Captain Parker, acting Engineer, Captain Blair of the Guides, Captain Agnew and Chaplain Agnew of the Queen’s Rangers, were taken Prisoners in the Romulus Man of War, the beginning of April 1781. and carried into Rhode Island where the French Fleet lay, under the Command of count de Barroas. Other officers taken by the French Fleet before and at the same time were sent into New York, exchanged and on Parole, but these Gentlemen, by Letters I received from Monsr. de Granchein, Major d’Escadu to that Fleet were sent to Europe. Many Letters passed between Us on this Occasion, and it now appears by some from Captain Agnew to Colonel S Simcoe, and Chaplain Agnew to his Wife, that they were put on board the Hermione Frigate at Rhode Island and sent to Boston, from thence on board La Concorde and sent to St. Domingo, where they were landed and kept in close Confinement for four Months; they were again embarked in different Vessels and sent to Brest, where they arrived the 6th. December and were immediately landed and confined, from thence sent to Dinan Castle, and finally to St. Maloe’s Castle, where they remained the 26th. of February last, and were considered as Prisoners of State to France.

Whatever reasons may be assigned for the Treatment of these Gentlemen, the real one, I believe, proceeded from Mr. Washington paying a Visit to the French Fleet at Rhode Island, just at the time of their Capture, and as some of them had been personally acquainted with him, and Known to be firm, active Loyalists, and very useful Men to Us during the operations of the War in Virginia, he no doubt has been the Cause of their Sufferings and Misfortunes. Representation from Joshua Loring Esqr. Commissary of Prisoners, of the Treatment of the officers taken on board the Romulus, by the French. In Mr. Nepean’s Letter 23d November 1782.