[p^r Wellings &] [Francis — ] [Genⁿ] War Department 2^d May 1798 Gen^{t n} Captain Dale has accepted the Command of the Ganges, and received Instructions to direct the Naval Constructor to cause Such alterations and improvements to be promptly made, as may be necessary to prepare the Ship in every respect for Sea; and as effective as possible for the purposes She is destined —. You are requested to accept the urgency of paying the Workmen employed and procuring such additional Stores and other Articles as being indispensible and proper, may be directed —. In all these cases you will procure and preserve Such vouchers as may be proper to be produced to the accounting Officers — [p^r John Stanh] War Department 3 May 1798 Sir, I have received your Letter of the 1^st Instant, containing an offer of a vessel of yours, which you think may be converted into a Ship of War carrying 20 Guns — as to whether the purchase of Such vessels will rest with the Secretary of the Treasury I Shall transmit your proposals to him and have no doubt but he will give it due consideration and attention — [James &c —]