PRET TE TT

rares:

i Sir,

Upon the arrival of your fliet last year at Chibouctou, I wrote a letter to the Duke d’Anville and sent him 40 prisoners subjects of His Most Christian Majesty, to exchange for soldiers belonging to the garrison of Louisbourg taken at the island St John's, concluding them to be in his possession but upon the death of the Duke M. La Jonquiere the commanding officer answered my letter and informed me those soldiers were sent up to Quebec and since hearing that there were many more prisoners, subjects

hoc ed

of the King my master in Canada, I take this opportunity through the hands } | of M. Ramsey to convey this letter to your Excellency to propose a ransom s for them or to propose a cartell for an exchange which if you are willing

y to consent I desire your Excellency will send down such a-number as you shall think proper, in any vessel flag of truce to Louisbourg and the ransom Ho | shall be pail, for such as come under that head and either an equale

| number of prisonners given for the others (quality for quality) or proper receipts.

His Excellency Governor Beauharnois to be fullfilled on each other’s parts when any prisoners on either are taken (sic).

Re RE ee OU RS ee me F. -

I'used to practises this method with Mr Champigny when I commanded at the Ceward Islands and I persuaded myself your Excellency is of the

same humane nature towards releiveing the distressed.

I shall be proud to receive your answer as soon as possible and am,

Sir

A Your Excellency’s most obedient servant,

Charles KNOWLES.