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.

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.

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".

[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".

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.

Informs Smith of Lord Hardwicke's [Philip Yorke, 3rd Earl of Hardwicke (1757-1834)] support of his Cambridge candidature. Sinclair and Russell's "Hortus Gramineus Woburnensis" in the press. Recently met [Augustin Pyramys] de Candol[l]e, who is coming to Norwich and recommends Smith also meeting him

Satisfaction at being introduced to Linnean Society next season by Smith. Hopes Smith will succeed in his Cambridge professorship application. [Thomas] Coke to accompany Smith to Woburn in the summer.

Thanks Smith for his letter and valuable advice to his gardener [George] Sinclair in his efforts to improve agricultural science. Gratified by Smith's visit to Woburn Abbey and encourages him to visit again.

Thanks Smith for the new Compendium. Had a successful trip to Paris and met all the principal botanists except [Charles-François Brisseau de] Mirbel and [Christiaan Hendrik] Persoon. [René Louiche] Desfontaines and [André] Thouin enquired after Smith's health and [Antoine Laurent de] Jussieu is preparing a second edition of his "Genera". Papers on 'Sarancenia' and 'Lycopodium' not read. Sir Joseph Banks in good health. Sending Dunal's "two works on 'Solanum'", an American edition of Smith's "Introduction to Botany" and will separately forward specimens of 'Salicornia'.

Requests directions for sending a parcel of plant specimens from Jacob Bigelow of Boston, [Massachusetts].

Sending plants from Jacob Bigelow by coach. Introduces himself; brother of the Mr Boott who has occasionally transmitted plants to Smith; will be resident in Britain for 2 to 3 years, during which he will devote himself to botany in his free time so as to be useful in this area on return to USA; would like to establish correspondence with interested people though admits Bigelow the most knowledgeable on American flora. He has left the 'Salicorna' and bark at Sir Joseph Banks'.

Brought a "very superior" collection of drawings of fungi by Mrs [Lucy] Hardcastle [(fl 1760s-1830s] to Banks'; believes some are new species.

Apologises for trouble caused by leaving 'Salicorna' bark [sent by Jacob Bigelow] with Sir Joseph Banks. Forwards pamphlets from Bigelow, who has been elected Rumford Professor at Harvard College; Bigelow's annual course of lectures will be on connections between arts and sciences. Suggests Bigelow's election to Linnean Society; his attributes, including Correa naming him the second best naturalist in America after Muhlenberg

Introduces Francis Boott; his knowledge and skills; possesses the best collection of American plants he has seen; intends to live in Britain for some years. Sends American edition of Smith's "Introduction to Botany". Sends 20 possibly new plants not found in Willdenow, Michaux, or Pursh, and full description, which he sends as a paper for the Linnean Society. Brief remarks on several of the specimens, including: 'Salicornia', 'Holcus', 'Melica', 'Hottaria', 'Rumex', 'Arenaria' or 'Stellaria', 'Prunus', 'Ranunculus paludosus', 'Sonchus'. Pleased Smith was satisfied with the packet he sent last year and the 'Orchideae'. Would welcome a copy of "Flora Britannica"; not available in USA.

Just returned from Oxford address; unable to attend Linnean Society on 7 May due to prior engagement.

Apologises for sending Smith her proofs; she did not realise he wished to see the finished work only. Finds it impossible to publish her work; offers the sketches to Smith.

[Spec 13 written in pencil at top of verso of first folio]

Requests a copy of the best edition, on the best paper, of "Flora Britannica", to present to a friend. Also requests [Carl] Willdenow's "Species plantarum" and [William] Woodville's [(1752-1805)] "Medical botany".

Communicated contents of Smith's last letter to his gardener, [George Sinclair]; encloses copy of his answer. Sinclair consulted his botanical friends as to the title of his book; encloses note received from Professor [Thomas] Martyn. He himself is inclined towards "Hortus Gramineus Woburnensis", explains his preference and requests Smith's opinion.

Reassures Smith he has not given any trouble over title for [George] Sinclair's book ["Hortus Gramineus Woburnensis"], only wanted to obtain sanction of Smith's "high authority". Sinclair will be obliged by Smith's request to become a subscriber, but still insists on sending copy he orginally promised.

Will attend Smith to Linnean Society on 2 April [1816].