Sir

Inclosed you have a Copy of a paper Sign'd by Some of the Officers of the Alfred and Providence — and Mr Southouse has waited upon me to have his property retum'd — all I can Say in that matter is that I am willing every prisoner taken by the Continental Vessels should be treated well, and have as much of their property restor'd as will Support them in the Character they Sustain'd — but in this Case there has as you will See an Uneasiness arose — and as I have not had any Account of what he has had return'd, nor what more he Claims — I can't be any judge in the matter at present — Should advise you to Use the most prudent method to Settle the Matter So that the Officers and people may have no great Right to Complain, nor the Gentleman treated Worse than other men that have had the ill luck to fall into our hands —

I shall be extremely oblig'd to you to forward Captn [John Paul] Jones in discharging and paying off the People, as Well them that has Enlisted into the Land Service as the others — I am with Esteem Sir [&c.]