Instructions for the Commissary appointed to settle the Exchange of Prisoners at Newbury Port

1st ー You are to Hoist a White Flag at the Mast Head of the Sloop Pacific & to continue it abroad Night and Day 'till you return again to this Port

2d ー You are to be particularly careful that no Cannon, Musket, Pistol, or Fire Arm of any kind be receiv'd into the Vessel whilst she is consider'd as a Cartel a Violation of this Order may possibly occasion the detention of the Sloop, and furnish a pretence to an Act of Violence under the Assertion that the Vessel is fitted for War

3d ー The Prisoners are to be Victualled at two thirds Allowance

4th ー A Quiet peaceable demeanour towards the Prisoners is particularly recommended & to avoid all dissention on board, You are enjoin'd not to make the present unhappy dispute the Subject of your Conversation with them

5th ー On Your Arrival at Marble Head You are to Write the following Letter to Mr Nathl Tracey at Newberry Port

Sir I am to inform you of my arrival at this Port in the Pacific Cartel Sloop with 96 American Prisoners, and as I understand you are empower'd to receive them, and to treat for an equal Number & Rank of His Majesties faithful Subjects now confin'd in this Province I shall be glad to meet you as soon as possible for so Salutary a Purpose I am Sir [&c.]

Tho^s Stone

6th ー It will be difficult on many Accounts to lay down the exact Mode you are to follow in the Exchange the Commander of the Yankee Hero is to be given up for Lieutenant [John] Knight late of His Majesties Schooner Diligent, particular Circumstances respecting the Exchange must be left to your own Judgment, which that you may exert for his Majesties Service in this Business entrusted to your Care & Discretion, I shall certainly if you execute it properly recommend you to the Notice of Lord Howe, who is ever ready to pay attention to all appearance of Merit

7th ー You are to make all the Dispatch that the Nature of the Service will permit of, returning to this Port with those faithful Subjects of the King whom you may receive in Exchange, and exacting a Written Promisary Obligation from Mr Nathl Tracey, that in case there are not sufficient Loyal Subjects at present prisoners in the Northern Provinces, he will cause a Number equal to the deficiency in Rank & Numbers to be releas'd in future, in case it shall please the Ruler of all Human Events to permit so many more of His Majesties faithful subjects to be at the Disposition of the Colonistsー