Thanks for election as FLS. Isolated from progress of botany, owing to his "out of the way" location, not having a botanical correspondent in London, and inability to buy even old botanical books. Declines Smith's offer to acquire L'Héritier's "sumptuous work" until he is sure of its extent; would like to see the treatise on 'Geranium' mentioned in "Hortus Kewensis" but assumes the "present distracted state of France " will disrupt such publications.

[Smith has briefly noted on recto of second folio extent and cost of a book]

Thanks Smith for offering to procure botanical books for him; requests L'Héritier's "Sertum anglicum"; directions for sending. Anxious to procure those books quoted by Linnaeus, particularly Dalechamp and Brunssaling. He is about to publish his "Sketches of the progress of botany" [(1790)], orginally intended as an introduction to a large scale English flora.

Reminds Smith of his request for L'Héritier's "Sertum anglicum", adds L'Héritier's "Stirpes novae" to his order.

Thanks for Pulteney's bill for Linnean Society admission charges. They hope to print a volume of "Transactions" soon, Sir Joseph Banks having promised to pay for the engraving of the plates. Sorry Pulteney has so much difficulty in getting books, offers his assistance, and to supply numbers of L'Héritier's "Stirpes novae aut minus cognitae". "All science stands still at Paris at pres[en]t". Hedwig's work on mosses. Asks after Pulteney's book currently in the press.

Encloses L'Héritier's "Sertum anglicum", bill should Pulteney keep them. Was unable to acquire Dalechamps or Brunfelsius for Pulteney. Asks after Pulteney's intended "Flora".