Chapter XIX: Appendix: I

CONTAINING ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS IN THE LIBRARY OF THE ROYAL INSTITUTION REGARDING THE SERVICE OF COUNT RUMFORD IN THE AMERICAN WAR.

As early as 1782 Sir Guy Carleton had requested permission to return home ‘in consequence of his repugnance to a situation merely defensive.’ The King’s ministers had just determined that active operations should be carried on under his command in the West Indies against the French, and the King had appointed him to the chief command of the army destined to act there on the day he asked for his dismissal. Late in the autumn the Right Hon. T. Townsend, then Secretary of State, directed that 1,500 British troops should be sent to reinforce the islands, but Sir Guy Carleton considered this would be attended with such serious consequences that he determined ‘to deviate from a measure so explicitly directed to be carried into execution.’ The Secretary suggested that a number of provincials and foreign troops should be sent, and he authorised that every provincial corps embarking for the West Indies should immediately be put upon the British establishment.

On March 14, 1783, Colonel Thompson sent a memorial for himself, brother officers, and men to Sir Guy Carleton. He said

‘That the officers were chiefly young men of the first families and connections, and that except the adjutant they were all Americans, and had suffered very considerably by the Rebellion, that in the event of peace and the independency of the provinces all their hopes of returning to their former situations will be at an end, and they will be reduced to the greatest distress. That they are ready to go anywhere. That the regiment is completely appointed to the fall establishment of six troops of sixty men each, together with four field-pieces, with their harness, &c., complete for a troop of flying artillery.’

The memorial then begs for employment in the West Indies, or in any other part of his Majesty’s dominions, and states, that in case more troops should be wanted Colonel Thompson undertakes to raise a very fine battalion of light infantry from amongst the men then serving in his Majesty’s provincial forces.

On the 21st of March Sir Guy Carleton authorised and empowered Colonel Thompson to raise four companies of light infantry, consisting of one captain, one lieutenant, one ensign, three sergeants, three corporals, two drummers, and fifty-two privates each, to be attached to the King’s American Dragoons, the whole to be put on the British establishment upon their embarking for the West Indies.

He said, ‘All officers, civil and military, particularly the officers commanding provincial corps, and all others his Majesty’s liege subjects are hereby required to be aiding and assisting to you and all concerned in the execution of the above services, for which this shall be to you and to them a sufficient warrant and authority.’

* * * * *

The following paper is in Rumford’s writing:

_Proposed Establishment of a Corps of Light Troops to be raised
for his Majesty’s Service, to be commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel
Thompson, Commandant of the King’s American Dragoons._

Key to table columns:

A Majors
B Captains
C Capt.-Lieutenant
D Lieutenants
E Cornets
F Ensigns
G Chaplain
H Adjutant
I Qr.-Masters
J Surgeon
K Mate
L Sergeants
M Corporals
N Trumpeters
O Drummers
P Fifers
Q Privates
R Total
S Total Officers and Men

Key to table rows:

X Dismounted Cavalry: King’s American Dragoons, 6 troops of 60
men each
Y Light Infantry: 4 companies of 60 men each
Z Artillery: 1 company of 60 men each

+-----+-----------------++--------------++----------------------++---+ | | Commission || Staff || Non-Commissioned || | | | Officers || Officers || Officers and Privates|| S | | +--+--+--+--+--+--++--+--+--+--+--++--+--+--+--+--+---+---++ | | |A |B |C |D |E |F ||G |H |I |J |K ||L |M |N |O |P | Q | R || | +-----+--+--+--+--+--+--++--+--+--+--+--++--+--+--+--+--+---+---++---+ | X | 2| 3| 1| 5| 6| || 1| 1| 6| 1| 1||18|18| 6| | |318|360||388| | Y | | 4| | 4| | 4|| | | | | ||12|12| | 4| 4|208|240||252| | Z | | | | | | || | | | | || 4| 4| | 2| | 50| 60|| 60| | +--+--+--+--+--+--++--+--+--+--+--++--+--+--+--+--+---+---++---+ |Total| 2| 7| 1| 9| 6| 4|| 1| 1| 6| 1| 1||34|34| 6| 6| 4|576|660||700| +-----+--+--+--+--+--+--++--+--+--+--+--++--+--+--+--+--+---+---++---+

‘Distribution of the six quarter-masters, two to remain with
the six troops of dragoons, one to act as adjutant and one as
quarter-master to the four companies of light infantry, two to
serve with the company of artillery.

‘The four pieces of cannon to be on the flank of the battalion, two
on the right and two on the left, and the company of artillery to
be formed in two divisions. Each division to be under the command
of a quarter-master.

‘The privates of the company of artillery to be _blacks_. To have
no other arms but swords, and to be accoutred for drawing the guns.
The non-commissioned officers to be _whites_, and to be armed with
muskets and bayonets. The whole to have infantry pay. Permission
to be granted to take one private from each troop of dragoons for
a drummer to receive pay as a private. As the trumpeters of the
King’s American Dragoons are _blacks_, permission to be granted for
the drummers and the fifers to be _blacks_ also.

‘The officers of the four companies of light infantry to be
Americans, and to be all taken from the Provincial Line, and the
men to be volunteers from the different provincial regiments.’

Peace with France put an end to all these plans, and also to another proposal to raise two regiments of infantry complete to the present establishment of the British regiments of foot; viz. ten companies, 595 officers and men. On April 4 Colonel Thompson wrote to Sir Guy Carleton to return his unfeigned thanks for all the distinguished marks of his Excellency’s goodness to him, particularly for the last most flattering proof of his Excellency’s approbation in appointing him to the command of light troops, which were to have served in the West Indies had not peace taken place. He begs that the King’s American Dragoons may go to some part of Nova Scotia, there to do duty or to be discharged if any wish it, and that he may go to England, there to solicit, in behalf of himself and the corps, that they may be employed in the East Indies or in some other part of his Majesty’s dominions where their services may be wanted.

* * * * *

Extract of a letter from an officer of rank in the Provincial Line to Lieutenant-Colonel Thompson, dated April 2, 1783:

‘If our petition for half-pay, which I understand is strongly
recommended by Sir Guy Carleton, should be disregarded, or, what
would be still more grievous to us, if the applications of the
refugees in London should be brought into Parliament, and ours
and all our faithful services should be neglected! But I will not
suppose a case so painful to my feelings, and which I trust is so
very unlikely to happen. Sir Guy Carleton has repeatedly said that
he has not a doubt but we shall be taken care of; indeed, it would
be the height of cruelty as well as injustice in Great Britain to
forsake us in this hour of our distress. We have shed our blood in
her cause. She surely does not mean to make us the sacrifice of
peace. She will not leave us to perish for want, now that she has
no longer any occasion for our services; nor will she insult our
misfortunes by referring us to the mercy of our enemies. Be assured
we must expect no mercy from them.

‘I flatter myself before you reach England our petition will have
been taken into consideration and our request granted. If this
should not be the case, we must depend upon you to solicit for
us. You know the ways of office, and can get access to ministers,
while others less acquainted with public business and less known,
though equally zealous in our cause, would have it much less in
their power to assist us. You know our services and our sufferings,
and can give every information that can be wanted relative to our
present situation.’

As soon as Colonel Thompson arrived in England he sent the following letter to Lord North:

‘Pall Mall Court, June 8, 1783.

‘MY LORD,--Having assisted in drawing up the representation and
petition of the commanding officers of his Majesty’s provincial
regiments in North America, and having been desired by them to
solicit for them in this country, that the prayer of their petition
be granted, I take the liberty of troubling your Lordship upon that
subject.

‘The situation of the provincial officers, particularly such of
them as are natives or were formerly inhabitants of the American
colonies, is truly distressing. Having sacrificed their property
and all their expectations from their rank and connections in civil
society, and being now cut off from all hope of returning to their
former homes by the articles of the peace, they have no hope left
but in the justice and the humanity of the British nation.

‘I will not trouble your Lordship with an account either of
their services or their sufferings; their merit, as well as their
misfortunes, are known to the whole world, and I believe their
claim upon the humanity and upon the justice of this country will
not be disputed.

‘They have stated their situation in a strong but at the same
time in a most respectful manner in their representation, which
I am informed has been transmitted to his Majesty’s Secretary of
State by Sir Guy Carleton, and strongly recommended. As they are
extremely anxious to know their fate, I am to request of your
Lordship that I may be informed whether any and what resolutions
have been taken relative to their petition, and whether their
claims of permanent rank in America and half-pay upon the reduction
of their regiments will meet with the countenance and support of
his Majesty’s ministers.

‘I know your Lordship will excuse the liberty I take in troubling
you upon this occasion, particularly as you will see by the
enclosed extract of a letter I have just received from New York how
anxious the provincial officers are, and how much they expect that
I should exert myself in their behalf.

‘If your Lordship should wish for any further information
respecting the provincial troops, I will do myself the honour of
attending you at any time you may appoint.

‘Enclosed I have the honour to transmit to your Lordship two
memorials, one from the Muster-Master General of his Majesty’s
Provincial Forces in North America, the other from his deputy. I
know them both to be very deserving of the favour and protection
of Government. The former, Colonel Winslow, signed the general
representation in behalf of the Provincial Line, and of course was
included in Sir Guy Carleton’s recommendation. As his is a military
appointment by commission from the Commander-in-Chief in America,
as well as that of the Inspector General of the Provincial Forces,
I should suppose they would both be included with their deputies,
should half-pay be given to the provincial officers in general.

‘I have the honour to be, with the greatest respect, my Lord, your
Lordship’s most obedient and most humble servant,

‘B. THOMPSON.’

In three days Lord North wrote to Sir Guy Carleton to approve of his recommendation (made nine months previously) of permanent rank and half-pay for the officers of the King’s American Dragoons, and in a week he wrote another despatch, to say that his Majesty was extremely disposed to show every possible attention to the remaining provincial corps, although they may not have literally complied with the engagements which entitled them to rank and half-pay, and he made known his Majesty’s gracious intention that all the provincial regiments should be disbanded at Halifax. On the 27th of June Parliament voted half-pay to the officers of the different corps which in the course of the year had been raised in America. Colonel Thompson then wrote to Sir Guy Carleton:

‘Pall Mall Court, July 6, 1783.

‘SIR,--I beg leave to congratulate with your Excellency upon an
event which I am confident will afford you great satisfaction--the
resolution of Parliament to give half-pay to the provincial
officers. We all feel ourselves under infinite obligations to
your Excellency upon this occasion. As you have had the goodness
to interest yourself so much in our behalf, I think it my duty to
acquaint your Excellency with all the steps I have taken in this
country relative to the provincial business since my arrival from
New York.

‘Soon after my arrival in London, finding the session of Parliament
drawing near to a conclusion, and that no resolution had been
taken by his Majesty’s ministers relative to the memorial of the
provincial officers recommended by your Excellency, I took the
liberty of writing a letter to Lord North upon the subject (copy
of which is enclosed) and made personal applications to General
Conway, Lord Sheffield, and other gentlemen of the House of
Commons, who assisted in bringing the business forward.

‘I then, at Lord North’s desire, set about to prepare estimates
of the expense of half-pay for the provincial officers with other
information relative to that matter, copies of which I put into the
hands of General Conway and Lord Sheffield, who both interested
themselves very warmly in our behalf.

‘Enclosed I have the honour to transmit to your Excellency for
your information copies of all the papers I took the liberty of
laying before Lord North. I earnestly hope they will meet with your
approbation, but if I have made any mistakes, your Excellency,
being fully acquainted with what I have done, will have it in your
power to rectify them.

‘The paper No. 1 contains copies of all the letters between
the Secretary of State and the Commander-in-Chief in North
America relative the provincial corps; to which are added a few
observations and a copy of the memorial of commanding officers of
provincial regiments. No. 2 is a list of the provincial corps in
North America, which was made out from your Excellency’s return
of the army under your command, dated New York, April 11, 1783.
The establishment of the officers of the different corps were
taken principally from the printed list of the provincial army
published at New York this year. Your Excellency will observe that
in this list, as well as in the list No. 3, there is a colonel and
a lieutenant-colonel put down to the King’s American Dragoons.
This was done with the knowledge and consent of Lord North and
General Conway, and upon this ground: Being disappointed of
getting my regiment put upon the British establishment, I took the
liberty of soliciting the rank of Colonel of the King’s American
Dragoons, and that Major Murray might be promoted to the rank of
lieutenant-colonel of the same; which request I flattered myself
would not be thought unreasonable, as it was originally intended
that there should be a colonel and a lieutenant-colonel to the
regiment, and as your Excellency had given me reason to hope that
you would have honoured me with the provincial rank of colonel had
I embarked for the West Indies with the corps to the command of
which you had appointed me.

‘I took the liberty of writing to your Excellency upon the subject
by the last packet, since which his Majesty has been graciously
pleased to approve of the King’s American Dragoons having the
full establishment of field officers, as was originally intended,
and that I should be promoted to the rank of colonel. I cannot
help flattering myself that this arrangement will be agreeable to
your Excellency, and that I shall be returned in your list of the
provincial officers for half-pay as colonel.

‘The rank to me is of infinite importance, as I am going abroad in
a short time with a view to foreign service; but the half-pay is
also an object, as I have little else left to depend on except my
industry.

‘The paper No. 3 will explain itself. I wished much that the House
of Commons would have voted the full or complete establishment
of the different corps, but Lord North seemed very desirous of
bringing the sum wanted for the provincial staff pay as low as
possible, that it might pass the easier. With that view the
calculation of the savings of part of the chaplain’s half-pay,
the adjutants, quarter-masters, &c., were made. But all these
regulations will depend entirely upon your Excellency. Whatever
you think right I am confident will be done without any kind of
objection or difficulty.

‘As it was impossible to lay correct estimates before the House
at the time, none of the corps have been voted specifically, but
their claim to half-pay in general is substantiated by the vote of
a certain sum _on account of half-pay_, and so the matter must rest
till your Excellency can furnish his Majesty’s ministers with such
returns of the different provincial regiments and corps as may be
proper to lay before Parliament.

‘I hope your Excellency will approve of my having made no separate
claim or interest between the three provincial corps that are
established with permanent rank (of which the King’s American
Dragoons is one) and the rest. I thought it would have a better
appearance if we were all unanimous, and would be more pleasing to
the rest of the corps that we should take our chance in common with
them and stand or fall together. At the end of the paper No. 3 your
Excellency will observe that Major Rooke is returned for half-pay
as Deputy Inspector General of Provincial Forces. This was done at
the desire of Colonel Innes, who arrived in London after all the
papers were prepared. I know nothing of Major Rookes’ pretensions,
and therefore cannot answer for the propriety of his being
included for half-pay, but, as it is a matter that must finally
be determined by your Excellency, I am sure nothing but what is
perfectly right will be done respecting it.

‘In the vote of the House of Commons no mention is made of half-pay
for the Muster-Master General or his deputies; but it is by no
means intended to exclude them, and, if your Excellency returns
their names, the vote for their half-pay will pass of course.
I have spoken to Lord North upon the subject, and he thinks it
perfectly right that they should be included, as also Mr. Bridgham,
Colonel Innes’ deputy.

‘With regard to the _seconded_ provincial officers who are
mentioned in the memorandums contained in the papers No. 4 both
General Conway and Lord Sheffield strongly advised against
bringing their claims before Parliament at the same time with
the application of the officers of the provincial corps, as the
largeness of the sum wanted for the whole might prevent our
success, whereas, if what we then asked should be granted, it
would strengthen the claim of the _seconded_ officers, and their
application would afterwards be brought before Parliament with
greater propriety and with a much better prospect of success. I
conceal no part of the transaction from your Excellency, and I hope
what I have done will meet with your approbation. I am certain that
the motives which induced me to take the steps I have followed
in the prosecution of this business are such as cannot fail to
be approved by your Excellency. I have been indefatigable in my
endeavours to carry what I thought your wishes respecting the
provincials into execution, and if what I have done meets with your
approbation and with the approbation of my deserving countrymen,
in whose behalf you have so generously and so nobly interested
yourself, I shall amply be repaid for all the trouble and anxiety I
have had in the course of my solicitations.

‘I have the honour to be, with the greatest respect, and with
unfeigned gratitude for all your goodness to me, Sir, your
Excellency’s most obedient and most faithful Servant,

‘B. THOMPSON.

‘His Excellency Sir Guy Carleton, K.B.’

On the 8th of August, 1783, Lord North wrote to Sir Guy Carleton:

‘Lieutenant-Colonel Thompson having been particularly distinguished
by you in the appointment to the command of the corps of provincial
troops intended to be sent upon service in the West Indies (which
corps, had it embarked, would, agreeably to the King’s commands
signified by the late Secretary of State in his letter of the 3rd
of January last, have been placed upon the British establishment),
and as it appears by your letter of the 15th of June that his
conduct has met with your full approbation, and that you consider
him to be an officer possessing an uncommon share of merit in his
profession, the King for these reasons has consented to his being
appointed by commission from you Colonel of the King’s American
Dragoons upon the American provincial establishment.’

Sir Guy Carleton wrote to Colonel Thompson:

‘New York, October 10, 1783.

‘SIR,--I have received your letter of July 6, with the several
enclosures therein mentioned, and you may be assured that the
resolution of Parliament to give the British-American officers
half-pay (with which also I find they will all have permanent rank
in America) affords me a very sincere satisfaction. Your zeal and
assiduity on this occasion appear to have been such as your friends
might have expected, and I am sensible of your attention to me in
writing so fully on the subject.

‘The American officers have, in my opinion, so fair a claim to
half-pay that I hope the grant will finally be made for the
full establishment of their several regiments without the least
exception.’