The American Commissioners to David Hartley
ALS (draft): Library of Congress; copy: Massachusetts Historical
Society; copy and transcript: Library of Congress; two copies:
National Archives
<Passy, June 16, 1778: I received yours of the 5th, informing
us that the government has agreed to an exchange of prisoners,
and we have written Captain Jones for the list; it contains,
I understand, at least two hundred men. We expect ours to be
taken from those longest confined in Forton and Plymouth, in
proportion to the numbers in each; this will allay all suspicion
that you pick our worst and weakest in return for your good
ones. If you think proper to empty your prisons, we will solemnly
promise to make up the extra number from your sailors
captured in America. We shall distinguish in our list those in
the navy and merchant seamen, so that you may do the same;
our navy men would be uneasy if civilians were taken first.
To avoid marching your men to Calais we shall try to get
permission for your ship to enter Brest, and otherwise shall
ask your Admiralty for safe passage to carry them by sea to
Calais. Please tranfer any men confined on warships to your
prisons, so that they may take their chances with the rest.>
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