Having ordered the Vessel purchased by Vice Adml Graves at present commanded by Lieut George Dawson to be registered on the List of the Navy as a Sloop & established with a Complement of Fifty Men including the Officers& Petty Officers usually allowed Sloops in the Kings Service; You are hereby requested & directed, to cause her to be fitted Victualled & Stored as a Sloop, and Mann'd with the aforementioned Complement, And to give Lieut George Dawson a Commission to command the Hope accordingly. Given &c 26th Feby 1776
Sandwich H. Penton H. Palliser
To Molineux Shuldham Esqr Vice Adml of the Blue &c &c in No America By &c G J. DS .. By the Greyhound Duplicate signed Sandwich J Buller Palmerston by. the Canceaux
1. PRO, Admiralty 2/100, 437.