Arrangements for [John Russell, 6th] Duke of Bedford's first attendance at Linnean Society. His opinion of [John] Murray of Stranraer, [Scotland]; no claim to be FLS except on strength of his paper on vegetable poisons, he is "an itinerant lecturer", as [Richard] Salisbury once called [Smith]. "Far more sorry than surprised" regarding [Thomas] Marsham's financial troubles, asks Macleay to reassure Marsham of his continuing regard for him. Satisfied with title "Institutor".

Intends to have [Thomas] Martyn resign the [Cambridge botany] professorship in April, erroneous reports of Martyn's death have helped his cause; lists supporters. [William] Kirby intends to oppose him only as he [Smith] is a dissenter and not of the university; his low opinion of Kirby.

They have heard nothing of Miss Fanny Smith's intended marriage.

[William] Kirby acting contrary to Macleay's claimed reasons for his running for [Cambridge botany professorship]; he has the character of a priest, "in the bad sense, [...] essentially composed of hypocrisy & bigottry", which he distinguishes from a "Christian Divine, of whatever church or denomination". Discusses his own chances for Cambridge; has only to "try the fate of the election"; support pledged by Dean of Norwich [Joseph Turner (c 1746-1828)], Bishop of Bristol [William Lort Mansel], and "many other most orthodox clergy".

Comments on "sad event at Liverpool to poor [William] Roscoe" [whose bank failed].

His health continues very weak but mends daily. Hopes to be in London about 20 May to attend Linnean Society audit. Lord [Edward Smith-]Stanley and Richard Taylor [(1781-1858), printer and naturalist] should be recommended for Council. Hopes to attend anniversary meeting. Asks to be remembered to [Thomas] Marsham.

Wishes some notice to be paid to [Richard] Taylor [(1781-1858), printer and naturalist] as a return for his "gratuitous assistance as Secretary". Has informed [John Russell, 6th] Duke of Bedford that he can be admitted to Linnean Society at his leisure after paying the fee. Happy to hear [Thomas] Marsham as taking the "best method to silence "curious tongues"".

Account of his improved health, though he is still weak; arranged for Bishop of Carlisle [Samuel Goodenough] to preside at anniversary meeting, impossible for him to attend for fear of journeys such as those in 1802 and 1812 which affected his health so much, his current illness also caused by journey from London. If Marsham pays all he owes by 24 [May 1816] "some civil notice of him should be taken", otherwise "silence will be most prudent".

Confirms he is unable to come to London; hopes Bishop of Carlisle [Samuel Goodenough] will not treat [Thomas] Marsham , and if the remaining £200 be paid hopes nothing will be said of him. Asks Macleay to inform him how and when he appointed the vice-presidents in 1812. [Richard] Salisbury's paper "ought by no means to be printed" on grounds that the Linnean Society should not "sanction such changes" nor print "what may be only a trap for us, like his indecent paper".

Encloses list of his preferred Linnean Society vice-presidents. "A thous[an]d thanks for all y[ou]r intelligence, trouble & attention"; grieves for [Thomas] Marsham and hopes to one day see him at the Society in "honour & credit" but unhappy that Marsham originally said the whole debt was £400, as it makes him look "deceived or deceitful".

His friend, Joseph Sparshall of Norwich, "a good young entomologist", wishes to become FLS; vouches for his personal worth, he will call on Macleay on way back from Paris. Recalls Samuel Young of Formosa, Berkshire, now Sir Samuel Young, baronet, being proposed FLS 4 or 5 years ago; asks why he is not on the list.

He is "quite recovered" from his late illness and is to go into the country for several days before going to Lowestoft, [Suffolk]. His friend, [Joseph] Sparshall, pleased with his reception at Paris and now on his way home; presumes it was Sir Samuel Young's certificate for the Royal Society he was thinking of. They now begin to have summer.

Received Macleay's letter of 13 [July 1816]. Returning to Norwich, [Norfolk], tomorrow before leaving for [John Russell, 6th] Duke of Bedford's and Holkham [Hall, Norfolk, home of Thomas William Coke]. Sir Benjamin Hobhouse wishes to become a FLS.

Uncertain if [George] Caley's [(1770-1829), farrier and botanist] collection [of New Holland zoology] is worth paying much for; in general he never used to bring such subscriptions before the Linnean Society, thinks "that for [Richard] Relhan's herbarium was entirely thrown away - he & his collection being equally worthless", but will subscribe £10 anyway; thinks the Bishop of Durham [Shute Barrington] "ought to do something for us" and asks Macleay to privately inform his of this subscription.

Asks that all his belongings be sent to Norwich, though his "chapeau may remain". Apologises to [Thomas] Woodward and [John] Stackhouse for missing anniversary meeting.

Leaving for Woburn Abbey, [Bedfordshire, home of John Russell, 6th Duke of Bedford] tomorrow. Received [Thomas] Woodward and [Robert] Stone's [(c 1751-1829), botanist] guinea Linnean Society subscriptions; directions for sending their copies of "Linnean Transactions". Remarks that "pay is become a prevalent word in our language".

Heard a report 10 or 12 days ago of death of [Thomas] Marsham, but as he has not had it confirmed by a letter from Macleay or in the papers hopes it is not true. Spent all of last week at Sir Thomas Cullum's and next week shall be at Yarmouth, [Norfolk], or Lowestoft, [Suffolk]. Has papers and presents to send Linnean Society. Asks if Macleay knows anything of Dr Nisbet. "Statistic report from Norfolk", including item "water - more than has been known since the days of Noah".

Just returned home from his wife's [Pleasance Smith] brother's wedding. Distressed by news that [Thomas] Marsham has not paid his bills to the Linnean Society; despite all his "indulgence for an unfortunate friend" feels compelled by his obligations to the Society to do everything possible to recover the money; asks that the state of the case be presented to first Council meeting of the session; his knowledge of the case.

Dawson Turner has been with him. Keen to talk with Macleay in person about plans for [Benjamin] Robertson's [(c 1732-1800)] botanic garden. Neither he nor Turner have any knowledge of the three recent FMLS proposals, and asks that they be withdrawn, as he wishes the foreign list is increased as little as possible before the charter is received.

[Christiaan Hendrik] Persoon has requested the drawings for his paper on fungi be returned, as he has published the text in his "Synopsis Fungorum"

Thinks the Linnean Society Council ought to have immediately tried to get security from [Thomas] Marsham for his debts. Pleased to hear Sir Joseph Banks is recovering. Nothing to say regarding Cambridge [his campaign for botany professorship], the heads of houses consulting lawyers about mode of election. Wishes somebody would oblige Sir J G to take the name "Horn", so that he would then be called "Justly Green-Horn" [Sir Justly Watson Green, 2nd baronet (1755-1826)], "totally ignorant & incompetent". Has seen that Macleay's office is abolished.

[John] Bradbury, an old FLS who has been travelling in north America for some time and is now in heavy arrears, has asked to compound with 10 guineas in full; advises Council to grant this indulgence "as his name is honourable to us".

Asks if Sir [Justly Watson] Green's [2nd baronet, (1755-1826)] paper on 'Phascum' is a continuation of any former paper on the genus; "greatly doubts his knowledge of such very difficult matters". Hopes to send a paper of his own by 21 January.

Condolences on death of [George] Anderson [(fl 1800s-1817), plant collector]; hopes neither Anderson's paper on 'Paeonia' or willow collection are lost. Returns Sir [Justly Watson] Green's [2nd baronet, (1755-1826)] paper on 'Phascum' with no conclusive judgement as to its worth; [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert's paper [on 'Cinchona'] should be printed. Sending his own paper on 'Tofieldia' and another on 'Lycopodium', with [Robert] Brown, not to be printed.

Urges Linnean Society Council to take legal action against [Thomas] Marsham [to recover debts].

Necessary for him to make an addition to his 'Tofieldia' paper before it is printed.

Objects to the Horticultural Society having daily use of Linnean rooms as it would "endanger our property", and be "extremely burthensome" to [Robert] Brown and the servants, "not on acc[oun]t of that Soc[iet]y most of whose members are our friends, but because there will unavoidably be strangers, gardeners &c, up & down", but if agreed to the Horicultural Society ought to pay at least £100 per annum; he has "always felt that we should be more dignified if we had our house to ourselves". Intends to be in London by end of April.

His trip to London delayed by an influenza attack but hopes to be there by 5 May [1817]. Proposes Sir Christopher Pegge [(1764-1822), physician] as a Council member. Essential for [Thomas] Marsham to repay more of his debt before Linnean Society anniversary meeting.

Forced to again delay his journey to London but intends to arrive in time for Linnean Society anniversary meeting. Anxious that Sir Christopher Pegge [(1764-1822), physician] be made part of Council, also suggests [Thomas Thynne, 2nd] Marquess of Bath [(1765-1837)]. Proposes Baron Alexander [von] Humboldt for FMLS, and either [Jean] Cuvier or [Augustin] de Candolle if there is another vacancy. Mortified to miss the dinner at Somerset Place [House, home of the Royal Society]. Necessary for [Thomas] Marsham to have repaid all his debt to the Society by the anniversary, or a considerable part with sufficient apology.

Macleay's account of "poor [Thomas] Marsham" makes his "heart ache". His health "perfectly restored", but still "tender & not strong", hopeful for attending in 3 weeks [Linnean Society anniversary dinner]. Duke of [John Russell, 6th] Bedford will attend anniversary dinner, though he "dreads a hot full room".

Uncertain whether to lament loss of Macleay's office, hopes he obtains what he "so well deserve[s], an easier, & at least as profitable a place". Intends to stay at 43 Seymour Street when in London [home of Aylmer Bourke Lambert]. His dependence on Macleay for forwarding his letters and parcels. Hopes the Society received security for Marsham's debts.