I cannot imagine what has prevented my hearing from you
for these two month relating to the Cartel. I therefore send you
a copy of a letter from the board of Sick & Hurt to me of Novr
15 1779 wch is the place where we left off & where we stick
now.
[The following text is omitted in the printed edition:]
Mr. Bell having communicated to us the letters you was pleased
to write to him upon the Subject of the further Exchange of
American prisoners we laid the matter before the Lords
Commissioners of the Admiralty, and have their Lordships’
directions for making an Exchange of all the American prisoners in
England, and we shall take measures accordingly for doing the
business as speedily as possible; and in order to facilitate it we
are to request you will be pleased to negotiate the matter for us
with Dr. Franklin, to procure information of the precise number of
English Prisoners in France to cause them to be assembled at or
near Morlaix; for our being furnished with another pass as we
propose to send one vessel from Plymouth where there are 169
Prisoners and another from Portsmouth where there are about 221
Prisoners. And we shall be farther obliged by your procuring us
the name of the agent at Morlaix with whom the Exchange is to be
transacted. We are not yet enabled to answer the other points. We
are &c
[The printed edition continues with the following text:]
I wish I cd expedite things but it is not in my power. You see
where the matter has been Stopt these two Months. I am Dr Sir
Yrs &c