Elected to Linnean Society Council. Has collected plants in Abyssinia and shells from the Red Sea. Offers Smith plants from his herbarium on his return to England in two months.

Found 'Fucus pygmaeus' at a great height above sea level on Hoy mountain, [Orkney]. Encloses a chapter on the natural history of Edinburgh [not extant] he wrote for [John] Stark's "Picture of Edinburgh", [George] Don claims five of the plants described therein are his discovery, Neill defends himself and complains about Don. First natural history lectures in Edinburgh since the death of Dr [John] Walker [(1731-1803) professor of natural history] are to be held this summer by [Robert] Jameson [(1774–1854)] who is "fond of mineralogy and the Wernerian geology". The Natural History Society "begins to lift up its head" but has few members. John Mackay's [(1772-1802), employed at Dickson nursery, Edinburgh] memorial erected, will send a printed copy [this was sent at an unknown later date but included with this letter].

Would like to see [John] Sibthorp's notes on the ornithology of Greece, in particular Sibthorp's copy of Camus' translation of Aristotle, to see his observations on animals and pests common to Britain, migration of birds, and elucidation of Greek bird names.

[This letter is marked as a duplicate; Rottler's letter of 3 March 1807 [see RelatedMaterial below] mentions his sending a copy of this letter to Smith.]

Encloses duplicate of letter he sent 2 September 1805 [see RelatedMaterial]. Sending another small collection of plants, some of which are from Mysore and Ceylon, including: 'Ophiorhiza mungos'; believes one of the specimens is a new tree genus 'Galari maram', describes it; thinks two of the Ceylon plants are currently undescribed. Hopes Smith has received the "Gullimia" [drawing of a 'Polyandria by Elizabeth Gwillim, wife of Sir Henry Gwillim, Justice of the Supreme Court of Jurisdiction at Madras] and other dried specimens he sent earlier in the year.

Replying to Smith's letter of 21 December [1805]. [Thomas Williams] Simmonds has died [(d 1804), Mackenzie's naturalist], who had made great progress with his indices but not collecting, and his gardener James Mackie has left, so has been unable to do much in botany. Will look through his notes and collection for Smith's requests. Has two boxes of living plants to send [William] Roscoe. Making ornithological notes for [John] Latham. Lady Seaforth is returning home with description of, plus head and claws of a "magnificent" vulture, it is possibly a falcon. List of fifteen plants he is sending for Mr Shepherd, apologises for its deficiencies.

Introduces the bearer of the letter, [William Dandridge] Peck, professor of natural history at University of Cambridge [Harvard University], Massachusetts, who has been in Sweden. Hopes Smith received the parcel he sent last year via [Nathaniel] Winch. Sends his reprinted paper on 'Orchidae'. Hopes Smith received the letter he sent last December . Encloses a letter to be forwared to [Archibald] Menzies.

Has sent a collection of lichens on board the ship "Hazard" to be landed at Downes Wharf, regrets it is not as extensive as he would have wished. Observations on enclosed specimens: 'Rumex patientia', and three 'Lichen' from various mountains [extant].

Three 'Lichen' specimens, labelled.

Classes about to begin tomorrow so sending a few moss and plant specimens now, not expecting much time to do so in the summer. Observations on enclosed specimens: new 'Potentilla', proposes name 'P. alpina'; nondescript 'Saxifraga'; possible new 'Gymnostomum', proposes name 'G. martima'; new 'Dicranum' like 'D. pulvinatum'.

Observations on previoulsy sent 'Gymnostomum apocarpum', differences from 'G. ciliatum'. Also sends a 'Somemum'.

Urges Smith to reread his last letter [not extant] where Smith will find that Banks did not draw parallels between Smith and [Richard] Salisbury. Had Banks known how deep the quarrel between Smith and Salisbury had become he would never have undertaken the "hopeless task" of effecting a reconciliation, and now relinquishes it. Refers Smith to his advice in last letter, viz to refrain from personal altercations but by no means avoid potential discussion. Remarks that whilst he does not "feel the esteem for Salisbury [he] once did" he does not "despise his indefatigable industry".

Sending specimens of "fly" 'Ophrys' he collected in Portugal, listed as 'O. muscifera', 'O. apifera', 'O. aranifera', 'O. vespifera', and 'O. vernixia' with brief notes. He has just purchased a "fine collection" of New Holland plants.

Grief at the death of his eldest son. His wife and other children only narrowly escaped [the fire]. His family are now recuperating at Coltishall, [Norfolk], is concerned for the well-being of his wife. Endeavouring to take comfort in botany. Will soon return [William Fitt] Drake's manuscript. Moved by and grateful for Smith's expressions of affection and friendship.

Comments on Smith's Latinity in the "Flora Graeca" and justifies his use of "etc." for saving the trouble of listing every author of authority who has written on Greek flora. Advice on the delination of [John] Sibthorp's name. Small alteration to title page, and to the title of "Prodromus Florae Graecae".

Longs to hear when Smith will be in London. Attended Linnean Society meeting in March, "where to my astonishment, [Richard] Salisbury presented his printed squib against "E[nglish] Botany", ["Generic characters of "English Botany"]". Does not believe [William George] Maton, who was in the chair, should have allowed it to be read. [James] Dickson, [Thomas] Marsham, [Alexander] Macleay, and Sir T[homas Gery] Cullum were all of Goodenough's opinion that the Linnean Society "was not the arena on which any of its members ought to engage". [Jonas] Dryander also agrees with Goodenough. Pointed out to several fellows the weakness and impotency of the attack.

Invites Smith to Rochester whilst he is in London. Leaves the decision of his becoming a vice-president of Linnean Society to Smith, warning that his clerical duties restrain his abscences from home. Believes there will be no end to the war "while Buonaparte loves to play at sceptres & balls", has never heard of "such imperious doings [...] since the world began".

Received Smith's letter of 2 September. Describes charms of the neighbourhood of Boxlet, his new living. Discusses Smith's dispute with Salisbury: Salisbury's use of his sisters' names in a false manner "degrades him from the rank of gentleman"; believes Salisbury wishes he never wrote his pamphlet ["Generic characters of English Botany"] but does not know how to retract it; does not intend to read any of Salisbury's "Paradisus Londinensis"; has thought him "too wild to take a lead" since a conversation with him about Salisbury changing the nomenclature of 'Erica'; advises Smith not to enter into a squabble with Sir Joseph Banks [over his unsympathetic attitude towards to Salisbury dispute], "like all great men, he in his way is open to the tittle tattle of designing persons"; Smith should mortify Salisbury with "contemptuous silence"; blames [William George] Maton for allowing the pamphlet into the Linnean Society whilst he was in the chair.

Smith should use the verncaular form of [John] Sibthorp and [Peter Simon] Pallas in his Errata, suggests wording for an explanatory note. His aquaintance with the Bishop of Norwich [Henry Bathurst (1744-1837)]. A botanist, Mrs Brereton, is coming to Boxley. In Boxley has observed 'Hieracium umbellatum', 'Chrysosplenium oppositifolium', 'Hedypnois hieracioides', and 'Crepis biennis'. Has looked in vain in Rochester for 'Viola hirta'. Thinks 'Orchis militaris' is not a variety. [Thomas] Marsham visited after staying with [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert, deplores Lambert's weakness in dispossessing himself of his landed property by giving the inheritance to his "unworthy sisters". His own daughters are still looking for husbands, "impoverished times for such a commodity".

Praises the first part of "Florae Graecae prodromus", just received. Laments that because of "Bonaparte's rage" it cannot be made available in Europe, believes peace is impossible and he will not stop until he invades England and "the whole world is at his feet". Became involved in three contested elections for Parliament, upset to see Sir Sidney Smith lose his Rochester seat to a "monied banker who drove in the night before the election" [James Barnett (c 1760-1836)].

Urges Smith not to publish [George] Don's moss as a new 'Gymnostomum', as it would be "injurious" to Smith's credit. Hopeful his wife's recovery will continue following the death of their son. [Nathaniel] Winch claims that 'Pyrola media' is 'P. minor'; he says Smith has a parcel from [Olof] Swartz. Asks to borrow "Stockholm Transactions" vol 22 for [Erik] Acharius' papers on 'Collemata'. Encloses two or three 'Lichen'. Will send parcel for [James] Sowerby, and will resend all he has published to [James] Dickson if he wishes it, though does not expect any new publication from him.