War department August 16 1793 Sir The President of the United States has instructed me to request your Excellency that in case any of the prizes specified in my letter of this day should be brought or sent into any harbour or port of the State of Massachusetts that you will please to cause such prizes to be restored to the persons who were Masters or Owners at the time of their being captured. If no such persons should be found and there should be a Consul residing in Massachusetts of the power to which the prize belonged at the time of its capture, then it is to be delivered to him or to his order — I have the honor to be with great respect Your Excellency's Obedient Servant — H Knox His Excellency Governor Hancock