Less busy than he was when Smith was recently staying and going to London tomorrow to switch from bankers Sir J Erdaile and Co. to Jones Loyd and Co. He has been entertaining the Archdukes John [Johann (1782-1859)] and Lewis [Louis (1784-1864)] of Austria for last three days; comments on John's character; they are also going to Scotland and Holkham to see [Thomas William] Coke, showed them his unfinished portrait of Coke. Apologises for any anxiety he may have caused Smith recently. Asks Smith to send the 'Canna' drawings to London.

Postscript in left hand margin of verso of first folio: Mr Martin [Smith's brother-in-law] has separated from his partners.

Thanks Smith for letter of 12th January, in response to his of November 1813, grateful for solution to his "doubts". As requested has sent a small number of local 'Orchidaceae' and a few 'Rosa' with his own names but corrections would be welcome, believes the whole genus of American 'Rosa' needs revision, has enclosed some specimens he thinks are rare and seeks Smith's opinion. Has refrained from involving Smith in the "chaos" of 'Asters', 'Solidagines', 'Hedysara', and 'Vaccinia' caused by multiple names for single plants. Encloses his "Florula Bostoniensis". Hopes to produce a Flora of New England but it is "the custom in this country to promise more than we perform", but hopes for encouragement from his appointment as lecturer at Harvard College. Caused an American edition of Smith's "Introduction to Botany" to be published. Sorrow at death of Dr [Henry] Muhlenberg. [José Francisco] Corrêa [de Serra] is in Tennessee.

Thanks for Macleay's letter, still recovering his "tranquility of mind" [after sudden death of his brother, Francis Smith].

Remarks on proposed "Minutes of Council" section of upcoming volume of "Linnean Transactions": suggests it be placed at beginning of volume; in transcription of the Society's address to the Prince Regent [later George IV (1762-1830)] believes the King [George III (1738-1820)] should be named founder of the Linnean Society's charter rather than the Society itself; submits paragraph on receipt of his knighthood, as he wishes it to be known he publicly owes his title to his association with the Society and nothing else. Asks if he could be called Founder and President.

Afraid they have printed something of [Samuel Latham] Mitchill's paper on "New York fishes" in new volume of "Linnean Transactions", which was not to be printed on account of its appearance in an American journal; a Dr Francis will inform Macleay of it as Sir Joseph Banks'. [Francis] Buchanan, currently an ALS, wishes to become a FLS, as does [John] Murray of Stranraer, [Scotland], who wrote a paper on "vegetable poisons". Recommends Dr Burke of Lowestoft, [Suffolk], who is to visit the Transport Office.