At a Court Martial assembled and held on board His Majesty's Ship Boyne, at Boston in New England, the 11h day of September 1775.

Present

Brodrick Hartwell Esqr Commander of His Majesty's Ship Boyne, and Senior Captain of the King's Ships at Boston  President

Captains Andrew Barkley

John Robinson

George Montagu

David Price Master & Commander

Who being all duly sworn

The Court pursuant to an Order from Vice Admiral Graves Commander in Chief of His Majesty's Ships and Vessels in North America, dated the 6h Instant proceeded to try Captain John Collins Commander of His Majesty's Sloop Nautilus upon a Charge exhibited against him by the said Commander in Chief Vizt  That being stationed in the River Delaware last August with orders to prevent Smuggling the Importation of Arms and Ammunition, to carry into Execution the Acts restraining the Trade of the Colonies, and to strictly examine all Vessels, did in the Night of the 13h of the said Month, suffer the Ship Hope to pass up the Delaware without being examined, and without even an attempt to follow her whereby two Officers and some Cloaths of the 22d Regiment fell into the hands of the Rebels ー and for leaving his Station in the Delaware contrary to the said Commander in Chiefs Orders ー And the Court having examined all the Witnesses brought and maturely and deliberately weighed and considered the whole that the Prisoner had to offer in his defence are of opinion, that the Charges are proved in part, but in consideration of his good Character and it appearing to the Court before he had taken this Step of leaving his Station, that he had consulted his Officers, and their opinions being that it was for the good of His Majesty's Service, and from other favourable Circumtances: The Court do only ad judge him to be mulcted of Six Months Personal Pay, and to be reprimanded. And he is hereby adjudged to be mulcted of Six Months Personal Pay, and reprimanded accordingly.

Evan Nepean appointed to execute the Office of Judge Advocate on this Occasion.