[Boston] Wednesday April 9th 1777
Instructions for Captain John Glover Appointed to negotiate the Exchange of Prisoners
1st You are to hoist a White Flagg at the Mast head of the Sloop [blank] and to continue it abroad night and Day, untill you return to this Place.
2d You are to be particularly careful that no Cannon, Musquet, Pistol or Fire Arms of any kind, be recd on board the Vessel, while she is considered as a Cartel, a Violation of this Order may possibly occasion the Detention of the Sloop, and furnish a pretence of doing an Act of Violence, under the Assertion that the Vessel is fitted for War.
3dly All Prisoners are to be Victualled at two thirds Allowance.
4th A Quiet peaceable Demeanour towards the Prisoners is particularly recommended, and to avoid all Dissentions on board you are directed not to make the Present unhappy dispute the Subject of your Conversation with them.
5thly It will be deficient on many Accounts to lay down the exact mode you are to follow in the Exchange, That must be left to your own Judgement observing this that the Prisoners are to be Exchanged for a like Number of Persons belonging to the New England States, giving the preference however to those of this State if to be had, if not to any other of the American States, who are Prisoners under the directions of Sir George Collier.
6thly You are to make all the Dispatch, that the Nature of the Service will permit in returning to this Port, with those Subjects of the United States of America, whom you may receive in exchange, and have a written Certificate from the Commissary or other Officer appointed to Conduct the Exchange of Prisoners.
7thly On your Arrival at Halifax you are forthwith to Apply to Sir George Collier or other proper Officer and deliver the Letter herewith delivered you, directed to him and exhibit a Copy of your Instructions and also a list of your Prisoners to the End they may be exchanged as above.
To Capt John Glover,
Sir You are hereby directed to take Charge of the Sloop a Cartel fitted out by this State, and with the said Sloop, proceed immediately to Halifax and there deliver such Prisoners as you carry down there, to Sir George Collier or some person appointed by him as Commissary with whom you are authorized to Negotiate the Exchange. And you are directed if possible to procure the releasement of as many American Prisoners as you carry ¢own British and also for those discharged here and permitted to Depart this State with Captain [John] Jones agreeable to their written request now delivered You. And also for the Crew of the Milfords Tender and others sent at the same time from the State of New Hampshire to Rhode Island in Number about Fifty: and for about Sixty others discharged from Plymouth, and permitted to go to Ireland under the care of Captain John McDonnell.
For these You are directed to take in Exchange if possible Capts Burk [William Burke], Samson, Hatch and Parsons, with as many of their Officers and Seamen as You can Procure or any others belonging to the United States and this State in Particular, as may be offered You.
You will observe and follow as near as may be the Instructions given you by the Council of this State, and in all respects conduct yourself prudently, using the greatest Oeconomy and Dispatch.