Sending moss specimens he has lately described. Awaiting specimens of 'Hypnum alpestre' and 'H. trifariense' for his "Scottish work"; 'H. halleri' is engraved. Found 'Splachnum rugosum' of "English botany" on Ben Lawers; believes it distinct from 'S. vasculosum', which he is drawing at the moment. He and [George] Arnott have been applying Smith's "favourite maxim" in classifying the splachnoid mosses, in doing so have overturned much of the previous work by other authors; observations on the genus. Regrets calling the work a new arrangement.

Since last writing 'Senecio tenuifolius' has been added to flora of Scotland. [William Jackson] Hooker on his journey to London and Paris. Received letter from Revd Lewis de Schweinitz [(1780-1834), botanist] of Pennsylvannia, who has raised number of American fungi to 2000. Requests specimen of 'Daltonia splachnoides'.

Has taken efforts to arrange Linnean Society Council meeting for Monday evening, hopes Smith will be able to attend. Understands from [Robert] Brown that Smith does not think the Linnean Society should interfere with the Asiatic Society, but as the Council unanimously agreed to oppose their charter feels it his duty to do what he can to fulfil the instruction, as should Smith, asks that he write to the Attorney General on the matter.

He and James Backhouse found 'Woodsia hyperbora' growing near High Teesdale, Yorkshire, last summer. Was unable to find 'Cyathea dentata', though may have mistaken 'Woodsia hyperbora' for it. 'Cyathea fragilis', 'Asplenium viride', and 'A. trichomanes' grow there abundantly. Sending specimens of the 'Woodsia hyperbora'. Found 'Aspedium lobatum' in woods near Redcar, [Yorkshire].

Sends specimen of 'Tulipa sylvestris'; the bulbs were taken from an island in the Derwent, near Derby; cultivation details. Sorry to miss opportunity of meeting Lady [Pleasance] Smith.

Apologises for delay in replying to Smith's letter of 27 April [1824]; sorry to hear of his severe indisposition, hopes to see Smith before Linnean Society's last meeting in June. Lists new members of Council. Balance in Treasurer's hands is £192, compared to last year's balance of £34 on the other side. Forty-two Fellows elected in the last year, greatest number in any one year. Informed by Solicitor General that he agrees with Attorney General that the Asiatic Society is entitled to a charter as applied for. Asks that Smith send a letter nominating his vice-presidents for the next year. He was in Scotland for 5 months last year.

Sorry they could not meet whilst Smith was in London. Besides themselves, a great many fellows of the Royal Society think the Duke of Somerset should be President, but he has declined to go to a poll, and unless Sir Humphry Davy withdraws as a candidate he will not reconsider.

Apologises again for apparent attacks on Smith in "Flora Scotia", which he will correct in the next edition; thanks for mention of botanical errors, but still differs on matters of opinion, including: does not agree about 'Salix', maintains criticism of "English botany" figure of 'Aquilegia vulgaris', cannot credit Smith for his work on 'Mentha' due to space, took his ideas on sexes of 'Tussilago' from multiple authors. Most hurt that Smith believes rumours that John Lindley [(1799-1865)] was the principal author, explains his involvement.

From Smith's paper on 'Hypnum recognitum' in "Linnean Transactions" vol 13 presumes he has not seen his own account of 'Hypnum recognitum' in "Flora Londinensis". Concedes he made an error respecting 'Rubus chamaemorus'.

Hopes Smith remembers him from their acquaintance of 6 or 7 years ago; he retains "a most grateful impression of the very valuable attentions" Smith showed him. Sends copy of his "Diplomacy of the United States".

Thanks for botanical information in Smith's last letter, and for Smith's "friendly & affectionate manners". Unsure of [Joseph] Sabine's intentions in erroneously reporting John Lindley's [(1799-1865)] involvement in "Flora Scotia".

Discusses his proposed "Species plantarum" in English, which will neither be a translation of Candolle's "Prodromus" nor an entirely original work; details; will be able to profit from consulting Smith's "English Flora"; queries on terminology; encloses a specimen of the work; will not commence printing until his return from London and Paris in March.

Has not received Nepalese plants from [Nathaniel] Wallich except one collection sent 5 years ago, and now understands that the East India Company requires that they have the distribution of all the specimens, but he continues to receive mosses from Wallich. Pleased the Company sent Smith "so fine a parcel of ferns", thanks the 'Darea' from it, which he wishes to figure in his "Exotic flora". Encloses a "fern-like plant"; observations; wishes to name the genus after its discoverer, Mr Parker; asks if 'Pteris thalictroides' or 'Pteris cornuta' belong to same genus. He has established botanical correspondence with Demerara and St Vincent's; has mosses to send Smith; wishes to consult him about 'Orchideae', of which every new species forms a new genus.

Lists plants for his "Exotic flora", including 'Marcgravia umbellata', 'Cassytha filiformis', 'Cytinus hypocistus'; has two plates engraved of the nutmeg and two new 'Tillandsiae'; about to figure 'Artocarpus incisa' and 'A. integrifolia'. Discusses 'Lepraria iolithos'. Expects "great things" from the unexplored parts of North America, having sent two botanists to the north-west coast; one is to join Captain Franklin and return overland with him, and the other to explore the vicinity of the Columbia [River]; appointing a third to go with Captain Franklin and Dr Richardson on their expedition as far as Saskatchewan and to remain their two years; further details. [Francis] Hamilton and [Francis] Boott both enquired after Smith.

Visiting English friends; desires to call on Smith.

Asked by [George] Hibbert and [Alexander] Macleay to nominate a candidate for superintendence of the Botanic Garden of Jamaica; nominates [James] MacFadyen [(1800-1850), physician and botanist]; his qualifications. Thanks for agreeable afternoon he and his family lately spent with Smith in Norwich.

Happy to hear Smith has recovered from his "long and severe indisposition". Asks of probability of Smith being in London before May. Asks after [Francis Leggatt] Chantrey's [(1781-1841), sculptor] bust of Smith. Bishop of Carlisle [Samuel Goodenough] in London, has had a slight attack of gout. [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert unwell after one of his dogs went mad and bit three of his servants. Asks if Smith has seen new their new volume ["Linnean Transactions" vol 13 issue 2], which is "very thin" for want of matter. Asks if they are ever to receive any paper from Smith.

Had intended to speak to Smith in person until hearing of death of Smith's mother. Offered position of Professor of Botany of Glasgow University; requests assistance and information from Smith on lecturing, asks for any book recommendations or published botany lectures.

Thanks for Smith's letter of 20 December [1824], they had heard alarming reports of Smith's health. He has accepted the post of Colonial Secretary in New South Wales, [Australia], intends to embark at the end of April; conflicted about the posting but was offered the post in a "very handsome and flattering manner". Suggests [Robert] Brown to replace him as Linnean Society Secretary, though Smith will have to convince him to accept, otherwise suggests [Edward] Barnard. Recommends that [David] Don [(1799-1841), botanist] be removed [as Society Clerk], his "pride and self conceit are really intolerable".

At Smith's request informs him of cost of the new series of "Flora Londinensis"; offers to exchange set of the 18 published numbers, "Musci exotici", and Sternberg's "Saxifrages", for "Flora Graeca". Requests any duplicate exotic specimens from Smith's herbarium. Pleased to see Smith's "Grammar of Botany" announced.

Thanks Smith for writing to [Robert] Brown [about his taking post of Linnean Society Secretary]; disappointed Smith has not remarked on his decision to leave for New South Wales, [Australia], at the end of April, more hurt after the Bishop [of Carlisle, Samuel Goodenough] repeated several times that it would be "far beneath" Brown to take such a position. Three vacancies on FMLS list.

Thanks for plants; had previously received some of the species from Nepal through [Nathaniel] Wallich, but unnamed. Comments on inconveniences of this "place of banishment", particularly there being no botanical library but his own, nor any botanical friends to consult with. Asks Smith to remember him should he receive interesting specimens; in return sending copy of his "Musci Exotici". Asks if he sent 'Lyellia crispa', and if Smith has seen 'Primula scotia', to be figured in "Flora Londinensis". Blackwood of Edinburgh keen for him to publish a periodical on exotic botany ["Exotic flora"]; requests access to [Francis] Buchanan's East India drawings.

His students have increased by 18 compared to last year, a total of 75 though only 52 were paying students. Expects [Robert] Graham [(1786-1845)] at Edinburgh to make over £1200 from his [botany] professorship, besides his practice as physician; they have formed a new garden of 14 acres, with stoves and greenhouses. Death of Dr Stuart.

Difficulties in communicating with Smith. Concerned to find that expressions of his in "Flora Scotia" have been misconstrued as attacks on Smith; will ensure offensive passages are expunged from second edition; apologises for and explains his wording of pages 132 and 279; praises Smith's botanical skills. Discusses differences in leaf shape of 'Salix purpurea', 'S. helix', and 'S. amygdalina'. Disagrees that economical merit should give place to scientific character in reference to 'S. caerulea', discusses authors on 'Salix' including Candolle and Sprengel.

Criticises [Samuel Frederick] Gray's "Natural Arrangements of British Plants", which seems "calculated to give the death blow to the study of natural orders, if not to botany altogether", remarks on plant names and attack on Linnaeus in preface, thinks [Richard] Salisbury has assisted with the natural orders. Refutes Salisbury's article on [Jonas] Dryander in October "Monthly Review".

Hopes Smith's work on "English Flora" in earnest; if Smith had declined it would have undertaking it himself. Return from his professorship not enough to support his family; supplementing by publishing books; proposes a "Species plantarum" in English, though concedes it would largely be a translation of Candolle, asks Smith's opinion. His intended "Exotic botany" work delayed by lack of able Scottish artists; difficulties with publisher. Thanks for duplicate specimens.

Thanks for Smith's "very kind letter" [of 27 January 1825]. Pays tribute to their 31 years of friendship, during which they have been "intimately known to each other without any misunderstanding or coolness". Forwards delayed letter for Smith from [George] Hibbert [see RelatedMaterial below, requested Smith's recommendation for curator of a botanic garden in Jamaica]; suggests David Don [(1799-1841), botanist] for the post as a means for the Linnean Society to be rid of him.

Thanks Smith for "high compliment" paid to him by Linnean Society [in proposing a portrait be taken of him], only regrets it comes so soon after the subscription for Smith's bust, which raised £190, proud to be the proposer of it. Uncertain what has happened about nomination of [James] Bicheno to succeed him [as Society Secretary].

He had applied to [Robert] Maughan [(1769-1844)] for specimens of his 'Salix livida' but found that his herbarium was about to be auctioned for a debt; intends to compare [Georg] Wahlenberg's [(1780-1851)] description to Maughan's herbarium on discovering the purchaser. Asks if Smith has seen [Nicolaus Tomas] Host's [(1761-1834)] "great work" on willows, published at Vienna.

Reiterates that if a new edition of "Flora Scotia" is published, as he expects, offensive references to Smith will be removed. Smith's progress on "English flora". Comments on worth of [Robert Kaye] Greville's work on fungi. Difficulties finding a publisher for his "Exotic flora". Visited [Francis] Hamilton at his home at Lenny; his ill-health and beauties of his lands. [Dawson] Turner averse to his proposed "Species Plantarum" in English.