Canadian prisoners

Hartford, June 22, 1778. WHEREAS a number of Canadian prisoners, that were fatigue men, for General Burgoyne's army, taken near the Lakes and sent here to be kept, till opportunity presented for their exchange, were for want of barracks and proper places to put them into, put out into families in Simsbury, Windsor, and other towns, round about Hartford, where they might be earning some clothing to cover their almost nakedness; are now beginning to run away, two a litlte while since from Capt. Pettibone in or near Simsbury, and two last night from James Cadwel of Wintonbury; and it is now to be feared many other will do the like. It is earnestly desired that every one, especially the good people toward Albany, and the Northward, that love their country, and desire that our poor distressed prisoners in captivity might be redeemed, would keep a good look out for them, and if possible apprehend them and convey them to Hartford goal, or some other nearer where they may be secured, they are easily distinguished from our own people, as they are generally of a swarthy countenance, like French Canadians, and can talk but very broken or no English. Whoever shall do it shall be rewarded, by Ez'l. WILLIAMS. Dep. Commis. Prisoners.