Whereas you have represented to Us, by your Letter of the 25th of last Month, that the Keeper & Agent of Forton Prison had acquainted you that two of the Prisoners, who had escaped, had been retaken & brought back to the said Prison,² and that, as the Persons who retook them had learnt the Route which two of the others had taken, he had encouraged a Pursuit of them, by promising a Reward for their recapture; And whereas you have desired to receive our directions respecting the paying such Rewards as we may judge proper for retaking any of the Rebel Prisoners who may escape, and have, at the same time, mention'd that, in the late & former War, a Reward of ten Shillings was paid for the Recapture of Prisoners of War, We have taken the matter into consideration and, being of opinion, that as the Offences for which the Rebel Prisoners have been ordered to be committed to Forton and Old Mill Prisons, are of a capital Nature, that a Reward of five Pounds should be paid for the recapture of each of those who have escaped, or may hereafter escape, from the said Prisons; You are, therefore, hereby required and directed to pay, to the Person or Persons entitled thereunto, a Reward of five Pounds for each of the said Prisoners who have escaped & have been already retaken, and also for each of them who may escape & be retaken hereafter; & to continue to do so, until you receive further Order. Given under our hands the 10th July 1777.

By command of their Lordships
Ph^P Stephens