Andrew Paton gives William Lloyd Garrison his regrets that he will be prevented from journeying to see Garrison off on his return voyage to the United States, as he is engaged with meetings on that particular day, and cannot break free from his obligations. Paton informs Garrison that their mutual friend, the Scottish abolitionist William Smeal, was buried on the 22nd, and comments that the newspapers sent to cover the funeral show "the esteem he was held in by his fellow citizens".