Pilot Tender New London Novr 22d 1776
Gentlemen
Having Powers from Lord Howe to negotiate respecting the exchange of Officers, & seamen, now prisoners on board the Fleet at New York; I must therefore request an interview with you to know your sentiments on that head.
I have sent Mr Wm Howland on shore this morning on his parole for three days to endeavour to accelerate the said exchange 2 I have the Honor to be Gentlemen [&c.]
Thos Barker 3
1. Conn. Arch., 1st Series, V, 443, ConnSL.
2. Captain Howland's parole, Conn. Arch., 1st Series, V, 442, ConnSL.
3. The committee appointed by the Connecticut General Assembly to consider Lord Howe's proposal reported that, "such an Application to this State is altogether Improper & inconsistent, and that the Same Ought to have been to his Excellency General Washington . . . ," Conn. Arch., 1st Series, V, 444a-444b, 445, ConnSL.
