APPENDIX I. 415 



wards be brought before Parliament with greater propriety 

 and with a much better prospect of success. I conceal no 

 part of the transaction from your Excellency, and I hope 

 what I have done will meet with your approbation. I am 

 certain that the motives which induced me to take the 

 steps I have followed in the prosecution of this business 

 are such as cannot fail to be approved by your Excellency. 

 I have been indefatigable in my endeavours to carry what 

 I thought your wishes respecting the provincials into execu- 

 tion, and if what I have done meets with your approbation 

 and with the approbation of my deserving countrymen, in 

 wnose behalf you have so generously and so nobly interested 

 yourself, I shall amply be repaid for all the trouble and 

 anxiety I have had in the course of my solicitations. 



' I have the honour to be, with the greatest respect, and 

 with unfeigned gratitude for all your goodness to me, Sir, 

 your Excellency's most obedient and most faithful Servant, 



'B. THOMPSON. 



' His Excellency Sir Guy Carleton, KB.' 



On the 8th of August, 1783, Lord North wrote to Sir 

 Guy Carleton : 



' Lieutenant- Colonel Thompson having been particularly 

 distinguished by you in the appointment to the command 

 of the corps of provincial troops intended to be sent upon 

 service in the West Indies (which corps, had it embarked, 

 would, agreeably to the King's commands signified by the 

 late Secretary of State in his letter of the 3rd of January 

 last, have been placed upon the British establishment), 

 and as it appears by your letter of the 15th of June that 

 his conduct has met with your full approbation, and that 

 you consider him to be an officer possessing an uncommon 

 share of merit in his profession, the King for these reasons 

 has consented to his being appointed by commission from 

 you Colonel of the King's American Dragoons upon the 

 American provincial establishment.' 



