Smith's candidature for Botany Professorship at Cambridge University. Regrets Smith's failure and largely approves of his pamphlet ["Considerations respecting Cambridge, more particularly relating to its botanical professorship"]. Wanted to speak to Smith about the Copyright Bill. The Master of St John's is Smith's "great opponent" [James Wood (1760-1839)].

Smith's candidature for Botany Professorship at Cambridge University. Indignant at failure of Smith's campaign.

Business card for "Lawford, Fletcher & Co, Stock & Share Brokers", and with "M Wood" handwritten on recto.

Financial embarrassments; asks Smith's help to obtain British employment; encloses a specimen.

His affairs; thanks Smith for advice, and begs him to approach Banks.

Identification of plants in Dioscorides.

Introduces himself. Encloses specimen of an unknown 'Epilobium' [extant] gathered in the Grampian mountains, Scotland, cannot identify it from third edition of "[Compendium] Flora Britannica". Prasies "Flora Britannica".

Specimen of 'Epilobium'.

Objects to DeWitt Clinton's candidature to Royal Society on grounds of his never having lived in England, or being as much a man of science as David Hosack, an American who was accepted on his talents. Believes accepting him in his position as President of the New York Society would set a precedent. Enquires after the Peterson family and wonders whether they have been detained at Holkham, [Norfolk, home of Thomas William Coke] "by the charms of the ladies or the talents of the gentlemen".

Encloses letters from Colonel [Thomas] Hardwicke and the Archdeacon of Calcutta [Henry Lloyd Loring (c 1784-1822)] introducing himself to Smith. Offers to send seeds and plants for Smith as well as papers for "Linnean Transactions", possible subjects include: [William] Roxburgh's 'Orchis picta' (his 'Chrysobaphus roxburghii', Rumphius' 'Folium petolatum'); two species of [Robert] Brown's 'Broughtonia' which possibly form a distinct genus, (one is Smith's 'Epidendrum praecox'); and his 'Begonia paniculata'. A parcel of seeds has been dispatched for Smith, containing capsules of Smith's 'Rhododendron arboreum'; a new "arborescent species with snow-white flowers"; and his 'Lida aurita'.

Parcel of specimens for Smith sent via Captain Williamson, commander of the Larkins. Hopes to send larger collection shortly, including expected Nepalese plants, which he hopes will add to Smith's Nepalese plants received from [Francis] Buchanan. Hopes to send specimens of plants described by Smith in "Exotic Botany" and [Abraham] Rees' "Cyclopedia", including: oaks, 'Orchideae', 'Paris polyphylla', 'Primula', 'Rhododendron', plus other specimens, including: 'Hedychium', 'Andromeda', 'Arbutus', 'Gaultheria', a large number of ferns, 'Ligustrum', 'Fraxinus', 'Gramina', etc. Warns Smith that some of the labels on the first package may be erroneous.

Box of 66 roots [listed at end of letter] and chest of 10 live plants from Nepal and north-west frontiers of Bengal [listed at end of letter] dispatched via Captain James Jackson, commanding the Charles Mills. A similar box of roots sent to Revd H H Norris, Hackney, London, by Bishop of Calcutta [Thomas Middleton (1769-1822)]. The Nepalese plants were collected by [Edward] Gardner [(b 1784), resident at Court of Rajah of Nepal at Katmandu]. Observations on each of the live plants, some in Latin.

Growing plants sent: 'Primula prolifera' Wallich; 'Cypripidium venustum' Wall.; 'Cypripidium insigne' Wall.; 'Lilium napalense' Wall.; 'Chrysobaphys roxburghii' Wall. ('Folium petolatum' Rumph. Amb. VI.93 t.41.f.3); 'Saxifraga ligulata' Wall.; 'Epidendrum procax' (Exot.Bot.II.p.73 t.97. Broughtonia?); 'Convallaria oppositifolia' Wall.; 'Acrostichum flagelliferum' Wall. ('Panna-Mara-Masauasa' Rheed. Mal.XII. 39.t.19); 'Paris polyphylla' Buch. (Sir J E Smith in Rees' "New Cyclopedia" in loco).

Encloses engraving [extant] of a fossilised tree about 30 feet high, which was standing in 1803 on cliffs at Bog Hall near Newbiggen, Northumberland; fragments of other trees, at the time the drawing was taken, were scattered on the shore. He is on his way to Oxford but had intended to call on Smith in Norwich to enquire about preserving birds with "corrosive sublimate", as practised by one of Smith's friends.

Engraving of fossilised tree.

Accepts [Patrick] Keith's [(1769-1840)] apology regarding his "Linnean Transactions" paper, though believes Keith took unnecessary trouble to generate "feelings of hostility", and comments on Keith's attempt at justification in his book ["A system of physiological botany" (1816)], in which he blames a "confusion of language". Asks that an explanation be given in the next volume of "Linnean Transactions".

Thanks Smith for turkey. News of Sir Joseph Banks: he "seems rather dull" and whilst he joins in any cheerful conversation he does not initiate them; takes Colchicum autumnale as soon as there is any sign of gout, the English preparation having all the effects of the French Eau Medicinal; spends twelve hours a day in bed and twelve out; Lady Banks "fatter than ever", so that Goodenough fears for her health.

Feels compelled to buy [William] Hone's [(1780-1842), political writer and publisher] account of his trial [for blasphemy]. Criticises Dr [Richard] Watson's [(1737-1816), bishop of Llandaff] book ["Anecdotes of the life of Richard Watson"] in part for showing how "weak and vain a great mind becomes, when it becomes absorbed in self importance". Expecting the first six weeks of Parliament to be stormy as strong measures against ministers are being proposed.

Franked Smith's letter to Mr Napier. Hopes Smith had a good class for his lectures in Liverpool. Goodenough was sent a Bristol Gazette containing an extract on Smith's Cambridge pamphlet and erroneous remarks stating that the duty of Cambridge tutors is to find out the truth; in fact it is to teach young people the settled principles of the Establishment. Requests name of enclosed plant [not extant, Smith has annotated 'Sisyrinchium striatum'] and makes observations. Enquires after Smith's Cambridge prospects [for botany professorship]; notes his opponents have taken a firm stand against him.

Death of Sir Joseph Banks' sister, [Sarah Sophia Banks (1744-1818)]; unsure how he and Lady Banks will cope without her as she managed everything at Soho Square. Sends two specimens for identification [not extant]; one used to be called 'Oenothera purpurea' or 'mollissima', the other like a 'Chrysanthemum'. Hears that [John] Barrow [(1764-1848), promoter of exploration] is "triumphing not a little" in the prospect [John] Ross' [(1777-1856), Arctic explorer] expedition [to find the North West Passage]. Will plant 'Corydalis' seeds next spring as Smith sent them so late. Asks if [Edward] Rudge was elected for Evesham, Worcestershire. Supposes [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert's brother-in-law, Benett, ruined through electioneering. Strife in Westmorland carrying on with "acrimony".

Thanks for Smith's reply; recalls being given specimen of 'Oenothera purpurea' soon after its first introduction, and not having the new edition of "Hortus Kewensis" was unable to make out 'Chrysanthemum carinatum' but now uncertain whether it and 'Anthemis mixta' are not the same.

Sir Joseph Banks ill with gout but being treated with Sir [Everard] Home's [(1756-1832)] improved medicine, which anyone may now safely take [presumably Colchicum autumnale]. Lady Banks invited Goodenough to look over [Sarah Sophia] Banks' [(1744-1818)] antiquarian collections for disposal. Goodenough believes the King [George III (1738-1820)] is unaware of the Queen's death [Charlotte (1744-1818)].

[John] Barrow [(1764-1848), promoter of exploration] indignant that the captains of the ships of the polar expedition [to find the North West Passage] turned back just as they were about to make the discoveries for which they were sent out. [Edward] Rudge's candidate at Evesham, Worcestershire, came off "with flying colours", comments on hostility now existing between Rudge and Lord Northwick [John Rushout, 2nd Baron Northwick (1770-1859)]. Goodenough thinks he has a specimen of 'Dianthus arenarius' at Rose Castle. [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert completely absorbed by botany and does not mention anything of the failure of his brother-in-law, Mr Benett, in the election.

Sends two copies of his book ["Primitiae florae Essequeboensis" (1818)], which he has dedicated to the Linnean Society, "renowned in England as well in the whole Continent". Intends to dedicate himself to botany; would appreciate an "alliance" with the Linnean Society. He is working on a "Flora Gottingenssis", which will include a new system of lichens and fungi and a "geognostix" description of the country. He is also writing a monograph on 'Alnus' and 'Betula'; Sir Joseph Banks has provided specimens. Asks Smith to reply via the Duke of Cambridge [Prince Adolphus (1774-1850)].