iduals
altogether. Congress has published a proclamation for the more
effectually suppressing and punishing such malpractices. But we are
rather inclined to hope, that as the line of connexion and friendship
is now clearly marked, and the minds of the seamen thereby relieved
from that inexplicable mystery respecting their real prizes, which
before embarrassed them, such irregularities will be less frequent, or
totally cease, to which end the magnificent generosity of the King of
France to the owners of the prizes, which for reasons of State had
been given up, will happily contribute.

We are, Gentlemen, your very humble servants,

R. H. LEE,
JAMES LOVELL.

* * * * *

TO M. DE SARTINE.

Passy, May 14th, 1778.

Sir,

In the several cruises made by Captains Wickes, Johnston, Cunningham,
and others of our armed vessels, on the coast of Great Britain, it is
computed that between four and five hundred prisoners have been made
and set at liberty, either on their landing in France, or at sea,
because it was understood, that we could not keep them confined in
France. When Captain Wickes brought in at one time near a hundred, we
proposed to Lord Stormont an exchange for as many of ours confined in
England; but all treaty on the subject was rudely refused, and our
people are still detained there, notwithstanding the liberal
discharges made of theirs, as above mentioned. We hear that Captain
Jones has now brought into Brest near two hundred, whom we should be
glad to exchange for our seamen, who might be of use in expeditions
from hence; but as an opinion prevails, that prisoners of a nation
with which France is not at war, and brought into France by another
power, cannot be retained by the captors, but are free as soon as they
arrive, we are apprehensive, that these prisoners may also be set at
liberty, return to England, and serve to man a frigate against us,
while our brave seamen, with a number of our friends of this nation,
whom we are anxious to set free, continue useless and languishing in
their gaols.

In a treatise of one of your law writers, entitled _Traites des Prises
qui se font sur Mer_, printed 1763, we find the above opinion
controverted, p. 129, Sec. 30, in the following words; "Hence it