Beginning with Buxton's visits to Stanley on 7 May when Stanley revealed the details of the government's plan for the abolition of slavery [i.e. for a compulsory twelve-year apprenticeship, and the enslaved people being required to pay for their freedom], a proposal that had shocked and depressed Buxton. He was instructed to keep it all secret, although Macaulay remained continually with him and very anxious to know was. She describes how, the following day, Buxton saw Lord Althorp and Sir James Graham and declared his total rejection of their proposals, to the extent of taking the Opposition's part in the Commons. She writes of a dinner at which they were joined by James Stephen and Macaulay, after which Josiah Forster and George Stacey from the Anti-Slavery Society, followed by Dr Lushington, came in demanding to know the details, but Buxton spoke only to Dr Lushington. She goes on to describe how Forster and Stacey returned later on after seeing George Stephen; they all gave Buxton advice, but he remained unsure what to do. She writes that the following day, she and Chenda took Buxton to Dagenham for a rest and she persuaded him to ignore a plea from Lushington and Macaulay for his return, so that he had a good respite in a lovely peaceful place, during which time the government's plans were published.

She relates how they returned on the Monday, which she spent putting together the [ladies' anti-slavery] petition, which became so huge it could not easily be moved and which was presented, among others, to the Commons by Buxton on the following night. She describes Stanley's excellent speech moving the government's Abolition Bill, in which he recounted the history of the anti-slavery movement in the last ten years and the leading part played by Buxton, before outlining the government's plans for Abolition, which they thought very bad. She adds that a good speech by Lord Howick finished the debate, with Buxton maintaining his opposition if the government insisted on the enslaved people paying for their freedom.

She describes the activity in the Ventilator and the constant comings and goings of various people, including Stanley, the Duke of Richmond, and Lord Kerry. She writes of Buxton's delight at hearing his own aims adopted by the government, but she fears that he is too hopeful and that much work remains to be done, adding that he had told Stanley that he intended to keep up the pressure for a little while yet, and had also told Lord Althorp of his pleasure at the government's decision, along with his determination to resist specific measures in their plans. She relates how, before the debate, Buxton had shown her a Bible text that had supported him, and outlines a prayer of his, asking for divine assistance and guidance, and giving thanks. She finishes with news of the ladies' and men's [anti-slavery] petitions. (Copy.) (Memoir, pp. 321 and 324-325.) (Also included in Vol. 2 of the main collection, MSS. Brit. Emp. s. 444 Vol. 2, pp. 273-288.)