Sending specimens of 'Dillenia indica' in addition to those already sent to Sir Joseph Banks, to be divided with Smith. Poor health since coming to Calcutta, intends to go to coast of Coromandil and possibly on to Cape of Good Hope. His last 12 months work in the drawings sent to Banks from India House. [Francis] Buchanan has found the palm 'Nipa' or 'Nypa' of [Georg Eberhard] Rumphius, a new genus which Roxburgh plans to name after Buchanan.

Asks after drawings of various fungi he sent Smith last winter to be engraved for further study, as illustrations to a paper he withheld from sending; if it is too late for the paper to appear in "Linnean Transactions" vol 3 requests that they be returned. Sends first part of his "Observationes mycologicae", hopes Smith welcomes it in same way he welcomed his "Dispositio methodica fungorum". Requests plants from enclosed desiderata [extant].

Congratulates Smith on marriage. Anxious for L'Héritier, hopes he can finish "Stirpes novae" and "Gerania", asks if [Antonio] Cavanilles second volume is published. Suffered from ill-health in the last winter, discusses the proverb relating to doctors "that they never get meat till they have no teeth".

Introduces Dr [John] Lanigan [(1758-1828), Irish biblical scholar and historian], bearer of this letter and professor of theology at University of Pavia, who is visiting his family and avoiding the invasion of Milan by the French. Pleased by the comments on Pavia in Smith's "Tour on the Continent" and Smith's defence of [Antonio Giovanni] Scopoli, which has been reprinted in many languages. The box of copies of his "Tavole sui nervi dei Precordi" ["Tabulae neurologicae" (1794)?] he sent for the Royal Society and others in England has been seized by the French.

Received Smith's letter of 17 April 1796, congratulates him on his marriage. Thanks for observations on the lichens he sent. Three further parts of the "Acta Holm" [of Swedish Academy of Sciences] are waiting for Smith, which include paper by Swartz listing all the Swedish 'Musci' in the Hedwigian order. Requests specimens of '[Lichen] torrefactus' of Lightfoot and '[Lichen] polyrrhizos' of Dillenius and "the English writers". Uncertainty about 'Bryum viridulum' compounded by reading [James] Dickson's description of it, believes the common one around Upsala is 'Bryum truncatula' so Linnaeus must be mistaken about it, asks Smith to compare the enclosed specimens [extant] with the Linnaean herbarium. His own observations on the lichen specimens he previously sent. [Heinrich Adolph] Schrader says in his "Spicilegium florae Germanicae" p105 that 'Lerosus' is the 'Correfactus' of Lightfoot [?]. Death of Wilcke, secretary of the [Swedish] Academy of Sciences. Asks Smith's opinion of [James] Sowerby's "["Coloured figures of English] Fungi" and [John] Stackhouse's ["Nereis Britannica"].

Twenty-two individual 'Bryum' specimens in five groups mounted on piece of paper annotated by both Swartz and Smith, in white envelope.

Much obliged to Mrs Smith and the effort she goes to in supplying turkeys. Reports on an extremely fertile field near Norwich, apparently due to plague victims being buried in it.

Compiling an account of an earthquake felt at Norwich, unsure whether it was caused by "an explosion in the air or under the earth".

Details of [John] Sibthorp's will: provision for publishing his "Flora Graeca" in ten volumes each containing 100 plates, and when the work is finished the produce of the estate to be applied to the establishment of a professorship of Rural Economy at Oxford University when certain conditions are met. Discussion of candidates for professorship at Oxford. The "miraculous field" near Norwich.

Sending description of trees and fruits grown in this area ["Berlinische Baumzucht" (1796)]. Observations on 'Sanchus alpinus', 'Sanchus vulgaris', 'Sonchus canadensis', 'Sonchus montanus', 'Sideroxylon spinosum', 'Rhanius pentaphyllus', and 'Arenaria juniperina'.

Congratulates Smith on his marriage.

Remonstrates with Smith for settling in Norwich, Norfolk. Fears for his isolation from the scientific community and its consequences on his leadership of the Linnean Society. Tries to convince Smith to reverse his intentions of spending three months in London and nine in Norwich. Requests specimens of 'Hyperium dubrium' and 'Hyperium quadragulum' from Hafod, Cardiganshire. Thanks for introduction to Sir Thomas Frankland but wishes it had occured before finishing his [and Thomas Woodward's] paper '[Observations on the British] Fucus'. Sent drawing of 'F jubatus' to [James] Sowerby and [Alexander Mac]leay.

A recipe for currant wine for [Thomas] Johnes from "the American Transactions". Fears Smith's move to Norwich will be "the beginning of botanical coolness" that will spread to the Linnean Society. Has initiated a scientific correspondence with Sir Thomas Frankland but wishes it had commenced before he finished his paper '[Observations on the British] Fucus'; is planning an addendum.

On reverse of letter Goodenough notes: Dr [William] Withering has just sent me his works ["An arrangement of British plants"].

Apologises for sending a letter to [Jonas] Dryander with his thoughts following their discussion on how to support the Linnean Society after Smith's move to Norwich, in it he depreciated all division in the Society, asked if he thought Sir Joseph Banks would assist, and had always thought Dryander should succeed Smith. Has written again to Dryander communicating Smith's dissatisfaction with the first having been sent.

Smith and [Jonas] Dryander have misunderstood each other; Dryander will not become President of the Linnean Society but will accept fixed vice-presidentship, with some reservations. [William] Pilkington [(1758-1848), architect] cannot guarantee regular attendance to be a reader; suggests retaining [Thomas] Marsham for the present. Although everyone "likes Mr [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert extremely" thinks the competition should not be allowed as Dryander is superior in knowledge [possile campaign for vice-presidentship?]. Presses the necessity of maintaining Marsham's cordiality for the Society's general welfare.

On verso of second folio faint outline drawing of a plant, in pencil.

Apologises for several misunderstandings: was not aware of Smith's propriety in naming [Jonas] Dryander as vice-president [of Linnean Society]; insists that he has not complained of Smith's move to Norwich to anyone; his hint about [maintaining the cordiality of Thomas] Marsham was not intended as a slight on Smith's regard.

Reassures Smith of the stability of his position as President of the Linnean Society; his term "fixed vice-president" only means that one person will manage everything in Smith's absence, rather than an inefficient division of authority between multiple parties. [Jonas] Dryander's strengths for the position, thinks [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert will "do vastly well under him". Thanks Smith for specimens.

Encloses papers and drawings from Colonel [George] Montagu [(1753-1815)] for Linnean Society; Montagu wishes to know whether the sandpiper with red legs and dark body colour is a new species; Latham notes it is similar to 'Tringa maritima' of Norway and Iceland, and one brought from Quebec by Colonel Davies; observations on latter. Also Montagu's accounts of 'Motacilla sylvatica' and 'Alanda petrosa'.

Latham's recommendations for publication of these observations, considering recent publications on the same species.

Received Smith's letter of 28 [January 1796]. Account of last Linnean Society meeting: [George] Shaw disappointed him in not taking the Chair as promised, but [Richard] Salisbury filled the place and read the papers; received papers from Colonel [George] Montagu [(1753-1815)] on 2 or 3 species of birds; a motion was made for the Society to treat with Smith for purchase of the Linnaean fossil collection he intends to sell, but doubtful the funds can be found. An artist has offered to give the Society a portrait of Smith if the members subscribe to a print of it.

[Aylmer Bourke] Lambert encloses a newspaper clipping [extant], stating that Smith has retired from London on a pension "granted by his pupil the Queen"; his concerns. [James] Sowerby has obtained Smith's parcel from [Olof] Swartz.

Received Smith's letter of 20 [September 1796]; pleased he has returned safely from Wales. [William] Kirby has been left the living of Coddenham, [Norfolk]. Still awaiting [Bracy] Clark's paper on 'Oestrus'. His despair at decline of the Linnean Society: at the last meeting there was neither President, Vice-Presidents, or Treasurer, and only two members besides himself, the members are £100 in arrears, the rules are not kept to, the museum is in confusion, the new volume of "Linnean Transactions" has been in the press for two years, "it is become a perfect lounge once a month for a few persons", and convinced it will grow worse on Smith's quitting London. Account of [Robert] Townson's [(1762-1827), natural historian and traveller] evasion of paying his Society subscription and his illiberal opinion of the Secretary and Treasurer.

Apologises for not replying sooner to Smith's letter of 23 [Sep 1796]. Disagrees with Smith's propositions respecting the new arrangement of the Linnean Society, Smith's child; "grieved to see the Father leave his Child to be supplanted by aliens & strangers" and is hurt to see it "neglected" when he thought it was about to rise "to the summit of perfection".

Reassures Smith that he will never be found "dishonorable or dishonest", and that any harsh expressions he used were intended for [Robert] Townson [(1762-1827), natural historian and traveller, in respect to his subscription arrears]; believes arrears should not extend beyond two years.