Franked Smith's letter to Mrs [Pleasance] Smith. His daughter [Mariamne Johnes] exceedingly ill and yesterday called in Bayley and Pearson, who both agree on its being a "strong nervous affection" and requiring a long recovery.

Received Smith's letter; sorry to hear he has been ill. His grief [at death of his daughter, Mariamne Johnes]; support from his faith and friends. Shortly returning home [to Hafod, Cardiganshire].

His grief and wife's grief [at death of their daughter, Mariamne Johnes]; a visit from Smith would do them good; has never seen Hafod in "such beauty". Expects [Francis Leggatt] Chantrey [(1781-1841)] on Monday to consult about a monument [for Mariamne].

Previously sceptical of the fiorin grass called 'Agrostis stolonifera', or couch, but now convinced on its excellent qualities and on encouragement of Dr Richardson and Mr Miller set to convert his "dreary moors" to "the finest hay grounds". He is also improving a new farm which was only £20 rent, expecting in a few years for it to be worth hundreds, independent of the trees; he shall be "a better compatriot than either Pall Mall or Manchester Square [both in London] can boast of". Comments on an event that was a "total dereliction of principle & of all honourable feeling" and is very sorry for his country.

Has known [Thomas William] Coke since childhood at Eton [College, Berkshire], but ashamed to have never taken up any of his many invitations to Holkham, [Norfolk]. Struggling to catalogue his books. The weather is "miserably wet". Does not think his wife will ever regain her spirits to enjoy company.

Transcribes extract from letter just received from a friend, the governor of Banda [islands in the Indonesian archipelago]: collecting plants into his garden and requests to know the desiderata in England, and how they are described; requests Smith's assistance on strength of a book of his he has just read and describes the advantages of his location. Johnes forbears on commenting on the politics or the state of that country. Now has a daily post to and from London.

Congratulates Smith on the recovery of his health. His own health good except for a weakness in the hip. Forwarded Smith's enclosure to [Harvey] Spragg, thanks to convenience of new daily post.

Thinks that Sole of Bath, [Somerset], was too hasty is declaring 'Agrostis stolonifera' as "black couch" and "the worst grass that grows" in the Wiltshire Agricultural Report, as he [Johnes] is convinced that it will become the "most beneficial discovery that has been made". He was first alerted to it by the "greediness" of his cattle in seeking it out, and hopes to have nearly 100 acres of it next year.

Believes weather here is better than elsewhere; they have only had one very rainy day and are in expectation of a good harvest. Current politics are "disgusting", and expects the Catholics to "be thrown aside" in spite of the "fine promises" made.

Thanks for Smith's letter of 22 September and basket of plants, they have the 'Corchorus' which is "very beautiful" and thrives well outside. Recently visited Weymouth, [Dorset], where they now intend to annually spend the spring months, the only unpleasant ones at Hafod. Regrets never having accepted [Thomas William] Coke and Smith's invitations to Norfolk. Expects his journeys to London to become less frequent in future.

Nothing can be done in Parliament, and the "late disgraceful business of the Princess [Charlotte] of Wales [(1796-1817)] has shown all parties in base colours"; thinks it is the fault of the "two great leaders" being taken away, dreads a "general crash".

Ill-use by his relations has left him anxious to dispose of the reversion of Hafod to some "rich man of taste". He has made so many improvements that Smith would not know the place.

[Note in pencil states that Johnes was 66 years old on 2 September 1813]

Anxious for Smith's success at Cambridge [candidature for Botany Professorship] and regrets inability to assist. Thinks it "very handsome" of the Duke of Gloucester [Prince William Frederick (1776-1834), chancellor of Cambridge University] to remain neutral, he is the only member of the royal family he feels attached to. His mother recently died, though she had long been lost to him through the "machinations & lies of others", and only found out accidently through an acquaintance, and not his family. Offers to try and acquire Welsh votes for Smith.

Does not think any minister will "dare to continue a war in support of the Bourbons", otherwise fears war at home, and comments on what a fall Napoleon has had. Thinks that Napoleon's brother Lucien "has chosen a wider plan"; hears great things of his poem "Charlemagne" and a female acquaintance of his is translating it into English. They had a wet autumn but now frost setting in.

His shame at never accepting [Thomas William] Coke's invitations to Holkham, [Norfolk]; envious of his and [Andrew] Fountaine's "splendid collections"; will try to visit Smith soon but not this summer. He is recovering well thanks to Dr Darwin, and has not seen such a physician since [Thomas] Beddoes [(1760-1808), chemist and physician], "and he is more prudent".

Setting out for their new purchase in Langstone Cliffe Cottage, near Exmouth, Devon, some time next month. Frost and snow at Hafod but now thawing. Asks Smith to acquire a keg of cured herrings from Stiles of Norwich, [Norfolk], who cures them "superior to the Dutch"; he wants his countrymen to cure them the same way.

Discusses plans for proposed visit by Smith, [Thomas William] Coke, and Dr Parr to Allerton in September. Intends to write further on 'Scitamineae' plants; asks Smith to provide details of plant they examined in [Edward] Rudge's "Plants of Guiana" and [Etienne Ventenat's] "Jardin de Malmaison" and provides rough ink sketch and comments on appearance. Will not comment on the "astonishing events we have lived to see in the political world". Has not seen Smith's mother in Liverpool yet.

Less busy than he was when Smith was recently staying and going to London tomorrow to switch from bankers Sir J Erdaile and Co. to Jones Loyd and Co. He has been entertaining the Archdukes John [Johann (1782-1859)] and Lewis [Louis (1784-1864)] of Austria for last three days; comments on John's character; they are also going to Scotland and Holkham to see [Thomas William] Coke, showed them his unfinished portrait of Coke. Apologises for any anxiety he may have caused Smith recently. Asks Smith to send the 'Canna' drawings to London.

Postscript in left hand margin of verso of first folio: Mr Martin [Smith's brother-in-law] has separated from his partners.

Thanks for Smith's sympathy [on failure of his banking house]; speculates causes including the great employment of capital following the opening of the American trade and immense exports of Liverpool merchants, most of whom kept their accounts with them, although though most direct and immediate cause was from the least expected quarter [unspecified]. Confident that his and his partners' property will cover all debts and leave a disposable income for themselves and consoles himself with the thought of being freed from his many obligations. Was unaware that [Thomas William] Coke, Lord Derby [Edward Smith-Stanley], and others had been applied to. His family bear it well.

Current state of affairs [following failure of his banking house]: they have appeased the "great mass" of their creditors and pleaded for time to convert their funds to money; surprised and consoled by the kindness and confidence they have met with, following a meeting on recommencement of business which was "unanimously asserted to" by the 400 in attendance, some refractory persons remain. Comments on support and friendship of Mr Martin [Smith's brother-in-law]. Allerton, his library, and art collection are all to be sold, but as they will fully discharge his obligations he does it with pleasure.

Current state of affairs [following failure of his banking house]: has dispatched catalogues of his books, drawings, and prints and expects sale to be well attended; Lord [George John] Spencer has already expressed an interest; transcribes a sonnet on being parted with his library. Business of their bank increasing again and if not for the commerical depression they would quickly recover what they had lost, discusses the particular risks of Liverpool banking ventures.

Pleased by Smith's improved health and opportunities to see [Thomas William] Coke and Duke of Bedford [John Russell, 6th Duke]; his own delight at making acquaintance of Lord [George John] and Lady [Lavinia] Spencer [(1762-1831)], who have invited him to spend Christmas at Althorp, [Northamptonshire]. Invited Dr Francis [Buchanan] to Allerton but his ship embarked early. Dispatched parcel of manuscripts to Coke at Holkham, [Norfolk].

Pleased [Thomas William] Coke is satisfied with the books he bought at sale of his collections, including particularly fine manuscript of the Bible, and the pitcures he bought are the "cream" of the collection; Hargreaves has made a miniature copy of the "Head of Christ" by Leonardo da Vinci. Keen to meet Smith at Holkham, [Norfolk, home of Coke]. Congratulates Mr and Mrs Reeve. His daughter, Jane, recovering but still source of anxiety.

[Letter incomplete: first folio cropped, presumed destroyed]

Thanks for Smith's congratulations and refers him to Mr Martin [Smith's brother-in-law] for all information on subject [presumably a recovery in his affairs]. A reconciliation has occured between them and their friends at Greenbank, renewing friendship of 30 years.

Everything Smith said of [Thomas William Coke] has been fulfilled, and still hopes to meet Smith at Holkham, [Norfolk, Coke's home]. His studies and pursuits have been interrupted by the dispersal of his library, though he has long suspected that collecting literary and artistic curiosities has an unfavourable effect on original efforts, and now plans to focus on several unfinished labours.

Pleased by addition Smith has made to the [Liverpool Botanic Garden] herbarium. A Botanic Garden in Glasgow is on the verge of being established, with a public subscription of £4000 to be raised, to which the College has given £2000; delighted by spread of botanic gardens to large towns and considers possibility of same in Norwich. Thanks for gift of Smith's "Compendium [florae Britannicae]"; keen to see his "historical & critical" article in [Rees'] "Encyclopedia".

[Robert] Southey [(1774-1843), poet and reviewer] is a "miserable figure" and unsure whether his letter to [William] Smith "excites more pity or disgust" [after Smith made critical remarks on Southey's youthful play "Wat Tyler", which had just been published against his will]; the world "too indulgent" of "these converts who play tricks with their personal identity"; praises Smith's rebuke. His daughter Jane fully recovered.

Read Smith's dissertation on the present systems and state of botany with great pleasure and agrees with all his opinions; compliments the content and the style. He is still interested in debate over natural and artificial systems; wishes that Smith had written in in defence of Linnaeus in "Linnean Transactions". Smith's plant specimens [for Liverpool Botanic Garden] arrived in excellent condition and at a "very reasonable a price"; directions for Smith's payment. Wrote to [Thomas William] Coke on the spread of "the diabolical spirit" in the people of Norwich to "classes far above the mob", but certain that common sense will prevail. Concerned by Smith's report on Lord [Thomas, 1st Viscount Anson (1769-1818)] and Lady [Anne Margaret (1779-1843)] Anson. Mrs [Catherine] Lambert has given birth to a daughter and is in good health.

Establishing [Liverpool Royal] Institution at Liverpool for "education & lectures on a large scale embracing the whole circle of literature, science & the arts", with a proposed capital of £30,000, to which £22,000 is already subscribed, and a building with lecture, school, and exhibition rooms has been prepared, at cost of £10,000. He is to give an introductory lecture followed by courses by Dr [Thomas Stewart] Traill [(1781-1862), physician] and Dr Gose. Solicits Smith's future interest to hold a botanical course, though the financial incentive will not be great; proposed financing of lecture courses.

Opening of [Liverpool Royal] Institution and his Introductory Lecture delayed by the "awful calamity which has involved all the country" [probably death of Princess Charlotte (1796-1817), only child of the Prince Regent, on 6 November 1817, which led to widespread grief and mourning]. Hopes Smith has seen their Report. Discusses plans for appointment of a Classical tutor and asks for Smith's and Mr Valpy's opinions and recommendations; they are also planning a Mathematical School and discussing whether to nominate professors or obtain as and when the best instructors possible; offers any future botany nomination to Smith. The Botanic Garden is in "high condition" under [John] Shepherd's [(c 1764-1836)] care.