Gentlemen
In my last Letter to the Honble Marine Committe dated 25th Ulto you may remember that I have mention'd Capt: Palmes, his being under Arrest. The Solicitations of the other Officers on his behalf prevail'd with me to grant him all the Liberty he desired, had he resumed his duty and behaved properly since his Enlargement I might have possibly overlook'd all that was past, but inasmuch as he has again misbehaved and appears incouragable, 'tis my duty to insist on his being brought to Tryal as soon as possible. The crimes I have to accuse him with are misaplication of the Ships Stores, Neglect of duty, disobedience of orders, & attempts to Excite Murmuring & Mutiny among the Ships Company. You will therefore be pleased to give orders that a Competent number of Officers be Collected together at this place as soon as may be to hear and detirmine on this Matter.
Another request I have to make is that when those Gentlemen are Collected here for the purposes aforesaid a number of Sea Officers only shall be Orderd to form themselves into a Court of Enquiry to hear and Examine Evidencies such as can be found Capable of giving information of the State of things on the 6th 7th & 8th days of July last in the little Squadron Commandd by Capt: John Manley.
To the Intent that Facts may be Established by the Testimonies of numbers who where then present on board the Boston. I am Gentlemen [&c.]
Boston 9th Sepr 1777
