To the Honble the Council of the State of Massachusetts Bay The Comm'te of Correspondence, Inspection & Safety of South Hadley Humbly Shew. Whereas it is Represented to us hy Capt [James] Tracy ² that there is opertunity for his being Exchanged for Lieut John Knights ³ an Oficer on Parole Destined to Re5ide in this Town (but now confined in Goal at North Hampton), This Comtte have no very material objection against the Said Exchange notwithstanding the Ill treatment we have Received from said Knights but are willing to Dispence with such matters and notwithstanding the suspicion we have of his takeing a certain Box of papers of Surveys from our posession. your Honrs will observe that as Said Knights has not Receivd any part of his alowance of two Dollars pr Week, So he has not paid for his Boarding but has been provided on trust for which he is still indebted.

All Which is Humbly Submitted by your Humble Servts. the aforesd Committe. Signd by order

[Endorsed] Council Chamber [Boston] Nov. 23 1776 ordered that John Knight now a Prisoner of War at North Hampton, be permitted to be exchanged in. the Flagg of Truce now at Marblehead, for Mr James Tracy, provided and on Condition said Knight shall make suitable concessions to the Committee of Correspondence &c. of South Hadley for the Male Treatment this Board concieve said Knight has given them. And shall also discharge such Sums as the said Knight may be Indebted, for his Subsistance during the Time He has been a prisoner as aforesd. within this State, and these Conditions being Complied with the Sheriff of the County of Hampshire, is directed to deliver the said John Knight at Marblehead to the Sheriff of the County of Essex his under Sheriff or Deputy, or to the Committee appointed to Negotiate the Exchange of Prisoners,

Read & Accepted

John Avery Dpy Secy

South Hadley 9th Novem 1776.