Life of Cotmt. Ritmford. 85 



have repented, and for which I am now sincerely ana heartily 

 sorry, and ask your forgiveness. What infatuation could induce 

 me to take a step of so much importance without previously 

 consulting you upon the affair, I am at a loss to imagine. But 

 be assured, Sir, that tho' you was not privy to my going off, 

 yet I did not do it without the knowledge and advice of many 

 'others whom I really thought my friends, and among the rest 

 you will give me leave to name your Son as the chief, who not 

 only gave it as his opinion that it was for the best, but also fur- 

 nished me with a Horse to make my escape, and money to the 

 amount of 20 Dollars to bear my expenses, and promised to take 

 care of my affairs in my absence. Into his hands I committed 

 all my Notes and papers of consequence ; saving only a few 

 Notes to the amount of about ,300, which I left with Mrs. 

 Thompson, the chief of which, I am informed, he has since 

 gotten into his possession. 



" My situation at that time was peculiarly critical. I knew I 

 had a number of enemies in the Town whose Personal and 

 inveterate malice nothing would satisfy, and found by fatal 

 experience that they had it in their power to raise the cry of 

 the populace against me : and to persuade them that what 

 they laid to my charge (Viz 4 - being instrumental in procuring a 

 pardon for some Deserters) was not only in itself a crime of the 

 blackest dye, but that I did it with an express design to injure 

 the Country, and assist in enslaving it ; in fine, that I was an 

 enemy to the cause of America, and deserved the severest pun- 

 ishments. ' Tis true all did not coincide in this opinion, and I 

 was peculiarly happy in having my Brother Walker's approba- 

 tion of my conduct. But notwithstanding he thought me inno- 

 cent, yet he dared not appear in my behalf; he saw the current 

 was against me, and was afraid to interfere. 



" When I was brought to trial, my friends (knowing in what 

 a light my crime was look'd upon by the populace) advised me 

 to plead not guilty. I did so, but found, instead of quieting the 

 disturbances, it only served to heighten the clamours against 

 me, 'till at length I found it absolutely necessary that some- 

 thing should be done for my personal security. My friends ad- 



