I would recommend the laying a copy of the inclosed letter to you from Mr Pintard, dated the 21st Instt before congress for their consideration.1

you will take their judgement on the exchange of our mariners, and those of the French now in their hands for a like number of British seamen as proposed by admiral Gambier.

The supplying our prisoners in New-York with provisions is another matter that demands particular attention. I do not wish them to suffer for want of what may be thought necessary for their suport; but at the same time we should carefully guard against throwing flour into the hands of the enemy. If we are to credit the different accounts from New-York the army there is much straitened in this material article. This should lead us, therefore, to devise if possible a plan for liquidating our debts in such a manner as would not administer to their wants, and teach us the expediency and propriety of only sending in to our people a supply adequate to their subsistence, without paying any attention to the requests of individual officers. This is a subject at present of too much importance to be overlooked. I am Sir &c. &.