26 THE KOYAL INSTITUTION. [CHAP. I. 



Early in the spring active measures were proposed 

 against the French in the West Indies. Peace with 

 France stopped these plans, and on April 11, 1783, 

 Colonel Thompson obtained leave of absence, in order 

 that he might return to London to urge the claims of 

 the provincial officers to rank and to half-pay. 



Some original documents in the appendix to this 

 chapter will show the energy, the ability, and the 

 perseverance of Colonel Thompson when he arrived in 

 London. 



On August 17 Sir Gruy Carleton issued an order that 

 all the men who wished to be discharged in America, 

 should hold themselves in readiness to embark for Nova 

 Scotia ; and in October the King's American Dragoons 

 were disbande'd on the lands appropriated to them, 

 many miles up the river St. John, on the north side of 

 the Bay of Fundy. 



On October 25, 1783, Colonel Thompson's half-pay 

 began, and it continued for the remainder of his life. 

 He had at this time began a new career. He deter- 

 mined to go abroad, intending to take part in a war 

 which was then expected between Austria and the 

 Turks. 



Gibbon wrote from Dover, September 17, 1783, to 

 Lord Sheffield : 



Last night the wind was so high that the vessel could 

 not stir from the harbour ; this day it is brisk and fair. 

 We are nattered with the hope of making Calais Harbour 

 by the same tide in three hours and a half, but any delay 

 will leave the disagreeable option of a tottering boat or a 

 tossing night. What a cursed thing to live in an island ! 



