132 Life of Count Rumford. 



by the way of Lloyd's Neck, an officer will constantly remain 

 at that post." 



The particulars which fidelity to the truth of history 

 now requires to be set forth as they appear in our local 

 annals, though they do not add to, but must be re- 

 garded as detracting from, the repute of our distin- 

 guished countryman, may still be found to possess an 

 interest in themselves. Pictet's gush of sentiment, 

 original or sympathetic, can hardly be considered as 

 giving them any dignity. Colonel Thompson, how- 

 ever, is entitled to the benefit of the suggestion already 

 intimated, that the military operations of Great Britain 

 in this country at the time were continued certainly 

 without any hope of, and possibly without much reference 

 to, the subjugation of the Colonies. Through her war 

 against us England had become involved in hostilities 

 with the Continental powers of Europe, which made the 

 ocean perilous for her naval armaments and transports, 

 and threatened her other colonial possessions. It is there- 

 fore possible that Colonel Thompson may at this period 

 have felt that he was serving his King and government 

 in a cause which did not necessarily involve further dis- 

 tress for his native country. 



Mr. Henry Onderdonk, Jr., in his laborious and 

 miscellaneous gatherings for illustrating historical inci- 

 dents connected with the war on Long Island, gives me 

 valuable aid in tracing Colonel Thompson in this part 

 of his inglorious campaign.* 



* Documents and Letters intended to illustrate the Revolutionary Incidents of 

 Queen's County ; with connecting Narratives, explanatory Notes and Additions. By 

 Henry Onderdonk, Jr. New York, 1846. Also, Revolutionary Incidents of 

 Suffolk and Kings' Counties ; with an Account of the Battle of Long Island, &c. 

 By Henry Onderdonk, Jr. New York, 1849. These are volumes of great value 

 and interest to the historical student. The quotations in the text are made from 

 pp. 149, 150, of the former book, and from pp. 107, 261 264 of the latter. 



