Head Quarters, Morris Town, February 5, 1777.
[Extract]
I perfectly agree in Sentiment with you, that it would be better for every Suspicious and dangerous person to be in New York, for which reason you have liberty to send in Capt. [William] Jones in exchange for Capt. [William] Hallock 2 . . . If there are any others taken in Merchantmen that are not held as Prisoners of War, use your own discretion, only endeavour if you can, to procure the liberty of Masters of Ships or others under the same Circumstances.
1. Fitzpatrick, ed., Writings of Washington, VII, 107-08.
2. Jones had been commander of H.M. Sloop Racehorse, and Hallock of the Continental brig Lexington.
