Sir

This will be handed to you by Capt Ayers [John Ayres] with whom we have sent Prisoners, and it is to request of your Honor to provide a Cartel Vessel to convey them to the Commanding Officer of his Majesty's Ships at Newport, and in Case he should refuse to receive them, that you would give Orders for the Cartel to proceed with them to New York, to be exchanged for so many of our suffering Brethren in Captivity, those Prisoners are Seamen only and were taken by the Alfred Capt Jones a Continental Frigate, and of Course their Conveyance to Newport or Elsewhere must be a Continental expence, which your State will please to defrey and Charge to the Continent. Capt Ayers has been appointed to Settle the Exchange and has his Instructions. Therefore it will be Necessary that He proceed in the Cartel, and have the Conducting of the Matter — We doubt not from your known disposition to promote the Public Service of the United States you will give him all possible Aid and dispatch — In the Name & behalf of the Council — I have the Honor to be Sir [&c.]