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This letter appears to be a draft copy, it is not signed by Joseph Dalton Hooker, though it is written in his hand, & it contains extensive corrections & struck through text. JDH writes to [William Henry] Smith regarding a potential conflict over the HMS 'Challenger' expedition collections, which he fears may arise between the scientific staff of the expedition & the British Museum. His fears stem from correspondence sent to the Royal Society by the Admiralty & Treasury. JDH offers his services as a mediator to head off this dispute as he knows the parties involved & has experience dealing with scientific expeditions. He asks to be put in contact with anyone at the Treasury who takes an interest in the matter.
At the behest of the Royal Society officers JDH requests a meeting with an officer of the Treasury. This is in response to a letter from Mr Law. JDH will call at the Treasury the following day; Friday 3 Nov 1876, in hope of seeing William Henry Smith.
JDH writes that he is waiting to hear whether the Royal Society has accepted the proposal that it undertake the work on Sir Wyville Thomson's specimens [from the HMS 'Challenger' expedition]. If the suggestion is approved JDH will submit a detailed plan. The plan has already been prepared, a complex procedure as a work of such scope has never been undertaken before. The plan will ask for £3500 for 1877-1878 for the publication of the work. JDH asks Smith to authorise the submission of the plan to the Navy[?].