S^r.

I am directed by the Council to inform you that they have found it necessary in order to obtain a sufficient number of Prisoners to redeem our Suffering Brethen now Prisoners in the hands of the Enemy to take bonds of all Persons taking out a Commission for any Armed Vessel, in the Sum of Two Thousand Pounds Conditioned that they shall not carry out with them any Person in pay of this State, or any Officer or Soldier belonging to the Continental Army. And to bring home with them or deliver to some Commissary of Prisoners in some of the United States, all Prisoners by them taken—¹

I am also directed to request the State of New Hampshire will take the same Precaution the better to effect the good purposes intended to be answered thereby—

In the Name & by Order of the Council I am with great Esteem [&c.]