Sir

Having been appointed Commissary for Prisoners in this Department, I am in the absence of Sir Peter Parker to acknowledge the Receipt of your Letter of the 13^th: Inst: relative to the Prisoners wrote for from Halifax and the Release of Mess^rs: M^c: Hurd & Goodwin for whom two British Prisoners are said to have been already sent.

Being, by the neglect of the former Commissary¹ who lately left this Country, not furnished with due Information on the Subject of those implied Engagements, I request to be favored with such further Particulars regarding them, as may enable me to return a more satisfactory answer to your Inquiries.

I can only inform you in General at this time, that a Cartel-Ship named Royal Bounty, lately Sailed to convey about 270 American Prisoners from Halifax to this Port, in Consequence of Sir Peter Parker's Direction: In order for their Release in place of British Prisoners received by Us from Providence and Boston. This Ship being by the violence of the Prisoners diverted from her destined Course will prob- ably be conducted to some of the Northern Ports.²

Due Requisition will be made in consequence for Credit to be given in proportion to the Number of Prisoners released; after Notice has been received of her arrival. The Names of Mess^rs: M^c: Hurd and Goodwin are not in the List of those Prisoners transmitted to me. And I therefore conclude that they were not carried into Halifax.

Credit will be given for the Surgeon³ three Seamen and a Boy late belonging to the Syren. The Master⁴ of the Hancock is supposed to be embarked in the missing Cartel. I am Sir [&c.]