He regrets that their former friends had either deserted them or were merely lukewarm and reports that most of the support came from the friends of Sir George Murray and that he had been much helped in his future election by the meeting. He felt, as a result, that they were in a false position, fighting an old battle with new friends while their old friends stood aloof. He reports favourably on the opening speech of the Dean of Manchester and mentions that Trew had gone on to Liverpool. He asks whether Trew had made Washington a Secretary. He tells Buxton that he was at a loss over what to do about the treaties and instructions, and claims that, despite what Stephen had said, he had never opened his mouth about them and that Buxton was the enthusiast about the model treaty. He could not see how one model treaty could apply in a number of varying cases and was therefore puzzled as to what to do, since he assumed that Buxton had already communicated Beldam's observations to the government and he himself could add little though he might alter. The instructions seemed to him more important and practical, but there was difficulty with them too, and he asks whether he should send his idea of them even though he had never been asked by Lord John Russell to do so. He had completed the task Russell had set him. Since he was in an almost impossible situation, he asks him to write to him again. Trew had returned from Liverpool and he himself had sent for Dr Reid to discuss the ventilation of the steamers. Reid said that he had had more to do than in ordinary cases to prevent a mortality of 80% and he had instructed him to do what was necessary.