Gent^n:

Agreable to your directions I have settled the Account for the Exchange of Prisoners of Warr, For the State of Rhode Island, and have received of the British Commissary the ballance due taking care to Enlarge all such as belonged to this State—As their Idea of Rank widely differs from ours, I have been Obliged to take in Exchange for the Warrant and Petty Officers of the Syrene Frigate who were on their Parole, such Persons as (After Much Altercation) were nearest of rank to them—

Lord Viscount Howe, highly disapproves the Practice of sending Persons in on their Parole to Obtain Particular Persons in Exchange for them and ifnot after the Expiration of a certain period to return, and desires it may be discontinued—His Lordship, sensible of the Inconveniences and hardship, which the Prisoners Labor under, wishes they may be Exchanged as Early as Possible—and as he has not the Means of releiving them with proper Necessaries, readily Agrees to this or any Other State sending in Proper Supplies of Fresh Provisions & other Things for their more Comfortable support—And a Proper Person with them to distribute it—I am With the Highest Respect Gent^n: [&c.]

Providence 18^th. March 1778