Everything passed "very smoothly" at [Linnean Society anniversary] meeting yesterday, and 54 attended the dinner; nothing was said of [Thomas] Marsham's absence. Asks Smith for list of his intended vice-presidents in time for next Council meeting.

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.

Smith's list of Linnean Society vice-presidents received and entered in Council minutes; it was agreed that [Thomas] Marsham will repay his debt at intervals of 2, 4, and 7 months. Called on William Smith in Park Street to inform him that Smith is getting better.

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.

Items for discussion at next week's Council meeting: painting of Linnean Society house, giving leave of absence for [Robert] Brown to go to Paris, and to consider a subscription to purchase [George] Caley's [(1770-1829), farrier and botanist] "collection of New Holland zoology"; asks how much Smith would subscribe, he and Sir Joseph Banks' are both giving £10.

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.

[Letter labelled, in red ink]: Sheepshearing

His arrival at Holkham [home of Thomas William Coke], other guests include Duke of Bedford [John Russell, 6th Duke] and Lord Tavistock [Francis Russell, 7th Duke of Bedford (1788-1861)], Lord Albermarle, Sir Watkin William Wynne, Lord Nugent, Mr Greig, General Walpole, Fitzroy, Sir B Hobhouse, Mr Barnwell; viewing and discussion of agriculture, including folding of sheep; a hundred people at dinner.

[William] Roscoe has forbidden any purchases from his library intended to be gifted back to himself [following his bankruptcy]. Coke and others have spoken to Blundell and they hope he will alter his conduct. Disappointed with the likeness of Coke's miniature, done at Liverpool.

Full account of [Thomas William] Coke's meeting is in Stevenson's paper, written by Samuel Taylor junior. Account of Lord Nugent [George Nugent-Grenville, 2nd Baron Nugent (1788-1850)], who was also at Coke's. Details of his and Coke's upcoming visit to Woburn Abbey, [Bedfordshire, home of Duke of Bedford]; shall come to Pleasance in Lowestoft first.

Writing from Woburn's [home of John Russell, 6th Duke] "splendid library". Account of their journey to Woburn [with Thomas William Coke and Mr Cobb]: called on late Mrs Watt's servants, Mr and Mrs Baker, at Swaffham, [Norfolk], who were left £400 each in the will; called on Brewsters at Brandon; could not dine with [Martin] Davy at Cambridge; passed through Lord Ossory's park and saw the inscribed pillar. Describes the party at Woburn, including: Marquis of Bath, wife, and daughter; Lord Clare; Duke of Devonshire; Lord and Lady Tavistock; Lord and Lady Morley. His opinion of the Duchess of Bedford. Lord Bath "very shy". Duke of Bedford has brought many antique marbles, columns, and sculptures from Italy. His projected plans on leaving Woburn. Lady Morley is dressing up various guests "to exhibit characters in pictures".

Account of remainder of his time at Woburn [Abbey, Bedfordshire, home of John Russell, 6th Duke of Bedford]: further guests included Duke and Duchess of Beaufort and their children, Lord and Lady Robert Spencer, Mr Capel; every evening Lady Morley, Lady Tavistock, and the Duchess [of Bedford] exhibited tableux of famous pictures and Lady Morley gave animal imitations. Went on to visit Lord and Lady Tavistocks's [Francis Russell, 7th Duke of Bedford (1788-1861)]; visited Professor [Thomas] Martyn at Peternhall, [Cambridge], rather feeble and anxious to resign in Smith's favour; visited Dunham Lodge, home of Mr Cobb.

Confident Pleasance's mother will get better. Expects to come over to visit. Visit by Sir Thomas and Lady Cullum in August.

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".

Reports of [Thomas] Marsham's death unfounded, but fears his circumstances are not improved as he missed the last two installments of his bill to the Linnea Society; promises to pay 5 November [1816]. [Robert] Brown returned from Paris, "well pleased with his visit".

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.

[Thomas] Marsham has "behaved very ill towards the Linnean Society"; encloses extract from minutes of Council meeting [extant] on the matter and has informed Marsham of it, warning him not to expect any further indulgence. New edition of [James] Macbride's [(1784-1817), physician, South Carolina] 'Sarracenia' paper came too late as the original had already been partly printed.

Resolution by Council that if Marsham does not pay his two bills due to the Linnean Society by 4 January [1817] they will insist on collateral security for the whole amount, otherwise they will feel themselves obliged to take "the most decisive measures for the immediate recovery of the debt".

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.

According to Smith's request has sent papers by Sir [Justly Watson] Green [2nd baronet, (1755-1826)] on 'Phascum' and [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert on 'Cinchona'. Pleased to find the debt owed by [Thomas] Marsham is not so great as Smith feared, hopeful he will repay all by 4 January [1817], Smith misinformed as to amount of his income.

The government finds more difficulty in abolishing this office than anticipated, uncertainty over final outcome. Sir Joseph Banks recently well enough to take Royal Society chair.

Received Smith's letter of 13 February. Wishes Smith success with his Cambridge professorship candidature. Unable to attend his own admittance to the Linnean Society as he is currently detained in Scotland buying land. Disgusted by the Court of the East India Company who have detained his materials. Preparing an account of the fish of the Ganges despite Lord Moira [Francis Edward Rawdon-Hastings (1754-1826) 1st Marquess of Hastings] having detained 144 of his drawings. When finished with this he will require the descriptions and drawings of Nepalese plants in order to have them published. Shall now reside near Callander.

Received Smith's letter of 2 November. Disgusted with the treatment he has received from the Court of Directors of the East India Company and the difficulty of getting even the temporary use of the natural history materials he gave them, consequently considering abandoning publication. Shall live in Leny, Stirling, from May. Preparing an account of Assam and Nepal, and a description of the fish of the Ganges. Encourages Smith to make as much use as possible of his Nepalese flora materials. Glad that Smith thinks of publishing a Mantissa, will write to India House if Buchanan's collection there would prove useful. Will use the proceeds of his account of Assam and Nepal to fund the publishing of his account of the fish. Obliged to Smith's offer to assist him with Lord Moira [Francis Edward Rawdon-Hastings (1754-1826) 1st Marquess of Hastings, Governor-General of India, 1813-1823] who took 144 drawings of fish, 20 of quadrupeds, 241of birds and 130 of plants, will send copies of the correspondence.