He remarks what a strange collection they would be even if only a quarter of them attended the meeting and asks what was to be done with Sturge's followers when they were gathered together. He inquires whether he should prepare resolutions, whether Buxton intended to establish the Association, and whether he would see him before the meeting as he had heard that he had returned to Upton. He adds that he was not surprised about Fernando Po (Bioko) since the Spaniards were slow and suspicious where money was concerned. He had seen McLean and Captain Cook but had received little information from them, possibly because of his own deficiency as a questioner. He asks whether he had seen an article in The Times, criticising his book and employing an argument that Lushington had feared might be raised. Finally, he gives Buxton permission to keep a letter from Normanby, which he was sending.