Council Chamber Boston Novr: 28th. 1777—
State of Massachusetts Bay— Sir,
A great Number of Men, between three and four Hundred that belonged to the Frigates Hancock and Boston, and to some other Armed Vessels that Sailed out of this State, are Prisoners of War at Halifax, it is highly Probable some of them were Inhabitants of the State of Rhode Island as well as of this State; Sir George Collier has lately Signified that he is Willing to Exchange them for a Number of their Men Prisoners among us, We find we have not near a Sufficient Number with us to Redeem those at Halifax, we have been Informed that You have in your State a Considerable number of their Men lately taken in the Syrene,1 we therefore Request that you would inform us whether You can spare us a Number of their Men for this Purpose, and if You can how many & whether they can be sent to Boston in order to be sent to Halifax to make the Exchange, Please to favour us with an Answer as soon as Possible.—In the Name and Behalf of the Council I am [&c.]
Jer: Powell Presidt
L, R-Ar, Letters to the Governor (1777-1778), vol. 11, 88. Addressed: "(On Public Service)/His Excellency Nicholas Cooke Esquire/Governor of the State Rhode Island &c/Providence." Docketed: "Jer. Powell Esq/Novr: 28h: 1777."
1. The number of officers and crew of H.M.S. Syren amounted to 136, of which 69 had already been exchanged.
