354 Life of Count Rumford. 



"LONDON, Sept. 8, 1799. 



11 DEAR SIR, I have more than once expressed to you a 

 wish that you might find leisure, as well as inclination, to revisit 

 your native Country, where, I have been persuaded, you would 

 meet with a friendly and cordial reception, and by your presence 

 and advice might be of great advantage to our public institu- 

 tions, the establishment of which, upon approved principles, is 

 an object of the highest consequence. I am happy that I have 

 it in my power to assure you that I have not been mistaken in 

 these sentiments, and it affords me peculiar satisfaction to 

 execute the order that I have lately received from my Gov- 

 ernment to invite you in its name to return and reside among 

 us, and to propose to you to enter into the American Service. 



"In the course of the last year we have made provision for the 

 institution of a Military Academy, and we wish to commit its for- 

 mation to your experience, and its future government to your care. 

 It is not necessary on this occasion to send you a detailed account 

 of our Military establishment, which indeed would be best ex- 

 plained by a reference to the Laws upon which it depends; these 

 are in my possession, and shall be put into your hands if you desire 

 it. In addition to the Superintendence of the Military Academy, 

 I am authorized to offer to you the appointment of Inspector-Gen- 

 eral of the Artillery of the United States, and we shall, moreover, 

 be disposed to give to you such rank and emoluments, consistent 

 with existing provisions, and with what has already been settled 

 upon the former of these heads, as would be likely to afford you 

 satisfaction, and to secure to us the advantages of your service. 



" If your engagements will allow of your entering into our 

 service, which I sincerely hope may be the case, I will ask the 

 favor of you to take an early opportunity of signifying the same 

 to me, in order that we may proceed to further and more par- 

 ticular explanations upon the subject. 



" With the greatest consideration and esteem, I have the 

 honor to be, Dear Sir, 



" Your obedient and faithful servant, 



[Signed] "RUFUS KING. 



" COUNT RUMFORD, &c., &c., &c." 



