Folios 184-185: Charles Ekins, HMS Defence off Flushing. States that John Pringle...

Folios 184-185: Charles Ekins, HMS Defence off Flushing. States that John Pringle Davidson, late Midshipman and Master's Mate on the Defence, by repeated acts of disrespectful and insubordinate conduct obliged him on 8 July to disrate him and suspend him from his duty. Since then he violent and outrageous behaviour has three times made him, reluctantly, to put him in irons. Feels his behaviour will have a dangerous influence on the minds of other young men and effect the discipline. Requests Admiralty grant an order for the man to be discharged from the ship or from the service. John Davidson is well educated and comes from a worthy and respectable family in Edinburgh. Reluctant to order a Court Martial as this might affect his life. He passed his Lieutenant examinations early in May last. Then absented himself from the ship for nearly two months and until it was proposed he be considered a deserter did he return. When under the influence of liquor becomes so ungovernable will be under the painful necessity of keeping him in close confinement until Admiralty instructions are received.