Introduces Kunth; appreciation of Smith's "Introduction to botany"; an article in the "Quarterly".

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".

Believes Smith is determined not to see Boyton House. Has successfully raised many new plants to flower this year but lost 'Bartonia', [Thomas] Nuttall's [(1786-1859)] "white and yellow 'Oenothera'" which have failed elsewhere are hardy in his garden. Has stayed with Marquess of Blandford [George Spencer-Churchill] at Whiteknights, [Reading, Berkshire], "never saw the vegetable kingdom brought to such perfection". Returned with a Mexican 'Verbena'. Blandford acquired [Christian Gottfried] Nestler's "Monographia de Potentilla ". Enquires after Smith's publications.

Thanks for introduction to Mr and Mrs Kett, bad weather prevented them from doing much together. Pleased with second edition of the "Compendium [florae Britannicae]". News of David Don [(1799-1841)], second son of George Don, who has discovered a new 'Carex'. Encloses flower of 'Astragalus campestris'. 'Assa foelida' has flowered, advice on growing it from seed.

Smith's candidature for Botany Professorship at Cambridge University. Had feared Smith had given up Cambridge. Promises his resignation when Smith requires it, details of his own election. Support of Bishop of Ely [Bowyer Sparke (1759-1836)], Dean of Norwich [Joseph Turner (1747-1828)], College Heads, and vice-chancellor all important but the Duke of Bedford cannot do much. Warns Smith of deceit and rebuffs within the university. Notifies Smith that the professorship has no control over the Botanic Garden or rights to plants for lectures. [Philip] Miller's monument.

Smith's candidature for Botany Professorship at Cambridge University. Confirms that the election is open rather than his previous assumption that the heads of the colleges named two out of the candidates. Experience of his own election. Ready to resign in Smith's favour, advises Smith on how to proceed from this point, advising him to begin canvassing in London to use his popularity there. Received letters from [Richard] Relhan but not in relation to professorship.

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. Strongly recommends having the Bishop of Ely [Bowyer Sparke (1759-1836)] canvas for Smith along with every other bishop Smith can get. Also recommends engaging the Queen [Charlotte (1744-1818), wife of George III] to interest the Regent. Believes Smith's cause is a public one, fears the university will "disgrace itself by a contemptible corporation spirit". Smith should write to every great friend of his in London. Believes the election should be put off for some time and Smith should come to Cambridge to canvas in person.

Smith's candidature for Botany Professorship at Cambridge University. Received Smith's letter informing him of [Thomas] Martyn's [prematurely reported] death, promises to vote for Smith and obtain as many other votes as possible. Dean of Lincoln [George Gordon (fl 1809-1845)] almost certain to vote for Smith.

Smith's candidature for Botany Professorship at Cambridge University. Will write to his friends in support of Smith's candidacy, his son has also done the same. Has informed Lord Hardwicke [Philip Yorke, 3rd Earl of Hardwicke (1757-1834) ?] of [Thomas] Martyn's [prematurely reported] death, believes he will do everything possible for Smith. Hopes Smith will visit in the summer with [Thomas William] Coke.

Shall support Smith in his candidacy for Cambridge Botany Professorship following [Thomas] Martyn's [prematurely reported] death.

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.

Complains that letters sent to him at the Linnean Society are not forwarded quickly enough. Sends bill of lading for "most valuable present" for Linnean Society sent from America. Asks if Macleay received box of roots of Sicilian 'Orchideae' from [William] Swainson in Palermo, [Sicily], which he had arranged to be sent to Mr Anderson at Chelsea. Asks if [John Russell, 6th] Duke of Bedford and [Francis] Buchanan have been elected FLS yet.

Apologises for delay in forwarding letters to Smith; took the necessary measures for obtaining box sent from America; confirms [William] Swainson's Sicilian 'Orchideae' were sent to Mr Anderson at Chelsea. [John Russell, 6th] Duke of Bedford elected FLS at last Linnean Society meeting. "Linnean Transactions" printed, [Samuel Latham] Mitchill's paper on American fish was not included. Asks Smith's opinion of [John] Murray of Stranraer, [Scotland], and suitability to become FLS. Was unable to meet Smith's acquaintance, Dr Burke, at the Transport Office.

[Thomas] Marsham's affairs are in "a sad state"; read a letter from him at Council declaring his present inability to repay any of the £400 he owes the Society, but he hopes to pay it to his successor as Treasurer soon; the Society is to sell £400 of stock so as to be able to pay [James] Sowerby. Smith is named "Institutor and President of the Society" in published Society minutes.

Asks after Smith's "Cambridge business" [campaign for botany professorship]; was surprised to hear of Smith's new opponent, [William] Kirby, but confident he will not do anything unhandsome towards Smith. Asks if it is true that Miss Fanny Smith is to be married to his friend, the second son of [James Sinclair, 12th] Earl of Caithness [(1766-1823)]. Thanks for turkey.

Introduces [John] Bradbury, who is returning to England after travelling up the Missouri river. Rafinesque asks for his papers to be returned if they are not being published in "Linnean Transactions". Requests introductions to [William Elford] Leach, [Robert] Brown, [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert, [Richard] Salisbury, and "other eminent botanists and zoologists". Criticises Pursh's "Flora America Septentrionalis" for copying names previously published himself. Dr [Samuel Latham] Mitchill of New York [(1764-1831) naturalist] has published 60 new species of fish in first volume of "Transactions of the [New York] Society" and presented them with account of reptiles, crustaceans, testaceurs etc. Rafinesque has discovered new additional species: 'Perca mucronata', 'Petromyzon xanthodon', 'Phycis marginatus', and presented memoir to New York Philosophical Society on Sturgeons of North America. Plans to explore Lakes Champlain and George, [Vermont and New York] for fish.

Directions for travelling from Whitechapel to Hare Street. Asks Smith to bring specimens of his plates, regrets that he has dedicated his life to "the canvass on which nature sketches her wonders - rather than on the individual wonders separately". Believes that from Psalm 22 verse 14 King David must have had some of his own disorder [angina pectoria].

Asks after Smith following his recent visit to Hare Street. Wishes to reprint his "Linnean Transactions" paper on ivy in "Fragments of Landscape Gardening", asks if he can also add the sketch if still available. Asks if his daughter could attend any lectures Smith gives in the spring.

[Note in Smith's hand] did not receive this letter until September [1816].