He has been at Carlton House, [London, home of the Prince Regent, later George IV (1762-1830)]: agreed that Macleay and all the vice-presidents of the Linnean Society should attend the first levee, expected next week, and Macleay to have the page ornamented [for the Prince to bestow his patronage on the Society].

Safely returned home, his departure necessitated by his being "feverish weak" and unable to attend to anything; treating himself with James's powder but "felt so sudden a relief even at Mile End, [...] as if some great mental as well as bodily evil were suddenly taken off". Urges Macleay to change his situation as recommended, as though many have "a frame of adamant, a soul of fire" [Samuel Johnson (1709-1784), writer] and can bear the airs of London, "many sink under them"; recounts how he himself "struggled for 7 years in [Great] Marlbro' Street".

Received Macleay's packet but only just able to respond; much pleased with the address. "What an alarming thing is this murder!". Nursing himself in order to be able to travel to London in stages to finish his lectures and attend Linnean Society anniversary meeting, which he has never yet missed.

Too ill to attend Linnean Society anniversary meeting, the first time he has missed "that happy & flattering day". He is now trying bark for his fever, and hopes to be in London for 2 June to finish his lectures, "a great object" to him. His "dear friend & relation", Mrs Kindersley, has just died, leaving 8 children. Will ask the Bishop of Carlisle [Samuel Goodenough] to preside at Society meeting.

Still ill, and can "hardly go up or down stairs without exhaustion", though the bark has stopped his intermittent fever many times. He and the Bishop of Carlisle [Samuel Goodenough] agree on electing the Bishop of Durham [Brownlow North] an Honorary Member, will appoint the vice-presidents by letter, as he did with [Thomas] Marsham.

Still too ill to attend tomorrow's Linnean Society meeting; acknowledges honour of being re-elected President; hopes to attend last meeting of the season on 16 June; his regret at meeting the anniversary meeting for the first time, appoints by letter Samuel Goodenough, Aylmer Bourke Lambert, Thomas Marsham, and William George Maton as vice-presidents.

Thanks Macleay for being so prompt in sending account of the Linnean Society anniversary meeting. His health is improving so much that he hopes soon to come to London, attend the Linnean Society, wait on the Prince Regent [later George IV (1762-1830)], and perhaps finish his lectures. Asks that [Robert] Brown forward the seeds from Paris waiting for him at Sir Joseph Banks'.

Still too ill to go to London; his current progress; hopes to go to Lowestoft, [Suffolk], in 10 days. Asks Macleay to inform Colonel [Thomas] Hardwicke about Smith's illness. May come to London in the autumn to attend the Prince Regent [later George IV (1762-1830)].

Feels in better health than for the last 12 months. Received letter from [Olof] Swartz informing him that [Erik] Acharius is complaining over lack of acknowledgement of the lichens he sent. Intends to forward book on Swedish botany received for Linnean Society once he has looked over it. Wrote to Colonel [John] McMahon [(c 1754-1817), Private Secretary to the Sovereign 1811-1817] as Macleay suggested.

Congratulates Macleay on the recovery of his daughter's health. Encloses paper received in a packet for Linnean Society. He is so "very pressed" by Rees' "Cyclopedia" and third part of "Florae Graecae prodromus" he is unable to do anything else, and has cancelled a trip to Holkham [Hall, home of Thomas William Coke]. William Smith to sleep here tonight after his election victory, "not so much that of a party man as a good man", both Norwich members now FLS [other member Charles Harvey].

Thanks [William George] Maton for prescription of "powdered chamomile flowers" for his autumnal headaches.

Thanks Macleay for forwarding a packet from [William Jackson] Hooker. Anxious about Sir Joseph Banks' health.

Having "great hopes" of being elected Professor of Botany at Cambridge University, whenever [Thomas] Martyn sees a favourable moment to resign, he asks Macleay to enquire the method for applying for a knighthood, which he previously declined when pressed to upon by his Linnean friends. Would like to apply for the honour as president of the Linnean Society, and before the election of a professor is announced, so it does not seem on that account only. Intends to explain his "seeming inconsistency" at a Society Council when he comes to London.

Thanks for Macleay's letter and interest in his concerns. Sorry Macleay has been so busy, but rejoices at the "glorious cause" of his multiplied engagements", in reference to the Dutch. Sent Macleay game from Holkham [Hall, home of Thomas William Coke], where the Duke of Gloucester [Prince William (1776-1834), chancellor of Cambridge University] was also staying.

He has made "considerable progress" in his views at Cambridge [candidacy for botany professorship], does not doubt succeeding, and may get botanic garden appointment in the meantime, enabling him to lecture in April, but more doubtful of this. Determined not to be knighted until he at least gets that appointment; thanks for Macleay's assistance, means to receive it as president of the Linnean Society. Asks that the Society forward money owing to [James] Sowerby, who is in debt with him, as are [John] Sibthorp's executors.

He has been confined to his house for two months with "debility & headaches", a consequence of influenza. His campaign [for botany professorship] is stationary; the present Cambridge vice-chancellor [John Davie] is not a friend so it is not expedient for [Thomas] Martyn to resign, but believes his interest is working as it is to their own concern to have an active professor. Nothing to be done with his knighthood until he is sure of Cambridge. Delayed in sending papers for Linnean Society meeting.

Brief account of his knighthood by the Prince Regent [later George IV (1762-1830)], which was entirely managed by Lord Sidmouth [Henry Addington, 1st Viscount Sidmouth (1757-1844), statesman]. Encloses paragraph [extant] detailing this for insertion in the newspapers.

Note detailing Smith's knighthood.

Returns proof sheets. Macleay should never expect anything from him "by return of post" as their letters are not delivered in enough time. Uncertain whether his "Sir-ship" should appear in the title and headlines of his paper, as though the paper was written long before his knighthood he believes the author should have the designation belonging to him at the time the paper is published; leaves decision to Macleay. [Thomas William] Coke to send Macleay some game on his behalf. Hopes Macleay received paper he forwarded by [Constantine Rafinesque] Schmaltz.

Sorry to hear Macleay has been "attacked by my old enemy in the lungs", warns him to be careful in the severe weather, which is much like that which made him so ill in 1812. Will soon send a paper on "fishes from America" [by Samuel Latham Mitchill] for Linnean Society meeting. Requests Macleay's servant to deliver two letters to Fludyer Street, [London, home of George D'Oyly].

Pleased to hear Macleay is recovered, knows "from frequent experience in the same complaint how tender one's whole frame is afterwards"; further advice for Macleay. Macleay's son should use him [Smith] as an introduction in Paris. Encloses some American papers for Linnean Society meeting. Congratulates [Robert] Brown. Leaves [James] Sowerby to "do as he will" with "Exotic botany".

Satisfied with what Macleay says of [William] Travis [(1771-1851)] and will communicate it to Sir Thomas Frankland [who solicited Smith for Travis' readmittance to the Linnean Society]. Thinks the Society right in publishing [Edward] Rudge's papers, "as we may be glad of even imperfect information ab[ou]t New Holland plants", especially as there is no hope of the government asking [Robert] Brown to publish his plants properly, though he thinks it "a debt due to the public, who have paid for them".

Returns proof sheet with necessary corrections. Glad Macleay's son returned safely from France; deplores the "unexpected return of war & desolation", and thinks it "ought to have been effectually guarded against" [return of Napoleon]; hopes the French can settle it amongst themselves, "for they are no more worth cutting honest men's throats about than the Spaniards"; glad the Duke of Wellington [Arthur Wellesley (1769-1852)] got away safely, expected him to be murdered.

Directions for forwarding seeds sent by [Andre] Thouin. Intends to be in London for 18 April, following a visit to Lowestoft, [Suffolk], on account of his mother-in-law's paralytic stroke.