Rejoices with Smith at "the happy event which has just taken place". Thanks Smith and his wife for the "kind & continued attention" they have shown James, his son, [studying under Samuel Taylor, farmer, in Norfolk]. Looking forward to seeing Smith in Liverpool and eulogises their friendship. Sends regards to Mrs [Susannah] Taylor and [William Fitt] Drake.

Replies to Roscoe's letter of 25 July. Spent a month at Lowestoft, [Suffolk], with family of his wife [Pleasance Smith]; she and [William Fitt] Drake have both regained their health following seabathing, and on return to Norwich they saw the Kindersleys. His sister [Fanny] now in Liverpool and is happy in the connections she has formed, hopes Roscoe has met her. Looking forward to his lectures in Liverpool next summer, for which he has prepared a new course of lectures. Plans to dedicate "Exotic Botany" to Roscoe, due to appear 1 December. Asks if Roscoe has seen Captain [Thomas] Hardwicke; Smith sent seeds of his to Roscoe. Hopes [John] Shepherd [(c 1764-1836, curator Liverpool Botanic Garden] sent Lady [Amelia] Hume and Mr Cooper of Norwich the plants he promised. Asks Shepherd to prepare a collection of uncommon Botany Bay, Cape, and West Indies seeds to be sent to the Empress in France [Joséphine de Beauharnais (1763-1814), wife of Napoléon Bonaparte] and requests confidentiality, though it it will be sent publicly through the Trade Office. Hopes his sister gave Shepherd the "parrot tulip" bulb._x000D_

Asks Roscoe's opinion of the criticism Smith's "Flora [Britannica]" received in November edition of the "Monthly Magazine". Asks after progrerss on Roscoe's "[Life and Pontificate of] Leo [the Tenth]", informs him of progress of [Thomas] Johnes' translation of Froissart [(c 1337-c 1405), French chronicler]. Working on "Prodromus Florae Graecae" this month. Recommends Sims' and Konig's "Annals of Botany", to which he intends to send a paper on the "Decandrous Papilionaceous plants of New Holland"; believes he has found a way to classify them. Encloses part of 'Humea elegans'.

His joy at receiving a letter from Smith. Pleased Mrs [Pleasance] Smith recovered her health through sea-bathing; Liverpool is "the most frequented bathing place in the kingdom". All his Liverpool friends "charmed" with Mrs Martin [Smith's sister] but concerned she is walking too long. Flattered by Smith's proposal to dedicate "Exotic Botany" to him.

Responds to points in Smith's previous letter: has not seen Captain [Thomas] Hardwicke, though received seeds and letter from him; [John] Shepherd [(c 1764-1836, curator Liverpool Botanic Garden] sent Lady [Amelia] Hume plants two months ago, and she sent back specimen of 'Humea elegans'; Shepherd hopes to send Cooper cuttings of 20 kinds of 'Passiflora' in the spring, their collection has considerably increased; safely received parrot tulip roots; will soon send packet of seeds from the gardens; observed the "minute criticism" [of Smith's "Flora Britannica"] in the "Monthly Magazine" and agrees the author must be handled "with tenderness". His "[Life and Pontificate of] Leo [the Tenth]" [(1805)] in final parts of fourth volume. Ordered "Annals of Botany" with "Exotic Botany". Glad of progress in his son [James, placed with Norfolk farmer Samuel Taylor] and [William Fitt] Drake.

Insists on sending Roscoe his ["Exotic Botany"] instead of him ordering it through booksellers, insisting it is not a return for copies of Roscoe's "Lorenzo" and "Leo"; relates anecdote about Sir Richard Jebb [first baronet (c 1729-1787), physician] to illustrate this. Thanks Roscoe for his concern about health of Smith's sister, Fanny [Martin], but assures him she is "naturally very strong". Responds to questions in Roscoe's previous letter concerning Captain [Thomas] Hardwicke, Mr Cooper, and [John] Shepherd [(c 1764-1836, curator Liverpool Botanic Garden].

Defends his response to "the poor coxcomical "butterfly"" in the "Monthly Magazine" [criticism of Smith's "Flora Britannica"], which is to be first article in magazine next month, by reason of the same persons letter on the language of Linnaeus in 5th volume of magazine. Looking forward to receiving Roscoe's "Leo" and is enjoying [Thomas] Johnes' translation of Froissart [(c 1337-c 1405), French chronicler]. Hopes Roscoe will enjoy "Annals of Botany", to which he has sent a paper for the third number, due in January. Transcribes proposed title page for "Flora Graeca", in Latin, asks Roscoe's opinon. Praises maturity of James Roscoe. [William Fitt] Drake sends his compliments.

Praises Smith's "Exotic Botany"; flattered by the dedication. Criticises Smith for his treatment of "the poor snail" [Smith's response to criticism of his "Flora Britannica" in the "Monthly Magazine"] and thinks [William Fitt] Drake would have handled it better; applauds Drake's appearance in "Annals of Botany". Approves Smith's title page for "Flora Graeca". Saw Frederick Smith [Smith's brother] in Liverpool; looking forward to visit by Smith and Mrs [Pleasance] Smith.

Sending a parcel to Roscoe containing "Exotic Botany"; thanks for his flattering letter. Defends his response to Mr Caley in the "Monthly Magazine" [who had criticised Smith's "Flora Britannica" and Linnaeus' use of language]; he seldom quarrels, but when he does "it is best to do it decidedly, & have done with it", and is happy that he has had so few literary quarrels, aside from with Lamarck and [William] Curtis.

Rejoices with Smith on the "happy events" [probably birth of a child to Smith's sister, Mrs Fanny Martin, resident in Liverpool] and was delighted to meet Mrs Smith [Smith's mother]. Has discussed Smith's upcoming Liverpool lectures with Mr Martin; anticipating Smith, Mrs [Pleasance] Smith, and [William Fitt] Drake's stay at Allerton. Admires plan and execution of Smith's "Exotic botany", but believes it needs better advertisement. Expects his "Leo" to be published in London in May.

Letter to Smith delayed by work and a feverish cold but has seen Mrs Smith, Mr and Mrs Martin [Smith's sister], and their son. Subscription for Smith's Liverpool lectures has opened headed by Prince William Frederick [(1776-1834)], the Mayor, Dr Brandreth, and 30 more; confident the subscription will match or exceed the last course. His book "Leo" complete, gives his opinion of it.

Sends Roscoe a budget about the "plantae scitamineae" and Lord Valentia's [George Annesley] "Indexes to Willdenow" as completed. Describes his his return journey from Liverpool to Norwich via Huntingdon, Cambridge, including the botanic garden, and Ely, including the cathedral.

Transcribes an attack made by [Richard] Salisbury on himself in fifth number of his "Paradisus Londinensis"; defends himself and transcribes the passage from "Exotic botany" which apparently provoked Salisbury, and details involvement of [Edward] Rudge and [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert. Salisbury also "sneered" at [Étienne Pierre] Ventenat's "Jardin de la Malmaison", confirming his suspicions of Salisbury's deceit, though if nothing else occurs still intends to reappoint him vice-president of the Linnean Society next year as he has "always been attentive & useful".

Sends Roscoe his paper on Norwich botanists, and two pods of vanilla from his journey to Italy. Convinced Raphael's picture of the Holy Family at Okeover [Hall, Staffordshire] is an original; description. "Exotic botany" reviewed much more favourably than Roscoe's "Leo" in Baldwin's "Literary Journal". Colonel [Thomas] Hardwicke to visit. The "Monthly Review" speaks "very differently" of his biographical paper, from Salisbury's account in "Annals [of Botany]". Reminds Roscoe of his "purposed assistance" with "Exotic Botany".

Laments [James] Currie [(1756-1805), physician and author] and Clarke, who both died shortly after Smith left Liverpool. Remarks on positive change in character of his son, James, following his return to Allerton after long absence [training under Samuel Taylor of Norfolk, farmer]. Thanks for Smith's letter of observations and specimens; convinced his system will withstand criticism but has struggled to write dissertation on it.

Has learnt via [William Fitt] Drake that after receiving a "very violent" letter from [Richard] Salisbury, Smith has terminated all further intercourse; [Roscoe] glad Salisbury has shown himself publically, thus making the split justifiable and proper.

Reports on unexpected docking of "The Investigator" at Liverpool on way to Plymouth, and encounter with the two naturalists [Robert] Brown and [Ferdinand] Bauer [(1760-1826), botanical artist]; their collections could not be opened or seen but informed they found only one Scitamineae, an 'Alpinia'. Smith has a start on them with "Exotic botany".

Postscript on left-hand side of verso of first folio: returns "valuable specimen" of the "Arur. Cardamom", keeping the other specimens for present.

Sending Roscoe full copies of letters between [Richard] Salisbury and himself, via his sister [Fanny] Martin. Asks whether [Robert] Brown and [Ferdinand] Bauer's [(1760-1826), botanical artist] thought his "Exotic botany" was "hostile, or unfair to them"; states that he bought all the New Holland specimens, and [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert the drawings, twelve years before the expedition was proposed, but is keen to avoid a quarrel and will avoid publishing the same plants. Brown likely to be made resident librarian of Linnean Society with salary, which now has new premises in Gerard Street.

Sends copy of his paper from seventh volume of "Linnean Transactions", which "Squire Alias" criticised so much. Has a carbuncle [on the eye] but recovering well.

Replies to Smith's letter of 20 November: yet to see the letters [copies of acrimonious correspondence sent between Richard Salisbury and Smith] but is glad to hear that Smith has acted with the "most decisive conduct" and believes the estrangement must be "absolute & total". [Robert] Brown and [Ferdinand] Bauer [(1760-1826), botanical artist] do not feel threatened by Smith's "Exotic botany", though they were surprised on being shown the first numbers by [John] Shepherd [(c 1764-1836, curator Liverpool Botanic Garden]. Prevented from sending Smith his dissertation on the "Monandrian plants".

Hopes Smith's health is good. Intends to send copy of his Monandrian essay but busy correcting his "[Life and Pontificate of] Leo [the Tenth]" for second edition; defends the book against criticism in journals and "Critical Review" by stating the critics' ignorance of the period.

Has been waiting for Roscoe's 'Sciatamineae' paper so he can proceed with plants from that family in "Exotic botany". His leg still healing but is much better.

Indignant at a critical review of Roscoe's book ["Life and Pontificate of Leo the Tenth"]; [William Fitt] Drake's theory as to the author. Fears imminent second edition of his "[Sketch of a ] tour [of the continent]" will be similarly treated. Gives his complimentary opinion of "Leo", though agrees with "country gentlemen" in wishing for a translation of the poetry and quotations and questions use of English in another section.

Sir Joseph Banks has offered to mediate between himself and [Richard] Salisbury, who initially thought Smith was being too severe until further explanation. Received another "most abusive & rascally" letter from Salisbury offering to resign vice-presidentship and detailing illegal property. [William] Salisbury [(d 1823/1829)], the nurseryman, says his name is ruined for £500 a year as people assume he belongs to the Yorkshire [Richard] Salisbury and will not deal with him.

Pleased Smith's series of lectures in Liverpool has been confirmed; details, including acquisition of a room over the Union Coffee House, offers to supply Smith with any botanical works or specimens required over the course of the lectures, having the works of [Nikolaus von] Jacquin and the principle "Floras", and advertising by himself and Taylor.

Sends draft of his paper [on 'Scitamineae']; if Smith agrees with principal points he can improve it with Smith's herbarium and library. Comments on a "sullen & ungracious" critique of his "[Life and Pontificate of] Leo [the Tenth]" in the "Edinburgh Review", pointing out its errors and his determination to respond to the "volumes of abuse". Pleased by Mr Reeve's "favourable opinion" of the book.

Thanks for Roscoe's letter of 1 March. Critiques in detail Roscoe's paper on Scitamineae plants; believes it will do Roscoe "great honour" as a botanist he is the first to give a "plausible account" of these genera; a point that could have been alluded to; corrections of punctuation, quotations, spelling, and words for characteristics; asks whether 'Roscoia' is to remain in 'Amomum'.

[Richard] Salisbury has published a "most abusive & lying pamphlet" against "English Botany" ["Generic characters in the English Botany"], which he has ignored, along with two letters received since his last conclusive one. No one is paying Salisbury any attention and are anxious for Smith to keep his silence. Composed new introductory letter for Royal Institution, refuting Salisbury and not honouring him with apparent notice. Transcribes a mocking "motto" for [Salisbury] and [William] Hooker's [(1779-1832), botanical artist] "Paradisus [Londinensis]".

Responds to Smith's remarks on his Scitamineae paper, transcribes a new opening paragraph and makes other additions and corrections. Smith and himself should take strength against their attackers: [Richard] Salisbury's pamphlet ["Generic characters in the English Botany"] attacking Smith, and his own criticical reviewers in "Critical Review" and "Edinburgh Journal"; has written a paper against the latter. Thanks for numbers of "Exotic botany" but insists on purchasing the rest.

Details reception of Roscoe's paper [on 'Scitamineae'] at Linnean Society; approved by everybody, especially [Jonas] Dryander, who has suggested some changes in terminology after he and Smith went through all the paper's references and specimens. [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert and [William Townsend] Aiton also praised it, though they are convinced Roscoe could not have had the knowledge and materials and that it was written by Smith.

Thanks for Smith's and [Jonas] Dryander's remarks on his 'Scitamineae' paper; plans to add some notes before it is printed and other corrections based on fifteen Scitamineae plants sent by Lord Seaforth [Francis Humberston Mackenzie] from Barbados. Details some of the corrections he is making for second edition of "[Life and Pontificate of] Leo [the Tenth]".