Apologises for delay in forwarding letters to Smith; took the necessary measures for obtaining box sent from America; confirms [William] Swainson's Sicilian 'Orchideae' were sent to Mr Anderson at Chelsea. [John Russell, 6th] Duke of Bedford elected FLS at last Linnean Society meeting. "Linnean Transactions" printed, [Samuel Latham] Mitchill's paper on American fish was not included. Asks Smith's opinion of [John] Murray of Stranraer, [Scotland], and suitability to become FLS. Was unable to meet Smith's acquaintance, Dr Burke, at the Transport Office.

[Thomas] Marsham's affairs are in "a sad state"; read a letter from him at Council declaring his present inability to repay any of the £400 he owes the Society, but he hopes to pay it to his successor as Treasurer soon; the Society is to sell £400 of stock so as to be able to pay [James] Sowerby. Smith is named "Institutor and President of the Society" in published Society minutes.

Asks after Smith's "Cambridge business" [campaign for botany professorship]; was surprised to hear of Smith's new opponent, [William] Kirby, but confident he will not do anything unhandsome towards Smith. Asks if it is true that Miss Fanny Smith is to be married to his friend, the second son of [James Sinclair, 12th] Earl of Caithness [(1766-1823)]. Thanks for turkey.

Received Swainson's letter of 3 December; believes he knows his father. Agrees Baron [Antonino] Bivona [Bernardi] ought to be FMLS, but they are restricted from adding any more till the number is below 50; will consider moving for a relaxation of this law for the Baron.

Believes he has received the packet of dried plants Swainson mentions, will write to Bivona as soon he can examine the specimens, "but such examinations take much time, & I am often overburthened with them". Entrusted care of box of Orchideae roots sent by Swainson to William Anderson, new Curator of the Chelsea garden, "one of the best botanical gardeners of my acquaintance".

Sends 160 kinds of seeds; list of desiderata.

Sorry to receive Smith's confirmation of the report that [Thomas] Marsham had appropriated £600 of funds from the Linnean Society for his own use. The report was first brought to him by [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert, who received it from [William Elford] Leach, and after questioning Leach learns that the loss is not as great as £600 and Marsham has since paid £300 for renewing the lease of the Society's building. Goodenough proposes a fundraising subscription to save the Society and a "great entrenchment of finances", starting with employing an additional person to justify [Robert] Brown's excessive salary for eight hours of attendance a week as librarian. Laments Smith's absence as Lambert does not have the experience to deal with the situation.

In a postscript Goodenough writes that Marsham's son attended a Council called to discuss the matter, and said that the money would be forthcoming; confusion over whether Marsham had resigned as Treasurer. Goodenough refused [William] Kirby's canvassing letter.