Rejoices at prospect of Smith visiting Oxford, will arrange lodgings for Smith and his friend, directions on their arrival. Requests catalogue of Fordyce's collection from King's auction room, Covent Garden, [London].

[Spec 30 written in pencil at head of folio]

Shall try and come to Liverpool for a good proportion of the lectures. Tentatively invites Smith to Dublin for his own proposed course of lectures. Inclined to believe that Smith's library is "more choice and perfect" than Sir Joseph [Banks'] more extensive library. Not surprised that Smith's reputation attracted Madame Buonaparte's [Joséphine de Beauharnais (1763-1814) 1st wife of Napoleon Bonaparte] attention; would like to see the presents she sent him. Believes the war to be unjustifiable and that "England occasions inconvenience and embarrassment to every state in Europe".

Sorry to have not met Smith at Liverpool, Lancashire. Alarm of possible invasion, hopes that a compromise may soon be reached between the "two hostile governments" [presumably Britain and France]. Condolence on death of Mr Taylor, commiserates by relating how much he has been affected by the recent death of a close friend, [Mangin]. The burdens of a long life, religion his only consolation, does not feel Dr Johnson's horror of the idea of non-existence. Believes that the Irish Courts of Justice not being permitted to do any business next term shows the government is alarmed by the prospect of a French invasion, and although it would be easier for them to invade England they will meet with many more friends in Ireland. Has heard there is a "pleasing litterary society" in Liverpool, where he has been staying. Also met [William] Roscoe, complimentary towards Dr Currie. Saw multiple 'Xeranthemum' had by a lady from the Cape.

His new work, describing 1,164 species and 400 genera.

List of plants sent; has begun 'Hortus Regius Matridensis'.

Synonymy of plants in his and Smith's works; understands English and finds Smith's works most useful.

Some time ago sent a living specimen of a new species of 'Astragalus' to Sir Joseph Banks but never received any answer regarding it. Sending Smith a dwarf 'Dianthus' from Siberia, now in flower in the college garden, which he believes to be a new species, brief description of the blossoms. At the top of the letter Smith has written a Latin description under 'Dianthus hyssopifolius', and stating that in his answer he said it may be called 'Dianthus diffusus' or the preferred 'Dianthus hyssopifolius'.

Sends a specimen of 'Cerastium' from Anglesea, believes it to be 'Cerastium pentandrum' [W R Dawson notes that this was determined by Smith as 'Cerastium semidecandrum']. Comments on a 'Rosa' he previously sent, believing it to be different from every species in "Flora Britannica".

Specimen of a 'Cerastium'.

Has heard from [Dawson] Turner that Smith's health is not well.

Temporarily lending dried plants received from [James] Donn [(1758-1813) gardener] to Smith until he sends Smith a list of his desiderata. His interest in shells continues, hope Smith will still send him any duplicates from his own collection.

Hopes Smith received the small collection of plants from the area around Tangier he sent September [1802]. He is in Madrid to assist [Antonio José] Cavanilles and other botanists before returning to France next March, where he intends to dedicate himself to botany and natural history. Claims Smith's promise in 1796 of sending New Holland and British plants. Would like to maintain a correspondence with Smith on his return to France.

Relates information Smith apparently requested on Count C. Leggiadri Galloni in connection to a marriage. Uncertainty about the fate of Parma, with rumours that the French shall give it to the Spanish in exchange for money. Relates how he came to sell his "Villetia" to Carlo di Negro [(1769-1857) poet] and divide his collection of plants between his town and country residences. Plans to send a catalogue of these soon in order to generate exchanges. Has recently exchanged seeds with [Antonio José] Cavanilles and is keen to find a London correspondent after apparent failure of engaging Aiton [possibly John Townsend Aiton (1777-1851)]. Relates health of various friends.

Fears invasion by French but concedes that Bonaparte "will have been so far a benefactor to Englishmen that he will have taught us the value of the blessings Providence allows us". A 'Myrtus', the only one to grow between three attempted by her and Lady [Sophia] de Clifford, has flowered. A 'Cobben' Smith gave her the seeds, a creeper with purple flowers, has been grown by [Amelia] Long [neé Hume (1762-1837) daughter of Amelia and Abraham Hume, watercolour painter], has asked her to draw it.

Has been kept busy attending to county business, believes "in these perilous times [...] it is the duty of everyone to put a hand to the plough" [threat of invasion by Napoleon]. Would like to meet [William] Roscoe. Hopes that the people will change their attitudes to the war, "as they grow wiser in science so they may in politics & learn the true [difference] between justice and tyranny". Would like a particular account of Forster's herbarium. Letter from [Alexander von] Humboldt and [Aimé] Bonpland in Peru in most recent number of "Annals de Museum National", they have collected 3000-4000 specimens. Milne [(fl 1800s-1810s) William Beckford's gardener] has informed him that Beckford wishes Smith to see [Fonthill] Abbey and all its improvments, "the only person that has that permission, even the Duke of Norfolk [...] was refused". Shocked by news from Ireland [a rebellion in Dublin]. Impressed with [William] Turton's [(1762-1835), conchologist] "Syst. Veg.". 'Leea crispa' growing well in his stove. All of [William] Roxburgh's plants growing well.

Received a parcel of specimens and two volumes of lectures from [Antonio José] Cavanilles for Smith. Visited [George] Williams in Oxford followed by stay with the Marquess of Blandford [George Spencer-Churchill]. Impressed with Blandford's botanic garden, who has done "more than anyone in the cultivation of plants". Describes Blandford's arboretum which includes 'Pinus maritima', he is also currently building a water plants hothouse, plants from Botany Bay, [Australia], grow as well as in their native climate. Believes "if any cultivator deserves a Genus it is his Lordship". Blandford wishes to see Smith at Whiteknights, [Reading, Berkshire], next year.

His book "A description of the genus Pinus" printed, has had a coloured copy made for Smith. Lord Blandford [George Spencer-Churchill] wishes him to come and meet [Thomas] Hardwicke who has just arrived with "the largest collection of Natural Hist[ory] that ever came from India", an interesting botanical paper by him in volume six of "Asiatic Researches" [account of Hardwicke's journey to Srinagar]. Informed by [George] Jackson of a Hastings privateer capturing a boat containing thousands of plants for Madame Bonaparte [Joséphine de Beauharnais (1763-1814) 1st wife of Napoleon Bonaparte]; all sent to Kew under [William] Aiton's direction. Would like Smith's description of 'Zizaria' for a paper for Linnean Society. Some of [William] Roxburgh's plants have flowered this summer including 'Curcuma longa'.

Discussion of pricing and profit and loss for his "A description of the genus Pinus". Lord Spencer [George John Spencer], Lord Blandford [George Spencer-Churchill], Lord Bath [Thomas Thynne, 2nd Marquess of Bath (1765-1837)], and [William] Beckford [(1759-1844)] have all had copies. Sir Joseph Banks thinks it "the finest work ever published".

One of the "finest collections of specimens of plants that ever came to this country", from Surinam [Suriname], on sale. [Edward] Rudge and himself intend to buy the whole, invite Smith to join them. Describes collection and commiserates "poor Martin". [Joseph Martin (fl 1788-1826) collected living and dried plants from South America for Joséphine de Beauharnais (1763-1814), 1st wife of Napoleon Bonaparte, and Paris Natural History Museum but during the return to France his ship was captured by English privateers. The living plants were sent to Kew and the dried plants bought by Lambert, they are now at the Natural History Museum]. Collection of birds also for sale, Lord Blandford [George Spencer-Churchill] has been in town and intends to buy all of Martin's seeds and two of the bird boxes.

Sent twelve species of Ehrhart and Hoffman's 'Salix'; rarities from the Pyrenees received from [Friedrich] Stromeyer; and a 'Drosera lusitanica' L from Portugal, sent in return for the 'Drosera dichotoma' Smith gave him. Stromeyer focusing his botanic studies on the "geography of vegetables". His own study is "anomalous formations" in vegetables. Thanks for specimens of New Holland [Australian] plants, requests more, lists the plants he has already received. News of botanists: [Christiaan Hendrik] Persoon is in Paris and [Heinrich Adolph] Schrader made professor extraordinary at Göttingen University in addition to director of the Botanic Garden after the regency became displeased with Hoffmann's management.

Her friend, Mr Geary, is desirous of an introduction to Sir Joseph Banks. Asks after [Andrew] Caldwell as the loss of the use of her limbs has prevented her from keeping in contact with her distant friends. A friend of hers has 'Oxalis corniculata' growing in his Sussex garden, contrary to habitats of the Devon and Exeter areas given in "Flora Britannica" .