The Examination of John Thomson for Theft and Desertion Onboard the Warren Monday Morning Jany 13th 1777 —
John Thomson being brought before the Court martial — his Accusation was read to him as follows —
That on Sunday Eveng the 5th instt abot 6 oClock he the said Thomson — together with Jos Robinson contrary to the rules and regulations of the honl Contl Congress respectg the American Navy cut and Stole away from along Side the Ship Warren to which Ship he belong'd the Yawl Boat with Oars with a design of deserting to the Enemy at Rhode Island and give them all the Intelligence in his Power respectg our Fleet — and he has thereby transgress'd agai[n ]st the 25 Article of Congress —
Where was it your Intention to go with the Boat when you took her from along Side the Ship —
To get onboard some Transport of Merchantmen —
Would you not have Sold the Boat if you could have found a Person to buy her —
Which of you made the first proposition of taking the Boat you or Jos Robinson
What time did you make the proposition to Robinson
About an hour before we went off.
Which of you Cut the boats Painter
The Examination of Joseph Robinson (a Prisoner)
Joseph Robinson being brought before the [illegible] the following Questions were asked him —
Did John Thomson ever ask you to go wth him before that night
Where was your Intention to go with the Boat
Onboard one of the Transports
What did you intend to do with the Boat afterwards
I don't know what we should have done with her
The Opinion of this Court is that John Thomson, have a pun[ishment] of Sixty four Lashes upon his bare back with a Cat of nine tails -to [be] inflicted along Side the Several Vessels in the Fleet — vizt 19 Lashes [along] Side the Ship Warren — 15 Lashes along Side Ship Providence —15 Lashes alo[ng] Side the Columbus — and 15 Lashes along Side the Sloop Providence — That John [sic Joseph] Robinson have 12 Lashes on his bare back with a Cat of nine tai[ls] at the Gangway onboard the Ship Warren — And that Gyles Brownell have a punishment of forty nine Lashes on his bare Back with a Cat of nine Tails — to be inflicted along the several Vessels vizt 13 Lashes along Side the Warren, 12 Lashes along Side Providence, 12 Lashes along Side the Columbus and 12 Lashes along Side the Sloop Providence 2 That the Prisoners receive their punishment to morrow Morning between the hours of Nine & twelve —
Ship Warren Jany 13. 1776 [sic 1777]
