[303] [To Mess^rs Dan^l Rodney Esq^r Henry Neale M^r Thompson, Deputy Collector Lewes Town] War Department 28^th May 1798 Gentⁿ I have to request you to be so obliging as to engage on the account of the United States, a fast Sailing Pilot Boat, with a trusty & experienced Commander, to convey the enclosed Instructions to Captain Richard Dale, Commander of the Ship of War, the Ganges. Should the Ganges not have passed Lewes Town, The Pilot will remain in readiness to convey the dispatch on board, as She passes —. You will assure the Pilot you may engage, of a liberal compensation for the Service; his Instructions, which are herein inclosed, may call upon him to perform.— [M^r Garrett Holtzcamp Pilot] War Department 28^th May Sir 1798 You will immediately proceed in your Pilot Boat down the River & Bay of Delaware in quest of the Ship of War, the Ganges commanded by Cap^t Richard Dale. Should you not come up with the Ganges in the River or find her in the Bay, You will proceed to look for her at Sea, and may expect to find her somewhere within a few leagues of the Shore between the Bay of Delaware and Long Island.— when you have come up— with [304] with the Ganges, you will deliver to Captain Dale, or in case any accident should have happened to him, to the Officer then commanding the Ship, the dispatches herewith delivered to you.— you will charge yourself with Such dispatches, as the Commander of the Ganges may deliver to you for the Secretary of War.— The utmost diligence is required of you to find out the Ganges, and deliver the dispatches, wherewith you are charged. You will also lose no time in returning with Such dispatches as her Commander may charge you with, for the Secretary of War.— [To The Pilot engaged to convey dispatches from Lewis Town to Cap^t R. Dale on board the Ship Ganges] War Department May 28^th 1798 Sir You will immediately proceed on your Pilot Boat from Lewes Town in quest of the Ship of War the Ganges commanded by Cap^t Richard Dale.— Should you not find the Ganges in the Mouth of Delaware Bay, you will proceed to look for her at Sea, and may expect to find her somewhere within a few leagues of the Shore, between the Bay of Delaware and The Capes of Virginia.— When you have come up with the Ganges, you will deliver to Cap^t Dale, or in case an accident Should have happened to him, the Officer then commanding the Ship, the dispatches herewith delivered to you.— You will charge yourself with Such dispatches, as the Commander of the Ganges may deliver to you for the Secretary of War.— The utmost diligence is required of you to find out the Ganges, and deliver the dispatches, wherewith you are charged— you