[303] [To Messrs Dan^o Rodney Esq^s Henry Neale & M^r Thompson Deputy Collector Lewiston &] 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 Was 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 enclosed, may call upon him to perform — [M^r Garrett Holtzman^p Pilot] War Department 28^th May. (1798 Sir You will immediately proceed in your Pilot Boat down the River & Bay of Delaware in quest of the Ship of Wars, 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