Mail coaches to Bungay. Enjoyed last number of "[Botany of] New Holland", particularly 'Eucalyptus' for curious construction of its flowers, and 'Styphelia', Mrs Woodward says the 'Mimosa' are "ugly". Asks for most recent copy of "Zoology [of New Holland]". Acquisition of coins. [John] Stackhouse to lend him a parcel of 'Fucus' specimens; Stackhouse's and [Thomas] Velley's publications. [Samuel] Goodenough has sketched a preface for their paper on 'Fucus' but he is "too speculative" in parts of his theory; notes on contents of the paper.

Fears Smith's father's illness is a "symptom of a breaking constitution". Smith's "Flora [Britannica]" "much looked for". Distress of the poor during this severe frost. Transcribes epigrams from Bacon's halfpence.

Condolences on death of Smith's father; recounts the news he received of it. Surprised at Norwich paper listing his age as 68, having supposed him to be 62 or 63. Smith's family will receive consolation from the "uninterrupted harmony" that has always existed between them, and "their love & affection for each other". Glad Smith's health has been better since arrival at Norwich, [Norfolk]. Unsure whether Smith intends to publish the 'Ulva diaphana' in "English botany" or "Linnean Transactions". Corrections to make to his paper on 'Ulva' and additional notes. Condolences on death of François [Borone].

Sorry he is not visiting Norwich whilst Smith is there. His old disorder recurred again, moving between his stomach, ankle and foot, and intestines, leading him and his doctor to think it a "vague & unfixed gout". Sends specimens for [Samuel] Goodenough, and parcel of Bury halfpences for Miss [Sarah Sophia] Banks [(1744-1818)].

Received from [John] Stackhouse manuscript account of several 'Fucus' species, "extremely well" drawn up in English & Latin; expects it to print in May. Also has specimen Stackhouse's 'Ulva punctata' for Linnean Society. [William] Withering's and his own opinion of Stackhouse's abilities. Hopes Smith is recovering from death of his father.

Sends his joint paper with [Samuel] Goodenough on 'Fucus'. Uncertain how Smith is to settle the Linnean Society anniversary meeting which he will be missing for the first time; his absence will be looked upon as "unpropitious to the Society". Also understands Smith is quitting his Marlborough Street house, another "serious inconvenience" to the Society if they are not yet rich enough for their own premises and a caretaker salary.

Sends parcel for [William] Withering and coins for Miss [Sarah Sophia] Banks [(1744-1818)]. Taking Withering's prescription to fix or dispense his gouty condition; keen to get to anniversary meeting to see [Samuel] Goodenough and look over Linnaean 'Fucus' again, as well as Buddle's and other herbarium in the [British] Museum. Sends [John] Stackhouse's specimen of 'Fucus punctatus', his new name for 'Ulva punctata', probably too late for reading of the paper.

Thanks for Smith's "Syllabus [of a course of lectures on botany]". Sorry to be missing Smith in Norwich previous to his going into Wales. His poor health: constant swelling of his foot and ankle and shrinkage of his person. [William] Withering would like Smith to visit him in Birmingham, [Warwickshire]. Glad Smith likes [John] Stackhouse, though does not have a personal acquaintance with him. Concern at Smith's move from London to Hammersmith, [Middlesex].

Encloses specimens of 'Cardamine hirsuta' and 'Cardamine flexuosa' that [William] Withering believes are distinct species. Long list of habitats of "uncommon" plants he has observed.

Corrects an error in his catalogue, 'Geranium phaeum' was found by Mr Severne of Aberly, Worcestershire, not Butt. Lord Valentia [George Annesley] disappointed not to see Smith on his return from Wales. Long list of habitats of plants found in northern England by Butt, including long description of 'Anchusa [officinalis]' with very rough sketch in pencil of the leaf, seeks Smith's opinion and offers to send specimen if required.

Thanks Smith for his attention in identifying 'Anchusa officinalis', describes its habitat and opinion on whether it is indigenous. Has left instructions with a friend to send specimens to [James] Sowerby, as requested. Lord Valentia [George Annesley] hopes to soon see Smith in London.

Honoured to be mentioned in "English Botany" but uneasy lest he erroneously judged 'Anchusa officinalis' indigenous. Describes habitat of a 'Gnaphalium margaritaceum' he has found and believes is indigenous, offers to send specimens. Believes a 'Lonicera caprifolium' in Elsfield Wood, Oxford, is indigenous there, criticises [John] Randolph, Bishop of Oxford, for believing it is a variety of common honeysuckle. Long list of habitats of rare plants found this year [by Butt].

After attending Smith's botanic lectures in London has a question on "Luccams" oak, sometimes called evergreen, an "accidental variety from seed of 'Qu[e]rcus cerris'. Debates why its leaves remain on the tree longer than those of deciduous oaks.

Sent Smith specimen of 'Pancal bengalensium' preserved in spirits, encloses Latin description [extant], though when he sent specimen to [William] Roxburgh he returned a drawing of the same plant with the name 'Vallisneria alternifolia'. Sends his original description as believes it contradicts Linnaeus' theory of the fructification of Jungermannias and thinks Roxburgh's name not very correct. Sends seeds of 'Stratiotes alismoides' which belongs to the 'Enneandria enneagynia' with instructions for growing. Has started his duty at the General Hospital and studying the country languages, subsequently has had little opportunity for botanising.

Ordered to attend the embassy going to Ava, Burma, and anticipates being away for nine to ten months, doubts he will find a draughtsman. Sent Smith plants and seeds via Messrs Mercer and Bryce. Asks Smith to remember him to old friends, especially Baillie Young and Lubboch.

Has delivered a report on the botany of Burma to the East India Company, along with a set of specimens and loose duplicates, probably to be given to Sir Joseph Banks, hopes Banks will let Smith have duplicates. Has sent Smith a description and drawings of an animal and three plants with intention of inclusion in "Linnean Transactions". Asks Smith to look over and correct his "Enumeratio Plantarum" if the East India Company decide to publish any of it. Sending items to [William] Roxburgh. Arranging materials procured in Ava, Burma, for illustrating the geography of Eastern India. Has gathered materials on the religion and cosmogony of the Burma, Siamese and other eastern nations. Recommends if Smith and any friends have an interest in documents of the region see Sir John Murray who is returning to England with a collection of Burma, Siamese, Shan Palli and Kussay manuscripts.

Received Smith's letter of 1 February; congratulates him on his marriage and for giving up the "drudgery of medical practice" to devote himself to the "study of sciences". Urges Smith to undertake the production of a new "Genera and Species Plantarum" for the honour of Britain, as [Joseph Pitton de] Tournefort and Linnaeus did for France and Sweden.

Since his return from Burma has been botanising at Luckipore, India, on the east side of the Meghna River, and sending findings to [William] Roxburgh, arranging geographical papers, written a treatise on the religion of the Burmas, and is comfortable except for want of books and a wife. Concerned that the papers he sent for possible inclusion in "Linnean Transactions" have not been received, and that Smith is ignorant of the "Enumeration of Burma" plants, specimens and drawings that were probably offered to Sir Joseph Banks. If Banks is not interested in them he is confident that [William Fullerton] Elphinstone, director [of the East India Company], will assist Smith in procuring them for himself.

Makes some observations on his "Enumeratio", mostly corrections and clarifications in the naming of plants and new genera, with reference to Roxburgh and [Jonas] Dryander: his 'Asclepias tinctoria' is in fact 'Asclepias tingens'; his 'Sium ninsi' is '[Sium] sisarum' as stated by Dryander in "Linnean Transactions"; a new genus of 'Laurus' which Roxburgh names 'Buchania', believes the plant he sent which Smith named for him is a 'Valisneria'; does not agree that 'Oxalis corniculata' is two species as discussed in "Linnean Transactions"; his 'Rhizophora conjugata' Roxburgh has since named '[Rhizophora] decandra'; his 'Hibiscus strigosus' may just be variety of '[Hibiscus] cannabinus'; his 'Epidendrums' are all 'Limodorums'; believes his 'Bryonia saggitata' is the same as Roxburgh's '[Bryonia] umbellata'; his 'Pandanus pecten' is Roxburgh's '[Pandanus] foetidus'; and his 'Cissampelos pata' is Roxburgh's '[Cissampelos] hexandra'.

Does not collect insects but has sent a parcel of dried plants, will supply descriptions if desired. Dampness and insects currently make it impossible for him to preserve plants and form a collection. Notes on the plants he has sent to Smith: 'Gardenia bisperma' could differ from plant "barbarously" named by Roxburgh; he thought 'Asclepias reticulata' might be the 'Apocynum reticulatum' but now sure it is new to Linnaeus; his 'Polygonum sagittatum' may be the new species '[Polygonum] horridum'; 'Kirpa', a fine timber tree, is 'Decandria monogynia'; believes Roxburgh's 'Athulia aquatica' is a new genus; the 'Painlot' of the natives may be a 'Tannonia' although he has called it a 'Bryonia', has not found the female plant; the plant he called 'Urtica' may not belong to that genus, having only seen the female flowers; and the plant with six stamens inserted into a globular nectarium of which he formerly sent a drawing is 'Amur'. Literary pursuits frustrated by a lack of books.

Thanks Smith for his letter and invites him to visit her and her husband [Shute Barrington, Bishop of Durham]. Interested in obtaining 'Strelitzia reginae' from the Chelsea Physic Garden.

Congratulations on Smith's engagement to Pleasance Reeve. The cinnamon tree not likely to open its flowers for a week to ten days. Death of [John] Sibthorp, asks whether Smith will apply for Sibthorp's post as a professor at Oxford.

Thanks Smith for letters and offer of admitance to the Linnean Society, plans to visit London in 1800. Due to the slow progress of his botanical pursuits some of his discoveries have been anticipated by [James] Dickson and others. Researches have been confined to Aberdeenshire, Mearnshire and Angushire but this includes the greater part of the "Flora Scotica", rich in 'Gramina' and 'Carices' ['Carex']. Has an almost complete collection of Scottish grasses but had trouble with 'Carex'. Anticipates publication of [Samuel] Goodenough's "Monographia" [unidentified]. Anticipates publication of "Flora Britannica" and the positive effect it will have on the difficult parts of British botany. Praises "Linnean Transactions". Has sent specimens for comment of most of his 'Carices' including a 'Festuca duriuscula' or 'Festuca rubra'. Having compared inland and maritime specimens of 'Silene marita' argues that it belongs in its old genus 'Cucubalus'.

Sends specimens of a local species of 'Lotus' that is not the 'Lotus angustissimus' of Bauhin or Linnaeus, and has blossoms resembling 'Medicago polymorpha arabica'. Detailed description and habitat information. From long observation concludes that two distinct species are included under 'Lotus corniculatus', suggests 'Lotus gibbus' and 'Lotus patulus' and gives detailed description and habitat information of each. Detailed description and habitat of local 'Rubia' and 'Melittis melissophyllum'. 'Brassica monensis' of [Dillenius'] "Hortus Elthamensis" grows abundantly, Lightfoot's plant resembles 'Erica monensis' in "Herbal" of Bobart or Merison at Oxford and believes it to be a different plant, in a detailed description remarks that the leaves resemble 'Sisymbrium nasturtium'. Praises Smith and "English Botany". Remarks that he has found 'Euphorbia lathyris' twice in a "truly wild state". On the last page 'Lotus diffusus' is noted, possibly in Smith's hand.

Confesses to an error he made in his last letter to Smith regarding 'Sisymbrium monense', which he now supposes to be the variety of 'Erysimum barbarea' Smith refers to in "English Botany" and now has two seedlings of it growing, description of characteristics, differing "very considerably from the American Cress". Having compared prints of 'Melittis grandiflora' and 'Melittis melissopyllum' from "English Botany" concludes that he has never found the latter plant. The 'Lotus' he sent Smith has since been sent to the Oxford Botanic Garden by [James] Dickson. Notes a habitat for 'Convolvulus sepium'. Description and habitat for 'Verbascum blattaria'. Habitat for the 'Inula miginosa' of [John] Sibthorp, suggests [William] Withering's suggsted name of 'cylindrica' is improper, as is Sibthorp's. Glad to hear that Smith is undertaking publication of "Flora Graeca".

Received from Smith academic dissertations by Linnaeus, plants for his herbarium and seeds, which have been planted in [Rodrigo de] Sousa [Coutinho's] garden, suggests in future Smith sends seeds rather than dried specimens to Sousa. Planning to write to [Edmund] Davall. Hopes to see a new edition of Smith's "Vegetabilium System", a bookseller in Turin would like every book on botany or natural history Smith has published or intends to publish. Satisfied with Smith's observations on the plants of uncertain classification, has consulted Scheuchzer's "Agrostographiae Helveticae Prodromus", is certain that the 'Phalaris' in question is the one described by Linnaeus and not 'Radice perenni', on which he is currently working on a memoir of for the Academy of Sciences. The 'Arenaria' he sent with the name of 'Saxatilis vill' is a perennial. Discussion of 'Arenaria zanoni', 'Arenaria flaccida', 'Arenaria capillacea', 'Arenaria striata'. Asks for advice on 'Allium nigrum', 'Potentilla verna', 'Androsace lactea', 'Ranunculus cuneifolium', 'Campanula rupestris', 'Trifolium aureum', 'Spartium [...]', 'Asperula saxatilis', 'Asperula cynanchica', 'Festuca decidua', 'Radix perennis', 'Polypodium [pessimalte]', 'Anthemis altissima', all of which Smith has received from Bellardi, this list is underlined in pencil.