Folios 210-211. Letter from Lord Harcourt. A brig from Jamaica bound for Liverpool...

Folios 210-211. Letter from Lord Harcourt. A brig from Jamaica bound for Liverpool with a cargo of sugar, rum and cotton taken by an American privateer the Cabot but recovered by the action of the master, was recently driven into Dundalk in a storm. On board were 'six of the Provincials' whom the commander of the privateer had entrusted to take her into an American port. On arrival in Dundalk four of the Provincials who are common seamen were committed to the gaol and remain there on 6d a day subsistence. The other two, John Ker, a second lieutenant of Marines 'in the Rebel Service', and George Theyer prize master are out on their parole to appear once a day to the chief magistrate of Dundalk until further order - their subsistence is one shilling a day. Harcourt writes that there may be similar cases in future and as he is 'entirely at a loss with respect to the treatment such Rebels should receive' he suggests that perhaps the Admiralty could issue orders that any of Navy ships or tenders on 'this' station should receive them and take them to England. If this proposal is not approved he begs to be informed 'what other manner His Majesty will think proper that they should be disposed of'. Dated at Dublin Castle.