In Council of War
Providence April 14th. 1778.
State of Rhode Island &c.
Sir,
We wrote you yesterday proposing the Exchange of sundry Prisoners,1 since which we are inform'd that the Ship Neptune ——— Smallwood2 Master lately Captured by the Warren Frigate3 has been since retaken and carried into Newport Harbour.4 We would therefore propose to exchange the said Capt. Smallwood and his Crew, for Allen Brown & his Prize Master and the Crew of the said Ship Neptune now Prisoners in Newport, And upon your sending us the said Allen Brown and his Crew or assuring us that the Exchange shall be made agreeable to this Proposal we will see that the said Capt. Smallwood & his Crew be immediately sent to Newport. We are Sir [&c.]
Signed by Order and in Behalf of
the Council of War by
Df, R-Ar, Letters from the Governor, vol. 3 (1778–1779), 26. Waller was commissary of prisoners at Newport. Addressed at foot: "Charles Waller, Esqr." Docketed: "Council of War to Charles/Waller Esqr; Commissary of/Prisoners, April 14th. 1778."
1. Not printed.
2. Capt. Joseph Smallwood was master of the English merchant ship Neptune.
3. Continental Navy frigate Warren, Capt. John Burroughs Hopkins, commander.
4. Neptune was recaptured by H.M. frigate Orpheus on 26 Mar, UkLPR, Adm. 1/488, fol. 486–87.
