The whistleblowers reported on Hopkins' use of torture by filing a petition to the Eastern Navy Board, then the Marine Committee, and ultimately the Second Continental Congress.

We are desirous of being active in the defense of our constitutional liberties and privileges against the unjust cruel claims of tyranny and oppression, but as things are now circumstanced on board the frigate there seems to be no prospect of our being serviceable in our present stations.

[5] Ship Warren - Feby 24, 1777 The following lines contain the reasons why we signed the petition against Commodore Hopkins, we consider him, on the account of his real Character, quite unfit for the important publick Stations wherein he now pretends to act.

We have considered it as an indispensable duty we owe our country Sincerely to petition the Honorable Marine Committee that his conduct and character be inquired into for as things are now circumstanced, we greatly fear these frigates will not be in a Situation capable of doing America any service.

[6] Commodore Hopkins is very much blamed by people here for not destroying a British frigate when on ground a few days ago in this River, and we suppose very justly.

Ship Warren - Feby 24, 1777 I the Subscriber have heard Commodore Hopkins Say that the Continental Congress were a pack of ignorant Lawyers Clerks and that they know nothing at all.

[7] Ship Warren - Feby 24, 1777 I the Subscriber, can attest that our Commander Commodore Hopkins has Spoken very abusively concerning the Honorable Congress; calling that respectable assembly, who ought to be considered as the guardians of American liberty, a pack of ignorant lawyers Clerks, who know nothing at all.

[8] Ship Warren - Feby 24, 1777 I the Subscriber have heard Commodore Hopkins assert that the Continental Congress were a pack of damned rascals; the best of them were lawyers Clerks, and knew nothing of their business; that he, his self, intended to leave the Navy and go to Philadelphia in order that the Congress might have Somebody there who knew Something, for Shame and destruction might be the portion of the American fleet unless he undertook to negotiate that affair.

[9] On Board the Warren - Feby 24th, 1777 I, the Subscriber do know that our commander, Commodore Hopkins allows himself to Speak in the most disrespectful Manner concerning the honour ye Continental Congress although I have lived in the cabin with him.

That any person living might be hired with money to do any action whatsoever; this he also asserted in the hearing of the before mentioned prisoners, for what reason I can't determine, unless he was desirous of making a bargain with Sr. Peter Parker.