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APPENDIX I. 



CONTAINING ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS IN THE LIBRARY OF THE ROYAL 

 INSTITUTION REGARDING THE SERVICE OF COUNT RUMFORD IX THK 

 AMERICAN WAR. 



As early as 1782 Sir Guy Carlefcon had requested per- 

 mission to return home ' in consequence ot his repugnance 

 to a situation merely defensive.' The King's ministers had 

 just determined that active operations should be carried on 

 under his command in the West Indies against the French, 

 and the King had appointed him to the chief command of 

 the army destined to act there on the day he asked for his 

 dismissal. Late in the autumn the Bight Hon. T. Town- 

 send, then Secretary of State, directed that 1,500 British 

 troops should be sent to reinforce the islands, but Sir Guy 

 Carleton considered this would be attended with such 

 serious consequences that he determined ' to deviate from a 

 measure so explicitly directed to be carried into execution.' 

 The Secretary suggested that a number of provincials and 

 foreign troops should be sent, and he authorised that every 

 provincial corps embarking for the West Indies should 

 immediately be put upon the British establishment. 



On March 14, 1783, Colonel Thompson sent a memorial 

 for himself, brother officers, and men to Sir Guy Carleton. 

 He said 



' That the officers were chiefly young men of the first 

 families and connections, and that except the adjutant they 

 were all Americans, and had suffered very considerably by 

 the Rebellion, that in the event of peace and the indepen- 

 dency of the provinces all their hopes of returning to their 

 former situations will be at an end, and they will be re- 



