Having "great hopes" of being elected Professor of Botany at Cambridge University, whenever [Thomas] Martyn sees a favourable moment to resign, he asks Macleay to enquire the method for applying for a knighthood, which he previously declined when pressed to upon by his Linnean friends. Would like to apply for the honour as president of the Linnean Society, and before the election of a professor is announced, so it does not seem on that account only. Intends to explain his "seeming inconsistency" at a Society Council when he comes to London.