Invites Smith to visit her the next time he is in London. Apologises for long delay in correspondence, caused by her "nervous disaffection" and ill health, and had meant to respond to Smith's letter congratulating her on "the blessing of Peace". Sorry to hear Smith's old complaint has returned.

Proposes that a toast be made to her late husband, [Charles Watson-Wentworth, 2nd marquess of Rockingham (1730-1782), prime minister], at the Linnean Society Anniversary meeting on 24 May, as his birthday was also 24 May and he was a "rising botanist of great promise" and "a most attach'd disciple of Linnaeus". Thanks for present of dried fruit and biscuits, which have now regained their "peculiar taste & good quality" following "those cruel times of real, or pretended scarcity", though does not believe that any flour have yet or perhaps ever will return to same quality as before. Praises the sermon Smith sent her, which reminds her of something in [James] Saurin [(1677-1730), French preacher]; details of a sermon she will send in return. Apologises for legibility of letter as her eyelid complaint has returned.

Regrets the serious condition which prevented Smith from coming to Hillingdon. Recommends Dr James' powders for erruptive fevers, glad to hear Smith's lungs are not affected.

Enquires after Smith's recovery from his illness. Current "extraordinary weather" is very unfavourable to invalids; she has never known such "unabating high winds with violent storms of rain & sometimes hail, at this time of the year", she has been feeling very indifferent.

His son's death last autumn; returned to England 23 December. Plans to summer in Brighton, [Sussex].

Suspects that the plant which poisoned two of [Charles Lennox, 3rd] Duke of Richmond's [(1735-1806)] horses is 'Oenanthe crocata', knowing that the pasture is next to a stream by which it grows. Has been confined last six weeks by infected toenail. Praises "English Botany" figure and name of 'Conferva rosea'; found it at Worthing, [Sussex], in 1782, and Exmouth, [Devon], [William] Hudson thought it his 'purpurascens', received larger specimens from Dawson Turner. His botanical library at Chichester consists of "Compendium Florae Britannicae" and most recent numbers of "English Botany". If there is a storm will try to find 'Fucus' about Bognor and Selsea Island.

Plans to bring his brother and colleague back into the new Parliament.

Certain that 'Oenanthe crocata' poisoined two of [Charles Lennox, 3rd] Duke of Richmond's [(1735-1806)] mares in foal; examined the pasture and dry streambed of the Lavant and there is evidence of the horses digging up the roots and their stomachs were full of a white substance like sawdust, agreeing exactly with what they observed on examining roots of this year mixed with decayed roots of last year; the bank of the stream is full of the plant. Noticed a horse cropping the top of the plants which he supposes is comparatively innocent and that the brood mares must have had "depraved appetites" to dig up the roots. 'Heracleum' in meadows here is called "hog-weed" and fed to the hogs. Has not found any 'Fucus' or uncommon saltmarsh plants.

[Wilson] Lowry [(1760-1824), engraver] has returned his plants and drawings unengraved after three years, offers them to [James] Sowerby.

Todd, the gardener, agrees with Smith that the unknown plant must be 'Orobus sylvaticus', and as requested has sent specimen to Sir Joseph Banks. As yet unable to find the lichen Smith requested ['Lichen floridus']. Fears her garden will not look well this summer as the old man who looks after it has a bad fever which is "very prevalent among the labourers". 'Mimosa [snaveolans]' in "high beauty" in conservatory with long pendulant brances covered with flowers of delicate straw colour, it is the most elegant plant there except for 'Graminia'. 'Sitospermum undulatum' going into flower for first time. Her father away.

Sorry to hear Smith has been so ill. Re-elected member of Parliament, as was Mr Vaughan, so preventing "even a possibility of any disturbance in the county". Lists visitors to his house over summer.

Though Smith has let [William] Windham [(1750-1810), politician] know his sentiments "pretty clearly" does not approve of [William] Smith whom Smith exchanged for him, as he is "too much the opposite". Has no opinion of those politicians who under "pretence of patriotism or alarm would sacrifice every thing to their faction". Laments loss of friendship between himself and Windham since their school days. His wife and daughter [Mariamne Johnes] well and the latter grown so stout Smith would not know her, though "this sad weather" much against his "invalids".

Expects Dyke shortly to view the estate he intends to sell, which if sold near his expectations shall be a "made man". Asks how fearnoughts [thick woollen cloth for overcoats] are selling this year as if not too dear shall want some for his poor people.

Has been busy with assizes and visits at home and abroad. Does not agree with Trafford's notion that Lord Moira [Francis Edward Rawdon-Hastings, 1st Marquess of Hastings (1754-1826)], is a "precox Chevalier", having heard he was "too great a Jobber for the Character, and it came from those who employed him". Reckons that if the newspaper reports are true, and that Napoleon believed [William] Windham [(1750-1810), politician] wished him assassinated, it shows him "a poor mind", and his recent manifesto to the Swiss "proves him a Tyrant". Had once thought Napoleon "great", but now finds "melancholy" that only one person in history has "voluntarily quitted absolute power uncontaminated, and the new world has the glory of it" [probably referring to George Washington (1732-1799), first President of the United States]. Supposes Napoleon's ambition can "never be glutted", expects him to make a formal complaint against the liberty of the English press. Discusses his becoming a printer and arrival of the press; shall shortly commence printing his Froissart [(c 1337-c 1405), French chronicler] and is not concerned by reviews or newspapers.

Reminds Smith of Sir Joseph [Banks'] "famous letter" to the member of the [French] Institute on his election and adds that Banks has written to a lady thanking her for sending him a "most nonsensical ode on the death of Dolomieu". Delighted with the naked barley [Thomas William] Coke gave him, which will be a benefit to this country.

Thanks for Smith's letter of 24 November and encloses root of "this famous plant". Autumn has been "delightful" in every respect. Believes the French paper Sir Joseph [Banks'] letter was in may have been the "decade Philosoplique". Congratulates Smith on acquisition of the herbarium. Asks if there is a plant in Sweden called "Okenberg", which he spells from Lactoenage's "Romende en Suede & Norwegn", which is said to be delicious but only grows in northern latitudes.

They are in good health. Had formed a plan to take [his daughter, Mariamne Johnes], to London and then France and Holland to visit his friend Liston this spring, but she has requested to delay it a year so as to improve herself and grow taller.

Sends Smith remainder of his Bulliard ["Histoire des champignons"], found in confusion of removing his books [to Walcot Hall, Diss]. Asks after Smith's works, as he is more out of the world here than he was at Bungay, [Suffolk]. [John] Stackhouse to publish third fasciculus [of his "Nereis Britannica"]: he sent it to [Dawson] Turner for review, who was to forward it to himself, before he forwarded it onto Smith, but Turner never sent it on. Received letter from young Withering concerning claim made by [John] Stokes [(1755-1831)] for profits of third edition of [William] Withering's ["Botanical arrangement"]; thinks he has no right; either 15,000 or 1,500 copies sold; notices a fourth edition has since been published, probably rushed out before Smith completes his book ["Flora Britannica"].

Received alarming accounts of Smith's health from Sir Thomas Cullum and brother-in-law, R Reeve, and that it was not Smith's lungs but an erysipelas affecting his head and rendering his eyes weak, preventing him from going to Liverpool. Sends two varieties of 'Potamogeton natans', one approaching close to 'P. lucens' and other to [Richard] Relhan's 'P. palustris'. 'Ophrys beselii' growing in boggy ground near his house; peculiarities of its habitat.

Received Smith's letter and notes on specimens of 17 May 1801. For most of 1800-1801 employed by the Governor-General [Richard Colley Wellesley (1760-1842) 1st Marquess Wellesley] to investigate the state of agriculture, commerce and the arts in the dominions of Tippoo Sultaum [Tipu Sultan (1750-1799) ruler of kingdom of Mysore] and was organising his materials in Calcutta when ordered to the court of Nepal, as surgeon to Captain Knox, British Resident to Nepal.

Working on his journal from the Mysore trip, which will include appendix with descriptions and drawings of animals and plants. Remarks on the geography and recent history of Nepal. Found many European plants including 'Anagallis arvensis', 'Ervum hirsutum', 'Sonchus palustris', 'Fumaria officinalis', and 'Saponaria'. Given two stuffed wild sheep, descriptions of the species. Uncertain how long he will stay in Nepal, financial constraints prevent him from returning to England. Intends to produce a "Flora Indica".

Comments on the catalogue and plant specimens sent to Sir Joseph Banks from his expedition to Ava, Burma. Found another species of 'Vatica' in Mysore and numerous 'Vateria'. 'Dua banga' may be a 'Soneratia' although it is quite different from 'Soneratia acida'. Long Latin description of the genus he proposes calling 'Hopea', although [William] Roxburgh has since named another genus after Hope. Short Latin description of the fruit of the 'Vatica'. Frustrated by 'Eugenias' and 'Conyzas'. Comments on Smith's acquisition of [John] Sibthorp's materials. Alerts Smith to the fact that [John] Fleming [(1747-1829) physician, Indian Medical Service, Bengal] may return to England with Buchanan's descriptions and drawings of fish, asks Smith to assist in selection and correction of the work if published.

Letter of introduction for Buchanan's friend [John] Fleming [(1747-1829) physician, Indian Medical Service, Bengal] who is bringing a copy of Buchanan's manuscript on fish, asks Smith to advise and assist as to corrections and publication. Hoping to return to Calcutta soon, will try to send specimens collected from area of Mount Emodus.

Sends his book on the local flora of Turin, and catalogue of the Botanical Garden at Turin. Asks for botanical correspondence with Smith on same terms Smith had with Dr [Jean Pierre Marie] Dana, who died a year ago. [Carlo] Allioni and [Carlo Antonio Ludovico] Bellardi are in good health. Requests seeds of 'Hedysarum gyrans' and 'Dinoaea muscipula'.

Has sent a package to Smith from [George] Don. Has been unable to answer Smith's previous letter due to demands and uncertainties of militia duties. Has asked the Duke of Gordon's agents about procuring ptarmigan eggs for Smith's friend.

Sending Smith specimens of a possible 'Ajuga pyramidalis', received from William Gibb, gardener to Lord Seaforth of Braham Castle, Dingwall, Scotland, desires opinion. Despairing of acquiring the ptarmigan eggs in spite involvement from the Marquess of Huntly.

Glad to hear of Smith's improvement in health and offers his own "quack" remedy when himself recently afflicted with two similar cases himself of an infusion of dandelion roots. Has been informed by the Marquess of Huntly that there will be plenty of ptarmigan eggs next season if desired. Has acquired [George] Don a position at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Edinburgh, which will be of great service to [Daniel] Rutherford. Recently sent [James] Sowerby a new 'Clavaria' but he never writes. Offers to send Smith a recently found in seed 'Asperugo procumbens'.

Sending specimens of several lichens and rare mosses.

Account of plants collected on his journey to Oxfordshire, including habitats, sent specimens to [James] Sowerby; 'Juniperus communis', 'Rumex sanguineus', 'R. venis', 'R. rubris', 'Festuca bromoides', 'Sisymbrium irio', 'Tordylium maximum', 'Asplenium ceterach', 'Carex inflata', 'Asarum europaeum' never seen wild old habitat of [John] Ray at Cheverill's Green near Dunstable is lost, 'Geranium nodosum'. Provided for 7 'Papilio iris' larvae which travelled with him. Since returning has also sent 'Oxalis corniculata', naturalised in woods behind Oakley House from Stratton Park, Hampshire. Honored by Smith's classing him amongst his friends in "Linnean Transactions" vol 6 'Salix' paper.

Bedford River "abounding" with 'Chara flexilis' "English botany 1070". Encloses "curious production" with habit of 'Conferva' [extant]; observations. Believes 'Chara flexilis', 'Ceratophyllum submersum', and 'Ceratophyllum demersum' can be consolidated under one genus; observations. Lists plants he has found since 1798 as a supplement [to his "Flora Bedfordiensis" (1798)], for Smith's "Flora Britannica". Prays for recovery of Smith's health, "so valuable to the botanical world".

Specimen of a plant.