Sir

This State having a Considerable Number of Men now Prisoners of War at Newport which are, as we apprehend, unreasonably detained there, we have appointed Col^o. Gabriel Johonnot to proceed to the Place beforementioned in order to obtain their Release, we therefore Request that your Excellency would give him Liberty to proceed to Newport with a Flag for the purpose aforesaid.

Cap^t. John Manly late Commander of the Continental Frigate called the Hancock has been for a long time Confined as a Prisoner of War, he is a brave and Active Officer, and the Public would be greatly served if his Liberation from Captivity could be spedily Accomplished; The Measures that have already been taken for this Purpose have failed; we beg leave therefore to Propose that the Captain of the Syrene Frigate¹ should be given in Exchange for Cap^t. Manly, we hope this Proposal will be agreeable and if it should, we request that you would make proposal thro' M^r. Johonot to the Commanding Officer at Newport for this Exchange & we would further Request that in Case your State should not have any Marine Officers in Captivity that you would permit any other of the Officers of the Syrene Frigate to be exchanged for Cap^t. Waters² and Cap^t. John Foster Williams;³ & that your excellency would thro' M^r. Johonnot make the proposals Accordingly.—

In the Name & behalf of the Council, I am, Sir [&c.]