1712.0907.Tb

Addressed:
M^r Prior.

Whitehall the 27.^th Aug.^t 1712¹

S.^r

Her Ma:^ty has commanded me to acquaint you
that she agrees to y^e proposal of a General Exchange
of all prisoners taken on both sides either by Sea
or Land, and as the Dominions of Spain are
comprehended in the Treaty of Ceſsation, you are
to take particular care that the Exchange be
as extensive likewiſe that such of ˂˄ all˃² her Ma^ty's
Subjects as were taken at B [...]³˂˄ who have the misfortune to be Prisoners˃ may
im̃ediately enjoy the benefit of this agreement,
It is however to be understood that hostages are not
included, becauſe they remain as pledges for the
property of private persons.

You may acquaint the Court that her Ma.^ty has
sent some light ffregats to y^e Plantations in
America, to give notice to y^e Governors of the
Suspension of Arms, and to require y.^t all Hoſtilitys
forthwith ceaſe, this order is founded upon the Aſsurances given by M.^r
Torcy to my Lord Bolingbroke that directions were already diſpatched
by ffrance to y^e same effect.⁴

I send you by this Meſsenger a parcel containing
295^– Paſses sign'd by her Ma:^ty you'l endeavour
to procure the like number of the french Court, or
if they will grant you more, you shall be sure to
have as many sent you from hence in return,
pray let 'em be dispatched as soon as poſsible,
for we can't make uſe of thoſe we have already
till we have a quantity in some meaſure
proportionable to y^e call there will be for 'em.

I [...]

D [...]

The enclosed Paper N.^o 1.⁶ is the Copy of a Report
signed by the Attorney and Solicitor General
concerning the Laws for prohibiting Commerce
with France which it is proper you should
communicate to Mons.^r de Torcy, that he may see
it is not in the Queen's power to open that Trade
(Wine only excepted) till the Peace be concluded or
the Statute repealed.

I am &c.^a

Dartmouth