Thanks for turkey. Received letter from [Michel Felix] Dunal [(1789-1856) French botanist] on seeds and specimens for his work on 'Solanum'. Received letters and specimens from unknown doctors in New York. Received letter from [Thomas] Nuttall [(1786-1859)] in Charlestown, USA. [Sir Stamford] Raffles [(1781-1826)], late governor of Java, in London, "quite the lion of naturalists" has brought back vast collections, Raffles' house in Bernes Street "is quite a museum", his collector Dr [Thomas] Horsfield [(1773-1859)] is still in Java. The Duchess of Somerset requested an introduction to Raffles from Lambert for the Duke [Edward Adolphus Seymour] and herself to see the collections. Raffles hosted a party of Fellows of the Royal Society, "a magnificent set-out, top was a soup of swallows' nests", Raffles has brought back several boxes of them. [George Spencer, 4th Duke of Marlborough's (1739-1817)] will: the Duchess will receive £10,000 per annum; the present Marquess and Lady Caroline £3000 per annum each; everything belonging to Blenheim [Palace] left to trustees; the family to live there with £30,000 per annum. Thanks Smith for "Compendium".

Looking forward to reading Smith's "Life of Tournefort" [probably for Rees' "Cyclopedia"]. Has a full grown specimen of the 'Myrospermum' Smith mentions in the new fascicle of "Flora Graeca". Also has specimen of 'Passiflora tiliifolia' which Smith mentions in the "Encyclopedia" [Abraham Rees' "Cyclopedia"]. Believes the current "rage for publishing plants according to natural families, like the present situation of the Crown Prince of Sweden" is due to "two of the very few remaining effects of a French Revolution".

Thanks for turkey. Received letter and new work from [Augustin Pyramus] de Candolle who plans to come to England in May or June. Expecting sixth part of [Alexander von] Humboldt's "Nova genera et species", Humboldt planning to come to England in February. Asks after his paper on 'Cinchona' he sent Smith as he has additional observations to add.

Smith's candidature for Botany Professorship at Cambridge University. Reports that [John] Haviland, Regius Professor of Physic and a trustee of Dr [John] Walker's [(1731-1803) professor of natural history] botanical readership, is opposed to [Thomas] Martyn resigning if it causes an election, in which case he [Peacock] would have to prefer a university member candidate. Haviland is under the influence of Dr [James] Wood [(1760-1839)], the current vice-chancellor, who is strongly prejudiced against Smith. For certain success, as [William] Webb is to be the next vice-chancellor, proposes Smith gains three trustees' support and have Martyn resign without conditions. Recommends Provost of King's College [George Thackeray] as best conduit for Smith's wishes. If the professorship is appointed via the Senate he [Peacock] shall canvas for Smith with junior university members.

Apologises for long silence since he saw Smith last summer; thanks for the honorable treatment given to his son [Karl Heinrich Mertens] and compliments Lady Smith.

Introduces Theodore Lyman, of Boston, [Massachusetts], who sends small parcel of local indigenous plants and is about to embark on a tour of Europe before studying at Oxford. Often thinks of his visit to Norfolk and to [James] Crowe's Salicetum and observing 'Verbascum pulverulentum', asks after Smith's Norfolk friends. Correspondence with [William] Kirby, will send Kirby, [Alexander] Macleay and [Thomas] Marsham insects. Sends some local plants, including a 'Hypnum'. Peck's authority incorrectly quoted in [Frederick] Pursh's "Flora of North America": 'Diapensia cuneifolia' is a southern plant and not found in the White Mountains, received a a specimen of it from [Henry] Muhlenberg. His local Botanic Garden struggling for lack of funds, local merchants have contributed to grow exotic plants but it is has few North American plants, a young man has been engaged to gather plants from the US interior.

[Swartz writes, in English] Received Smith's letter of 19 June. Thanks for the article intended for the supplement to "Edinburgh Encyclopedia", and the new edition of "Compendium florae Britannicae", intends publishing a much needed similar work on Scandinavian plants. Longs to see botanical part of [Abraham] Rees' "Cyclopedia". Pained to hear of valetudinarian state of Sir Joseph Banks. Has sent the most recent "transactions" of Swedish Academy [of Sciences]. Praises work and talents of [William Jackson] Hooker. Impatiently awaiting sequel of Robert Brown's "Prodromus".

[Acharius writes, in Latin] He has waited a long time for a letter from Smith. Staying with Swartz. Asks after a letter and rare lichen he sent Smith a few years ago via Mr Ekenstam, and monographs on 'Glyphis' and 'Chiodecton', with illustrations, for "Linnean Transactions". Requests copy of [Dawson] Turner and [William] Borrer's "Lichenographia britannica" as soon as it appears, as he is preparing a "Philosophia lichenologica".

Sending Professor [Josef August] Schultes' new botanical publication, [presumably "Osterreichs Flora"], by request of the author.

Has dedicated his history of botany to Smith ["Anleitung zum grundlichen Studium der Botanik"]. He has written it as an up to date version of [Kurt] Sprengel's similar work, but in German rather than Latin. [Johann Jacob] Römer [(1763-1819), Swiss physician and botanist] to send Smith first volume of their new edition of Linnaeus' "Systema vegetabilium"; remarks on the increase in sheets needed to take in new discoveries and explains some of the plan. Has been asked to translate Smith's "Introduction to Physiological and Systematical Botany"; asks if there any remarks he would like to add. Offers to send alpine seeds.

Thanks for observations Smith made on [unnamed] specimens. Sends seeds and seedpods of 'Trifolium macrorhizum' and 'T. officinale' for Smith to determine whether they are distinct or not. His own opinion, based on his experiences of growing them, is that 'T. macrorhizum' is a variety of 'T. officinale'.

Annoyed that the second edition of his "Nereis Britannica" was not presented to the Linnean Society, generally dissatisfied with the work but hopes it may inspire others. Surprised by [Dawson] Turner's abrupt conclusion to the "Hist. Fucorum". Received Lamoureux's essay on "Thalapiophytes", a complete arrangement of sea plants by order, published in "Annals du Museum National". Offers to send it to Smith as he believes that with the section on 'Filicus' in the last edition of Gmelin's "Systema [naturae]" it will simplify Smith's work for his "Flora". Has copies to sell of Lamoureux's "Histoire des Polypiers Coralligenus flexibles".

Thanks for turkey. Asks whether [William] Roscoe is currently able to accept visits from strangers.

Sending Smith a parcel containing specimens of the Indian breadroot and first two numbers of [Stephen] Elliott's "Sketch of the botany of South Carolina and Georgia". During his journey from east Florida he met Dr [William] Baldwin, "a very intelligent botanist & indefatigable traveller", who has given him a letter and parcel of specimens to forward to Smith on his return.

Informs Smith he will be at Spring Grove, Isleworth, Middlesex, for a while and encloses £6 for supply of turkeys.

[René Louiche] Desfontaines and himself trying to establish the difference between 'Agrostis alba' and 'Agrostis stolonifera'; Smith's description in "Flora Britannica" is the only one that is not confusing. Requests specimens of both, verified by Smith, to determine which grows near Paris.

Requests information on Greek melons from the collections of Smith or Sibthorp. Refers to a "melopepon", called by the French "sucrin", and Aristotle's remarks on melons.

Working with Johann Wilhem Meigen [(1764-1845), German entomologist] on 'Diptera' [flies] and updating his 1804 work ["Die Fliegen"], correcting the Fabrician synonymy by comparing against the collections of [Johan Christian] Fabricius. Asks for Smith's assistance by facilitating comparison with Linnaean collections, by either specimens or drawings and descriptions. Proposes [William Elford] Leach as an alternative.

[On separate folio] List of dubious species.

Gives Smith permission to alter or omit any expressions in his paper that may offend [Patrick] Keith [(1769-1840)], even though Keith has been repeatedly aggressive. Believes that the issue is with the Linnean Society council as that Keith's paper was "wholly undeserving of any attention" and should not have been printed in "Linnean Transactions". Threatens to publish the paper himself if the Linnean Society does not.

[Keith had criticised Knight in a paper published in "Linnean Transactions", see RelatedMaterial below]

Sends his book ["A practical introduction to botany" (1817)], which he has found useful "in instructing a female relative".

Thanks for turkey. Linnean Society Council called, presumably to discuss [Thomas] Marsham's "wretched behaviour" [constant delays in repaying money he took from the Society]. Always thought Marsham would forsake the debt. [Alexander] Macleay and [Robert] Brown are in charge of the business but doubts their abilities. Goodenough thinks the actions of several leading members in screening Marsham has encouraged him to deceive the Society and set a bad example to other officers. Received Smith's "Compendium [florae Britannicae"]. Has Smith's copy of "Hortus Gramineus Woburnensis".