Sends copies of his "Sketches of the Progress of Botany" for L'Héritier and [William] Curtis.

Thanks Smith for sending books, including L'Héritier, encloses bill, clearing his account with Smith; asks after text for Smith's "Spicilegium botanicum" and second part of Gaertner, and price of "Flora cochinchinensis". [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert "greatly enriched" his herbarium by a visit to Lord Bute's garden [John Stuart, 3rd Earl of Bute (1713-1792)], at High Cliff, Hampshire.

Pleased to receive confirmation of value of specimens he sent Smith some time ago, via [Nathaniel] Kindersly [Smith's cousin]. Will receive much satisfaction from "corresponding with so distinguished a Botanist as Dr Smith". Pleased to see in "Critical Review" for January [1791] that Smith has decided to make a genus of 'Paulina asiatica'; it will be drawn and described as 'Scopolia aromatica' in his next collection to be sent to the Court of Directors [of East India Company] and Sir Joseph Banks.

Requests copy of anything Smith publishes.

Progress of his work; vindicates Linnaeus.

Botanical exploration of Valencia; prices of his publications; requests identification of plants sent.

Has acquired Cusson's MS and collection of Umbelliferae.

Requests seeds of various plants.

Thanks for election as FLS. Asks Smith to enquire whether [Samuel] Goodenough would like him to send his collection of 'Fucus' and 'Confervae' straight away or whether he could wait until winter.

Thanks for Linnean Society diploma. Has a professorship and is Court Physician to the Duke, has little time for natural history. Flora of Courland does not exceed 700 plants of which there are few rare ones although the fauna is more interesting, especially migratory birds nesting in the forests and swamps. Description of the country, including geology and agriculture. Requests seeds of unspecified trees, shrubs and plants and any useful German publications that Smith would know from Sir Joseph Banks extensive channel of works and periodical papers.

Discussion of origin of two similar Latin words, seemingly "caprina" and "capricon" following a figure from Smith of 'acapricon', concluding an error in copying, following review of "Geoponica" [10th century Byzantine agricultural compendium] and "Rei Rustica Scriptores" [collected Roman agricultural texts]. Points out a similar mistake in 'Menyanthes', first adopted from Theophrastus by [Christoph] Knauth [(1638-1694)] and followed by every botanist since, when the true Greek word is 'Minyanthes', accordingly asks Smith to correct page 177 of ["Philosophia botanica"]. Comments on Smith referring him to ["Critica Botanica"] encourages Smith to correct and improve the work of Linnaeus, considering that he is already willing to change work of any other. Sends second drawing of ''Tropaeolum palmatum foliis palmatis' by a lady who sent a drawing of 'Dianthus superbus' to [William] Curtis, said lady also saw Smith's figure of 'Acapricon' and believes the mistake was easy and repeated from "Flor. Ant." p.346. Comments on 'Tropaeolum perninum'. Thanks for present although 'Satyr. hirein.' was bruised by being thrown out of its basket. Jonas has put a specimen of dried 'Tropaeolum' into a box for Smith along with drawing of 'Diathus superbus'. Asks for copy of "Flora Lapponica". Asks why 'Conv. majalis' is from a German and Dutch name rather than "nada" the essential specific name. Asks Smith to view Ferrari "de Flor. Cultura" in reference to 'Fed. casius'. Asks Smith to procure 'Theophrastus' either "by Gaza, Stapel, Scaligen".

Account for books, etc.

Has visited Switzerland and met Davall; "Celsia orientalis"; difficulty of procuring books; desires exchanges.

Introduces Mr Balla, minister of foreign affairs to the Empress of Russia [Catheriner II (1729-1796)], whom he travelled with through Italy and Sicily, asks Smith to show him his collections.

Thanks Smith for letter and present. Sending a box of insects to [Thomas] Marsham, with duplicates for Smith. Saw [Thomas] Woodward's herbarium and fossil collection and discussed establishment of a local natural history society. Rev Charles Davy [(d 1836)] of Caius College, Cambridge, proposed encouraging study of natural history on national level by having the plan adopted in every county. Asks if [James] Sowerby safely received the 'Hirudines' ['Hirudo'].

Has collected plants in Syria; about to publish results; asks Smith's co-operation in selling the book.

Sale of 'Icones', 2nd decade; thanks for election as F.M.L.S.

Asks what Linneaus meant by the word 'Aethiopia' when applied to the habitat of plants. Asks which tree produces the "slender cane used for extending the troops of Indies". Currently working on the ninth folio volume of his "Outlines of the Globe" according to plan in his "Introduction to the Arctic Zoology".

Intends to use title "Aethiopial Africa" for third volume of ["Outlines of the Globe"]. Asks if Smith knows of any large trees in the Isles of Bourbon [now Réunion, east of Madagascar]. Would like Smith and [William] Hudson to visit him. Shall not publish anymore as he intends his manuscripts for posthumous publication.

Thanks for election to Linnean Society but wishes "to have no concern in the internal business of the Society".

Declines membership of the Linnean Society on account of his age. Asks Smith's opinion of Bruce's botanical knowledge [possibly James Bruce (1730-1794) traveller in Africa, who was initially celebrated but later treated with scepticism]. Asks for Mr Bosse to send him Jussieu's "Genera plantarum 1789".