He regrets Trotter's anxieties over the ventilation system, states that the government would surely not quibble over an extra £500 [£1,400 was the sum mentioned in pp. 119-120] for perfecting it, but that if it did, the Society would provide the money and he would personally ensure that it had it. He remarks on the fact that Becroft's expedition had not been heard of and that Jamieson was so calm about it, attributing it to difficulties over lack of water. He wonders whether they themselves would be so philosophical if they were not to hear from Trotter for so long. He comments on the good impression created by the presence of Trotter's family at the service in Liverpool of Haldane Stewart when prayers were offered for the expedition. Later, he writes that he was sending the transcript of the examination of Captain King who had been sent to Benin (southern Nigeria) for some years as the agent of some Liverpool merchants to induce the indigenous peoples to produce more palm oil; Trotter could get hold of him through the Coast Guard office. He mentions that he had been thinking of him sailing in the 'Albert' on the stormy night of the 17th. (Copy.)