Oldham is pleased that Hooker and Smith found his first instalment of plants and seeds, shipped on the 'Odin', satisfactory. Oldham hopes Hooker has now received his second instalment. The third shipment, lately sent on the 'Sir Isaac Newton', comprises seven boxes of plants and four of woods. The Captain advised Oldham he would try and land at St Katherine's dock and immediately post the bill of lading Oldham entrusted him with. Oldham has sent two other copies of the bill. He has further plants to send from his collecting in May and June. Oldham is not yet able to send herbarium specimens corresponding to the wood sections, as he does not know all the botanical names. To procure woods it is necessary to engage a man to go out and cut down the trees, with the permission of each landowner, then bring them back to the English settlement. Woods are relatively cheap to obtain, but expensive to ship to England. Oldham has tried to limit this cost by sending back smaller sections. He heard of his appointment to the vessel 'Swallow' through the acting vice consul, Myburgh. He has not had direct orders from Hooker, but will proceed to Hong Kong to meet the 'Swallow' in accordance with what Hooker wrote to Myburgh. Oldham cannot recall if the 'Swallow' is bound for Cochin China or Japan, but will do his best to be productive and form a comprehensive and useful collection. Much however, depends on Captain Wilde [Wilds] and the Officers. If the captain consents, Oldham will employ a Chinaman to assist him in collecting. Oldham loses a lot of time on board ship to sea sickness. By going to Hong Kong, Oldham will miss the Yokohama seeds for the second time. However there will be advantages to being attached to the 'Swallow', such as greater variety of country to explore. Also, Oldham will avoid the expense of living on shore and will be able draw his money from the ship's paymaster at the government rate, leaving more money to buy living plants and museum articles. Pages 1 and 4 of 10.