[M^r King to Count Rumford] London Sep^r 8. 1799 Dear Sir I have more than once expressed to you my 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 & advice might be of great advantage to our public Institutions, 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, & it affords me peculiar satisfaction to execute the orders that I have received from my Gov^t to invite you in its name to return & reside among us, & 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, & we wish to commit the formation 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 explained by a reference to the laws upon which it depends; these are in my possession, & shall be put into your hands if you desire it. — In addition to the superintendance of the Military Academy, I am authorised to offer you the appointment of Inspector General of the Artillery of the United States; and we shall moreover be disposed to give to you such rank & emoluments, consistent with existing provisions, & with what has already been settled upon the former of these heads, as would be likely to afford you satisfaction & to secure to us the advantages of your Services. 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 fix the more particular applications upon the Subject. — With the greatest Consideration I have the honor to be &c signed R King