William Hodgson to Benjamin Franklin, September 18, 1781

London 18 Sept 1781

Dear sir/

I did myself the pleasure to write you on the 4th Currt to which I refer— Yesterday the Commissioners of Sick & Hurt sent to desire to see me, I waited on them & they wished me to write you to discharge from his Parole Major Cowley of the 22d Regt 5 taken by the Black princess & carried into Cherburg & now on Parole at Vellona [Valognes], they offered to discharge any Prisoner for him. I named Capt Manley 6 who has been Prisoner at Plymo. for some considerable Time, they agreed that upon your releasing the major Capt Manley shoud be immediately set at Liberty. To this I presume you will have no Objection & so soon as you have given the necessary directions therein please to acquaint me that I may forward the order for Capt Manleys discharge—

The Board intimated to me that they shoud exchange 53 Men in the room of those taken in the Snake Cutter 7 & released there being some Circumstances in that case different from the common releases upon receipts— I hope there may be some mode hit upon to make these sort of exchanges agreable to the Ideas of the Comrs. of S & H— 8 there have been a great many prisoners released from Spain of whom it does not appear the Office here takes any Acc’t. I think this deserves inquiry. The Prisons here are now much crowded there being upwards of 700 in Confinement & the Commissioners told me they expected very soon near as many more it gives me much concern as Winter is coming on—at present I only allow them 6 d per Week, but that in Winter will be very hard upon them. I am with great respect Dr sir your Most obedt Servt

William Hodgson