The American Commissioners to Sartine
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; two copies: National
Archives
<Passy, July 16, 1778: We shall take the first opportunity to
send to Congress and the government of Massachusetts your
letter of the 14th; it will, we are confident, lead to exertions
for the relief of the islanders. Success is undoubted if British
warships are withdrawn from the area; if not the difficulty will
be great.
The enclosed letter from Mr. Schweighauser will show the
troubles with prizes that still plague our frigates; please give
orders for their relief. We also ask that British prisoners already
or subsequently captured by our ships be confined in
your jails at our expense, until we either exchange them or
send them to America.>
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