Middlesex
to Wit}

The Information of Andrew Borgeson< no role > of Ratcliff Cross
in the Parish of Saint Dumstan Stepney otherwise Stebonheath in
the said County Wateman and Thomas Sheriff< no role > Taken this 6th. day of
May 1786 before me one of his Majestys Justices of the peace in and for the said county
Andrew Borgeron< no role > a Revenue Officer and Watchman
on his Oath says he with his Superior Officer Mr .John Barnes< no role > and Thomas
Sheriff< no role > his fellow Servant went from Ratcliff Crop last night about the
hour of Eight to Deptford when arrived there it was impopible to do their
duty by reason of the number of Boats obstructing themSays his said
Master went on board the Ship Lascells lying off Deptford to get help
this Informant following says when on board said Ship he saw Thomas
Goodon< no role > on board with whom he shook handsays his Master about the
hour of Ten desired this Informant to strand by the Gang way to see that
none of the Poole on board cut the Ropes by which his said Master was
going down the Gang way and Sides of the Ship into his BoatSays
by the time his said Master got about half was down the said Gang way
The said Thomas Gordon< no role > having a Drawn Knife in his Hand a cross
the Backet to which the Gang Rope is fast atte called out to his said Master
to take care that they were going to cut the Gang Ropes and he verily
beleives if he had not pulled the Arm of the said Thomas Gordon< no role > which his
the Knife in it away that he would have cut the said Bechet in
which case who ever had hold of the Gang Ropes fostned to the said
Becket and hold of nothing else must have fallen Says the said
Thomas Gordon< no role > then Struck this Informant on the Ships deck when

This Informan Browed him down when normal persons on board [..] round
him and was drapping him along the Deck when his Tallow Servant Thomas
Sheriff< no role > came to his assistance he got away went into the boat to his Master
that they rowed toward the Lower Water gate Deptford from whence they
were pelted with Stones which obliged them to row off and about the
Ships Says between the Hours of Eleven and twelve they saw Four
men in a Boat between the ships and the Middlesex side of the River
which Boat they went along sideWhen the said Four Men the said Thomas
Gordon< no role > being one Swore at and blasted them saying they were not
Thiefs and Should not Rummage themsays he told his Master
that Thomas Gordon< no role > was the Man who attempted to cut the Gang Rope
of the Lanells when his said Master was going down the Gang way of
the said Ships sidesays he got [..] upon the Bench of their boat but could not do any
thing with them before John Gardiner< no role > and Thomas Walker< no role > came to
assist on the call of his said Masterwhen they Run aged them but did
[..] not find any uncustomed Good either in their boat or about their
PersonsSays the said Thomas Gordon< no role > Struck him with his Fish Two
or Three times when in the Boat the said Thomas Gordon< no role > belonged to says
they would not let them go into the said Boat before the said assistance came

Sworn
This 6th day of May 1786
Before me
John Staples< no role >

Andrew Borgeson< no role >
Thames Sheriff confirms the Evidence of Andrew
[..] Borgeson excepting the Circumstance respecting
the Knife
Thomas Sheriff< no role >