Chatham Rhode Island the 6th Augt 1777
Sir
The Admiral Sir Petr Parker hath received your Letter of the 26th past, and has directed me to send in exchange for the British Prisoners you sent to Rhode Island, the like number of American Prisoners, agreeable to the List Inclosed 2 — and which comprehends only those People who may have been taken in Arm'd, or Trading Vessels — Those who are permittedto retire on their private Affairs, are never consider'd under the description of Persons to be exchanged by Cartel, and numbers in that situation have been permitted to retire to the Main from Rhode Island. — Two of the Prisoners sent from Boston being Soldiers, General Pigott has given a Receipt for them & hath exchanged two People taken in Arms, the Rect is herewith inclosed — I am Sir [&c.]
Jno Read Commissy For Exchange of Prisoners
1. Mass.Arch., vol. 197, 406.
2. The list of Americans consists of forty-nine names with no designation of rank or rating. List of British prisoners identifies them as masters, supercargoes, merchants, mates and seamen, and that they were received by "Schooner Speedwell A Cartel from Boston under the direction of Captn Josiah Godfrey for which the like number of Americans are exchanged at Rhode Island the 6 August 1777." Mass.Arch., vol. 197, 408.
