Enclosure: Copy of a letter from Mr E Waffe, Mr Lea and Mr [Stollord] at Plymouth in which he/they relate that they have been on-board the EXPRESS Advice Boat and found the Officers and seamen very critical of her handling in a seaway during the recent bad weather, that she frequently took seas and could not carry a foresail and mizzen together. The inspectors admit that she is very low in the water but opine that her provisions have been stowed in the upper part of the hold causing her to be unstable though they cannot see how else they could have been stowed. They express the opinion that she was as well prepared for sea as could be expected for a voyage to the East Indies having had her bottom treated with tarred canvas and sheathed and her mainmast altered to accommodate a different sail plan with a mizzen. They conclude by stating that careful thought was given to her and all necessary measures taken when preparing her for the voyage but bow to the opinion of those who have had the experience of being in her at sea. Also appended is a letter from the Boatswain/Carpenter of the EXPRESS Advice Boat in which relates that when at sea to the East of the Lizard in bad weather and overloaded with provisions they could not carry any sail and that the ship was swamped three times before she could be brought before the wind. The following day they sighted some small merchant vessels astern and although carrying their main and topsails reefed the ships were able to overtake them. He concludes by stating that the EXPRESS was making water when under way due to the her outer sheathing being too thin and over-nailed. Continuous pumping had been necessary. Continued in Item 114.