1775. JET. 22.] COUNT EUMFORD. 9 



then Colonel Baldwin, offering to take an order for any 

 number that might be wanted. 



In August he again writes a long reply to his 

 father-in-law, in answer to letters urging him to express 

 his sorrow that he had done wrong and to ask forgive- 

 ness of the people : 



Woburn, August 14, 1775. 



As to my being instrumental in the return of some De- 

 serters, by procuring them a pardon, I freely acknowledge 

 that I was. But you will give me leave to say that what 

 I did was done from principles the most unexceptionable 

 the most disinterested a sincere desire to serve my King 

 and Country, from motives of Pity to those unfortunate 

 Wretches who had deserted the service to which they had 

 voluntarily and so solemnly tyed themselves, and to which 

 they were desirous of returning. If the designed ends 

 were not answered by what I did, I am sincerely and 

 heartily sorry. But if it is a Crime to act from principles 

 like these, I glory in being a Criminal. 



Many other crimes which you do not mention have been 

 laid to my charge, for which I have had to answer both 

 publicly and privately. My enemies are indefatigable in 

 their endeavours to distress me, and I find to my sorrow 

 that they are but too successful. I have been driven from 

 the Camp by the clamours of the New Hampshire people, 

 and am again threaten' d in this place. But I hope soon to 

 be out of the reach of my Cruel Persecutors, for I am de- 

 termined to seek for that Peace and Protection in foreign 

 Lands and among strangers which is deny'd me in my 

 native country. I cannot any longer bear the insults that 

 are daily offered me. I cannot bear to be looked upon and 

 treated as the Aclian of Society. I have done nothing that 

 can deserve this cruel usage. I have done nothing with 

 any design to injure my countrymen, and cannot any 

 longer bear to be treated in this barbarous manner by them. 



