62 Journal and Correspondence

C. S. C.

[George Cook to Council]

Hon^d Gent. Baltimore January 19^th 1777.
Since I had the pleasure of seing you last I saw one of

those unfortunate men that was in the Prize Snow George :
taken by the Camelia a British Frigate, he made his
escape from a prison Ship at New York and travel'd to this
place, he informs me that the prisoners are us'd extremely ill,
and no respect to rank, that officers and men are all tumbled
into the hold together and oblidg'd to dress what little provi-
sion they have allow'd themselves or its not done at all. I
have applied to M^r Chase and M^r Carrol for their assistance
to get them exchang'd, but they say its a business particularly
belonging to this State. I do not doubt was your Honorable
Board to write the Congress, but what they would get them
exchang'd as soon as possible. There is Capt. Glasby and
M^r Lyons his mate here were they secur'd they might be of
service in exchanging for the master of the Defence, M^r
Cordrey and M^r Carter a midshipman. Capt. Campbell will
wait on you, and will be able to acquaint you more fully of
each circumstance. Our men who are taken by the Enemy
are very likely to be kept as prisoners a long time unless we
fall on some method to have them exchang'd. I'm in great
hopes some speedy method will be put in execution for that
purpose.
I intend for Frederick on Wednesday morning next and
doubt not but the officers belonging to Ship will do every
thing in their power to make dispatch. I shall wait on you in
the time of the Assembly's being at Annapolis.
I am, Hon^d Gent. Your very Humb^l Servant,
The Honble the Council of Safety Geo. Cook,
of Maryland, Annapolis.

The names of those taken in Snow George, viz.
James Cordrey, Master, William Carter, Midshipman. Sea-
men, Alex. Stanton, John Power, Collin Brown, Alex. Nichol-
son, Dennis Larkens, Edward Gibbons, John Halfpenny, Pat-
rick Cole, Timothy Kelley the person made his escape.
I laid a petition from Capt. Campbell before Congress, they
declined having any thing to say to it. All persons taken by
the Ships of War or privateers of any State, are deemed the
prisoners of such State, and are generally applied to the
redemption of their own Subjects; on the contrary all persons
taken by Continental vessells are deemed the prisoners of the
Congress and subject to their disposal.
The Georgia delegates object to the discharge of the Gen-
tlemen, whose cases you referred to Congress.