Thanks Smith for mention of him in his article on 'Salix russelliana'. Sends copy of his "Parochial Divinity" for Smith. Explains circumstances behind his sending specimen of 'Vicia bithynica' last summer: he had hoped to be proved its first discoverer, but found [James] Sowerby had received it a month before from a Sussex friend; gives its location anyway and urges Smith to mention receipt of it also; observations.

Sending specimens of the 'Vicia', a 'Gnaphalium', and an unknown plant like a 'Serapias' ['Epipactis purpurea']. Previously sent Sowerby fertile specimen of 'Bryum annotinum'.

[This letter is marked "Duplicate", sent with Rottler's letter of 15 October 1807, see RelatedMaterial below]

He has only just received Smith's letter of 30 April 1800 and his "Specimen of the botany of New Holland", which he had long given up ever receiving. Encloses duplicate of his letter of [14] October [1806], which accompanied a parcel of plants. Received [Nathaniel] Kindersley's letter of 1 May 1806, will reply when chest of books for female asylum arrives.

[Label attached to letter:] "'Tetracera sarmentosa' 83) Vahl Delima Lin.".

Encloses duplicate of letter he sent Smith in March [1807] [extant], and packet of plants; wishes to know Smith's opinion of this and the packet he sent October 1806. Asks if his new genus 'Gwillimia' has been accepted.

Unoffended by rejection of his paper by Linnean Society and amused by their "squeamishness" over the passage playing on Mr [Lilly?] Wigg's [(1749-1829), clerk in Dawson Turner's bank] name, even though it was omitted and both Smith and Dawson Turner found it unexceptionable, though uncertain whether the attack he made on Mr S's paper [possibly Richard Salisbury] caused this rejection. Will send illustrative specimens to Smith and print the paper privately.

On 1 September broke his inner gastrocnemius muscle and it has recovered from bandaging alone, as advised by Mr Home.

Encloses list [extant] of specimens prepared for his rejected paper, with note against each whether sent or not: 'Ulva fusca', 'U. purpurascens', 'U. rubens', 'U. rubra', 'Fucus concatenatus', 'F. faniculaceus', 'F. abrotanifolius', 'F. fibrosus', 'F. tamariscifolia', 'F. linearis', 'F. crispatus', 'F. bifidus', 'F. mutlifidus', 'F. obtusus', 'F. [filiminus]', 'F. cartilagineus', 'F. confervoides', 'F. capillaris', 'Conferva furriculacea', 'C. nigra', 'C. setacea', 'C. elongata', 'C. rubra', 'C. pellucida', 'C. nigresscens', C. fuccides', and 'C. pararitica'.

Weather lore: received "infallible prelude" of an approaching storm yesterday by rooks collecting in a small compass on the ground before going to roost: "their appearance between 4 & 5 yesterday afternoon was almost terrible, at about 200 yards from the house", similarly their collecting on the highest trees before going to roost is a certain predicition of a fair day.

Praises figures of willows and 'Conferva' in last received number of "English Botany" and answers questions on latter: ignorant of [William] Hudson's 'Conferva multifida; convinced 'C. equisetifolia' of "English Botany" is Hudson's 'C. imbricata' as Hudson sent him decayed specimen of it from Margate, [Kent]; figure of 'C. barbata' refers to Ellis' 'C. florisera' "Phil. Trans", if this means 'C. flosculosa' it belongs to 'C. setacea' as pointed out in his paper that Hudson misapplied it to 'C. rubra'.

Mr Rarhleigh sent him undoubted specimen of 'Rivularia [vermiculata]' and there is a similar at [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert's written upon by Hudson "'Ulva s.n.'".

Note at top of recto of first folio: "sea goldbeater's skin enclosed - alias young membranaceous Fucus".

Happy Smith has been pleased with La Broequine and thanks him for his notes, which he will make use of in the next edition. Has been extremely inconvenienced by [John Henry Petty, 2nd Marquess of] Lansdowne [(1765-1809)] abandoning his purchase of the Priory.

Mariamne [Johnes, his daughter] has become a "prodigious fine miniature paintress". His work on [Enguerrand de] Monstrelet [(1400-1453), French chronicler] translation: first volume printed and second will be finished by March, keeps three printers constantly employed. Fire at Hafod House: his Venetian library in "grand confusion", having escaped the fire, but lost first volume of "Flora Graeca" and all "Linnean Transactions". Intends to restore library "as handsome as before".

Studies botany during intervals from his work but has only an "imperfect" acquaintance with current state of botany in Britain, having been absent for nearly 20 years, but presumes he would be able to supply many desiderata; desires to establish a correspondence with Smith, exchanging plants for botanical information.

He is now at sea on a voyage to St Helena, recovering his health, but intends to immediately return to his station at Fort Marlborough, Sumatra. Sends drawings for Smith's interest [not extant], describes and makes observations on each: seed of camphor tree [Smith has part transcribed this paragraph]; a possible 'Brucea', used as an "intense & powerful" bitter; seeds. Difficulties of collecting.

West coast [of Sumatra] has been in possession of the nutmeg and clove plants for some time and extensive plantations are now flourishing, and outproducing the Dutch. He has also cultivated the coffee of mocha and 'Cacoa', the latter having arrived from South America via the Philippines. Productive botanic garden also placed in his care, where most of the tropic fruit flourish, including 'Cinnamon' of Ceylon, 'Cassia', and tea. Expects the English settlements on Sumatra to rise from obscurity to great "commercial & political importance".

Aware that his support for the "gradual abolition of the slave trade" could be misunderstood by his friends, but meant it to ensure the slaves' saftey and interests and not for the benefit of the merchants. Finds it inexplicable that William Smith has lost his Norwich seat, as "the slave trade is held in such general abhorence" there, and he has been one of its "most firm & active opponents". Admires Smith's [epithet] for Alderman Baseley and praises Smith's "excellent turn" for this kind of composition. Details printing for his paper on Scitamineae. Intends to see [James] Sowerby about "Exotic botany", which must not be discontinued. Found a "Flora Peruviana & Chilensis" in [Henry Richard Vassall-Fox, 3rd Baron] Holland's [(1773-1840)] library containing figures of 'Canna', 'Costus', and 'Maruta', which he made copies of but forgot, and which confirm his and Smith's system [for determining 'Scitamineae' plants].

Delayed in responding to Smith by "extreme hurry & agitation" of his new employment [MP for Liverpool], from which he feels a "depression of spirits". Corrected sheets of his 'Scitamineae' paper but was unable to include plants from [Henry Richard Vassall-Fox, 3rd Baron] Holland's [(1773-1840)] copy of "Flora Peruviana".

Shares same sentiments as Smith on African slave trade and assures him he will not compromise; the bill is currently in the Lords, where if it passes its success in the Commons is guaranteed. Has not yet been able to visit [James] Sowerby. Unable to accept Smith's invite to Norwich as he must return to Lancashire.

His advocacy of abolition of the slave-trade proved unpopular in Liverpool, and a "very erroneous acc[oun]t from one of the London papers" was distributed in attempt to raise outrage against him; in retaliation a transcript of his speech arguing for gradual abolition was circulated, encloses copy for Smith. A meeting on abolition to be held tonight where Mr Windham is making a speech in favour of continuing the trade; thinks this is futile. Looking forward to Smith's arrival in London.

Sorry he could not see Smith again before leaving London. Describes his return to Liverpool: express coaches were organised to hasten his return from London and he was welcomed into Liverpool by friends, though on reaching the Exchange a "scene took place" which he has described in the enclosed paper [extant - JES/COR/17/48] [Roscoe found himself in the centre of a riot orchestrated by local slave traders]. The election is to commence shortly and there are only two candidates, but he does not dare exposing himself and his friends to the to "public vengeance" directed against him.

Glad of Smith's good health; hopes he keeps out of aggravating London air. Defeated in Liverpool election "with about 400 single unsolicited votes"; blames the "great animosity" against him on account of the slave trade, suspects it is sometimes conveyed "in the more popular phrase of Church & King". Encloses an address on the matter; his friends insist there were irregularities in the poll but he is fed up of the "violence, abusy, & scrutiny" of elections.

Pleased to hear that Smith may be joining his mother on a visit to Mrs Martin [Smith's sister] in Liverpool. Relieved to be free of political life, especially as he has attained his "one great object", the abolition of the slave trade, and pleased to return to his botanical and poetical pursuits. Recommends [William] Wordsworth's [(1770-1850), poet] new poems, which he listens to "with a pleasure something like that of an infant to the prattle of an old woman", and are to be read in "listlessness & leisure".

Disappointed not to see Smith in Lancashire this year. Resolved to never stand as MP for Liverpool again. Will send Smith his notes on 'Canna'; pleased he is investigating 'Scitamineae', expects his own system to be overturned. Enjoyed and agrees with Smith's "grammatical paper about shall & will" [in October issue of the "Athenaeum"]. Pleased that publication of "Exotic botany" is proceeding; after seeing [James] Sowerby in London expected the quatro edition to be continued and the octavo given up.

John Shepherd [(c 1764-1836, curator Liverpool Botanic Garden] has made valuable acquisitions from stoves and conservatories of London, including: Norfolk Island pine, multiple species of 'Banksia', several 'Nymphaea', hopefully 'Cyamus nelumbo', and many new Monandrian plants. Compliments both Mrs Smiths, Mr and Mrs James Taylor, and Dr [Henry] and Mrs Reeve.

Thanks for Smith's "Introdutcion to Botany"; praises the preface, Mr and Mrs Ratham have complimented it with "terms of the warmest approbation", and has already lent his copy to Mr Price, MP for Radnor, an amatuer botanist. Requests to be informed as soon as the herbarium Smith is preparing for Liverpool Botanic Garden is prepared; their finances are much improved and are nearly out of debt with an income of 900 guineas, aided by creation of 100 additional shares. Certain a second edition of Smith's new book will soon be demanded.

[Transcription of letter sent by William Hunter to Anstruther]: sending duplicates of his paper on 'Nauclea', and letter to Smith which accompanied the paper [see RelatedMaterial below].

Sends copy of letter and paper by [William] Hunter of Calcutta, Secretary of the Asiatic Society. Will provide copies of drawings and specimens if required. Also has small specimen of tree which Sir Joseph Banks was anxious for. Received letter from [Francis] Buchanan, who has safely reached the Cape.

Sending proofs of all completed blocks [for "Lachesis Lapponica"], with prices marked.

Honoured by Smith's dedication to his late wife [Jane Barrington] and himself in "Introduction to Botany".

Thanks for Smith's "Introduction to Botany". Reminisces about Dr [John] Hope. His daughter married last summer to Mr Easkell of Thornes House, near Wakefield, his gardens are in the "first style" and arrangement of exotics "magnificent".