Life of Count Rurnford. 35 1 



for each other, and the earnest desire of both to advance the 

 welfare of their native country, &c., &c." 



The following correspondence, copied from the origi- 

 nals, is of great interest : 



[Copy.-] 



"LONDON, December 8, 1798. 



" DEAR SIR, Count Rumford, late Sir Benjamin Thomp- 

 son, whose name and history are probably known to you, and 

 whose talents and services have procured the most beneficial 

 Establishments and reforms in Bavaria, was lately named by 

 the Elector to be his Minister at this Court. On his arrival 

 he has been informed, that, being a British Subject, it was con- 

 trary to usage to receive him, and that therefore he could 

 not be acknowledged. The intrigues and opposition against 

 which he had for some years made head in Bavaria proba- 

 bly made him desire the mission to England. The refusal 

 that he has here met with has decided him to return and settle 

 himself in America. He proposes to establish himself at or 

 near Cambridge, to live there in the character of a German 

 Count, to renounce all political Expectations, and devote him- 

 self to literary pursuits. His connections in this country are 

 strictly literary, and his knowledge, particularly in the Mili- 

 tary Department, may be of great use to us. The Count is 

 well acquainted with and has had much experience in the 

 establishment of Cannon Foundries; that which he established 

 in Bavaria is spoken of in very high terms, as well as certain 

 improvements 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 enquiry that I have made on 



