[defs^rs Willings & Francis] War Department 19^th June 1798 Gentⁿ Cap^t Dale with the Ganges Ship of War has been ordered to be on the 19^th Instant at a Station between Cape Henlopen and Cape James — Will You be so obliging as to employ a pilot Boat, with a prudent Master to convey to him the enclosed letter, and instruct the Master accordingly. I have the Honor to be Gentⁿ with great respect. [Col^o John Fitzgerald Collector of the Port of Alex^a] Philad^a June 14^th 1798 Sir The Secretary of War being absent, him charged by the President of the United States with the Business of that department: which occasions this address to you. — Yesterday were laid before me Two Letters from Lieut^t James Triplett of the Corps of Artillery, with an estimate of 852 Dollars, on account of the advanced wages, bounties and expences for enlisting a number of Seamen & Marines for the Constellation Frigate Cap^t Truxton — It was too late to go thro' the ordinary process of remitting money, and as Lieutenant Triplett is waiting only for that, to discharge a variety of demands at Alexandria and as I apprehend Cap^t Truxton will be waiting for him at Hampton Roads, and incur some delay even with the utmost despatch