Leaving for India soon. Has materials for a "Flora of Nepal": 114 drawings, mostly of orchids, and 1100-1200 specimens and descriptions, of which 800-900 are new, indexed according to Jussieu's arrangement. Also has 131 drawings of plants from Mysoor, many unknown or previously badly described, many descriptions and some specimens. Offers to entrust them to Smith if they would prove useful for publications.

Frustrated in his intentions to go India by the Chairman of the Court of Directors [Sir Francis Baring (1740-1810) 1st baronet] of the East India Company so is going to Scotland for three weeks. Hopes to meet Smith after to discuss arrangements for his Nepalese flora materials; proposes that Smith publish the drawings and full descriptions in his "Exotic Botany" and he will separately prepare a Prodroumus like [Carl Peter] Thunberg's "Flora Japponica". Has seen [Richard] Salisbury and his work, advises Smith not to embroil himself in a controversy.

Shall probably accompany the new Governor-General [Gilbert Elliot-Murray-Kynynmound, 1st Earl of Minto (1751-1814)] to India. Pleased with commencement of his Nepalese flora in "the exotic plants" [probably "Exotic Botany"] but notes the incorrect spelling of his name. Asks Smith for [Amelia] Hume's assistance in soliciting [Jacob] Bosanquet [a director of East India Company] to forward his views on India.

Directs Smith to ask Sir A[braham] or Lady [Amelia] Hume to recommend him as a botanist to [Jacob] Bosanquet [a director of East India Company] and to solicit Bosanquet's assistance with promoting science in the Court [of Directors of the East India Company]. Approves of Smith naming 'Hatucona' after [William] Roscoe and compliments Roscoe's paper on 'Scitaminiae'. Recommends renaming 'Sussodia' if Smith is urgently looking to publish a 'Buchanania'. Recommends Smith reuse the name 'Colebrookia' on new genus in the order of 'Vitices'; laments barbarous nature of names.

The new Governor-General [Gilbert Elliot-Murray-Kynynmound, 1st Earl of Minto (1751-1814)] not sailing before Christmas. Had hoped to visit Smith in Norwich but delayed in his attempts to be named [William] Roxburgh's successor in India by Roxburgh having pushed for his son's appointment instead. Asks Smith to obtain [Amelia] Hume's support "or at least her being quiet".

Thanks Smith for recommending him to [Amelia] Hume regarding campaign to be appointed William Roxburgh's successor [at Calcutta Botanic Garden] over Roxburgh's son and explains why "young Roxburgh" is not adequately qualified. Has started working on an index for his journal.

Sending Smith a 'Chara' allied to 'Chara flexilis' found at Cley, Norfolk, previously sent to [James] Sowerby, and also sending the true 'Chara flexilis' for comparison. Desires Smith's opinion on whether they are distinct species, as he and [Dawson] Turner believe, and suggests amendment to Sowerby's drawing if so. Has found 'Salicornia radicans' and [William] Hooker has found 'Fucus amphibius', both at Cley.

Frustrated in giving a full account of of his New Holland [Australia] desiderata, Smith's labours in this area have facilitated his researches but still unsure on some specimens, in particular 'Eucalyptus'. Relates the misfortunes of [Matthew Flinder's] expedition to Australia [on which Brown was the naturalist] but despite these and the failure to complete the planned survey approximately 3000 species have been brought home, Brown hopes at least a third are new. [Ferdinand] Bauer has made approximately 1600 drawings. Appointed Librarian of the Linnean Society. Pleased to hear that Smith is recovering from his "severe indisposition".

His work has consumed all his attention. [Henry] Salt [(1780-1827), traveller and collector of antiquities] appointed messenger to Abyssinia by the government; anticipates great increase in knowledge of botany of Abyssinia. Will attempt to retrieve his articles from Sir Joseph [Banks] and give Smith duplicates, also has specimens. Great expectations for the voyage and consequences for book.

Sorry to hear of Smith's indisposition; her health has been indifferent. Hopes to come to London next month. Dissatisfied with [James] Sowerby's figure of her 'Asclepias carnosus'. Hopes to attend Smith's botany lectures. Has a plant of the "Peay Tree". Fears the subscription cost for "Flora Graeca" will be too expensive for her.

Forwards remarks by [John] Harriman on 'Lichens'; Smith one of the few botanists competent enough to form a judgement.

Thanks for specimens of native camphor; at present the nature of the substance is incomprehensible. Would like to become FLS; states his involvement in establishing the [Liverpool] Botanic Garden as example of his promoting botany. [John] Shepherd [(c 1764-1836, curator Liverpool Botanic Garden] going on well; considerable additions made to the collection since Smith left. Comments on "unprincipled attack" on [William] Roscoe's "Leo X" in "Critical Review"; pained to observe such a "spirit of illiberality" in one of their most popular periodicals.

'Lichen stellaris' and its affinities "very imperfectly understood" by English botanists: encloses specimens [not extant] and remarks [extant] on those occurring within this neighbourhood, except 'L. caesius' and 'L. aleurites', which are sufficiently known. Uncertain about his quotation of Acharius; necessity for a work on the subject according to [Dawson] Turner's recommendations in "Linnean Transactions" vol 7.

Notes written West Town, [near Lewes, Sussex], November 1804, on 8 lichens: 'Lichen cycloselis', 'L. ulothrex', 'L. virellus', 'L. pulverulentus', 'L. aipolius', 'L. anthelinus', 'L. stellaris', and a new 'Lichen'.

5 coloured drawings on 2 folios of several lichens, with pencil notes [by Smith] naming 'Lichen nigro-virens' found by Charles Lyell 1809 and 'Lichen pezizoides' found by Borrer. 8 partly coloured drawings on 2 folios of leaf, twig, and flower of 'Salix', with pencil notes [by Smith] detailing specimens found by Borrer in 1813 [unclear if drawings belong to this letter].

Corrections and criticisms regarding "Flora Graeca", including spelling of Maina and errors in habitats taken from [John] Sibthorp's journals. Declines Smith's request for a copy of the work; the trustees have already incurred a high responsibility by advancing £750 before any sheets were printed.

Newly formed Agricultural Society of Jamaica desires Smith as an Honorary Member.

Acknowledges receipt of manuscript book and letters to forward. Hopes Smith has recovered from his confinement. Will shortly send Smith the "Hortus Malabaricus".

Lists contents of the chest he is sending Smith to look after, including: Rheede's "Hortus Malabaricus", [Elizabeth] Blackwell's "[A curious] Herbal", and folios of drawings of plants and fungi, including a "beautiful crimson" 'Convolvulus' he has not seen in any books; recommends it for "Exotic botany".

[Copy in Smith's hand]

Sends account "of the process for preparing the little cakes of lozenges called by the Malays Gutta Gambeer" [extant]. Rumphius has described the plant from which they are made but erroneously denied their being extracted from it. Sends dried specimen of the plant, two drawings, describing their subjects, and specimen of the lozenges.

"Observations on the drug called Gutta Gambeer", including description of 'Nauclea gambir' [7 pp], and description of 'Nauclea acida' and 'Nauclea sclerophylla'.

Anstruther and Hardwicke.

Received Smith's letter of 10 December [1805]. Surprised that Smith's "antagonist" [Richard Salisbury] has taken his "animosity so very far"; believes there may be more than botanical causes for the schism and that Salisbury is "again brewing something" against Smith; Smith's use of [Jean-Jacques] Rousseau [(1712-1778), philosopher] motto in second volume of "Exotic botany" will perpetuate the "unworthy affair".

No original specimen of 'Plinia' in Sir Joseph Banks' herbarium; the plant they consider the same is specimen sent by [Alexander] Anderson [(1748?-1811), botanist] from West Indies, sending Anderson's description and drawing [extant]. Expects "Annals of Botany" to cease publication with next number as it is proving to be a losing concern. Salisbury has offered a paper on splitting of 'Ornithogalum' into two genera, calling one 'Gagea' after Sir Thomas Gage. Parcel for Smith from Willdenow; he wishes for the new British 'Salix'.

[Postscript] Specimens, descriptions, and drawings brought from New Holland by [Robert] Brown and [Ferdinand Lucas] Bauer [(1760-1826), botanical artist] "are by far the most excellent that ever resulted from any expedition", numbers exceed 2000. Proposes new genus 'Brunonia' in Brown's honour. [Ambroise] Beauvois [(1752-1820)] has given name 'Ventenatia' to a genus of 'Malvacca', at Ventenat's own choice; proposes Smith's 'Ventenatia' as genus for Brown.

Drawing and description of 'Plinia'.

Contrary to [James] Sowerby's statement, he did not intend to imply he would defend Smith in print against [Richard] Salisbury's pamphlet ["The generic characters in the English Botany" (1806)], but has been openly giving his opinion in conversation. Warns Smith against responding in any of his works as it would perpetuate the "disgraceful affair". Glad to hear "Florae Graecae prodromus" is printing, but sorry to hear Smith's health not good enough to lecture at Royal Institution.