Conditions for collecting still unfavourable and is doubtful of sending any dried plants this year. Has sent two large tubs of living plants, including many which are new or rare in Europe. [François] Borone and himself have both recovered from fevers. Unhappy to have not received any letters from their friends in London and elsewhere.

A house is being erected for use of Afzelius and [François] Borone, Smith should shortly expect something to be sent with every vessel sailing from Free Town. Condemnation of Gmelin and his knowledge of natural history.

Thanks for books. Sending a box of living plants and seeds. Praises Governor [John] Clarkson, who is returning to England, for his kindness to himself and [François] Borone in finding them "proper habitation". Will send dry plants, fruits, seeds and insects on the next sailing vessel for Smith and other friends.

Received the most recent numbers of Smith's "Icones Pictae" and "Spicilegium Botanicum". Would like Smith's opinion of his manuscript "Flora Dubliniensis", having heard from [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert that Smith has seen it. Asks if [Pierre] Bulliard [(1752-1793), botanist] has published anymore of his ["Herbia de la France"] since 1780. Had suspected the author of "English Botany" was someone "first rate" and is not disappointed [Smith's "English Botany" was originally published anonymously]; suggests improving it by including the general size of plants and differences noted when much similarity occurs. Not impressed with [Thomas Martyn's] "Flora Rustica", particularly its lack of originality and inferior paper and plates. Thanks for Smith's pledge of support for his plans to promote natural history in Ireland but is increasingly realising the futility of this in spite of Ireland's natural treasures. Shall communicate any Irish natural history findings to the Linnean Society. Andrew Caldwell sends his compliments and hopes Smith received his pamphlets.

Thanks for second fasciculus [probably Smith's "Spicilegium botanicum"] and Smith's "Flora Lapponica", which "as far excels all other floras, as the system of Linn[aeus] does all other systems".

Answers Smith's queries on various subjects [for Smith's "Sketch of a Tour on the Continent"]: transcribes a quote by [Joseph] Addison on enthusiasm; transcript of his notes made at Sens 1 November 1786 on five figures on a monument; transcript of his notes made 8 November 1786 on a Bibliotheque de la Ville in a former Jesuit seminary containing valuable manuscripts of Cicero's "Epistles", a curiously illuminated French translation of Ovid's "Metamorphoses", two folio volumes of French romances which belonged to Louis X, a 1742 copy of Pliny's "Natural History", and several Chinese manuscripts including a "History of China" translated into French. Could find no reference in his notes to: the 'Antirtrinum monspeliense' found in woods of the Granamont; the view of the Isle de Marguerite; the temperature of the mineral water at Aix; nor any account of supposed medical virtues of the excrescences of 'Lentiscus'. Informs Smith of [Thomas] Martyn's intentions of publishing his own "Tour through Italy", enquires after Smith's plan for his.

Underwhelmed by first part of [Erasmus] Darwin's "Botanic Garden". Strong republican feelings in Sheffield: cannon have been firing on news of the Duke of Brunswick's retreat [the "Brunswick Manifesto" issued on 25 July 1792 threatened the French populace with retaliatory violence by Prussian forces should the French royal family be harmed. It antagonised the population and on 20 September 1792 the Prussians were defeated in the Battle of Valmy and retreated from France]. The 15 October has been set as a day of celebration by several sets of workmen and a republican printer has a new sign of [Thomas] Paine [(1737-1809), author and revolutionary] at a bookdesk, and several street corners bear the inscription "Death or Liberty". A government directive for dealers in perfumery, hats, and gloves to form committees to report on evasion of duties was met with remark that it "must be a poor government that cannot be supported without sowing dissension among neighbours and making fellow citizens informers of one another". Asks Smith to procure from Mr Parker of Fleet Street one of [John Mervin] Nooth's [(1737-1828), physician] "improved machines for impregnating water with fixed air [carbon dioxide]".

Sending parcel containing plants missing from certain dissertations, including 'Cliffortia', and money from the sale of some publications. This summer worked on classes 8-13 of the Cape [of Good Hope] flora; as some of less familiar may be Linnaean plants, sending specimens of 'Gnidia radiata', 'Passerina ericoides', 'Bergia capensis', and 'Milium capense'; possible that 'P. ericoides' and 'Lachnaea conglomerata' are the same plant; observations.

Smith elected to Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences. Praises Smith's work with Linnaean collections, acknowledging Smith has increased their strength, which Sweden might have struggled to do on its own.

Confident in Smith and [Jonas] Dryander's judgement respecting his paper ['Observations on the British Species of] 'Carex'''. Preparations necessary prior to the paper being read: asks Smith what he meant about the placing of the synonyma, will have drawn whatever needs engraving, asks how to credit Smith observing the capsules of '[Carex] dioica' and '[Carex] capitata', stating that his distinction between the two came from his own observations. Has omitted mentioning the serrulation of the capsules in many of the species.

Sending two specimens of 'Trifolium'; plants.

Illness of his brother-in-law, Mr Palmer, has delayed his coming to London till Easter and Linnean Society anniversary meeting. Remarks on various phenomena of the early spring: recently saw 'Papilio phamni' flying, 'Scarabaeus luisquilius' in hundreds, and "those nimble animals the 'Carabi'"; an apricot tree in flower in a Cambridge college garden as reported in Cambridge paper, observed in his brother's [Sir John Cullum, 6th baronet (1733-1785)] journal that the apricot tree at Hardwick, [Suffolk], flowered on 20 February 1779 and 27 February 1775 but did not flower till March or April in following years; observed 'Veronica hederacea' and 'Veronica agrestis' in flower and considering looking for 'Veronica verna' and 'Veronica triphyllos'.

Praises number fifteen of "English Botany"; 'Papaver hybridum' and 'Anchusa sempervirens' commonly grows near them does not doubt 'Verbascum blattaria' is native having seen it in similar conditions and in barren places in Cornwall. Requests of White copies of Smith's new "Flora Lapponica", Thunberg's "Characteres genenum insectorum", and [Pehver's] "Weekly Memorials for the Ingenious". Asks of Mr Poulter, [William] Hudson, and Sir George Staunton's safe return.

Disappointed to not see his name in "Linnean Transactions" list, which he otherwise enjoyed.

[Respecting Thomas Hoy's paper 'Account of a spinning Limax, or Slug' in "Linnean Transactions" vol 1] not surprised that a land 'Limax' should be found to spin, following his observations of marine animals of that or a neighbouring genus in moving about rock pools; believes that too many dissimilar animals have been confounded under name "insect", remarks in Latin, intends to write further on subject.

Fears that [William] Hudson is dying after suffering a second paralytic stroke and losing the use of a leg. Spent five weeks of summer in Bath, [Somerset], followed by Weymouth, [Dorset], where he regularly saw the King and Queen [George III and Charlotte], though the weather was changeable. Asks whether 'Trifolium stellatum' and 'Trifolium maritimum' are the two distinct species of 'Trifolium', as he found [John] Ray's teasel-headed 'Trifolium' (Syn:p 329 n8) near Bristol, some think it distinct from 'Trifolium stellatum'. Could not find 'Vicia hybrida' at Weymouth; '[Vicia] lutea' common on the seashore and 'Vicia bythynica' in a hilly pasture with 'Ulex' and on Portland Island, compares the pods with 'Vicia lutea'. Recommends [William Lloyd] Baker and Thomas Ruggles as FLS. Intended to send [James] Sowerby Suffolk plants but weather too cold to botanise. 'Thesium linophyllum' and 'Cucubalus otites' still in flower. Coming to London at end of January.

New publications: Thunberg's "Flora Japonica"; Gaertner's "de Seminibus Plantarum"; Gmelin's "Systema Vegetabila" from 'Monandria' to 'Polyandria', including the genus 'Culhamia' and notes that an old way to spell Cullum was Culham; has heard there is a new edition of a "Species Plantarum"; saw Olivier's "Insecta Coleoptera"; with so many natural history books laments absence of a "Flora or Fauna Anglica". Further plants seen: field of nine inch high 'Orchis ustulata' at Bath; 'Trifolium maritimum' in low meadow near St Vincent's Rock, Bristol; 'Vicia lutea' at Weymouth; and 'Vicia bythinica'.

Joy he receives from Smith's friendship. Presses Smith to visit. Anxious that Smith may not have received the seeds of 'Cerinthe perennis'. Glad his ideas on 'Trifolium alpestre' proved correct in "Linnean Transactions", further comments on [Adam] Afzelius' paper. 'Serapias' all a confusion for Smith. Cannot say anything on "pretended specific difference" of 'Gnaphalium sylvaticum', 'norvegicum' Retz, 'Crepis discoridis', interests him as much as 'Trifolium agaricum'. Comments on plants previously sent in various parcels.

Thanks Smith for his efforts in reconciling [William] Aiton to him. Answers Smith's queries on his health: does find fruit to be laxative, red wine makes him costive, and is most tormented with it in spring where 'Leontodon taraxacum' is eaten as they do other vegetables, stewed in butter or beef broth. Has not yet received anything from [Horace Bénédict] de Saussure [(1740-1799)]. Regarding Smith's proposal to name a genus after him would like Smith to do whatever he thinks best, but wishes he had completed his work before such an honour. Comments on 'Carex' no 11 of his parcel by Mandrot 1790.

Fears for Smith's safety following reports of fire at the Pantheon [place of public entertainment on south side of Oxford Street, London]. Responds to Smith's letter [of 30 December 1791]: sorry to hear of Smith's brother's inactivity; will send a list of desiderata in due course, but anything not Swiss welcome and especially 'Smithia sensitivia'. Intends for his herbarium plan Swiss plants and English and European plants in near affinity. Thanks for Smith's figures of 'Agrostis capillaris' and 'Saponaria lutea'; shall send Smith a list of grasses desired, already has 'Cornucopiae cucullatum'.

Responds to Smith's letter of 6 July 1791: extensive comments on 'Arenaria liniflora'; is Smith happy with his drying and nature of specimens; number 10 of his 1791 parcel by Mandrot 'Anemone fragifera' or '[Anemone] baldensis'; will send good wild specimen of 'Ranunculus thora', comments on Haller's figure, does not agree with what Smith says of [Jean Johannes] Bauhin [(1541-1613)] and notes errors in printing of Bauhin and other 'Ranunculus' species.

Asks if Smith has seen "that complicated, fabricated, forged, mechanic mass", the vegetable part of [Johann Friedrich] Gmelin's [(1748-1804)] "Systema Naturae". Received visit from Professor [Johann] Hermann of Strasburg last summer.

His street was not affected by the fire at the Pantheon, although [Robert] Batty's shop was destroyed and he and his family took refuge with Smith.

Responds to Davall's letters of 31 January and 3 February 1792: promises to visit Davall soon but wants to publish his "Sketch of a Tour on the Continent" and "Systema vegetabilum" first; François [Borone] to be [Adam] Afzelius' assistant in Sierra Leone, commissioned by the new Company to collect plants for at least a year, advantageous situation for Borone, and Smith will receive a share of the plants, roots, and seeds collected; when François returns Smith intends to tour to Genoa to visit Davall and Mount Cenis again; impatient to hear from [Dominique] Villars; applauds Davall's comments on naming of plants after botanists, shall give Davall's name to 'Trichomanes canariense' but requests a paper from him for second volume of "Linnean Transactions"; has no duplicate of 'Smithia sensitivia', it flowered and seeded at Turin in 1790; admires Davall's manner of drying plants.

[Carl Peter] Thunberg compared specimen of his [Smith's] 'Festuca' with [Joachim] Burser's [(1583-1639)] original specimen at Upsala, so there is now no doubt, but [Martin] Vahl [(1749-1804)] has published discovery as his own in second volume of "Symbolae botanicae" but made mistake of saying he learned what 'Anthoxanthum paniculatum' was from the Linnaean herbarium.

Has been introduced to the Royal Family as this summer he is to arrange the Queen's herbarium, previously [John] Lightfoot's, give the Queen and princesses a course of botany; comments on the Queen's behaviour and dignity. Has not taken any salary for the job for the sake of dignity and future influence and interest.

Prescribes a tablespoon of melted butter with the salt skimmed off before bed for Davall's costiveness; excellent for bowel complaints but "neglected for nasty drugs & irritating oils". Eager to see vegetable part of [Johann Friedrich] Gmelin's [(1748-1804)] "Systema naturae". Glad Davall found [Johann] Hermann agreeable, "an excell[ent] & pleasant man". Pleased Davall likes his figure of 'Festuca spadicea'. Waiting for lichens before sending parcel of plants, will also send second edition of "Flora Lapponica".

Apologises for delay in sending lichens and can only send thirty for Davall's collection. Parcel of newspapers from [William] Este still waiting for Davall, the paper is now at an end and he is fled abroad for debt.

Asks Davall's opinion of "English Botany", which he now claims as his own and its aim "to make botany pleasing & popular, so [Davall] must pardon trifling". Took more pains with "Flora Lapponica", especially the synonyms as he means to correct citation, so it requires more serious criticism. Sends [James] Dickson's third and fourth dried plant fascicules which completes the work, relieved to be free from its drudgery. Sends pamphlets on the slave trade, "a matter much talked of now". [Adam] Afzelius and François [Borone] have sailed [for Sierra Leone]. Sends capsule of 'Mesembryanthemum' from Cape of Good Hope, gives care instructions; a German professor has figured it as a flower under new genus 'Redeviva'. Arranging his shells. [William] Aiton [(1731-1793)] delighted with seed of 'Arenaria grandiflora'. Davall owes [James] Sowerby and Dickson money.

Davall's letter forms the first eight pages. Apologises for not sending Smith anything with Mandrot. His poor health: the least exertion affects his eyes and stomach, and suffered violent inflammatory fever with a sore throat that spread to his gums and was in danger of going to his chest, prolonged by a late bleeding, until his urine became very thick and an abcess formed. Has been bled three times in eighteen hours and five times since January, losing 3 1/2 lb of blood and now drinking whey to thin his blood. His wife gave birth to premature son but he died after eleven days.

Has dried specimen of wild 'Ranunculus thora' from his garden for Smith. His garden: 'Cerastium latifolium' grown from roots gathered himself in Alps in full flower, 'Moehringia', 'Crataegus chamaemespilus', 'Turritis coerulea', 'Arenaria grandiflora', 'Androsace villosa' or 'Androsace obtusifolia', 'Aretia alpina' not yet flowered, 'Saxifraga hirculus'.

Continues letter on 21 May: managed to make up a parcel of plants to send with Mandrot, including [Horace Bénédict] de Saussure's [(1740-1799)] lichens.

Fifth folio is titled "Villars" and is a transcription, in French, of extract of letter from [Dominique] Villars 20 December 1791, following communication of Smith's discovery concerning 'Festuca spadicea'. Davall displeased at [Martin] Vahl's [(1749-1804)] impertinence [he claimed a discovery of Smith's as his own]; does not have a good opinion of men in general and passes for a misanthrope in Orbe because he prefers spending his time with plants. Consoles Smith with the fact that even if he is exposed to the impertinence of "some Empiricks as La Marck etc" at least he will "ever have the applause of good orthodox botanists & men of sense". Transcribes extract from preface of second volume of [Johann Christian Daniel von] Schreber's [(1739-1810)] edition of "Genera Plantarum" quoting Smith. Sends seed of 'Carduus crispus'.

Ninth and tenth folios are transcription, in French, of extract of letter from de Saussure 14 February 1792 accompanying lichens, which he [Davall] sends on to Smith, includes eight notes to recognise those de Saussure has.

Following pleuritic attacks in spring and summer has come to Matlock Bath for air and waters. Sending locally gathered mosses and lichens with this letter. Responds to Davall's letter of 18 May 1792: has not yet received Davall's two packets; recommends he take the Bath waters or similar for his stomach; condolences on death of his baby; entreats him not to overexert himself in the garden or fields, to avoid damp and evening air, and wet feet; thanks for seeds of 'Carduus crispus'; spending two or three weeks at Windsor soon [teaching Royal Family botany]; [Dominique] Villars correct in what he says, he [Smith] will write preface for his paper on 'Arenaria' for second volume of "Linnean Transactions" in which he will fully explain his method of ascertaining the Linnaean species from original numbered and marked specimens, and show in what cases synonyms are to be greater authority than the herbarium, citing example of 'Carex pilulifera'; thanks for quotation from Schreber, pleased with his praise and has written to him on the strength of it.

[Joseph] Gaertner has died but finished his book in second volume ["De fructibus et seminibus plantarum" (1788-1805)], he is very severe on Linnaeus "but a good author may be pardoned for a few prejudices'. Surprised at the attention his "introductory discourse" has received; Father Gregorio Fontana, mathematical professor at Pavia, has translated it into Italian.

Received parcel of plants from Botany Bay, many unknown to [Sir Joseph] Banks and others, with coloured drawings of most, and if Banks will not publish his work sees no reason not to publish these. Paper on 'Filices' not quite finished. Considers it settled that 'Trichomanes canariense' is to be 'Davallia'. Sending Davall a "choice copy" of second part of "Icones pictae", a present from Lady Rockingham, and second part of "Spicilegium Botanicum"; hopes he approves of 'Ligusticum cornubiense'. Encloses part of 'Byssus aurea'. Also encloses for Mrs Davall a small smelling bottle made of the "beautiful spar of this place".

Note at end of letter: "to remark that 'Poa salina' of Pollich is = distans as well as the retroflexa of Curtis".

Has been seriously ill with extreme weakness of the eyes and disordered stomach and digestion. As his blood was so inflammatory was prescribed whey and setters water for the summer, which weakened his stomach further. About to start an infusion of 'Cinchona'. Thanks for Smith's letter of 27 June and the lichens, also recently received the other lichens sent with Mr Du Bois, pleased with 'Lichen omphalodes', 'L. fragilis', and 'L. globiferus'. Domestic news: one of his wife's brothers has caused great uneasiness; persuaded his aunts to give him another room for his study; his 'Mespilus chamaemespilus' has finally produced two fruit, which he intends for Smith; found 'Schenchzeria'; believes 'Poa retroflexa' Curtis is 'Poa distans' Linnaeus, and 'Poa salina' Pollich as determined by specimen from Ehrhart; dried 'Saxifraga hirculus', 'Schenchzeria' and 'Swertia H', 'Avena fertilis' Allioni "Auctar", suspects it 'Avena dubia' Leers; two plants of 'Lavatera punctata' just come into flower, will send seed if possible; has seed of 'Avena strigosa' Schreber "Spicilig." Retz "Obs." and 'Bromus arvensis'. His wife pregnant again.

Thanks for Smith's works, "Spicililegium botanicum" and "Icones pictae". His health is still weak and digestion disordered. Explains that through his "ardent love of Botany" he has declined every opportunity conducive to his fortune and reduced his patrimony in forming his botanical library to the bare minimum and his study, friendship with Smith, and relationship with wife "are the three great & only objects" which make him value his existence.

Concerns over war [threatened invasion of Switzerland by the French]: the Genevans have called on their allies and 1500 of Berne and 640 of Zurich have entered Geneva, which was proteseted against by the French resident before issuing a direct declaration of war, and French artillery now expected to commence firing on Geneva. The Swiss are marching on every frontier shared with France and if not for his wife would happily take up a musket in defence of his collections. Believes only reason to fear French is their immense numbers and the common people are strong and the German Swiss "are perfectly well armed, their artillery of the best sort" and 30-40,000 men are stirring. A young man who escaped from the massacre of the Swiss Guards at Paris was with him yesterday.