Intends to keep dedication to Smith in ["The gardener's and botanist's dictionary"]. Considers Smith "the establishment", glad of Smith's decision to only neglect [Richard] Salisbury, whom he never "much affected either as a man or a botanist". Discussion of botanical terminology.

Smith's candidature for Professorship at Cambridge University. Offers to write to the Vice-Chancellor of Cambridge [William Chafy (1779-1843) vice-chancellor 1813 & 1829] in support of Smith's candidature. Warns of impediments: the lecture room has been given up to Dr Clarke, Professor of Mineralogy, and a lack of interest in the subject meant [Richard] Relhan had difficulties making up a class when he lectured on botany. Although has no intention of retiring concedes the possibility of being incapacitated. Discusses other candidates and the university establishment, explains the three components of his position (University Professorship, Walkerian lectureship attached to Botanic Garden, and Regius Professorship) and suggests a course of action: if Smith secures majority support of the Botanic Garden governors then he would resign the lectureship in Smith's favour, strengthening Smith's position for the Regius Professorship at his death.

Smith's candidature for Botany Professorship at Cambridge University. Confirms that Smith is correct in thinking that the [Walkerian] Lecturer need not be a member of the University, and can be a foreign or a stranger, but warns of "powerful opposition". Has written to the five trustees of the Botanic Garden in support of Smith and offers to write to the masters of Pembroke and Clare Hall Colleges when Smith decides to canvas. Shall be directed by Sir Joseph Banks in his private negotiations with Smith.

Smith's candidature for Botany Professorship at Cambridge University. Relates Smith's progress, has support of vice-chancellor [William Chafy (1779-1843) vice-chancellor 1813 & 1829] but some trustees [of the Botanic Garden] may be hostile. Details of his salary, £200 per annum.

Discusses Smith's candidature for Cambridge botany professorship: Sir Joseph [Banks'] illness was a great loss; thinks it curious that the dissenting Smith should be supported by two Bishops [presumably Bishops of Carlisle, Samuel Goodenough, and Ely, Bowyer Sparke (1759-1836); the Bishop of Winchester, Brownlow North, also pledged his support for Smith in August 1813], but concedes "Botany is of no sect"; hopes Smith will be his successor but supposes he would have to conform to the Establishment. Responded immediately to Smith's report of the canvassing but too much of a philsopher to care what happens at Cambridge. Recovered after a confinement of three months caused by typhus.

Thanks for copy of Smith's "Grammar [of botany]", which "speaks the hand of a Master, concise yet full". Amused when he sees the "miserable incorrect compilations & imitations" of Smith's former work, and when Smith's "[English] Flora" is published, "the British botanist will find everything he wants in these three works of yours". If he was younger he would pursue study of the Natural Orders, and is sometimes vexed when people say the Natural System will supersede the Artificial.

He no longer has communication with Cambridge [Botanic Garden]; pleased to hear the Liverpool garden flourishes; uncertain of state of Oxford's. Pleased to see "such vast improvements" in botany and horticulture over the last 20 years, even though it renders his own work of no value. His health.

Has been reading Smith's "Selection of the correspondence of Linnaeus", which shows "how dead Botany was in England to the middle of the last century". Believes the Linnaean system was not publicly known in England until 1762, when Hope taught it at Edinburgh and himself at Cambridge, and [William] Hudson published "Flora Anglica".

Informs Smith he has repeated his offer of resigning the Walkerian Lectureship, without having anyone in view, but assuming that Smith has now finished with Cambridge.