All disappointed Smith is not to attend Linnean Society next Tuesday but pleased he is recovering well. Agrees with Smith's nominations of Sir Christopher Pegge [(1764-1822), physician] and [Thomas Thynne, 2nd] Marquess of Bath [(1765-1837)] for Council. Only one FMLS vacancy but too late for it to be filled this season, anxious for [Alexander von] Humboldt to be the first elected.

No longer receives letters free of expense since abolition of the Transport Office. [Thomas] Marsham "so exceedingly ill" doubts the Society ever receiving anymore money from him. Does not expect to suffer from abolition of Transport Office.

Offers a copy of "Hortus gramineus Woburnensis" to the Linnean Society.

Macleay's account of "poor [Thomas] Marsham" makes his "heart ache". His health "perfectly restored", but still "tender & not strong", hopeful for attending in 3 weeks [Linnean Society anniversary dinner]. Duke of [John Russell, 6th] Bedford will attend anniversary dinner, though he "dreads a hot full room".

Uncertain whether to lament loss of Macleay's office, hopes he obtains what he "so well deserve[s], an easier, & at least as profitable a place". Intends to stay at 43 Seymour Street when in London [home of Aylmer Bourke Lambert]. His dependence on Macleay for forwarding his letters and parcels. Hopes the Society received security for Marsham's debts.

Forwards letter. Asks Macleay to send [Thomas Andrew] Knight his pencil corrections to Knight's paper. He leaves tomorrow morning.

Duke of [John Russell, 6th] Bedford 's letter concerns Linnean Society only so has returned it. Suffering from a "tedious stomach & bowel compl[ain]t". He and Lady [Pleasance] Smith "can think nothing but the late sad event, it is truly deplorable, no one can calculate the effects" [probably reference to death of Princess Charlotte (1796-1817), only legitimate grandchild of George III].

Pleased that the plants he sent were of use to Smith. Praises Smith's "Introduction to Botany", "Flora Britannica", "Flora Lapponica", stating that he owes his knowledge of botany to him, offers to contribute to Smith's herbarium every year in appreciation. Thanks for condolences on his father's death, quotes Horace in praise of his father. Will give notice of his forthcoming visit. Encloses specimens and requests six specimens from New Holland [not specified].

Has found 'Potentilla rupestris' in the Breiddin Hills, near border with Shropshire, which from "English Botany" he is led to believe had been presumed a doubtful native due to it not being found again, will send Smith specimens if interested. Believes the hill he found it on may be the same as where [John] Ray first discovered it. Has also found two other rare plants, in the same place, mentioned by Ray; 'Veronica hybrida' and 'Lychnis Viscaria', and 'Hieracium murorum'. Desires to fix 'Veronica hybrida' as distinct from 'Veronica spicata', compares with a description only of the latter. Hopes to see a supplementary volume to "English Botany". Describes a 'Briza' unlike any of the Enlgish species and an 'Aspidium' which does not correspond with [James] Sowerby's figures, criticises Sowerby's plates of ferns as "not sufficiently characteristic of the different species".

List of 95 species; some marked by Smith.

List of 59 species, in Smith's hand, titled "sent also".

Introduces himself and sends a few specimens from Georgia at the request of John Fraser. Also sends the root of an unknown palm from East Florida with a sample of the starch procured from it, knowledge of which having come from the Seminole Indians. Has an extensive collection of Georgian specimens but is anxious to know which plants are also native to Europe. Refers to a desiderata and requests 'Convolvulus salopa', for reason of it generally being supposed to be Michaux's 'Ipomoea macrorhiza'. From experiments has deduced that 'I. macrorhiza' possesses no purgative qualities and may be eaten like 'C. batatas'.

Encloses a letter from [Henry Thomas] Colebrooke detailing a plan for publishing [William] Roxburgh's "Flora Indica". Brown's opinion of it.

Thanks for Smith's interest in [Jacob] Bigelow joining Linnean Society as FMLS; concerns over the 23 guineas required for his subscription. Examined plants from mountains around Boston, [Massachusetts], with Sir Joseph Banks and [Robert] Brown, notes on their conclusions, including: 'Scirpus bracteatus', 'Epipactis convallarioides', 'Matonia inflata', 'Hylas assyllus', 'Potomogeton tenellum', 'Orchis bracteata', 'Lycopodium lucidulum', and 'Halcus monticula'.

As yet has been unable to examine his plants with any standard herbarium, something he is keen to do to expand USA's natural history, understands [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert has Pursh's herbarium.

Death of his father necessitates his return home [to USA]. Sends plants. Seeks admission to Linnean Society; expects to be able to dedicate himself more to science on his return to England.

No longer able to visit Norwich. Sends Mrs [Lucy] Hardcastle's fungi drawings. Felt his "insignificance" when calling on Sir Joseph Banks and [Robert] Brown and finding both busy; will defer joining the Linnean Society until he has something other than zeal to recommend him; asks for botanical book recommendations.

Thanks for plants; gazed with "admiration & delight upon the New Holland plants"; frustration at not having met Smith. Waiting to for confirmation of [Jacob] Bigelow's finances before proceeding with Bigelow's admission to Linnean Society; deferring his own admission until he returns to Britain. Discusses the Linnean Society of New England: established 2 years ago; Bigelow the "life & soul of it"; its current goal to collect the "natural curiosities" of USA; Judge Davis the president; honour it would receive if Smith became Honorary Member.

Notices that Smith has admitted 'Ornithogalum [distans]' a British plans. Mrs [Lucy] Hardcastle to copy the branched 'Agaric' for Smith; she also copied 'Iris gracilis' for Smith. Observations on a fungus found in Derby Infirmary, transcribes remarks by surgeon on appearance and habitat. Requests sample of handwriting of Sir Joseph Banks.

Ship delayed in sailing [for USA]. Mrs [Lucy] Hardcastle delayed in preparing the drawings she was to send Smith; the parcel will contain dried specimen of a 'Rhizomenpha', on which Dr Forster will write in greater detail. Observations on Cornish plants: 'Ulex europans', 'Viola canina', 'Scalo pendiam', 'Statice arvensis', 'Anthyllis', 'Silene maritima'. Has the parcels for [Jacob] Bigelow and [David] Hosack.

Sends plants from New York and New Hampshire. Brief account of his journey through Nova Scotia to Boston, [Massachusetts]. Arrived back in Britain in August. Has a parcel of plants for Smith from [Jacob] Bigelow; new species of 'Orchis' nearly allied to 'O. fimbriata'; they are to write a "Flora of the Eastern States" together; preparations for the work. Observations on American plants, including: 'Viola parviflora', 'Viola clandestina', 'Claytonia spatulafolius', 'Erythronium', 'Silene'. Requests introduction to [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert so as to consult Pursh's herbarium, in Lambert's possession. Assistance received from [Robert] Brown and use of Sir Joseph Banks' library.

Hopes Smith's health is better. Sends parcel of plants from [Jacob] Bigelow. Opinion on a pamphlet on young of snakes. Sent Smith's letter of introduction to [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert. New Derbyshire habitat for 'Clavaria ardenia'.

Thanks for turkey. Glad Smith's health improved; convinced there is no diseased disorganisation in his chest but recommends living temperately and regular exercise. Prescribes Pelula Hydraggii for his headaches.

The complaint Smith mentions is a tendency towards diabetes; prescribes laudanum, and rhubarb for costiveness. Smith should eat fewer vegetables and more meat, drink water, and avoid dessert.

Thanks for turkey. Pleased Smith's complaint is reducing but his measures not energetic enough; recommends 40 drops of laudanum a day, to add carbonate of ammonia to his camomile tea and tincture of 'Gentiana', to eat as much meat as possible, and to drink Bristol water, for several years.