He adds that Lushington thought very little of the liabilities risk, that the store ship could not find room for the agricultural implements, that it would be sailing in a week, and that their selected planter was in Liverpool and would probably take on another assignment if they did not act immediately. He adds that Edward Forster was out of town and Captain Cook was discouraged, and begs him to help by writing letters containing instructions. He reports that Bird Allen could only get five knots out of the 'Soudan', and alterations should therefore be made including changing the engines. In fact, none of the vessels had enough power and they all drew a foot more water than the contract specified. The 'Soudan' would sail from Liverpool on the 24th for Woolwich, where the situation could be investigated. He insists that he could not give his consent to the boat leaving unless it could produce eight miles an hour in smooth water. He mentions that ten pages of Lushington's 'reply' were at the press; if they could only get his preface and conclusions, he would willingly supply the middle part consisting of facts. He refers to a letter Lushington proposed to write to Buxton enclosing one from Carr in Sierra Leone about sugar-growing there and the disappearance of 45 free labourers apparently in the direction of Dahomey (Benin). He asks for a list of people to whom the now finished translation into French of his book should be sent, suggesting that a copy be sent to each of the French scientific bodies.