64 THE KOYAL INSTITUTION. [CHAP. I. 



ments that he has introduced in the mounting of flying 

 artillery. 



He possesses an extensive military library, and assures 

 me that he wishes nothing more than to be useful to our 

 country. I make this communication by his desire, and 

 my wish is that he may be well received, as I am persuaded 

 that his principles are good, and his talents and information 

 uncommonly extensive. It is possible that attempts may 

 be made to misrepresent his political opinions ; from the 

 inquiry that I have made on this head, I am convinced that 

 his political sentiments are correct. 



Be good enough to communicate this letter to the 

 President. 



Count Eumford soon after wrote to Mr. King : 



I send you herewith a small pamphlet, 1 which will 

 explain to you the causes which have rendered it im- 

 possible 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 possi- 

 ble, provided you should continue to advise it, and to en- 

 courage me with the hope of a kind reception. 



The model of a field-piece 2 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. 



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 



1 This was the prospectus of the Eoyal Institution. 



2 This was a model one quarter of the full size of the new Bavarian 

 six-pounder with its ammunition waggon. The Elector permitted him 

 to present it to the United States. 



