visiting that Country at 

 some future period ; very far from it, I really hope and expect 

 to be able to go there next Spring, and will most certainly do 

 so, if it should be possible, provided you should continue to ad- 

 vise it, and to encourage me' with the hopes of a kind reception. 



" I beg you would do me the honor to present one of the 

 enclosed Pamphlets to his Excellency the President of the 

 United States, and accompany it with my best Respects and 

 most cordial wishes for his health and happiness and for the 

 prosperity of the United States. 



"The Model of a Field-Piece on a new, and I believe on 

 an improved construction, which I have destined as a Present to 

 the United States, I shall pack up and send to you in order to its 

 being shipped for America as soon as I shall get it from His Royal 

 Highness the Duke of York, who has desired to have a copy of it. 



44 You will recollect that in a conversation we had at your 

 house on the great importance to the United States of the 

 speedy Establishment of a Military School or academy, I took 

 the liberty to say that to assist in the establishment of so useful 

 an Institution I should be happy to be permitted to make 

 a present to the Academy, of my collection of Military Books, 

 Plans, Drawings, and Models. I now repeat this offer, and 

 with a request to you that you would make it known to the 

 Executive Government of the United States, and that you 

 would let me know as soon as may be convenient whether this 

 offer will be accepted. 



" I have the honor to be, with the most sincere regard and 

 esteem, Dear Sir, 



" Your most obedient and most faithful servant, 



"RUMFORD. 



"BROMPTON Row, 13 March, 1799. 



" His Excellency RUFUS KING, Envoy Extraordinary 

 and Minister Plenipotentiary of the United States, &c." 

 23 



