Sending drawing of a "minute species" of 'Jungermannia', made in November 1798 [extant]. Bryant has it in his collection, and [John] Pitchford sent him some; [James] Dickson named it 'minima'. Description of the plant. Notes for if it is published in "English botany"._x000D_

[Note to James Sowerby in Smith's hand on recto of second folio] 'Jungermannia divaricata' Smith, to be drawn for table 719 of "English botany"; asks Sowerby to take note of Francis' remarks and to return the specimens and drawing._x000D_

Eight small drawings of plant on single folio, coloured.

Encloses authority [extant, as copy] for Smith to take possession of [John Sibthorp's] collections; refers Smith to Lady Sewell and Professor Williams for the journals and other papers.

[Letter to Dr Marlow, President of St John's College, Oxford, and Vice-Chancellor of University of Oxford, from John Hawkins and Thomas Platt (d 1842), one of John Sibthorp's executors, supervised the publication of "Flora Graeca", copy in Smith's hand]: requests that Smith be given all materials required for completion and publication of Sibthorp's "Flora Graeca".

Discussed arrangements for the plates of "Flora Graeca" with [Ferdinand Lucas] Bauer [(1760-1826), botanical artist], who believes he will be cheaper than [Daniel] Mackenzie and wishes for it to be decided by a trial

Embarrassed, as though he agrees with Smith that [Ferdinand Lucas] Bauer [(1760-1826), botanical artist] is the best artist for "Flora Graeca", still thinks a fair trial ought to be given to [Daniel] Mackenzie. Bauer does not expect to procure assistants for the job; requests Smith to have a discussion with Bauer. [John] Sibthorp proposed obtaining cheap engravers from Germany. Unfortunate that all the Grecian seeds have been sown, which Sibthorp had collected to illustrate the carpology of the species; blames Sibthorp's successor. Saw at the Cambridge Botanic Garden some of the plants raised from the seed sent, including a new 'Crataegus'.

Objects to [Ferdinand Lucas] Bauer [(1760-1826), botanical artist] proposal to either be sole artist for "Flora Graeca" or to form a school of artists; proposes both Bauer and [Daniel] Mackenzie be employed. Refers ultimate decision to Sir Joseph Banks. Their dependence on Bauer's assistance.

Has always considered economy of time superior consideration to expense in engravings for "Flora Graeca"; believes the work cannot be solely given to [Ferdinand Lucas] Bauer [(1760-1826), botanical artist] and requires assistance of Mackenzie, as Sir Joseph Banks originally recommended. Recommends enlisting "other artists of merit" such as [James] Sowerby, but unsure how to resolve the issue and requests Smith's opinion as editor. Requests that a drawing be given to Mackenzie to engrave.

Wishes to introduce botany to the area, whose walks provide so many plants, via a course of lectures explaining Linnaean system; requests Smith's advice. Marquis of Blandford [George Spencer-Churchill] and Murray only men of neighbourhood with any botanical knowledge, hopes latter will prove to be a valuable Linnean Society member.

A long time since he heard from Smith, though kept informed by their mutual friend, [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert, who is his only contact with those who share his pursuits. Pleased to hear of L'Héritier's safety. Asks Smith to procure Cavanilles' most recently published volume of "Icones" for him.

Flattered by Smith's intention to visit Farnham, which he can undertake at anytime, though Mr Poulter is visiting next week should Smith wish to promote the botanical purpose of the visit.

Asks whether Smith would not prefer to have his note on 'Mentha' printed in "Linnean Transactions" as a separate paper, or with the extracts from the minutes; asks Smith's opinion of his proposed list of books donated to the Library. Subscription for [Richard] Relhan's herbarium is now at £91 10s, including the 3 guineas mentioned in enclosed letter by [John] Symmons [extant]; asks Smith's opinion of the letter; he himself is against applying again to those who have already subscribed.

[Copy of letter from John Symmons to Alexander Macleay, dated Paddington-house, Lonndon, 5 December 1799] After being informed by Revd [John] Davies that the subscription for Relhan's herbarium was lacking £14 of the required £100 he applied to Lord Valentia [George] Annesley and Mr Alderman Hibbert, who have both added an extra guniea each, as he has himself.

Heard of Smith from their friend [Andrew] Caldwell, who has just returned from Norfolk. Encloses undetermined specimen of 'Polypodium'. Encloses a previously undescribed 'Tremella', for which he suggests 'T. vagans'; description and observations. Discusses errors with [William] Withering's 'Acrostichum ilvense'.

Invites Smith to dinner on Friday 3 May.

Lists of various amounts of money, in Smith's hand.

Has left instructions for his 'Fucus' paper for next "Linnean Transactions" to be delivered to Smith, and has included a drawing of the "singular and curious 'Conferva'" to be engraved and coloured by [James] Sowerby. Thinks it unfortunate that the plates for the "Transactions" are not well executed, and suggests charging Fellows 5 shillings on receipt of their copies.

The "calamitous state of the times" will oblige them to carry out any further correspondence "across the ocean".

Sorry to hear from [Andrew] Caldwell that Smith has not received the £5 2s 6d, which he assures Smith he sent two years ago; wishes Smith had mentioned it directly to him before, and Caldwell has now taken care of the situation.

Sends Smith specimen of 'Fucus subfuscus', which if placed in water will show it is full of fructification; certain the drawing of it in "Linnean Transactions" is accurate [see RelatedMaterial below], which means [James] Sowerby's for "English botany" is not, and if this is the case they may be able to ascertain 'F. subfuscus' and 'F. variabilis'.

His recent visit to Norwich. Stayed with [Dawson] Turner at Yarmouth, Norfolk, noticed that the variety in Mr Downe's garden was much reduced. Saw Mr Reeve and young Mr Reeve at Lowestoft, Suffolk. Also visited Ipswich, Suffolk, and Harwich, Essex. Consulted by Lord Bessborough [Frederick Ponsonby (1758-1844) 3rd Earl of Bessborough] and the Cavendishes as to the "bathing places", recommends Lowestoft and comments on "how tired they grow of all their fine houses!". Enjoyed "The Heir at Law" at the Playhouse but complains of the "scandalous"behaviour in the lobby. Has enjoyed Smith's recommendation of the poet [Albrecht von] Haller [(1708-1777)]. Reminds Smith of their agreement to "keep no letter tally".

Hopes Smith will be able to get the "Flora [Britannica]" out by next spring, as planned. Has been unable to look through the "Greek Botany". Could not find 'Arabis stricta' at St Vincent's Rock, Bristol, but did observe 'Gentiana amarella', 'Geranium sanguineum', and both 'Lichen dioica'. Hopes Smith is able to quash all feuds in the "subscription library". Ireland is currently "perfectly quiet". Confirmed in his suspicions that the "Dutch expedition" would not succeed, "the very idea of forcing a government on a nation is intolerable" [Anglo-Russian invasion of Holland, campaign of 27 August 1799 to 19 November 1799 during the War of the Second Coalition, to promote an uprising by followers of the former stadtholder, William V, against the Batavian government].

The same as JES/COR/3/54.

Assures Smith he shall assist [Dawson] Turner any way he can. Complains that a collection of British shells he sent to the Linnean Society in March 1797 have not been acknowledged. Proposes to compile a catalogue of Anglesea plants to present to the Society, believing that a system of botanists examining their own neighbourhoods "might be the likeliest method of perfecting a flora of the nation". However, plans have been put on hold by news of Smith's progress on "Flora Britannica", asks advice on whether to proceed. Condolences on the death of [Thomas] Pennant.

Thanks Smith for naming genus ['Daviesia'] after him. Refers to 'Festuca ovina' as a viviparous plant noticed by Linnaeus and presents several other viviparous plants he has found : 'Phleum pratense' in Anglesea and observed by [Albrecht von] Haller [(1708-1777) naturalist]; 'Aira caespitosa' on sides of Snowdon; 'Poa aquatica' in Yorkshire; 'Poa alpina' on Snowdon; 'Poa annua' on Snowdon, also sent to William Hudson; and 'Cynosurus cristatus' in Anglesea, offers to send specimens, each name has a tick against it made by Smith, except 'Poa alpina' which has a circle. Unsure what genus 'Agrostis minima' belongs to, having compared a late flowering one collected by [Benjamin] Stillingfleet [(1702-1771) botanist] on a tour of Wales and an early flowering one found by himself in Anglesea. Does not agree with [Jonathan] Stokes' [(c 1755-1831) botanist] assertion in [William] Withering's "Botanical Arrangement" that it is a 'Poa'. Surprised that the 'Avena stirgosa' has so long eluded the knowledge of botanists. Will send specimen of 'Sisymbrium monense'.

Subjoins a copy of the letter that accompanied the shells of about 120 species he sent to the Linnean Society, some are listed: those collected in order to ascertain species mentioned in [Thomas] Pennant's "British Zoology" but absent in [Johann Friedrich] Gmemlin's [(1748-1804) naturalist] "Systema Naturae"; and to prove other species to be British that were omitted by [Emanuel Mendez] da Costa [(1717-1791) botanist]. His findings were communicated to Hudson for "Fauna Anglica" but lost in the fire that destroyed Hudson's work.