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Sir:

By the Act of Congress of the 7th Instant, herewith enclosed you will be informed that General Washington is authorized to effectuate an Exchange of Officers, Prisoners of War; and also of the Measures Congress are taking for the Subsistence & Comfort of Officers & Privates that may remain Prisoners with the Enemy in these United States.

Also that you are authorized to take the necessary Steps for establishing a Resident Commissary of Prisoners in South Carolina or Georgia, to have the Care of Prisoners in those Places.

You will further observe the Encouragements offered by Congress in this Act to Volunteer Horsemen in the States from Virginia to Georgia, inclusive, to be under your Command, and submitting to your Determination the Number to be raised in each of those States. From the Representations we have received, it

is hoped a sufficient number equal to your Wishes may be engaged as Volunteers, agreeable to the Terms mentioned in the Act.

As a further aid to your military Chest, you will observe the Balance of the Quota of ten Millions of Dollars required of Virginia by the Act of Congress of the 19th of May last is appropriated to the Southern Department, and ordered, when collected, to be sent to you for that Purpose.

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