The American Commissioners to Sartine
AL (draft): American Philosophical Society
Passy, Aug. 18. 1778
Sir,

The Administration in England have agreed to an Exchange of Prisoners with us, and propose that it shall be made at Calais. They will accordingly furnish us with a Pasport for a Vessel to bring the Prisoners from Brest to Calais, if we procure a similar one for their Vessel which is to bring the Prisoners from England. As our People may languish in their Confinement, and when recover’d, may be of Use to Capt. Jones, or in some other Enterprise, we wish the Exchange may be made as soon as possible, and therefore request your Excellency would take the Affair into Consideration, and afford us your Advice and Determination upon it. We are, with the greatest Esteem and Respect, Your Excellency’s most obedient and most humble Servants

His Excy M. de Sartine
Notation by Arthur Lee: The Minister has already agreed to give a Passport for the english vessel whenever we inform him it is necessary for Brest and therefore I presume he will have no objection to give it for Calais. Notation by Franklin: Rough To M. Sartine Passport
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