Has been excavating tumuli near Stonehenge with Sir Richard Hoare, research for Hoare's "History of Ancient Wiltshire". His "Girald Cambren" ["Giraldus de Barri"] to be published next winter. Hoare's is "the largest private library" he ever saw, including an unnamed book with an excellent figure of papyrus growing in Sicily. Unsurprised by Smith's comments on [Richard] Salisbury, has "long thought him to belong to the tribe of Ishmael". Pleased with [William George] Maton's work but disappointed he does not mention the Linnaean collections or present state of botany ["A general view of the writings of Linnaeus"]. Will send Smith a list of his herbarium. Wants [William Fitt] Drake to see if there are many duplicate specimens of 'Fosteria' in Forster's herbarium. Arrival of [William] Roxburgh who has brought seed collections. Received live plants and seeds from Dr [Thomas] Dancer [(c 1750-1811) island botanist of Jamaica] including 'Cinchona caribaea', believes this to be first raised in England. States that his 'Ochroma' are now one of "the most magnificent botanical sites in the kingdom". Disappointed Smith is not visiting this summer.

[William George] Maton is teaching botany to the women of the Royal Family; spends two hours a day with the Queen [Charlotte (1744-1818), wife of George III] and reads with Princess Elizabeth who is "determined to become an expert British botanist". The Queen bought Gaertner on Maton's recommendation. They are forming a herbarium of marine plants, "the monarch himself often comes in to see them at their labours" and Smith and [Samuel] Goodenough's names are often mentioned. Has sent a capsule of the 'Ochroma' which the Queen intends to grow at Frogmore.

Informed by [George] Jackson that [Jonas] Dryander "is quite restored to botany" and is publishing a paper in [Charles] Konig's "Annals" on "Chloris Novae Hollandiae". Received first part of Labillarière's "New Holland Plants". Has specimens of 'Solanum pyracanthos' for [James] Sowerby. Received seeds from [Antonio José] Cavanillies which are in no other collection except at Kew. Has raised from seed twenty plants of 'Cinchona caribaea'. Pleased with Smith's account of "our friend Sarum" [Richard Salisbury] in "Exotic Botany". Has sent Sowerby complete specimens of the "Lambert nut". Has received first part of [Alexander von] Humboldt's and [Aimé] Bonpland's "Plantae aquinoetiales". Requests specimen of 'Trapa natans'.

Remarks on compliment "Sarum" [Richard Salisbury] has paid Smith in his "Paradisus [Londinensis]", points out errors viz. 'Castalia sacra' does not open in the morning but the evening and the figure of 'Castalia magnifica' is taken from a small specimen. If Smith wishes to give a better figure of it offers to obtain one twice as big from "Fleming's Drawings" for him. Would not be surprised if Salisbury is forced to change the title of his work to "Paradise Lost". Has heard from the Marquess [of Blandford, George Spencer-Churchill] that he [Salisbury] is not likely to have the honour of "describing them minutely"at Whiteknights, [Reading, Berkshire].

Thanks for promise of specimen of 'Trapa natans'. Has sent specimens of the "Lambert nut" in all its stages to [James] Sowerby for possible inclusion in "Exotic Botany". Received from Gaertner first part of his "continuation of the Carpology". Received letters from [William] Roxburgh who has plenty of work [for Lambert] with his Flora although his herbarium is very small. Roxburgh having difficulties finding a house big enough for his large family. [George] Jackson saw "our worthy friend" [probably Richard Salisbury] looking for seeds of 'Convolvulus' and saying Smith was mistaken about them. Intends to ask Salisbury when he intends to publish new edition of his "Paradise Lost" ["Paradisus Londinensis"]. An unnamed "certain person" whose affair with Forster and Lambert deserves him "to be hurt". Would like Smith's opinion of [William George] Maton's new work ["A general view of the writings of Linnaeus"], reviewed by Thornton in the "Monthly Epitome".

Requests Smith's corrections and additions for third edition of "Language of Botany". Has finished work on "The gardener's and botanist's dictionary".

Jokes that Smith is suffering from two afflictions, erysipelas and [Richard] Salisbury. Linnean Society settled in new premises [9 Gerard Street, Soho, London]. [Robert] Brown still undecided on offering himself for the new office [of Clerk, Librarian and Housekeeper]. Plants brought back by Brown [from Australia] deposited in Soho Square [home of Sir Joseph Banks]. Compliments first numbers of [Alexander von] Humboldt's "South American plants" but complains that there is no clarification of 'Cortex peruvianus' [Jesuit's Bark, remedy for malaria] in the remarks on 'Cinchona', so unable to fully advise the committee of the College of Physicians revising the London Pharmacopoeia on this. Royal Society's Copley medal awarded to [Humphry] Davy.

Has not heard from Smith for a year but anxious for his observations. Has been assisted by [Carl Ludwig] Willdenow but doubtful whether "he has hit the Linnaean plant". Complains about how often Linnaeus is wrongly cited, even in [Jan Frederik] Gronovius' "Flora Virginica". Asks if there is anyone in London to compare American plants with herbarium of Gronovius and [John] Clayton, which is in London. Has asked a similar question in Paris of [André] Michaux's herbarium, whom he remarks neglected to keep Linnaeus' received names. List of queries from "Flora Virginica" by page, asks if "Linnean Transactions" might not answer these and similar queries for those "who live at a distance from the fountain". A second list of queries asking Smith to fix the names of some plants he previously sent. Asks permission to send another packet of plants, will send it with Mr Lyons, gardener at William Hamilton's "excellent botanical garden" near Philadelphia. Asks if Dawson Turner is still alive as Turner wanted 'Conferva' specimens. News of North American botanical publications: reviews Michaux's work ["Flora Boreali-Americana"]; Barton preparing a Flora of Pennsylvania and possibly neighbouring states; Brickel preparing a Flora Georgiana; himself compiling a description of indiginous Lancastrian plants but struggles with the cryptogamia class compounded by death of [Johann] Hedwig, anxious to see the relevant volume of "Flora Britannica". Gives brief descriptions of local species of 'Populus' to help Smith determine them.

As executor of Arthur Bruce's will sends Smith copy of the excerpt from it [on second folio, in a different hand] bequeathing Smith the whole of Bruce's herbarium. Short obituary of Bruce and further details of his will.

Observations on enclosed specimens: the true 'Cardamine parviflora' of Linnaeus; a specimen of the first moss he ever saw and which much puzzled him, a 'Gymostomum' like 'Davalli' but different. Has been arranging his Jungermannia and hopes to send specimens soon, along with 'Trichostomum rigidulum'. The specimen he sent as 'Dicranum ovale' identified. Observations on "difficult" moss 'G. browniana'.

Sends parcel of poplar and alder specimens to sketch, including polar flowers; Sowerby may find the birch near London, and should draw 'Betula nana' from a garden; will send poplar leaves in June from the same trees. Pleased the 'Cyamus' seed was in such good order, what he found agrees with Gaertner's figure. Returns Mr Lewis' letter and scheme of classes, his ideas "sensible but not new". Intends to buy [George] Don's "fasiculi" ["Herb. Britannicum" (1804-1812) ?] through Sowerby, though "out of regard to him only" as there is nothing he wants.

Approves of Sowerby's patterns for "Flora Graeca", though a correction is needed with colouring of 'Bromus'. Sowerby should use one or two of [Archibald] Menzies' species of 'Boronia', if they have retained their colour, for "Exotic botany", the rest to be engraved for Linnean Society. Does not think the patters for "Exotic botany" well coloured, except 'Diuris maculata'. Returns Sowerby's mineralogy manuscript. Sowerby's sketches from Don's specimens "excellent". [James] Crowe approves figure of 'Salix acuminata' in last "English botany"; he paid 6 guineas for Sowerby's microscope.

Apologises for delay in sending this letter. Thanks for Australian lichens and volume three of "Flora Britannica". Responds to plant observations in Smith's letter with his own. Notes on classification method in "Annals of Botany" and new classification method for lichens. His lichen collection for Linnean Society contains 500 species, hopes to send it next year. Requests first two volumes of "Flora Britannica" and further Australian plants, including 'Banksia', 'Smithia', 'Musa', 'Heliconia', 'Phormia', 'Forstera', ferns and tree ferns. Details of "History of Swedish Lichens", now being published. Awaiting lichens from [Dawson Turner]. Has not followed up proposal that he be made FMLS.

Note [in Smith's hand] labelled "To Achar[iu]s", listing several plants, including: 'Solanum stelligerum', 'Eriocalia major', 'E. minor', 'Bladfordia nobilis', 'Banksia integrifolia' flower and leaves, 'B. spinulosa' leaves, 'Cyathea auborea', 'Danaea nodosa', and 'Westringia rosmariniformis'.

Thanks Mrs Smith for turkey. Proposes amended title page for the "Flora Graeca", as suggested by [Jonas] Dryander, and suggestions for what to include in the introduction, including history of the work and [John] Sibthorp's sacrifices.

Reply to Banks letter of 22 February 1805. Agrees with Banks suggestions concerning the introduction to "Flora Graeca", [John] Sibthorp's work will be fully acknowledged with modest reference to Smith and others. In general approves of title but still needs further consideration to convey true nature of the work and its composition. Is now at work on the Prodrumus "Flora Graeca".

Sends a collection of 200 mosses largely gathered in the county of Kerry in 1796. Has moss specimens for [Dawson] Turner should he want them. Sends rare Irish plants and gives habitats: 'Sium verticillatum' at Loun Bridge, near Killarney; 'Bartsia viscosa' as in his "Plantae rarior"; and 'Saxifraga geum' or 'S. hirsuta' (hopes to determine which when it flowers from the seeds and roots he planted) from Gap of Dunloc which divides Mac-Gilly-Cuddy's Reeks from Tornies Mountain and is the direct road to the Purple Mountain, near Killarney.

Remarks and observations on various plants from the same mountain area: extraordinary varities of 'Saxifraga umbrosa'; 'Pinguicula lusitanica' is common; 'Schoenus rufus' abundant on Purple Mountain; 'Euphorbia hiberna' uniformly furnished with "umbella quinquefida", many between thirty and forty inches high, almost has a completed figure, a necessity for the Irish plant as no others approach it except "Hortus Elthamensis" t.290; 'Serapis latifolia' very common about peninsula of Mucruss; 'Orobanche elatior' and 'Polypodium cambricum' in profusion in ruins of abbey at Mucruss; considers 'Aspidium oreopteris' and 'Adiantum capillus-veneris' rare ferns. Asks if Smith considers 'Schoenus marisus' rare. 'Hymenophyllum tunbridgense' abundant on mountains of Kerry; 'Osmunda regalis' grows to a luxuriant state that makes it more resemble a shrub than a fern on islands in the range and upper lakes at Killarney. Was sent by an unnamed acquaintance of Smith 'Subularia aquatica', in fact 'Littorella lacustris'.

Sends remarks on 'Holcus odoratus' and 'Buddlea globosa'. Asks if Smith knows a coloured figure of 'Holcus odoratus'. Still waiting for John Templeton's "Flora of Ireland", unsure likelihood of his own appearing.

Pleased to hear that Smith is in London and intends to visit him in Rochester; describes the comforts of his house and limitations of Rochester society, "we are all military, mercantile in a little way, or artificers". Has exchanged his living of Copredy, Oxfordshire, for the nearby Boxley, Kent. Received Smith's letters of 1 and 6 May. Asks Smith to defer his business to next week and stay with him this week; the journey from Charing Cross is only five hours. Intending to come up to London himself on 20 May. Has seen that Miss Mary Aynscombe has married Mr Mossop and settled eight miles from Boxley; recalls Smith once saying she was a "great botanist". Intends to attend Linnean Society anniversary meeting on 24 May after missing the last few.

Hopes Smith soon recovers from his illness. Concerned about the whereabouts of a packet sent to Smith. Indecision caused by [John] Sibthorp's stipulation for a "Flora Graeca" with descriptions and coloured plates as well as a "Florae Graecae Prodromus" without images and the consequent attendance to "proper Latin, & at the same time to perspicacity in dressing up such a thorough English circumstance" made him waver in his corrections. Discusses accentuation of ancient and modern Greek; believes all Greek should be accentuated but concedes it will be "very troublesome". Congratulates Smith on "the check which the great scoundrel of all the earth has at length received" [presumably the Battle of Trafalgar, 21 October 1805, a victory for the Royal Navy against the French and Spanish navies]. Requests Smith to ask D[awson] Turner whether he received a packet containing wild specimens of 'Scirpus holoschoenus'.

Thanks for the Smiths congratulations on a family wedding [possibly his son]; sorry that a boil on Smith's shin with erysipelatous appearances kept him at home. Surprised by death of Alexander Aubert [(1730-1805), astronomer and businessman]. Sir Thomas Gage has moved from Bury to Portman Square, London, and has seen Sir Joseph Banks, [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert, and [William George] Maton, who sat in Linnean Society chair.

Has only seen first two numbers of [Richard] Salisbury's "Paradisus [Londinensis]". An 'Alea alle' was taken at Herringfleet, [Suffolk], nine inches in length and weighing four ounces, thinks [Thomas] Pennant's "British Zoology" plate 82 made the bill too sharp and omitted the white spot on upper eye lid.

Heard of Smith's good health from Dawson Turner. Received wild specimens of 'Draba aizoides' from from [Lewis Weston] Dillwyn [(1778-1855)]. 'Ophrys monorchis' and '[Ophrys] spiralis' in abundance this summer and autumn; 'Cuscula epithymum' withered on 'Erica' but in full flower in shady places on 'Lotus corniculatus' 28 Sep; 'Genesta filosa' which begins to flower about 20 May for a month regularly flowers again in September, from when he has specimens; suspects a 'Verbascum' growing in lane near his house is from a garden, answers except in colour to 'Verbascum phaeniceum' in Murray's "Syst[em of] Vegetable[s]". Compliments [William Fitt] Drake and wishes his eyes were sharp enough to find plants such as 'Lathraea squamaria', which he has not seen since leaving Bath sixteen years ago. Presumes [Dawson] Turner and [William] Kirby must have keen eyesight. Frost has stopped the 'Verbascum' flowering, encloses specimen.