Laments [William Elford] Leach's conduct [Leach initiated a campaign to blackball William Bullock (c 1773-1849), naturalist and antiquary, at the Linnean Society] but thinks the vote of censure and record of it right. Pleased [Edward] Donovan [(1768-1837), zoologist] is cleared of blame. Leach improper to show the confidential letter he wrote him, but he is "ever happy to admit [his] mistakes in judgement or in science", asks Macleay to apologise to Donovan for him.

Suggests [John] Symmons as new vice-president; his qualities; leaves all decisions to Macleay as his work and health prevent a winter visit to London. Necessary for [William Jackson] Hooker's 'Andraea' paper to be corrected and shortened before publication in "Linnean Transactions"; Hooker "entirely out of reach at that confounded place Halesworth, [Suffolk]". Agrees that an index is a good idea, but unable to help himself; he works from 9 to 3 everyday and 7 to 9 almost every evening.