New London Octo 16 1777
Sir
By the directions I have received from His Excellency Governor Trumbull for the Exchange of Prisoners, I now lnclose you a List of Forty Five British Prisoners lately Captured & brought into this State. In return for them you'l please to send to this Port an equal number of American Seamen Prisoners with you of the Same Rank, near as may be in Exchange. Should take it as a favour and shall expect that you give me in return Connecticut men. The bearer hereof Nicholas Fosdick who is impower'd and Instructed to negotiate an Exchange of these Prisoners, will present you with a List of Names which he is desirous to get in return. As there is but Fourteen of the above Prisoners that was taken in the Merchant Service and as I have requested that I might have Men that belonged to the State of Connecticut, (taking it for granted that we have not so many men taken in arms) that you will make up the difference in Merchant Men, and acknowledge it, that we may hereafter exchange British Merchant-Men for Americans that are taken in Commission Vessells.
For fear this Flag should be stopped by some of His Brittanac Majestys Crusers on the Sound from proceeding to New York (as has been the case)1 I have inclosed a Coppy of the List of Men which we would have in return & the remainder in any Connecticut Men as mentioned above. I shall rely upon your endeavours to get these Men, as some of them have been Prisoners a long Time.
One Alexd Clark Sergt in Capt Miles Co. third Battalion was last July sent to N York, to be exchanged for Thos Updike Fosdick Ensign in Capt Hales Co. now prisoner at New Lotts on Long Island, which if not effected, should be glad might be accomplished & he sent up in this Flag.
By the permission of His Excellency Jonathan Trumbull Esqr. Governor of the State of Connecticut, I would propose an Exchange of Capt Judd2 of ye Antelope & Capt Flyn3 of the Weymouth-Packet, lately Captured and brought into this State, for Capt Manly4 of ye Hancock & Capt Thomas Pickering of the brig Defiance5 Prisoners, with you, which if you agree to on your part, will be comply'd with on ours. You'l please to let me know. I am [&c.]
Thos Shaw Commissy. for the Exchange of Prisoners.
Copy, Ct,Jonathan Trumbull Papers, vol. 7, 124a-b. Addressed below close: "To Joshua Loring Esqr. Commissy./for the Exchange of Prisoners/att/New York."
1. The cartel sloop Delight was forced on shore at Crane Neck, Long Island, on 16 Oct. and was seized by the prisoners. See Captain's Journal of H.M. sloop Falcon, 16 Oct., above, and Connecticut Gazette, 24 Oct., below.
2. Capt. William Judd, R.N.
3. Capt. Paul Flyn.
4. Capt. John Manley, Continental Navy.
5. South Carolina Navy brigantine Defence.
