My Lords,

Having laid before the King Your Lordship's Letter of the 17th Instant, in dosing Copy of a Letter from Vice Admiral Sir James Douglas, stating his Proceedings in regard to the Prisoners brought home in the Tartar Man of War, and the Desire of all the private Men to return to their Allegiance and engage in His Majesty's Service; His Majesty, whose Magnanimity is only equalled by His Clemency, commands me to acquaint Your Lordships, that His Majesty very much approves the humane & prudent Treatment which the Vice Admiral has shewn to those Prisoners, and to signify to Your Lordships His Majesty's most gracious Acceptance of the Offer of those deluded Persons to return to their Allegiance, and His Royal Permission to be received into His Majesty's Service on board his Fleet; and Your Lordships will give the necessary Directions to Sir James Douglass, for entering and distributing them on board His Majesty's Ships, in such manner as Your Lordships shall think fit.