Trotter had insisted that a merchant ship should accompany the ships of the expedition so that trade could begin immediately with the indigenous people for such articles as they could produce, because the indigenous people could not be expected to look for eventual returns from the Agricultural Society but needed immediate proofs. He had heard that more than one steam vessel existed suited to the purpose and suggests one might be chartered. He asks for his views quickly as no time was to be lost if they were to put the plan into action, commenting that forming a great company would be prove too slow for getting the vessel freighted at Glasgow and despatched to ascend the Niger with the others. He adds that he was going to Liverpool and would see whether there was something suitable there.