To Robert Arbuthnot from Aberdeen He has just returned home from Edinburgh. He proposes journey to Peterhead when weather better. Reference to Mercers. Nephew David Valentine, Lieutenant of Sea Gull, is in Leith roads, and will call on Arbuthnot . Superior officers praised him high, but misfortune has kept him back. When Arbuthnot has heard his story, he may think of some plan to encourage and promote him. He went to sea at ten as apprentice to his father in the Montrose trade. He has often been in command as acting lieutenant, but never as a lieutenant till Sir Charles Middleton procured this for him last summer. 14 May 1796