My Lords,
I have the honor to acquaint your Lordships that Thomas Pringle Esqr Commander of His Majs Ship Ariadne has taken an American Privatier called the Musquito of Fourteen Guns and seventy men and upwards, and brought her Yesterday into Carlisle Bay in this Island. Capn Pringle pur poses to take all the officers of the Privatier with him, a.nd to leave the common Men here, who will be landed this afternoon to the Number of Sixty and upwards. 2 I have given Orders to the Deputy Provost Marshall to receive them and to put them under close Confinement in the common Goal with a sufficient Guard to prevent their Escape, and that a moderate and competent daily allowance of Provision be given to each man, the Expence of which I make myself answerable for. These men will be kept under Confinement until I receive your Lordships Commands in what manner I am to dispose of them. I will likewise beg the Favour of your Lordships to give me directions who I may apply to for my Reimbursement of the Charges I shall have been at in maintaining these prisoners, and other Expences relative thereto.
As I have hitherto received no Instructions relative to Rebel Prisoners I hope your Lordships will do me the honor to give me such general Orders as may be a rule for me to act by, upon any future occasion of the like nature.
French or Spanish Prisoners in time of War with those Nations used sometimes to be dispersed among the Merchant Ships of the homeward bound Convoys. I do not dare to venture to do so with these Americans for fear they should be put on Shore in England and left at their Liberty. I have the honor to be with great respect Your Lordships [&c.]
