Capt Ayres

Sr You are to proceed immediately to Providence with the Prisoners under your Care and deliver the letter regarding them to Governor Cook who will furnish you with a Cartel Vessel in [which] you are to proceed to Newport with the Prisoners deliver the Letter to Sir Peter Parker or the Commanding Officer of the Fleet at Newport and if he shall receive the prisoners you will take a receipt for them with their rank and Condition If Governor Cook should make any difficulty with repect to a Vessel you are to t_ake up one upon the best terms you can at the Charge of this State. And in Case the Commanding Officer at Newport shall not think proper to receive the prisoners you will proceed with them to New York deliver Lord Howe the letter directed to him And observe the Instructions given you by Council the 3d instant in all which you will observe the greatest Oeconomy & dispatch —

Sir Peter Parker or the Commander of his Majesty's Ships at Newport.

Sir Agreeable to a Cartel settled sometime since for the Exchange of Seamen We have sent to Rhode Island by Capt Ayres Prisoners taken by the Alfred Frigate belonging to the United States and Commanded by John Paul Jones they were intended to have been sent to New York from hence and Cartel Vessels were accordingly provided but such was the refractory disposition of the Men and their unwillingness to go to New York that it was judged unsafe to send them that way. We therefore have given orders that they should march to Providence where they are to embark for Newport & delivered to you. You will please to give Capt Ayres a receipt for them mentioning their rank and Condition that he may proceed with it to New York and procure a like number of our People but in case you should judge it most expedient for the Cartel Vessel to proceed with the prisoners to New York it may be needful that one of your Armed Vessels should escort her to prevent their escape — In the name & behalf of the Council of the State of Massachusetts Bay — I have the honor to be &c