The American Commissioners to Daniel McNeill
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; two copies: National Archives
<Passy, October 27, 1778: We received yours of October 12
concerning your prisoners. On the basis of the King’s regulations
on prizes and prisoners, published at the same time, we
assumed no special ministerial order was necessary and that
officers in the ports were instructed to secure prisoners as provided
in articles 7 and 15. Moylan’s letter of October 21 describes
your difficulty. We shall apply to the minister at once
for the necessary orders. Meanwhile secure the prisoners carefully
as we anticipate an exchange. If you must sail before
orders arrive, assure the port officers that we shall defray their
expences in securing the prisoners. You are right to insist on a
judicial decision about your prize.>
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