State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations

Sir,

Providence Novemr 12th 1776.

In Consequence of a Proposal from Capt Furneaux of his Britannick Majesty's Ship Syren the General Assembly have requested me to send to New Shoreham Two Masters of Vessels, Five Mates, and Twenty four Seamen who have been captured and brought into this State to be exchanged for an equal Number of Prisoners of the same Rank belonging to the United States. I have therefore caused Two Masters, Five Mates, Twenty Seamen and One Corporal to be put on board the Sloop Diamond Thomas Lawton Master, and appointed you to proceed with them in the said Sloop to manage the said Exchange, and do direct you to proceed in said Sloop with said Prisoners with all possible Expedition to the said Island. If you find Capt. Furneaux there you will immediately deliver him my Letter and the said Prisoners and make the Exchange in the following Manner. You are to receive One Master Three Mates and Twenty Seamen belonging to the United States who are now Prisoners on board his ship.

Capt. James Smith who with James Hill and Thomas Simpson his Two Mates was taken in the Ship Irwin which was retaken by the People and carried to New York having given me his Parole to endeavour to procure in Exchange for him and his Two Mates the Releasement of Levi Rounds, ,William Walker, John Wilbur, Thomas Longmore and John Lyon common Seamen who were put on board the Irwin when she was taken; and a Permit for them to return Home; and accordingly the said James Smith, James Hill and Thomas Simpson are to be considered as exchanged for the said Levi Rounds, William Walker, John Wilbur, Thomas Longmore, & John Lyon. I have also written to Capt. Furneaux ² that if he should think proper to send me the Remainder of the Prisoners in his Possession I will faithfully as soon as it is in my Power send an eq~-al Number of British Prisoners of the same Rank to Block Island in Return for them; You will therefore endeavour to effect their Releasement upon that Condition

In Case of Capt. Furneaux's Absence you are to deliver my Letter, and the said Prisoners to the Captain of the First British Ship of War which shall arrive there, taking his Receipt for them and writing to Capt. Furneaux an Account of your Proceedings, and return and make Report to me. I not doubting but Captn Furneaux will immediately upon his Arrival return an equal Number of Prisoners agreeable to his Proposals. I am, Sir [&c.]