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Sends unpublished monographia of 28 new species of 'Laurel' that he discovered and drew in South America.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 specimens: 1. a 'Cercia' gathered in shade of Clova mountain; 2. a 'Pyrethrum', new species found some years ago; 3. a nondescript 'Epilobium' from River Novan; 4. 'Chaerophyllum aromaticum' sent two years ago, discovered by River [indecipherable]; 5. a 'Mentha' possibly variety of 'M. arvensis, proposes name 'M. alpina'; 6. nondescript 'Hieracium' discovered Clova 1812, proposes name 'H. viridiflorum'; 7. a 'Hieracium', same as specimen 3 sent 23 June 1813.

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.

Numbered observations on enclosed specimens: flowering specimen of a 'Juncus' he previously sent to [Dawson] Turner, like 'J. campestris' but half the size, proposes name 'J. nivalis'; 2. an 'Arenaria', sent before and very rare, does not agree that it is 'A. verna'; 3. a 'Draba' he sent last year but raised in a frame so too luxuriant, this one from Ben Lawers, proposes name 'D. hispida'; 4. an 'Eriophorum' possibly 'E. scheuchzeri'; 5. a 'Cochlearea', different from 'C. greenlandica'.

As Smith is drawing towards the end of "English botany" suggests he overhauls his previous specimens as Smith will find many has has not taken notice of, especially 'Carex silina' and 'C. saxatilis'. Also encloses specimens of 'Juncus' and 'Fussilago alpina'.

10 specimens, several are identical.

Numbered observations on enclosed specimens [some extant]: 1. a more mature specimen of the 'Juncus' sent in his last letter; 2. the 'Draba' sent in his last letter, with seeds; 3. the 'Cochlearia' sent in his last letter, with spotted leaves, proposes name 'C. maculata'; 4. a 'Poa' discovered last year; 5. a beautiful dwarf 'Geum' from Clova mountains; 6. 'Lotus alpinus; thinks the 'Eriophorum' sent in his last letter is still distinct; 7. a 'Carex' separate from 'C. caespitosa' and 'C. panacea'; 8. a 'Juncus' distinct from 'J. pilosus' and 'J. forsterii'; 9. possible 'Holcus odoratus' of Linnaeus; 10. a truly beautiful 'Viola', constantly blue; 11. another 'Viola' with crumpled leaves; 12. a new 'Lamium' formerly called 'L. intermedium' but nearer Smith's 'L. palmatum'; 13. another 'Lamium', thinks Smith's 'L. moschatum'; 14. a 'Saxifraga' Smith concluded to be 'S. pedatifida', differences; 15. 'Saxifraga angustifolia' of [James] Donn [(1758-1813), curator of Cambridge Botanic Garden]; 16. a 'Saxifraga' between 'S. granulata'; 17. a 'Saxifraga' near no.15 but smoother and more blanched; 18. very rare and elegant 'Saxifraga'.

Five specimens.

Just received news of the death of [James] Donn [(1758-1813), curator of Cambridge Botanic Garden] of Cambridge, the last of his personal acquaintance he acquired whilst in London.

Numbered observations on enclosed specimens: 1. a 'Marchantia', possibly 'M. androgyne'; 2. a 'Trifolium' from dry banks by the sea; 3. a 'Hieracium'; 4. a 'Hieracium'; 5. a 'Hieracium'; 6. 'Myagrum lanceolatum'; 7. a 'Rosa', differs from 'R. spinosissima'; 8. an 'Equisetum', proposes name 'E. alpinum'.

Numbered observations on enclosed specimens: 1. a 'Galium' he previously sent in 1810 and would like to be called 'G. rigidum'; 2. 'Galium perfectum' of "Flora Britannica"; 3. a nondescript 'Rosa', proposes name 'R. incana'; 4. a nondescript 'Poa'; 5. a nondescript 'Poa'; 6. an 'Anthoxanthum', if new proposes name 'A. alpinum' or 'A. longifolium'; 7. a 'Prunella', larger than 'P. vulgaris'; 8. a 'Pyrithrum' or 'Anthemis'; 9. a 'Hieracium', proposes name 'pubescens'; 10. 'Senecio lividus'; 11. 'Rosa gallina', requests confirmation; 12. an 'Adoxa', asks if different from 'A. moschatellina'; 13. a 'Pyrola', proposes name 'P. alpina'.

Returns 4 drawings with descriptions for no.263 [of "English botany"]. He has heard or done nothing regarding the vacancy at the [British] Museum, and if Sowerby had wished it would have done more for him than anyone else, even though [William] Bingley and his brother, Frederick, applied to him first; the position not to be had "without much exertion", and would be a "place of abject drudgery and dependence", knowing the "domineering & meddling char[acte]r of some of the trustees.

Received confirmation of safe receipt of his lichen collection by Linnean Society. Still awaiting copies of "Flora Britannica" and "Linnean Transactions", and specimens of Australian plants. Encloses specimens for Smith [extant]. Pleased Smith has seen his "Lichenographia universalis". Hopes Smith does not finish fourth volume of "Flora Britannica" before seeing his "Synopsis Methodica Lichenum". Sending paper on 'Glyphis' and 'Chiodecton' for "Linnean Transactions"; notes on engravings.

Two specimens attached, labelled in Smith's hand: 1. "'Oscillaloria pubfufera' Vauch. & Agaroh. 'Conferv. velubina' Roth.". 2. 'Ulva terreftus' Wulf. Roth.".

Merits of small turkeys "over more pompous large ones". His roost robbed but only old birds taken.

Introduces Charles Fueter; establishment of Local Bot. Gard. and Museum.

Sends seeds; asks for list of desiderata to avoid duplication; sends his list.

Thanks for Smith's sympathies on death of his clever and resourceful daughter, [Maria]. She was attended to by Dr [Matthew] Baillie, gives an account of her final illness and death: following her recovery from an indisposition which lasted over a year a bilious attack came on which gave way to a low fever and rapid accumulation of water on the chest and in the lungs, leading to instantaneous suffocation. During the fever her pulse was only from 78 to 84. Calomel, draughts, blisters behind the ears and on the scalp, and seed water were all tried. Sir Joseph Banks very ill but thinks his strong constitution will carry him through; the moderate quantities of L'Eau medicinale he has taken have not had their usual relieving effect.

Had heard that Smith is "making a push at Cambridge" [for the Botany Professorship]. Knows no Cambridge people except Smith's friends Davies, Young of Trinity, and Holme of Peterhouse, but has convinced his Dean of Carlisle, [Isaac] Milner [(c 1750-1820), mathematician] that Smith's science "ought to beat down all barriers of doubt & difficulty & academic etiquette". Goodenough uneasy that Smith has Lord Hardwicke [Philip Yorke, 3rd Earl of Hardwicke (1757-1834)] and friends for supporters as there is "always a strong jealousy of them"; advises Smith to base his cause on his "infinite superiority in the science of botany". Having read Smith's account of his headaches fears Smith may be in danger of developing gout seeing as air and exercise neither "mends nor mars" him. Imminent marriage of Goodenough's daughter, Sophia.