Thanks for Smith's letter of 13 [January]. Just recovered from severe cough and inflammation on the lungs, the same as last year which Mr Williams "wilfully" misdiagnosed. Surprised and upset by failure of [William] Roscoe's bank [Roscoe was a partner in the Clarke family bank, which failed in 1816]. Fears the country is in a "miserable state" and does not know what can be done to pay the nation's creditors. He has no rents and farms thrown "on hand", wishes that [Thomas William] Coke's tenant who "set a notable example of calling out his landlord" had been "more severely punished". Would be happy to see Smith's friend Mr Lane at Lympstone, [Devon].

Thanks for Smith's sympathy [on failure of his banking house]; speculates causes including the great employment of capital following the opening of the American trade and immense exports of Liverpool merchants, most of whom kept their accounts with them, although though most direct and immediate cause was from the least expected quarter [unspecified]. Confident that his and his partners' property will cover all debts and leave a disposable income for themselves and consoles himself with the thought of being freed from his many obligations. Was unaware that [Thomas William] Coke, Lord Derby [Edward Smith-Stanley], and others had been applied to. His family bear it well.

"Greatly surprised" to hear that [William] Kirby had put himself forward as a candidate for the [Cambridge] botanical professorship but believes he only did so as he thought the university's "shameful objection" to Smith would be fatal to Smith's cause, and thinks Smith wrong to charge him of hypocrisy. His opinion of Smith's chances and controversy surrounding him.

Recently discovered that the signature of the president is necessary before the Linnean Society seal can be affixed to anything; sends power of attorney for Smith to sign.

Informs Smith of Lord Hardwicke's [Philip Yorke, 3rd Earl of Hardwicke (1757-1834)] support of his Cambridge candidature. Sinclair and Russell's "Hortus Gramineus Woburnensis" in the press. Recently met [Augustin Pyramys] de Candol[l]e, who is coming to Norwich and recommends Smith also meeting him

Coming to Norwich.

Laments [William] Roscoe's misfortunes [collapse of his business interests in 1816]. [Dawson] Turner, his wife and family have promised to visit.

Thanks for turkey. [Augustin Pyramus] de Candolle is in England and intends to visit Smith. Asks if Smith has seen [Edward Daniel] Clarke's new volume and Beeston's "account of St Helena". Professor [Christen] Smith [(1785-1816)] of Christiana returned from an eight month expedition to Canary Islands, has given Lambert duplicates of his whole collection, includes a 'Pinus' similar to 'Pinus pinaster', describes differences, mentioned in [Alexander von] Humboldt's first volume of "Travels". Recently stayed at Lord Blandford's [George Spencer-Churchill], his home Whiteknights, [Reading, Berkshire], the "1st of the kind in Europe".

Smith's candidature for Botany Professorship at Cambridge University. Erroneous reports of his death in Norwich and London papers have initiated canvassing at Cambridge. [Richard] Relhan has urged Martyn to vacate Walkerian lectureship, details of Relhan's canvassing.

Smith's candidature for Botany Professorship at Cambridge University. Believes Smith will encounter powerful opposition from Trinity and St John's Colleges. Discusses support of other college heads.

Smith's candidature for Botany Professorship at Cambridge University. Has heard little of the professorship since [Thomas] Martyn's "reviviscene" [Martyn had been prematurely reported as dead in Norwich and London papers]. Lists Smith's competitors: [Richard] Relhan; two members of Jesus College; and two Linnean Society members, Powell and Pryne. Powell has given notice of reading lectures in agriculture this term. Smith's status as a dissenter has been mentioned several times as an impediment to his election. Promises to support Smith should Relhan give up.

Smith's candidature for Botany Professorship at Cambridge University. [Premature] report of [Thomas] Martyn's death caused the college heads to debate mode for electing a successor to the professorship, it was decided that the appointment is responsibility of the Crown and the university cannot interfere with any appointment. Urgently advises Smith to apply to the government and secure their nomination. Confirms that the only election in the university will be for Walker's lectureship at the Botanic Garden. Recommends Smith immediately enter himself at Pembroke or Trinity college.

Thanks for hospitality at Norwich; is now the guest of [Dawson] Turner. Would like to see Smith and his willows again before leaving England.

Send letter, encouraged by spirit of Smith's generosity. Encloses catalogue of plant specimens collected in last 6 years during extensive tours of Italy and offers to send 300 or 600 of them.

Intends to undertake a botanical expedition to Crete in July and August, and if possible visit the neighbouring regions, in the footsteps of [John] Sibthorp; asks for Smith's blessing.

Sends Marschall von Bieberstein's "Fl. Taurico-Caucasica"; sends specimens; asks for confirmation of determinations (marked by Smith in margin, "Right"); asks for duplicates (marked by Smith "sent packet of Botanical Bay plants and my Compendn, ed, 2").

Discussion of a plant used for stupefying fish and its use by ancient Greeks and Romans. The plant has the modern name 'Euphorbia characias' and 'Verbascum sinuatum'. [John] Sibthorp said that 'Mercurialis annua' is now used for catching 'Scarus'. A further reference in memoirs of the French Institute on the fishing of the "ancients". A long extract from "His. Plan. IX.c.10", in French. Asks Smith's opinion on this, and the use of '[H]ellebore'. Sibthorp says the three plants with this quality are 'Conium maculatum ', 'Euphorbia characias', and 'Verbascum sinuatum', asks Smith to add the modern name 'Cyclamen'. Transcribes account of a herb being used to gather fish, sent by a friend travelling in Greece.

Had to delay forwarding Smith's letter to [Francis] Boott. [Alexander] Macleay confident that [Thomas] Marsham will repay the money but [Robert] Brown not sure, concern that the affair will bring the Linnean Society into "great discredit". Brown thinks [Edward] Rudge has exagerated the business. [William Elford] Leach did not at first state that Marsham had paid £300 for the lease of the Society's Gerard Street house. Marsham's debt found to be £700, not the £600 originally stated by others, including [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert.

Attended a dinner at Clare Hall, Cambridge, with [William] Webb and Dr [Martin] Davy, who hopes for Smith's success [in campaign for Cambridge botany professorship]; neither [George] Leathes [(1779-1836)] or Davies were mentioned [Smith's rivals for professorship]. The university divided on mode of election as there has not been one for a botanical professor for fifty years, and whether the college heads can reduce the number of candidates to two.

Attended Linnean Club dinner; [Alexander] Macleay in chair supported by [William] Smith and [Joseph] Sabine, William Webb admitted a FLS by Sabine, [Edward and Thomas Furly] Forster also present, [William George] Maton absent on account of death of his father, and [Thomas] Marsham absent until "times are better with him". Sir Everard Home [(1756-1832), physician], took chair at Royal Society as Sir Joseph Banks too ill, two archdukes who wanted to become FRS announced and duly elected. A botanical publication brought from Paris by Bowater for [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert seized with the contraband items it was packed with. [William Elford] Leach, "the great zoological reformer", has been elected FRS and Duke of Norfolk [Bernard Howard (1765-1842)] nominated by Banks. Presumes Smith and the Council will propose a plan for amending Linnean Society finances.

Hopes [William Elford] Leach's long paper in the new volume of "Linnean Transactions" ['A tabular View of the external Characters of Four Classes of Animals'] will not lead the Society to be called the "Crabby, or Crusty Society".