Sir

By the Cartel under the direction of L^t. Brown I have in your absence received a Letter from M^r. Step^n. Hopkins dated the 19^th ins^t. with Sixty nine Prisoners belonging to His Majestys Ships the Syren and Juno, and a small Schooner belonging to Newport,¹ I have sent in return all the Americans here, who were taken in Armed Vessels amounting to Forty three, and Eleven who were taken in Traders, I have wrote to Halifax and New York for the Persons desired, and also for a Number of Americans taken in Arms which I judge will be more than sufficient to complete the Exchange of all the British Subjects in your Possession I have sent for the Lieutenant's Adam William Thaxter & Esek Hopkins Jun^r., as they were Lieutenants of a Contineltal Sloop² they cannot according to agreement be deemed proper Persons to Exchange for M^r. Vaughan (Midshipman)³ and M^r. Backhouse Purser of the Syren.⁴ the latter is a Warrant Officer, and the former tho' he Acted as a Lieutenant for the time being, cannot be allowed that Rank, not having even an Order from me to Act as such. However I shall not object to the Exchanging of Silas Howel Capt^n. and Benj. Tucker 1^st. Lieu^t. of the Warren Privateer⁵ for M^r. Vaughan & M^r. Backhouse—Tho^s. Saunders the 2^d Lieu^t. of the Warren and William Wise Gunner of Her, and Penn Townsend Prize Master of the Oliver Cromwell,⁶ may be, if you approve—Exchanged for the Gunner.⁷ Surgeon⁸ and One of the Petty Officers of the Syren. I shall be obliged to you if you will send by the next Cartel Barnaby Hardwright & Tho^s. Hutchinson Seamen belonging to the Diamond who were taken Off Prudence Island about the beginning of last August

I have spoken to Gen^l. Pigot who writes by the Cartel about Sam^l. Buffum—I am [&c.]