Sir/

Since the making up my Pacquet by Captain Reddall of the Grampus,¹ (the Wind continuing to blow in, that they cannot Sail) I have thought proper to give him directions to take onboard, or distribute amongst the Ships of his Convoy Forty Sea Prisoners, that were taken in Arms, and belonging to the Port of Boston; and I desire to explain to you the reason for sending such to England, as from a Cursory View of the Papers, and Conversation, on the Subject, I judge to be the Case.—

Sir George Collier at Halifax having Heretofore Charter'd the Ship Royal Bounty, for the purpose of sending Prisoners to this Port, for Exchanging (the State of the Province of Nova-Scotia making such a Step necessary,) he fitted her in every respect as a Cartel & Sail'd under that Sanction for this Port, in Company with other Vessels that were under Convoy of the Cabot Arm’d Brig,² but between the Time of the Prisoners being Embarked, & Sailing, a Flag of Truce arrived from Boston to Halifax with English Prisoners for Exchange, but Sir George Collier, I believe, having already Charter'd the Royal Bounty, for a Stipulated Price and for a Stipulated Time, and the Number of English brought, not adequate to the Number he had Embarked, He continued his intentions and Order'd her to proceed accordingly.³ Having lost Company with the Cabot, the Prisoners Rose and took possession of the Royal Bounty, and went immediately to Salem, upon that information Lord Howe directed the Commissary of Prisoners here (M^r. Waller)⁴ to remonstrate, and Demand, that the Royal Bounty shou'd be returned, as being been under a Flag of Truce, & that the Men shou'd be accounted for, by Exchange. And it being his Lordships intention, that if this just and Elegeble mode was not adopted on their Part, that the Prisoners here taken in Arms, belonging to Boston, (the Culpable Port) shou'd be sent to England; The inclosed Copy of M^r. Wallers Letter,⁵ and the answer from their Commissary, on that Subject will evidently Manifest, that the Truce is broke on their Side. 

I am further to add that the Men sent Home are such as may in future be most able to injure our Trade, & as far as I can learn, there's none at Boston of Our Seamen to Exchange in lieu of them. I am Sir [&c.]