Providence Octr. 1, 1776
Sir
On my Jorney homward, at a Town called Millstone in Somersett County in the Jerseys, I found confined their, a strange groupe of about fourteen Prisoners, four of which belong to New England, and had been taken at different times by British Cruisers, and carrid to Hallifax, and having no other means to get Home, ships themselves on Board some small Transpot Vessells bound to New Yorke, wheer they weir to be discharged. Four more of them are French Subjects taken in the same manner on this Coast and carrid also to Hallifax, and weir returning in like manner in Order to get Home, one of them is a Boy of eleven years of age belonging to Halifax, the Remaindr British Seamen. I promised these Prisoners that I would write to the Board of War concerning them, in order to procure their Release, or at least the Liberation of the New England men and French men, and I wish you to use your Influence for that purpose. I Remain your Friend
Step Hopkins
To John Adams Esqr Chairman to the Board of War
1. Papers CC (Letters addressed to Congress), 78, XI, 101, NA.
