Disappointed not to see Smith at Norwich, [Norfolk], and of making further acquaintance following their meeting at Holkham [Hall, Norfolk, home of Thomas William Coke]. Shortly leaving for Europe, his itinerary; requests introductions. Forwards letter from [David] Hosack.

Proposes to visit Smith at Norwich, [Norfolk], before leaving for Gottingen, [Sweden].

Has been touring Europe but nowhere has delighted him as much as Britain. His impressions of Paris: thinks the French have "not only hung up their harps but hung themselves up also", and though there are as many French here as previously, and there is hardly French character enough about Paris for it to be called the capital of France; great influx of English.

Sorry Smith is unlikely to be in London as early as expected on account of ill health. Will not attend Linnean Society anniversary dinner on 24 [May] as the state of his health compels him to avoid "as much as possible hot & crowded rooms", but will attend the meeting to be admitted as FLS.

Will communicate what Smith says of 'Trifolium macrorrhizum' to [George] Sinclair.

Asks if Smith can procure a copy of the "Parody of the Nicene Creed" written during period the French Revolution and lately reprinted at Norwich, as the suspension of the Habeas Corpus act is about to be discussed in the House of Lords and the report from their committee relies upon "the mischief that has been done by blasphemous publications".

Expressed his sentiments on renewal of the Suspension Bills [in House of Lords] last night, and in commenting on the evidence explained the circumstances of the parody on the Nicene Creed without mentioning names; Lord Sidmouth [Henry Addington, 1st Viscount Sidmouth (1757-1844), Home Secretary 1812-1822] denied ever having seen or heard of the publication but if it can be ascertained that it was sent to him it will be of "some importance".

Forwards book by [Jean Vincent Félix] Lamouroux [(1779-1825), botanist] Smith purchased off him. Requests Smith's opinion on enclosed 'Ulva' specimen [Smith annotation: "merely 'Fucus saccharinus' rather longe!"]. He has been in Shropshire this summer, studying the larch beetle , which "continues its ravages"; in correspondence with [William] Kirby on subject and will present paper to Linnean Society.

Finally decided that Smith has no claim under the estate of White, Cochrane & Co [publishers] farther than the payments already made by the agreement of "Flora Britannica". The present proprietors of "Flora Britannica" have no objection to corresponding with Smith about completion of the work.

Account: Smith to estate of White Cochrane & Co.

A further dividend is to be made on the estate of White, Cochrane & Co. [publishers], instructed to write to Smith requesting £44 14s, being the balance due from Smith to the estate.

[Smith has briefly annotated his reply at bottom of verso of folio]

Acknowledges receipt of £42 8s 6d from Smith, which balances his account with White & Cochrane's [publishers] assigness. Sorry that Smith's "property has been so sacrificed in consequence of the Bankruptcy, which otherwise no doubt would have produced a considerable profit".

Tempted to write this letter by the kindness Smith showed him in London; informs Smith of two new supposed plants, 'Reseda undata' and 'Euphorbia emarginata' of "Hortus Kewensis"; the first growing in Clifton and the latter in Swansea. Offers to send dried specimens if required.

Sends specimens and grain of a curious species of wild wheat found near Rome, Oneida County, New York, gives a brief description of it and relates how it resists the destructive effects of winter frosts that destroys common wheat, comparing it to rye. Questions whether it is indigenous or originally imported wheat accidently introduced, leans towards the former, with reservations, and gives his reasons, remarking on Linnaeus' six species of 'Triticum', Ceres, Roman goddess of agriculture, and 'Froment tremais'. Is of the opinion that many American native plants have been improperly considered naturalised, is confident in naming the Rome wheat 'Triticum americanum'. Also sends specimens of Wild Rye which grows in parts of the country bordering the upper parts of the Mohawk River, would like an opinion. Beneath Clinton's signature is written "David Hosack M.D." Smith has annotated on the first page "Mr Lambert is making observations on this subject".

["Copied" is marked in pencil on last page, and in a different hand "culmiferous"]

Engaged Richard Clarke of Apothecaries Hall in making further enquiries into "Balsam of Guatemala" and "'Myrospermum [falcictem]'", after ascertaining that balsam of tolu will not mix with alcohol to answer the puposes alluded to by Dr Luxunasa [Spanish doctor]. Encloses a copy of a letter from Richard Clarke, dated 25 Feb 1817, relating his findings from his enquiries, including the production methods, believes the balsam described by Dr Luxunasa relates more to balsam of Peru, comments on prescriptions and uses.

Requests information on "Balsam of Guatemala" [balsam of tolu] and "'Myrospermum toluiferum'", anxious to learn more after the Minister of Denmark received a letter from an eminent physician in Spain about it.

Sending books from Mr Targioni. Has collected every kind of 'Cryptogam' in the area. Purchased a collection of Lichens from Schleicher of Bex, recommends him as a source for specimens, is much advanced in his drawings to illustrate [Erik] Acharius. Botany in Florence is respectable but not encouraged. The Grand Duke has a botanic garden but the best plants were removed to a botanic garden at Orto Frisco run by Targioni for agricultural experiments. Praises Targioni, has been able to examine the garden's lichens in Micheli's collection. Botanical lectures are given in the garden and at the Academy of the Georgople. Mr Radi, head of the Royal Museum, recently discovered a new moss, 'Fabronia pusilla', [Olof] Swartz has found a species of the same genus. Targioni plans to publish account of the 'Jungermanniae' of the country on a new system. Wishes to engage him on a "pocket "Flora Toscana" to encourage interest in botany, "the nobles are not rich enough to purchase science, nor wise enough to esteem it". [Gaetano] Savi in Pisa is working on a "Flora Etrusca".

When crossing Mount Cenis found 'Cetraria cuculata' as mentioned in Smith's "Tour". Comments on the great number of English in Florence in the winter, believes it not a good place for delicate constitutions at that time of year due to the dampness, an epidemic of typhus. Thanks Smith for his letters of introduction: at Geneva met Mr Piclet, Messrs Jurine and Morricand, at Turin Professor [Giovanni ?] Biroli [(1772-1825) Italian botanist], at Milan [Barnaba] Oriani, Mr Herman and Mr Breislach the mineralogist. Sent Smith's letter to Ippolito Durazzo, whose sister is in Florence married to the Sardinian minister Brignoli.

Resigning as FLS to reduce his expenses as his professional situation [Dean of Chester] causes him to subscribe to many charitable institutions.

Account of the 'Lycoperdon tuber' of [John] Clayton [(1686-1773) plant collector in Virginia], being the 'Lycoperdon cervinum' of [Thomas] Walter [(c 1740-1789) American botanist] and species of 'Sclerotium' of [Christiaan Hendrik] Persoon, a subterranean fungus found in several southern states of North America, written in response to its general omission from publications, including [Friedrich Traugott] Pursh's "Flora Americana". Acknowledges Dr James Macbride of South Carolina as providing most of the information. Has sent specimens.

Separate note: "Psorex? A non descript species of mus, - see Bartram "Travels Through North and South Carolina, Georgia etc." Philadelphia 1791" [unclear what this relates to].

Introduces Theodore Lyman of Boston, Massachusetts, who is coming to Europe for second time to meet "the most distinguished literary characters". Encloses account of the "great 'Lycoperdon' of South Carolina" from information given by James Macbride, who is now a FMLS. Hosack's pupils are collecting the plants of New York, an account is being prepared which will be sent to Smith or Linnean Society.

Received Smith's letter of 24 March and "Compendium [florae Britannicae]". [American] Philosphical Society to publish their second volume within the next six months, invites Smith to send a paper. Intending to send his son to Oxford or Cambridge. The books he is sending to Sir Joseph Banks and Horticultural Society, under care of his fellow former student [Joseph] Sabine, may differ from those he sends to Smith. Sending various unnamed magazines and publications, including book on "Life of Mr Fullar, inventor of steamboats", asks Smith to present it to the Royal Society after he has read it.

Sends papers on contemplated canal between Lake Erie and the Hudson river, work of which has begun under direction of DeWitt Clinton. Clinton has just been elected governor of New York, believes he will be the next President of the United States, nominates him to be a member of the Linnean and Royal Societies, lists his commendments including extensive botanical collections, referring Smith to second volume of "the Repository" for biographical information, shall write to Banks' on same subject.

Often sees [José Francisco] Corrêa de Serra who is enjoying a good income as the Portugeuse Minister to American government. Requests copy of third edition of Smith's "Elements"[?] and last edition of "Tour on the Continent"; "there is no book in our city library that has been more read". Bust of Smith placed in New York Institution. In reference to a conversation had in 1794 asks after the minerals in the Linnaean collections and whether the Institution would be able to purchase them.

Encloses paper by DeWitt Clinton for "Linnean Transactions" [unknown], with plants and seeds to follow. Appends an addition to his paper on "the Carolina fungus" in case it is published. Has sent a box of books.