Folios 335-336: Sir George Home Bt, HMS Defiance, Leith Roads. Copy of a letter to...

Folios 335-336: Sir George Home Bt, HMS Defiance, Leith Roads. Copy of a letter to Rear Admiral Pringle concerning a Mutiny on board HMS Defiance, being on shore at the time, Mr Watson, Mate of the Watch, reported to Mr Hewitt, First Lieutenant, that the ship's company were in a state of mutiny, Lieutenants Hewitt, Hughes, Mr Malion, acting Lieutenant, and Mr Nicholl, Master, with allthe Petty Officers immediately went below to quiet them but without effect, and were in armed possession of the ship, soon went on board followed by Captain John McDougal of HMS Asia and Captain William Lechmere of HMS Jupiter where they heard reports on the situation which he goes on to describe in detail, the grievances were said to be lack of liberty and the five water grog and they did not want to be under his command, eventually five men were identified as leaders and put in irons and a list [not present] of those involved compiled.

Folio 337: enclosure in folios 335-336. Sir George Home Bt, HMS Defiance, Leith. Having discovered William Avery and Charles Pick to be among those who broke open the door of the Steward Room of HMS Defiance and the latter had attempted to take the life of the Steward's Mate, John Blackledge, by threatening him with a pistol, also discovered that John Graham was the author of an anonymous letter enclosed [Not Present], all of whom have been placed in confinement for Mutiny, awaits further orders.