of Congress was in existence authorizing the Officers who were prisoners any other emolument than their rations p^r day — and Subsistence whilst in actual Captivity, consequently, the act of [undecipherable: Congrs] of the 24^th Nov^r 78 does not apply to your case. The Regiment of your State vizt of Massachusetts had only [strikethrough: but] only 16 Regiments, which were all compleatly officered before & at the time of your Exchange, consequently no Vacan cy offered or could be obtained by you. An Arrangement of the Line of [strikethrough: the] Massachusetts, took place in Septem^r & Novem^r 78 & Jan^ry & April 79, if you had been considered as [strikethrough: an officer] an officer of that Line doubtless you would have been returned as arranged. I am Sir Your Obd^t Serv^t Jos: Burrall [Capt Addison Richardson]