Tempted to write this letter by the kindness Smith showed him in London; informs Smith of two new supposed plants, 'Reseda undata' and 'Euphorbia emarginata' of "Hortus Kewensis"; the first growing in Clifton and the latter in Swansea. Offers to send dried specimens if required.

Sends specimens and grain of a curious species of wild wheat found near Rome, Oneida County, New York, gives a brief description of it and relates how it resists the destructive effects of winter frosts that destroys common wheat, comparing it to rye. Questions whether it is indigenous or originally imported wheat accidently introduced, leans towards the former, with reservations, and gives his reasons, remarking on Linnaeus' six species of 'Triticum', Ceres, Roman goddess of agriculture, and 'Froment tremais'. Is of the opinion that many American native plants have been improperly considered naturalised, is confident in naming the Rome wheat 'Triticum americanum'. Also sends specimens of Wild Rye which grows in parts of the country bordering the upper parts of the Mohawk River, would like an opinion. Beneath Clinton's signature is written "David Hosack M.D." Smith has annotated on the first page "Mr Lambert is making observations on this subject".

["Copied" is marked in pencil on last page, and in a different hand "culmiferous"]

Engaged Richard Clarke of Apothecaries Hall in making further enquiries into "Balsam of Guatemala" and "'Myrospermum [falcictem]'", after ascertaining that balsam of tolu will not mix with alcohol to answer the puposes alluded to by Dr Luxunasa [Spanish doctor]. Encloses a copy of a letter from Richard Clarke, dated 25 Feb 1817, relating his findings from his enquiries, including the production methods, believes the balsam described by Dr Luxunasa relates more to balsam of Peru, comments on prescriptions and uses.

Requests information on "Balsam of Guatemala" [balsam of tolu] and "'Myrospermum toluiferum'", anxious to learn more after the Minister of Denmark received a letter from an eminent physician in Spain about it.

Sending books from Mr Targioni. Has collected every kind of 'Cryptogam' in the area. Purchased a collection of Lichens from Schleicher of Bex, recommends him as a source for specimens, is much advanced in his drawings to illustrate [Erik] Acharius. Botany in Florence is respectable but not encouraged. The Grand Duke has a botanic garden but the best plants were removed to a botanic garden at Orto Frisco run by Targioni for agricultural experiments. Praises Targioni, has been able to examine the garden's lichens in Micheli's collection. Botanical lectures are given in the garden and at the Academy of the Georgople. Mr Radi, head of the Royal Museum, recently discovered a new moss, 'Fabronia pusilla', [Olof] Swartz has found a species of the same genus. Targioni plans to publish account of the 'Jungermanniae' of the country on a new system. Wishes to engage him on a "pocket "Flora Toscana" to encourage interest in botany, "the nobles are not rich enough to purchase science, nor wise enough to esteem it". [Gaetano] Savi in Pisa is working on a "Flora Etrusca".

When crossing Mount Cenis found 'Cetraria cuculata' as mentioned in Smith's "Tour". Comments on the great number of English in Florence in the winter, believes it not a good place for delicate constitutions at that time of year due to the dampness, an epidemic of typhus. Thanks Smith for his letters of introduction: at Geneva met Mr Piclet, Messrs Jurine and Morricand, at Turin Professor [Giovanni ?] Biroli [(1772-1825) Italian botanist], at Milan [Barnaba] Oriani, Mr Herman and Mr Breislach the mineralogist. Sent Smith's letter to Ippolito Durazzo, whose sister is in Florence married to the Sardinian minister Brignoli.

Resigning as FLS to reduce his expenses as his professional situation [Dean of Chester] causes him to subscribe to many charitable institutions.

Understands and accepts Hodgson's reasons for resigning as FLS but if he had notice would have tried to controvert some of those reasons. Always pleased to see botany "cultivated by persons eminent in character or station". Mutual benefits of clergy studying botany. Believes the study of nature is "inferior to none in dignity or utility", never meeting more than one "fanatic" who thought otherwise, "gibbeted" him [unnamed] in a note in Linnaeus' "Lapland Tour".

Account of the 'Lycoperdon tuber' of [John] Clayton [(1686-1773) plant collector in Virginia], being the 'Lycoperdon cervinum' of [Thomas] Walter [(c 1740-1789) American botanist] and species of 'Sclerotium' of [Christiaan Hendrik] Persoon, a subterranean fungus found in several southern states of North America, written in response to its general omission from publications, including [Friedrich Traugott] Pursh's "Flora Americana". Acknowledges Dr James Macbride of South Carolina as providing most of the information. Has sent specimens.

Separate note: "Psorex? A non descript species of mus, - see Bartram "Travels Through North and South Carolina, Georgia etc." Philadelphia 1791" [unclear what this relates to].

Introduces Theodore Lyman of Boston, Massachusetts, who is coming to Europe for second time to meet "the most distinguished literary characters". Encloses account of the "great 'Lycoperdon' of South Carolina" from information given by James Macbride, who is now a FMLS. Hosack's pupils are collecting the plants of New York, an account is being prepared which will be sent to Smith or Linnean Society.

Received Smith's letter of 24 March and "Compendium [florae Britannicae]". [American] Philosphical Society to publish their second volume within the next six months, invites Smith to send a paper. Intending to send his son to Oxford or Cambridge. The books he is sending to Sir Joseph Banks and Horticultural Society, under care of his fellow former student [Joseph] Sabine, may differ from those he sends to Smith. Sending various unnamed magazines and publications, including book on "Life of Mr Fullar, inventor of steamboats", asks Smith to present it to the Royal Society after he has read it.

Sends papers on contemplated canal between Lake Erie and the Hudson river, work of which has begun under direction of DeWitt Clinton. Clinton has just been elected governor of New York, believes he will be the next President of the United States, nominates him to be a member of the Linnean and Royal Societies, lists his commendments including extensive botanical collections, referring Smith to second volume of "the Repository" for biographical information, shall write to Banks' on same subject.

Often sees [José Francisco] Corrêa de Serra who is enjoying a good income as the Portugeuse Minister to American government. Requests copy of third edition of Smith's "Elements"[?] and last edition of "Tour on the Continent"; "there is no book in our city library that has been more read". Bust of Smith placed in New York Institution. In reference to a conversation had in 1794 asks after the minerals in the Linnaean collections and whether the Institution would be able to purchase them.

Encloses paper by DeWitt Clinton for "Linnean Transactions" [unknown], with plants and seeds to follow. Appends an addition to his paper on "the Carolina fungus" in case it is published. Has sent a box of books.

Thanks for turkey. Received letter from [Michel Felix] Dunal [(1789-1856) French botanist] on seeds and specimens for his work on 'Solanum'. Received letters and specimens from unknown doctors in New York. Received letter from [Thomas] Nuttall [(1786-1859)] in Charlestown, USA. [Sir Stamford] Raffles [(1781-1826)], late governor of Java, in London, "quite the lion of naturalists" has brought back vast collections, Raffles' house in Bernes Street "is quite a museum", his collector Dr [Thomas] Horsfield [(1773-1859)] is still in Java. The Duchess of Somerset requested an introduction to Raffles from Lambert for the Duke [Edward Adolphus Seymour] and herself to see the collections. Raffles hosted a party of Fellows of the Royal Society, "a magnificent set-out, top was a soup of swallows' nests", Raffles has brought back several boxes of them. [George Spencer, 4th Duke of Marlborough's (1739-1817)] will: the Duchess will receive £10,000 per annum; the present Marquess and Lady Caroline £3000 per annum each; everything belonging to Blenheim [Palace] left to trustees; the family to live there with £30,000 per annum. Thanks Smith for "Compendium".

Looking forward to reading Smith's "Life of Tournefort" [probably for Rees' "Cyclopedia"]. Has a full grown specimen of the 'Myrospermum' Smith mentions in the new fascicle of "Flora Graeca". Also has specimen of 'Passiflora tiliifolia' which Smith mentions in the "Encyclopedia" [Abraham Rees' "Cyclopedia"]. Believes the current "rage for publishing plants according to natural families, like the present situation of the Crown Prince of Sweden" is due to "two of the very few remaining effects of a French Revolution".

Thanks for turkey. Received letter and new work from [Augustin Pyramus] de Candolle who plans to come to England in May or June. Expecting sixth part of [Alexander von] Humboldt's "Nova genera et species", Humboldt planning to come to England in February. Asks after his paper on 'Cinchona' he sent Smith as he has additional observations to add.

Smith's candidature for Botany Professorship at Cambridge University. Reports that [John] Haviland, Regius Professor of Physic and a trustee of Dr [John] Walker's [(1731-1803) professor of natural history] botanical readership, is opposed to [Thomas] Martyn resigning if it causes an election, in which case he [Peacock] would have to prefer a university member candidate. Haviland is under the influence of Dr [James] Wood [(1760-1839)], the current vice-chancellor, who is strongly prejudiced against Smith. For certain success, as [William] Webb is to be the next vice-chancellor, proposes Smith gains three trustees' support and have Martyn resign without conditions. Recommends Provost of King's College [George Thackeray] as best conduit for Smith's wishes. If the professorship is appointed via the Senate he [Peacock] shall canvas for Smith with junior university members.

Apologises for long silence since he saw Smith last summer; thanks for the honorable treatment given to his son [Karl Heinrich Mertens] and compliments Lady Smith.

Introduces Theodore Lyman, of Boston, [Massachusetts], who sends small parcel of local indigenous plants and is about to embark on a tour of Europe before studying at Oxford. Often thinks of his visit to Norfolk and to [James] Crowe's Salicetum and observing 'Verbascum pulverulentum', asks after Smith's Norfolk friends. Correspondence with [William] Kirby, will send Kirby, [Alexander] Macleay and [Thomas] Marsham insects. Sends some local plants, including a 'Hypnum'. Peck's authority incorrectly quoted in [Frederick] Pursh's "Flora of North America": 'Diapensia cuneifolia' is a southern plant and not found in the White Mountains, received a a specimen of it from [Henry] Muhlenberg. His local Botanic Garden struggling for lack of funds, local merchants have contributed to grow exotic plants but it is has few North American plants, a young man has been engaged to gather plants from the US interior.

[Swartz writes, in English] Received Smith's letter of 19 June. Thanks for the article intended for the supplement to "Edinburgh Encyclopedia", and the new edition of "Compendium florae Britannicae", intends publishing a much needed similar work on Scandinavian plants. Longs to see botanical part of [Abraham] Rees' "Cyclopedia". Pained to hear of valetudinarian state of Sir Joseph Banks. Has sent the most recent "transactions" of Swedish Academy [of Sciences]. Praises work and talents of [William Jackson] Hooker. Impatiently awaiting sequel of Robert Brown's "Prodromus".

[Acharius writes, in Latin] He has waited a long time for a letter from Smith. Staying with Swartz. Asks after a letter and rare lichen he sent Smith a few years ago via Mr Ekenstam, and monographs on 'Glyphis' and 'Chiodecton', with illustrations, for "Linnean Transactions". Requests copy of [Dawson] Turner and [William] Borrer's "Lichenographia britannica" as soon as it appears, as he is preparing a "Philosophia lichenologica".

Sending Professor [Josef August] Schultes' new botanical publication, [presumably "Osterreichs Flora"], by request of the author.

Has dedicated his history of botany to Smith ["Anleitung zum grundlichen Studium der Botanik"]. He has written it as an up to date version of [Kurt] Sprengel's similar work, but in German rather than Latin. [Johann Jacob] Römer [(1763-1819), Swiss physician and botanist] to send Smith first volume of their new edition of Linnaeus' "Systema vegetabilium"; remarks on the increase in sheets needed to take in new discoveries and explains some of the plan. Has been asked to translate Smith's "Introduction to Physiological and Systematical Botany"; asks if there any remarks he would like to add. Offers to send alpine seeds.