Whereas an Act of the Parliament of Great Britain has been lately passed, for the Exchange of American Prisoners, and in pursuance thereof sundry Vessels are by that Government engaged as Transports to convey to America those Prisoners of War who have been confined in the Goals of England and Ireland; of which Vessels the is one, commanded by mounting Guns, navigated by Men, and bound for the Port of in
This is therefore to require of you, or any of you who may happen to meet with the said Vessel either in her Voyage from England to America, or in her Passage from thence to any Port in the British Dominions, that you do not detain or molest her, or suffer any Injury to be done to her or to the People belonging to her, or to their Effects, but that on the contrary you afford the said Vessel and People belonging to her every friendly Aid or Assistance she may stand in need of. And the same is requested of the armed Vessels belonging to any of the Allies or Friends of the said United States.
Given at Passy, this Day of 1782.