[Philadelphia] August 12th. 1778
Sir
You are hereby directed forthwith to send into New York an equal Number of British Seamen Prisoners of war to the United States, to those of American seamen lately Sent out from thence by Admiral Gambier; or that may hereafter be sent out agreeably to the tenor of our proposition, which was to return an equal number of Prisoners of the same Rank and condition— making a distinction between men and Boys, Sick and well.1
Mr. Barney 2nd Lieutenant of the Continental frigate Virginia and Lieutenant Pownal of Marines of the Said Frigate having come from New York,2 It is our desire that you send in Exchange for them the Second Lieutenant of the British frigate Mermaid and the first Lieutenant of Marines belonging to said frigate who are in captivity at this place.3
You will please to Observe that British seamen taken by the French and now Prisoners within these States are not to be exchanged by you. We are [&c.]
LB, DNA, PCC, Miscellaneous Papers, Marine Committee Letter Book, p. 170 (M332, roll 6). Addressed at opening: “John Beatty Esqr./Comy Genl. of Prisoners.”
1. Beatty discussed the proposal of Adm. James Gambier in a letter to George Washington of 31 July. “In a Letter from the Marine Committe of Congress, I was Authorized to Inform Admiral Gambier that his proposition relative to the Exchange of Marine Prisoners was Acceeded to by Congress—binding themselves to return a like number in our possession with as little delay as possible—I have wrote Admiral Gambier Yesterday acquainting him that I shall attend at Elizabeth-Town Tomorrow there to receive and give him Credit for whatever number of Prisoners he shall deliver over—Pledging the Public Faith of these States for an equal return.” G.W. Papers, Rev. War Series 16:204–5.
2. That is, Lt. Joshua Barney and Marine Lt. Samuel Pownal.
3. That is, Lt. Thomas Dickinson and Marine Lt. Watkin Tench.
