From the present Situation of the American Naval prisoners on board your prison ships, I am induced to propose to you the exchange of as many of them as I can give you British Naval prisoners for, leaving the Ballance due to you to be paid when in our power. I cou’d wish this to be represented to His Excellency Rear Admiral Digby and that the proposal cou’d be acceeded to, as it wou’d relieve many of those distress’d men and be consistent with the humane purposes of our office. I will admit that we are unable at present to give you seaman for seaman and thereby relieve the prison ships of their dreadfull Burthen; But it ought to be remember’d that there is a large Ballance of British Soldiers due to the united States since february last; and that as we have it in our power, we may be disposed to place the British Soldiers who are now in our possession in as disagreeable a Situation as those Men on board the prison ships Are. I am Sir Your Most Obt Servt

I have recieved your letter of this date and laid it before is Excelleny Rear Admiral Digby Commander in Chief &c. &c. &c.; who has directed me to give for answer, that the Ballance of prisoners owing to the British, having proceeded from lenity and humanity on the part of himself and those who Commanded before his arrival, is Surprized you have not been induced to offer to exchange them first; and untill this is done, cannot consent to your proposal of a partial exchange leaving the remainder as well as the British prisoners in your hands to linger in Confinement.

Conscious of the American prisoners under my direction being in every Respect taken as good Care of, as their Situation And ours will admit; you must not believe that Admiral Digby will depart from the justice of this measure, because you have it in your power to make the British Soldiers who are prisoners with you more miserable than there is Any Necessity for. I am Sir Your Most Obedt Hble Servt