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Revised Jun 5 2021

Court-Martial
Robert Corner Testimony, Fri, Sep 14, 1792

Lieutenant ROBERT CORNER, 2nd Lieutenant of the "Pandora," called in and sworn.

Examined by the Court—

Q. Inform the Court of the Prisoners that were apprehended by you and brought on board the "Pandora"?

A. There were three of them, Norman, Morrison and Ellison, that came to me in company with another Man named Brown, who had been left at Otaheiteit was at Attahourah about halfway from the Ship to where I was going in search of the Schooner. I landed there for Intelligence about 2 o'Clock in the Morning; these People with Brown came; Brown was armed, and they were also, with Hatchets and Instruments that he said he had given them to defend themselves from the Indians, in whose Possession I understand they were. When Brown came to me I confined them on board the Boats, and marched on to secure the Schooner.

Q. Was you sent in Pursuit of the Prisoners with the "Pandora's" Boats?

A. I was, on the Evening of the Day the Ship arrived.

Q. How near did you get to the Schooner?

A. About a Mile, I suppose.

Q. Did the Schooner avoid you?

A. She did, she made Sail into the offing and I chaced her in the Boats.

Q. Which of the Prisoners do you know were on board the Schooner at the time?

A. I cannot speak to a certainty who were on board, as I was not near enough to discover them.

Q. Was the Schooner in your Possession, before the three Prisoners whom you have mentioned delivered themselves up with Brown?

A. No.

Q. Where was the Schooner at this time?

A. At Papara, which I suppose may be about twenty, or twenty four Miles.

Q. Did you find any of the Prisoners on board?

A. No.

Q. Did the Prisoners, Norman, Morrison and Ellison voluntarily surrender themselves up to you?

A. They made no kind of resistance— they came to me of their own Accord with Brown.

The Prosecution being closed and the Prisoners being called on for their Defences, Mr. Heywood delivered a Paper Writing to the Court which was read as follows:—

"After the long Examination which has taken place upon this Trial, it will not I hope be deemed unreasonable, if I request to be allowed the Whole of tomorrow, to prepare my Defence."

At four O'Clock, the Court adjourned till to-morrow Morning, nine o'Clock.


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