I cannot imagine what has prevented my hearing from you for these two month relating to the Cartel. I therefore send you a copy of a letter from the board of Sick & Hurt to me of Novr 15 1779 wch is the place where we left off & where we stick now. [The following text is omitted in the printed edition:]

Mr. Bell having communicated to us the letters you was pleased to write to him upon the Subject of the further Exchange of American prisoners we laid the matter before the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, and have their Lordships’ directions for making an Exchange of all the American prisoners in England, and we shall take measures accordingly for doing the business as speedily as possible; and in order to facilitate it we are to request you will be pleased to negotiate the matter for us with Dr. Franklin, to procure information of the precise number of English Prisoners in France to cause them to be assembled at or near Morlaix; for our being furnished with another pass as we propose to send one vessel from Plymouth where there are 169 Prisoners and another from Portsmouth where there are about 221 Prisoners. And we shall be farther obliged by your procuring us the name of the agent at Morlaix with whom the Exchange is to be transacted. We are not yet enabled to answer the other points. We are &c

[The printed edition continues with the following text:]

I wish I cd expedite things but it is not in my power. You see where the matter has been Stopt these two Months. I am Dr Sir Yrs &c