As [John] Sibthorp's will enjoined the publication of 10 volumes [of "Flora Graeca"] with 100 plates in each, and there are only 900 drawings, asks whether the remaining drawings need to be made up from the specimens, and the half finished drawings completed. If so insists [Ferdinand Lucas] Bauer [(1760-1826), botanical artist] starts work on this as soon possible.

Encloses authority [extant, as copy] for Smith to take possession of [John Sibthorp's] collections; refers Smith to Lady Sewell and Professor Williams for the journals and other papers.

[Letter to Dr Marlow, President of St John's College, Oxford, and Vice-Chancellor of University of Oxford, from John Hawkins and Thomas Platt (d 1842), one of John Sibthorp's executors, supervised the publication of "Flora Graeca", copy in Smith's hand]: requests that Smith be given all materials required for completion and publication of Sibthorp's "Flora Graeca".

Discussed arrangements for the plates of "Flora Graeca" with [Ferdinand Lucas] Bauer [(1760-1826), botanical artist], who believes he will be cheaper than [Daniel] Mackenzie and wishes for it to be decided by a trial

Embarrassed, as though he agrees with Smith that [Ferdinand Lucas] Bauer [(1760-1826), botanical artist] is the best artist for "Flora Graeca", still thinks a fair trial ought to be given to [Daniel] Mackenzie. Bauer does not expect to procure assistants for the job; requests Smith to have a discussion with Bauer. [John] Sibthorp proposed obtaining cheap engravers from Germany. Unfortunate that all the Grecian seeds have been sown, which Sibthorp had collected to illustrate the carpology of the species; blames Sibthorp's successor. Saw at the Cambridge Botanic Garden some of the plants raised from the seed sent, including a new 'Crataegus'.

Objects to [Ferdinand Lucas] Bauer [(1760-1826), botanical artist] proposal to either be sole artist for "Flora Graeca" or to form a school of artists; proposes both Bauer and [Daniel] Mackenzie be employed. Refers ultimate decision to Sir Joseph Banks. Their dependence on Bauer's assistance.

Has always considered economy of time superior consideration to expense in engravings for "Flora Graeca"; believes the work cannot be solely given to [Ferdinand Lucas] Bauer [(1760-1826), botanical artist] and requires assistance of Mackenzie, as Sir Joseph Banks originally recommended. Recommends enlisting "other artists of merit" such as [James] Sowerby, but unsure how to resolve the issue and requests Smith's opinion as editor. Requests that a drawing be given to Mackenzie to engrave.

Discussion of [John] Sibthorp's collections and materials for "Flora Graeca". Hopes Smith has received it all, especially large collection of seeds made in his last tour and named by Sibthorp on the spot, names on specimens are otherwise absent due to Sibthorp's "perfect knowledge" of them. Explains Sibthorp's subdivision of "Flora Graeca" into provincial floras including: "Flora Lacynthia" prepared by Consul Foresti; small collection from Maina; sub-alpine plants collected by himself in Crete. Happy to assist in deciphering the vulgar Greek plant names. [John] Flaxman [(1755-1826)] is executing a monument to Sibthorp. Sending specimens of several rock plants, left about 200 with a large collection of seeds in Patras, Greece.