Heard of Smith from their friend [Andrew] Caldwell, who has just returned from Norfolk. Encloses undetermined specimen of 'Polypodium'. Encloses a previously undescribed 'Tremella', for which he suggests 'T. vagans'; description and observations. Discusses errors with [William] Withering's 'Acrostichum ilvense'.

Invites Smith to dinner on Friday 3 May.

Lists of various amounts of money, in Smith's hand.

Has left instructions for his 'Fucus' paper for next "Linnean Transactions" to be delivered to Smith, and has included a drawing of the "singular and curious 'Conferva'" to be engraved and coloured by [James] Sowerby. Thinks it unfortunate that the plates for the "Transactions" are not well executed, and suggests charging Fellows 5 shillings on receipt of their copies.

The "calamitous state of the times" will oblige them to carry out any further correspondence "across the ocean".

Sorry to hear from [Andrew] Caldwell that Smith has not received the £5 2s 6d, which he assures Smith he sent two years ago; wishes Smith had mentioned it directly to him before, and Caldwell has now taken care of the situation.

Sends Smith specimen of 'Fucus subfuscus', which if placed in water will show it is full of fructification; certain the drawing of it in "Linnean Transactions" is accurate [see RelatedMaterial below], which means [James] Sowerby's for "English botany" is not, and if this is the case they may be able to ascertain 'F. subfuscus' and 'F. variabilis'.

His recent visit to Norwich. Stayed with [Dawson] Turner at Yarmouth, Norfolk, noticed that the variety in Mr Downe's garden was much reduced. Saw Mr Reeve and young Mr Reeve at Lowestoft, Suffolk. Also visited Ipswich, Suffolk, and Harwich, Essex. Consulted by Lord Bessborough [Frederick Ponsonby (1758-1844) 3rd Earl of Bessborough] and the Cavendishes as to the "bathing places", recommends Lowestoft and comments on "how tired they grow of all their fine houses!". Enjoyed "The Heir at Law" at the Playhouse but complains of the "scandalous"behaviour in the lobby. Has enjoyed Smith's recommendation of the poet [Albrecht von] Haller [(1708-1777)]. Reminds Smith of their agreement to "keep no letter tally".

Hopes Smith will be able to get the "Flora [Britannica]" out by next spring, as planned. Has been unable to look through the "Greek Botany". Could not find 'Arabis stricta' at St Vincent's Rock, Bristol, but did observe 'Gentiana amarella', 'Geranium sanguineum', and both 'Lichen dioica'. Hopes Smith is able to quash all feuds in the "subscription library". Ireland is currently "perfectly quiet". Confirmed in his suspicions that the "Dutch expedition" would not succeed, "the very idea of forcing a government on a nation is intolerable" [Anglo-Russian invasion of Holland, campaign of 27 August 1799 to 19 November 1799 during the War of the Second Coalition, to promote an uprising by followers of the former stadtholder, William V, against the Batavian government].

The same as JES/COR/3/54.

Assures Smith he shall assist [Dawson] Turner any way he can. Complains that a collection of British shells he sent to the Linnean Society in March 1797 have not been acknowledged. Proposes to compile a catalogue of Anglesea plants to present to the Society, believing that a system of botanists examining their own neighbourhoods "might be the likeliest method of perfecting a flora of the nation". However, plans have been put on hold by news of Smith's progress on "Flora Britannica", asks advice on whether to proceed. Condolences on the death of [Thomas] Pennant.

Thanks Smith for naming genus ['Daviesia'] after him. Refers to 'Festuca ovina' as a viviparous plant noticed by Linnaeus and presents several other viviparous plants he has found : 'Phleum pratense' in Anglesea and observed by [Albrecht von] Haller [(1708-1777) naturalist]; 'Aira caespitosa' on sides of Snowdon; 'Poa aquatica' in Yorkshire; 'Poa alpina' on Snowdon; 'Poa annua' on Snowdon, also sent to William Hudson; and 'Cynosurus cristatus' in Anglesea, offers to send specimens, each name has a tick against it made by Smith, except 'Poa alpina' which has a circle. Unsure what genus 'Agrostis minima' belongs to, having compared a late flowering one collected by [Benjamin] Stillingfleet [(1702-1771) botanist] on a tour of Wales and an early flowering one found by himself in Anglesea. Does not agree with [Jonathan] Stokes' [(c 1755-1831) botanist] assertion in [William] Withering's "Botanical Arrangement" that it is a 'Poa'. Surprised that the 'Avena stirgosa' has so long eluded the knowledge of botanists. Will send specimen of 'Sisymbrium monense'.

Subjoins a copy of the letter that accompanied the shells of about 120 species he sent to the Linnean Society, some are listed: those collected in order to ascertain species mentioned in [Thomas] Pennant's "British Zoology" but absent in [Johann Friedrich] Gmemlin's [(1748-1804) naturalist] "Systema Naturae"; and to prove other species to be British that were omitted by [Emanuel Mendez] da Costa [(1717-1791) botanist]. His findings were communicated to Hudson for "Fauna Anglica" but lost in the fire that destroyed Hudson's work.

Lannay visiting London and will convey news; flora of Mount Atlas.

Thanks for Australian plants; difficulties of communication in war time; death of Johann Hedwig; his collections to be sold; grasses; tabular chart of species collected.

Missed [James] Sowerby's call at Tredrea, although the poor health of his father prevents it from being a station for long journeys. Pleased that Smith is to finish [John] Sibthorp's work on "Flora Graeca". Pleased with progress of "Flora Britannica", wishes that Cornwall had been previously visited and studied, believes some Cornish plants are at least varities of "those considered as English species".

Discussion of [John] Sibthorp's collections and materials for "Flora Graeca". Hopes Smith has received it all, especially large collection of seeds made in his last tour and named by Sibthorp on the spot, names on specimens are otherwise absent due to Sibthorp's "perfect knowledge" of them. Explains Sibthorp's subdivision of "Flora Graeca" into provincial floras including: "Flora Lacynthia" prepared by Consul Foresti; small collection from Maina; sub-alpine plants collected by himself in Crete. Happy to assist in deciphering the vulgar Greek plant names. [John] Flaxman [(1755-1826)] is executing a monument to Sibthorp. Sending specimens of several rock plants, left about 200 with a large collection of seeds in Patras, Greece.

Thanks Smith for hospitality during visit to Norwich in November. Sends list of queries on genus 'Brownea', for Smith to answer and return.

Convinced that the fructification of what they believe is 'Cycas revoluta' is new to England and possibly Europe; did not see it flower but makes observations on its leaves and fruit; Mr Poulter sent Smith half of one of the fruits, will send more of the fruits himself unless Smith visits soon. One of his daughters is painting the fructification. Asks how to transmit the information to Linnean Society as Linnaeus' only says a few words on the 'Cycas' genus. Will pay for a painter to make an image of it if necessary.

Thanks Smith for his recent visit to Farnham and for his observations on 'Cycas [revoluta]' and other plants. Infers that 'Cycas' is dioecious from Bauer's painting of a male plant at Vienna and the lack of the corculum in his seed. Shall put aside a specimen of the seed and frondeal leaf for the Linnean Society, thanks for account from [Carl Peter] Thunberg. Thanks Smith for Cape seeds.

Believes that 'Myosotis scorpioides', 'Myosotis palustris', and 'Myosotis arvensis' are distinct species rather than varieties, his observations.

Thanks for seeds, especially of 'Nymphoea adversa', Murchison [his gardener?] skilled at raising seeds. Was forwarded part of [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert's Cape collection, the thirty 'Protea' species the most valuable part. Has grown a red reed 'Erythrina' from seeds sent by [Jelinger] Symons. Received seeds from [Robert] Brown in Jamaica including 'Wrightea superba[?]'. Brown has made a collection of 'Epindendrum' and named a new genus 'Valentiae' from the Blue Mountains in [Annesley's] honour. Anxious to see "Flora Britannica". Smith to receive a letter from [Thomas] Butt. Requests 'Erica' seeds to compliment those received from Lambert. A new painter in his area who will soon rival "most of the Londoners".

Four sided list of queries and notes on the numbered plants he has sent Smith over the previous six years.