The American Commissioners to Sartine
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society, two copies: National
Archives
<Passy, May 14, 1778: American warships have hitherto taken
between four and five hundred prisoners, who were released
because we could not confine them in France. Now Capt. Jones
has brought into Brest nearly two hundred, whom we should
gladly exchange for our seamen in England, but who we fear
will be released in turn. We have found legal opinion that release
is not mandatory, and we should welcome your advice
on whether there is any way to retain these prisoners until
they can be exchanged for ours.>
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