My Lord/

My Lords Commissrs of the Admty having receiv'd a Petition signed by the Persons named in the Margin, ² representing that they were late Officers and part owners of Vessels belonging to America, taken by His Majestys Cruizers and are now Prisoners on board the Queen, that during their late Confinement on board the Nonsuch & Torbay, they were indulged with a separation aft by themselves from among the rest of their fellow Prisoners, But since their Confinement on board the Queen, they have been confined indiscriminately altogether being 70 in number, within the small space therein mentioned, which from the closeness, smoke and heat of the place has caused the small Pox to break out among them and threatens a general Infection if they are continued in that situation, and therefore praying for Relief; I am commanded by their Lordships to send you the said Petition herewith and to signify their directions to you, to enquire into what is therein represented, and state the case of the Petitioners & report to their Lordships your opinion what may be proper to be done therein: And with your report you will please to return the said Petition to, &c.