The American Commissioners to Sartine
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; two copies: National
Archives
<Passy, November 5, 1778: We received your letter of the fifth
of this month, but since the memoir concerning the French
surgeon was omitted, we cannot give you an adequate answer.
The United States has no official policy for prisoners in England.
We have loaned small sums to those who have escaped
English captivity to cover their expenses to French seaports.
Except for modest funds put at Mr. Hartley’s disposal, we have
sent no direct relief to those in England. We consider Frenchmen
taken by the English on American ships as entitled to the
same assistance as American-born seamen.>
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