Elected MP for Liverpool by a majority over both the other candidates.
Envelope, addressed to Smith, with note in red ink "Mr Roscoe's first Frank".
Congratulates Roscoe on his election as MP; excitement of his family. William Smith lost his Norwich seat here thanks to efforts of "contemptible beings". Considers the impact of Roscoe's election on the slave trade, which shows that "even Liverpool can do better without it"; general election excitement. Mr Creery will be glad of Roscoe's election.
Encloses Lord [Edward Smith-]Stanley's FLS nomination certificate and asks Smith to find two signatories. Asks for copies of his last arrangement of genus 'Canna' and the first copy of of his paper on 'Scitamineae' plants; agrees that the genus needs investigation; wishes he had seen Smith's 'Canna glauca' in "Exotic botany" as Smith's figure differs entirely from 'Canna glauca' of "Hortus Elthamensis"; his knowledge of the two kinds of the genus, the nerved leaved kind, including 'Canna lutea', 'Coccinea', 'Canna latifolia', and the glaucos kind, including 'Cannacorus' of "Hortus Elthamensis", Smith's 'glauca', 'Maranta arundinacea' and 'Maranta sylvatica', which both agree with 'lutea' of [Nikolaus von] Jacquin; small ink sketch of detail of plant. Intends to distribute 'Monandrian' plants to friends with stoves.
[Parts of this letter appears to have been written some time before its dating, as Roscoe mentions being called to offer himself as a candidate in the election, which he won in early November].
Intends to exercise Roscoe's "newly acquired gift of franking in the service of botany"; sends 'Tangionia hypophylla' for John Shepherd [(c 1764-1836, curator Liverpool Botanic Garden]. Sending Roscoe's 'Scitamineae' paper in several franks. Will ensure Lord [Edward Smith-]Stanley's FLS nomination certificate is completed.
Norfolk county elections are closing with [Thomas William] Coke and [William] Windham [(1750-1810), politician] "some hundreds" ahead of Wodehouse, and at one of his dinners Coke toasted "Mr Roscoe & the abolition of the slave trade [...] 3 times 3"; Coke's favourable opinion of Roscoe based on his winning the Liverpool election with the motto "no slave trade"; Roscoe should visit Coke and [Andrew] Fountaine to see their libraries, manuscripts, and porcelain.
[Letter possibly incomplete: no signature or valediction]
Forwarding packet for Smith from [Olof] Swartz. Encloses a catalogue of Northumberland and Durham plants; vouches for authenticity of habitats should Smith wish to quote them. Sent a rose growing in local hedges to [James] Sowerby last summer, uncertain whether it was worth drawing; observations. Asks Smith's opinion of numbered specimens in Swartz' packet.
Smith's last 6 weeks completely occupied "in body & mind", whilst she has been enjoying "complete repose". Asks if Smith has seen his admirers Mr Nicholls and [Thomas James] Mathias [(1754-1835), satirist], if the latter is author of "Pursuits of Literature" [a satirical poem published 1794, Mathias was the author] his praise is "no mean commendation". Sorry to observe in note to that work a question on how ladies could be "modestly instructed in botany", believes Dr [Erasmus] Darwin to be thanked for this censure; will be glad to see "this beautiful & innocent study rescued from all objection" by Smith' pen, further discussion of this. If Dr [Henry] Reeve settles at Norwich it will preclude all of Smith's ideas [possibly regarding practising medicine], but she would be happy for them to be in a cottage than have the collections sold for a carriage. Her excursions around Lowestoft, including discharge of cannon by the fleet at Yarmouth, [Norfolk], in commemoration of 29 May. Recommends seeing Mr Angerstick's collection of pictures, going to Gisleham, [Suffolk].
His lectures ended on 4 June; the last very well attended and applauded, even though it was entirely without preparation. His time here with Sir William and Lady East; her liver complaint. They are to visit the Marquis of Blandford [George Spencer-Churchill]. [Thomas] Velley killed on Sunday at Reading by jumping from an out of control coach; if he had stayed seated he would have lived. Norwich paving bill past in House of Lords, with opposition.
His lectures have not lost any credit and he has been engaged again for next spring. Resolved to publish an "introductory book" on botany before next spring; fears Mrs [Jane] Barrington will not live to receive the dedication. Happy Dr [Henry] Reeve is to settle in Norwich. William with him [Smith's brother?].
By direction of Chairman and Deputy Chairman of the East India Company sends set of [William Roxburgh's] "Plants of the Coast of Coromandel"].
Leaving for India soon. Has materials for a "Flora of Nepal": 114 drawings, mostly of orchids, and 1100-1200 specimens and descriptions, of which 800-900 are new, indexed according to Jussieu's arrangement. Also has 131 drawings of plants from Mysoor, many unknown or previously badly described, many descriptions and some specimens. Offers to entrust them to Smith if they would prove useful for publications.
Frustrated in his intentions to go India by the Chairman of the Court of Directors [Sir Francis Baring (1740-1810) 1st baronet] of the East India Company so is going to Scotland for three weeks. Hopes to meet Smith after to discuss arrangements for his Nepalese flora materials; proposes that Smith publish the drawings and full descriptions in his "Exotic Botany" and he will separately prepare a Prodroumus like [Carl Peter] Thunberg's "Flora Japponica". Has seen [Richard] Salisbury and his work, advises Smith not to embroil himself in a controversy.
Shall probably accompany the new Governor-General [Gilbert Elliot-Murray-Kynynmound, 1st Earl of Minto (1751-1814)] to India. Pleased with commencement of his Nepalese flora in "the exotic plants" [probably "Exotic Botany"] but notes the incorrect spelling of his name. Asks Smith for [Amelia] Hume's assistance in soliciting [Jacob] Bosanquet [a director of East India Company] to forward his views on India.
Directs Smith to ask Sir A[braham] or Lady [Amelia] Hume to recommend him as a botanist to [Jacob] Bosanquet [a director of East India Company] and to solicit Bosanquet's assistance with promoting science in the Court [of Directors of the East India Company]. Approves of Smith naming 'Hatucona' after [William] Roscoe and compliments Roscoe's paper on 'Scitaminiae'. Recommends renaming 'Sussodia' if Smith is urgently looking to publish a 'Buchanania'. Recommends Smith reuse the name 'Colebrookia' on new genus in the order of 'Vitices'; laments barbarous nature of names.
The new Governor-General [Gilbert Elliot-Murray-Kynynmound, 1st Earl of Minto (1751-1814)] not sailing before Christmas. Had hoped to visit Smith in Norwich but delayed in his attempts to be named [William] Roxburgh's successor in India by Roxburgh having pushed for his son's appointment instead. Asks Smith to obtain [Amelia] Hume's support "or at least her being quiet".
Thanks Smith for recommending him to [Amelia] Hume regarding campaign to be appointed William Roxburgh's successor [at Calcutta Botanic Garden] over Roxburgh's son and explains why "young Roxburgh" is not adequately qualified. Has started working on an index for his journal.
Sending Smith a 'Chara' allied to 'Chara flexilis' found at Cley, Norfolk, previously sent to [James] Sowerby, and also sending the true 'Chara flexilis' for comparison. Desires Smith's opinion on whether they are distinct species, as he and [Dawson] Turner believe, and suggests amendment to Sowerby's drawing if so. Has found 'Salicornia radicans' and [William] Hooker has found 'Fucus amphibius', both at Cley.
Frustrated in giving a full account of of his New Holland [Australia] desiderata, Smith's labours in this area have facilitated his researches but still unsure on some specimens, in particular 'Eucalyptus'. Relates the misfortunes of [Matthew Flinder's] expedition to Australia [on which Brown was the naturalist] but despite these and the failure to complete the planned survey approximately 3000 species have been brought home, Brown hopes at least a third are new. [Ferdinand] Bauer has made approximately 1600 drawings. Appointed Librarian of the Linnean Society. Pleased to hear that Smith is recovering from his "severe indisposition".
His work has consumed all his attention. [Henry] Salt [(1780-1827), traveller and collector of antiquities] appointed messenger to Abyssinia by the government; anticipates great increase in knowledge of botany of Abyssinia. Will attempt to retrieve his articles from Sir Joseph [Banks] and give Smith duplicates, also has specimens. Great expectations for the voyage and consequences for book.
Sorry to hear of Smith's indisposition; her health has been indifferent. Hopes to come to London next month. Dissatisfied with [James] Sowerby's figure of her 'Asclepias carnosus'. Hopes to attend Smith's botany lectures. Has a plant of the "Peay Tree". Fears the subscription cost for "Flora Graeca" will be too expensive for her.
Forwards remarks by [John] Harriman on 'Lichens'; Smith one of the few botanists competent enough to form a judgement.
Thanks for specimens of native camphor; at present the nature of the substance is incomprehensible. Would like to become FLS; states his involvement in establishing the [Liverpool] Botanic Garden as example of his promoting botany. [John] Shepherd [(c 1764-1836, curator Liverpool Botanic Garden] going on well; considerable additions made to the collection since Smith left. Comments on "unprincipled attack" on [William] Roscoe's "Leo X" in "Critical Review"; pained to observe such a "spirit of illiberality" in one of their most popular periodicals.