(Copy)
Sir/

A Vessell of War, belonging to this State, lately after a short Engage­ment took and brought into Port, the Armed Brigantine Judith Alvara Lofthouse Master bound from London to St Augustine. She had on board Passengers, who write to you and their Friends by this Conveyance. I should have suffered them to proceed immediately to the place of their destination, had I not been informed, that you detain several Gentlemen Inhabitants of this State, who arrived some time ago in the Betty and Jenny, Thompson Master at St Augustine, having taken passage in that Vessell as the readiest way of geting from London hither, and I am the more inclined to believe this information as Mr and Mrs Logan under the like Circumstances experienced the same Treatment. I cannot conceive that Persons in such a Situation can with any kind of Justice or Propriety be deemed Prisoners of War; However waiving that Point for the present I am ready to Exchange any of Lofthouses Passengers, for an equal number of the Gentlemen, In­habitants of this State, Thompsons Passengers, who are at St Augustine, and for Messrs John Freeman and William Wescoat if they are still there, so that if you think proper to send them, or let them come hither, you may on their arrival here have in Exchange, on sending for them, or they will be permitted to go, as many of Lofthouses Passengers, as may be equal in num­ber to them, and any Vesell, which you send for them, may have a Pass from me to secure her from Capture.

Some time ago the Brigt: Defence belonging to this State was taken by the Perseus and Roebuck; Our Delegates in Congress informed me, that they would endeavour to effect an Exchange of her Captain Pickering, but I do not find this has been obtained, and we have accounts of his having been very ill used. I have therefore ordered Captain Lofthouse into Confinement and shall keep him in it untill Captain Pickering is Exchanged for him, which I suppose may soon be done upon your Application to Lord Howe.

Admitting the Enemy to be void of Humanity (and they have after shewn that they are) I should imagine that motives of Policy, the Appre­hension of Retaliation, and the example of Treatment to our Prisoners would induce them to shew a different kind to theirs, but I have heard that Captain Engs of the Franklin lately taken off this Bar, and his Crew are confined in a Dungeon at St Augustine. I desire to know the Truth of this, and shall therefore expect, that you will allow the Bearer, Mr Cross, to see, and converse with Captain Engs, and his People (in presence of who you please), that on his Return he may acquaint me, what usage they say they have received, otherwise I shall conclude that this information is true. It is time that Retaliation should take place for tho' to inflict Punishment is a disagreeable Act, Justice to our People, who suffer demands it. The Treat­ment of Captain Lofthouse his Officers and Crew will therefore depend upon that, which Captain Engs and his people have received, unless Captain Pickering shall suffer any Cruelties or Indignities, in which case (altho' Engs and his Crew may not have been ill treated) the same shall be retaliated on Lofthouse.

Some time ago one Wharton an Augustine Pilot taken in the Ship Clarissa — Bisell Master, and brought to this State was permitted to be at large in the Town on Parole, but shamefully broke it, and run away, it is presumed that he is returned to St Augustine, in which Case I have a right to demand him of You. I therefore desire to know whether he is in East Florida or not, if he is there must insist that he be sent back hither.

I doubt not that due attention will be paid to the Flag, which carries these dispatches, and am, Sir [&c.]

P.S. There were several Letters for you and others in East Florida on board of Lofthouse, which may be forwarded, if a proper Conveyance should offer.²