Sketch of the Early History of Count Rumford. 2a 
took their seats before an overflowing house. Thompson managed 
his own defense ; and though he could of course know but little pre- 
viously of the specific charges that would be brought against him, he 
successively repelled them all, showing that they were based upon 
vague rumor, or had their origin in envy and jealousy. The com- 
mittee gave this decision, but they still refused to give him a public 
acquittal which he demanded. ‘The reason given was that it would 
give offense to his opponents, as it would be in a sense condemning 
them. They even refused to give him a copy of their proceedings 
for publication. This, Thompson very properly thought to be ex- 
ceedingly illiberal and unjust treatment, and it is not surprising that 
his feelings were highly exasperated.* 
If further proof of Thompson’s political feelings previous to this 
time be wanting, we have the testimony of Col. Baldwin, at whose 
head quarters he remained while the American army was before 
Boston, who repeatedly said he knew his political views well, and 
that he was certain of his sincere attachment to the cause of his 
country. Another revolutionary officer of unimpeachable integrity, 
said to Thompson’s brother,—or rather half brother,—the late Hon. 
Josiah Pierce, of Baldwin, Me., some years after the close of the 
-war, that he knew! Major Thompson well while he was with the 
American army at Cambridge in 1775, and that “he was certain his 
feelings were any thing but hostile to the cause of American liberty.” 
He added further, that while the army was at Cambridge, on more 
* The following is an extract from the original report of the committee of vigi- 
lance and correspondence of the town of Woburn, before whom Thompson was 
tried in 1775, drawn up by one of their number, but which was not permitted to 
go before the public as Thompson demanded. After a statement of their author- 
ity and the prominent cireumstanees of the case, the committee say, “After a 
strict and impartial inquiry into Major Thompson’s character and behavior, we 
do not find that in any instance he has shown a disposition unfriendly to Amer- 
ican liberty, but that, on the contrary, his general conduct has evinced a contrary 
disposition, and we think he justly deserves the confidence, friendship, and pro- 
tection of the public.” 
In a postscript it is added, ‘‘ This may certify that when Major Thompson was 
examined before the committee of correspondence for the town of Woburn, (be- 
ing brought before them on suspicion of being inimical to American liberties,) 
the affair of the return of four deserters from Concord in New Hampshire, to 
Boston, in which said Thompson was supposed to be instrumental, and.also his 
conduct relative to the Concord donation,—sending a load of peas to Boston,— 
and an undue connection or correspondence with Gov. Wentworth, were matters 
which were laid to his charge against him, which were thoroughly examined 
anto, and in every particular the committee received full satisfaction from said 
Thompson.” 
