Smith's candidature for Botany Professorship at Cambridge University. Reiterates importance of having the vice-chancellor's [William Chafy (1779-1843), vice-chancellor 1813 & 1829] support for both the Walkerian lectureship and the whole Professorship. Explains structure of the Senate, lists college heads currently supporting Smith, debates other potential supporters and process of election. [Arthur] Biggs' [(1765-1848)] election as curator of Botanic Garden. Sir Issac Pennington [(1745-1817), physician and chemist] thinks Smith's non-membership of the university or Church of England makes it difficult for him to be granted an appointment; Martyn refutes this, with examples. Death of [George] Shaw.

Smith's candidature for Botany Professorship at Cambridge University. [Thomas] Martyn's offer to resign the Walkerian lectureship discussed at the meeting to appoint a new Cambridge Botanic Garden curator following [James] Donn's death [(1758-1813)], however the trustees decided not to make an appointment until the professorship becomes vacant. Reports great prejudice against Smith, especially from Sir Isaac Pennington [(1745-1817) physician and chemist]. Recommends Smith apply directly to the Crown for the Regius Professorship in order to obtain the greatest future claim.

Smith's candidature for Botany Professorship at Cambridge University. Anxious for Smith's success in campaign as he believes it would raise "recruits to the study of natural history". Thinks Smith will be successful judging by the conduct of the university in the case of the chemistry professor. Has heard nothing from the vice-chancellor regarding [Arthur] Biggs [(1765-1848)] appointment [as Cambridge Botanic Garden curator], fears he is ineffectual in offering advice to "alma mater".

Smith's candidature for Botany Professorship at Cambridge University. Will do all he can to promote Smith's candidacy and advises him to apply for Roger Wilbraham's assistance in obtaining votes.

Smith's candidature for Botany Professorship at Cambridge University. Suffering from ill health and a serious complaint in his eyes. Will support Smith's candidacy but as an Oxford man has few Cambridge connections.

Smith's candidature for Botany Professorship at Cambridge University. Smith could have contacted him about his candidacy without [Thomas William] Coke's insistence. Unable to offer much assistance as he removed himself from Trinity College twenty-eight years ago; canvassed a Mr Davies for Smith but received an evasive answer.

Smith's candidature for Botany Professorship at Cambridge University. Everyone convinced Smith has best scientific claim for the professorship. Promised to give his own vote to [Richard] Relhan and solicited to give a second vote should Relhan concede in favour of Brook, but as Relhan now unlikely to contest unsure what to do. Will canvas for Smith with any voters he meets.

Smith's candidature for Botany Professorship at Cambridge University. Believes appointment for professorship should be entirely on merit. Has been canvassing for Smith the Chancellor of Cambridge [Prince William, Duke of Gloucester and Edinburgh (1776-1834)], who is predisposed to academical claimants. Believes "friends of the opposite party" may have also canvassed the Duke. Master of Emmanuel College, Dr Cory, is vice-chancellor and has been preferred by Archbishop of Canterbury. Thanks for volumes.

Thanks for present of game. Enquires after Smith's canvassing for Cambridge Botany Professorship. Awarded Gold Medal by the Royal Academy of Sciences of Stockholm for his edition of [Richard] Pulteney's "A general view of the writings of Linnaeus" although whereabouts of the actual medal is unknown.

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.

Has not heard from from Smith or any of his other botanical correspondents for a long time, "botany has suffered much [...] by the unhappy interruption of mutual communications" [War of 1812, conflict between the US and Britain in North America, 1812-1815]. The President has given permission for Mr Whiston to travel to England to return with plants "for the use of science", Whiston introduced the [medicinal?] use of 'Urtica' and 'Asclepias' to America. Sending with him copies of his pocket book "Catalogus plantarum Americae septentrionalis", complains of difficulty of getting it or similar published. Hopes Smith and Sir Joseph Banks will assist Whiston. No book on fungi with figures in any of the public libraries of Boston, New York, Philadelphia, or Charlestown, asks [Dawson] Turner's book can be sent, or if specimens could be sent for comparisons with his own collection. Intends to send Turner specimens once navigation reopens. Would like observations on the 'Solidago' specimens he previously sent.

Sends unpublished monographia of 28 new species of 'Laurel' that he discovered and drew in South America. Asks Smith to review it and inform him of any deviations from Linnaeus' system. Offers to sell specimens. States he was in South America for 11 years, enduring tempests at Cape Horn and in the South Sea; the revolution of the Indians under "Tupac Amaro" [Túpac Amaru II (José Gabriel Túpac Amaru) (1742-1781) leader of an indigenous uprising in 1780 against the Spanish in Peru]; and "the bayonets of famous scholars" in Spain, namely Neron, Targuine, and Maguiable Bonaparte.

Two address labels addressed to Smith in English and Spanish.

Received Smith's letter of 17 and 26 April [1813], hopes Smith received the letter he forwarded from Professor Sprengel at Halle. News of [Erik] Acharius: pleased by his admittance to Linnean Society and is anxious to receive "Linnean Transactions" and his diploma; planning to send further specimens to add to the "the expedition"collection he previously sent; hopes Smith will wait for publication of his "Synopsis methodica Lichenum" before Smith finishes that part of ["English Botany"]. Swedish Academy [of Sciences] agrees to a "transactions" exchange with the Linnean Society. Pleased that the 6 volumes of "Svensk Botany" have arrived. Relieved to to hear of Sir Joseph Banks' recovery as he had previously been told he was already dead. Asks to be remembered to [Robert] Brown, [Dawson] Turner, and [William Jackson] Hooker.

Hopes Smith receives the treatise he is sending [probably "Plantarum Umbelliferarum denuo disponendarum Prodromus" (1813)], asks that the second copy be sent to [Samuel] Goodenough and that he be sent specimens of any plants he is lacking from that family.

Numbered observations on enclosed plants: 1. what he takes to be either an 'Anthemis' or 'Matricaria', "which has been a stumbling block for 20 years", and is none of those described in "Flora Britannica"; 2. an 'Atriplex' possibly 'A. hastata'.

He is busy with ordinations, confirmations, and visitations. Hopes Smith is well.

Forwarding packets [from George Don], from his comfortable retreat; London much busier than usual this year. Comments on how "indefatigable" [George] Don is, "there is no end to his researches", and "would almost suspect that he had sowed seeds of foreigners". Thinks Don mistaken with his 'Anthoxanthum'.

Mr Holme has arrived here and brought 'Rosa rubella' of "English botany" and 'Cistus marifolius', Holme originally though latter was two species, 'C. marifolius' and C. polifolius'; observations on characteristics.

Sends two plants from [George] Don; cannot work out the 'Anthemis', which is near 'A. cotula', and asks if the 'Atriplex' is 'A. alba' of Gmelin.

Encloses fruit of 'Rosa rubella' at request of Mr Holme. Asks Smith's opinion on news from Europe and whether the "step of Austria" will end the war. Query on calyx of 'Rosa rubella' constant?". Suffering from gout in his left arm and hand.