Marine Committee of Congress Philadelphia Octor 20th 1778
Sir
We have been informed that it has been the practice to the eastward to exchange the Prisoners taken by the French Fleet without the consent of the Admiral or Minister of France.
We request that you will give strict orders forbidding this practice unless when done by order of the Admiral or Minister aforesaid. We are Sir
Your obed Servts
Richard Henry Lee
Heath PapersMassachusetts Historical Society
Printed in James Curtis Ballagh, The Letters of Richard Henry Lee, Volume 1, 1762 - 1778, p. 442.