Discusses plans for proposed visit by Smith, [Thomas William] Coke, and Dr Parr to Allerton in September. Intends to write further on 'Scitamineae' plants; asks Smith to provide details of plant they examined in [Edward] Rudge's "Plants of Guiana" and [Etienne Ventenat's] "Jardin de Malmaison" and provides rough ink sketch and comments on appearance. Will not comment on the "astonishing events we have lived to see in the political world". Has not seen Smith's mother in Liverpool yet.

Less busy than he was when Smith was recently staying and going to London tomorrow to switch from bankers Sir J Erdaile and Co. to Jones Loyd and Co. He has been entertaining the Archdukes John [Johann (1782-1859)] and Lewis [Louis (1784-1864)] of Austria for last three days; comments on John's character; they are also going to Scotland and Holkham to see [Thomas William] Coke, showed them his unfinished portrait of Coke. Apologises for any anxiety he may have caused Smith recently. Asks Smith to send the 'Canna' drawings to London.

Postscript in left hand margin of verso of first folio: Mr Martin [Smith's brother-in-law] has separated from his partners.

Thanks for Smith's sympathy [on failure of his banking house]; speculates causes including the great employment of capital following the opening of the American trade and immense exports of Liverpool merchants, most of whom kept their accounts with them, although though most direct and immediate cause was from the least expected quarter [unspecified]. Confident that his and his partners' property will cover all debts and leave a disposable income for themselves and consoles himself with the thought of being freed from his many obligations. Was unaware that [Thomas William] Coke, Lord Derby [Edward Smith-Stanley], and others had been applied to. His family bear it well.

Current state of affairs [following failure of his banking house]: they have appeased the "great mass" of their creditors and pleaded for time to convert their funds to money; surprised and consoled by the kindness and confidence they have met with, following a meeting on recommencement of business which was "unanimously asserted to" by the 400 in attendance, some refractory persons remain. Comments on support and friendship of Mr Martin [Smith's brother-in-law]. Allerton, his library, and art collection are all to be sold, but as they will fully discharge his obligations he does it with pleasure.

Current state of affairs [following failure of his banking house]: has dispatched catalogues of his books, drawings, and prints and expects sale to be well attended; Lord [George John] Spencer has already expressed an interest; transcribes a sonnet on being parted with his library. Business of their bank increasing again and if not for the commerical depression they would quickly recover what they had lost, discusses the particular risks of Liverpool banking ventures.

Pleased by Smith's improved health and opportunities to see [Thomas William] Coke and Duke of Bedford [John Russell, 6th Duke]; his own delight at making acquaintance of Lord [George John] and Lady [Lavinia] Spencer [(1762-1831)], who have invited him to spend Christmas at Althorp, [Northamptonshire]. Invited Dr Francis [Buchanan] to Allerton but his ship embarked early. Dispatched parcel of manuscripts to Coke at Holkham, [Norfolk].

Pleased [Thomas William] Coke is satisfied with the books he bought at sale of his collections, including particularly fine manuscript of the Bible, and the pitcures he bought are the "cream" of the collection; Hargreaves has made a miniature copy of the "Head of Christ" by Leonardo da Vinci. Keen to meet Smith at Holkham, [Norfolk, home of Coke]. Congratulates Mr and Mrs Reeve. His daughter, Jane, recovering but still source of anxiety.

[Letter incomplete: first folio cropped, presumed destroyed]

Thanks for Smith's congratulations and refers him to Mr Martin [Smith's brother-in-law] for all information on subject [presumably a recovery in his affairs]. A reconciliation has occured between them and their friends at Greenbank, renewing friendship of 30 years.

Everything Smith said of [Thomas William Coke] has been fulfilled, and still hopes to meet Smith at Holkham, [Norfolk, Coke's home]. His studies and pursuits have been interrupted by the dispersal of his library, though he has long suspected that collecting literary and artistic curiosities has an unfavourable effect on original efforts, and now plans to focus on several unfinished labours.

Pleased by addition Smith has made to the [Liverpool Botanic Garden] herbarium. A Botanic Garden in Glasgow is on the verge of being established, with a public subscription of £4000 to be raised, to which the College has given £2000; delighted by spread of botanic gardens to large towns and considers possibility of same in Norwich. Thanks for gift of Smith's "Compendium [florae Britannicae]"; keen to see his "historical & critical" article in [Rees'] "Encyclopedia".

[Robert] Southey [(1774-1843), poet and reviewer] is a "miserable figure" and unsure whether his letter to [William] Smith "excites more pity or disgust" [after Smith made critical remarks on Southey's youthful play "Wat Tyler", which had just been published against his will]; the world "too indulgent" of "these converts who play tricks with their personal identity"; praises Smith's rebuke. His daughter Jane fully recovered.

Read Smith's dissertation on the present systems and state of botany with great pleasure and agrees with all his opinions; compliments the content and the style. He is still interested in debate over natural and artificial systems; wishes that Smith had written in in defence of Linnaeus in "Linnean Transactions". Smith's plant specimens [for Liverpool Botanic Garden] arrived in excellent condition and at a "very reasonable a price"; directions for Smith's payment. Wrote to [Thomas William] Coke on the spread of "the diabolical spirit" in the people of Norwich to "classes far above the mob", but certain that common sense will prevail. Concerned by Smith's report on Lord [Thomas, 1st Viscount Anson (1769-1818)] and Lady [Anne Margaret (1779-1843)] Anson. Mrs [Catherine] Lambert has given birth to a daughter and is in good health.

Establishing [Liverpool Royal] Institution at Liverpool for "education & lectures on a large scale embracing the whole circle of literature, science & the arts", with a proposed capital of £30,000, to which £22,000 is already subscribed, and a building with lecture, school, and exhibition rooms has been prepared, at cost of £10,000. He is to give an introductory lecture followed by courses by Dr [Thomas Stewart] Traill [(1781-1862), physician] and Dr Gose. Solicits Smith's future interest to hold a botanical course, though the financial incentive will not be great; proposed financing of lecture courses.

Opening of [Liverpool Royal] Institution and his Introductory Lecture delayed by the "awful calamity which has involved all the country" [probably death of Princess Charlotte (1796-1817), only child of the Prince Regent, on 6 November 1817, which led to widespread grief and mourning]. Hopes Smith has seen their Report. Discusses plans for appointment of a Classical tutor and asks for Smith's and Mr Valpy's opinions and recommendations; they are also planning a Mathematical School and discussing whether to nominate professors or obtain as and when the best instructors possible; offers any future botany nomination to Smith. The Botanic Garden is in "high condition" under [John] Shepherd's [(c 1764-1836)] care.

Sends copies of his discourse on opening of the Liverpool Royal Institution for distribution. Details of two courses of lectures by [Thomas Stewart] Traill [(1781-1862), physician], on natural history, and Mr Campbell, on ancient and modern literature, from January to May; invites Smith to lecture in June and July, depending on his engagements. Taking an active part in public concerns of the Institution as a "counterpoise" to his troublesome business matters.

Asks when Smith can visit Liverpool, as [Thomas Stewart] Traill [(1781-1862), physician] finishes his course this week and Mr Campbell is not free to lecture until latter end of June, so the interval time is free for Smith's lectures. Explains the lecturer's fees, which are based on two guineas for each subscriber, with a certain amount being guaranteed. Will endeavour to have Smith nominated Professor of Botany. His business affairs continue to improve and will soon be reestablished.

Read Smith's Cambridge pamphlet with "equal impatience & pleasure"; believes it will eventually gain him the position [of botany professor]. Transcribes notice for the "Liverpool Mercury" announcing Smith's upcoming course of lectures on botany and vegetable physiology at Liverpool Royal Institution; requests further details from Smith; the subscription for non-proprieters will be two guineas. Sorry to hear Lady [Pleasance] Smith will not be accompanying Smith to Liverpool.

Thanks for letters from Smith and William Smith regarding the sale of his picture collection; their purchase by the [Liverpool Royal] Institution is not yet settled but will take up William Smith's offer of assistance in selling them if they do not. Sending Smith a copy of his pamphlet and asks his opinion, which he implicitly relies on; defends himself against possible detractors.

Praises Smith's Cambridge pamphlet, which he thinks "unanswerable in argument" and will do much good; highlights chapter three and difficulty of explaining one's religious opinions, and Smith's defence of botany. After long debate it was decided to appoint permanent professors [to the Liverpool Royal Institution] and Smith was nominated professor of Botany, however there is no salary and renumeration based on arrangements made with the committee; requests Smith's repsonse. Thanks for Smith's letter and favourable opinion of his pamphlet. Pleased to hear of Smith's recovery and planned excursion with [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert; asks Smith to recommend the [Liverpool] Botanic Garden to Lambert so they can acquire an off-shoot of his just-flowered Peruvian 'Canna [iridiflora]'. The Garden is setting up a hothouse entirely for 'Scitamineae', to be supplied by Dr [William] Carey [(1761-1834)] of Serampore, [India], and [Nathaniel] Wallich of Calcutta, [India].

[Note in Smith's hand] recording date of letter, "yes".

Business affairs keeping him very busy but keeping as clear as possible from politics, and is not attending this evening's meeting of the Liverpool Reformers to address the Prince Regent for reform; his literary undertakings have also been neglected. Following the receipt at the [Liverpool] Botanic Garden of many 'Scitamineae' plants from the East Indies he has begun reexamining the family; many are mentioned by [William] Roxburgh and are new to this country; convinced 'Canna' will expand from 12 to 20 distinct species. Hopes Smith enquired of [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert about his '[Canna] iridiflora', still a desiderata for them.

Following study of 'Maranta' and Smith's article on 'Thalia' in [Abraham] Rees' "New Cyclopedia"drops his proposal of a new genus detached from 'Maranta' and concedes they all belong to 'Thalia', referring to 'Maranta casupo' and 'M. casupito' of Jacquin "Fragmenta Botanica" tab 63, 64, 69, 70; 'M. gracilis' and 'M. obliqua' of [Edward] Rudge; 'M. lutea' of Jacquin; and a plant in [Etienne Ventenat's] "Jardin de Malmaison".

Slow progress at the Liverpool Royal Institution but the classical and mathematical schools are respectable and a natural history collection is being established under [William] Swainson, who has promised a collection of insects, and they are hopeful for a course of botany lectures by Smith.

Sends collection of plants from the [Liverpool] Botanic Garden for use in Smith's lectures, and a small collection of duplicate 'Scitamineae' plants from [Nathaniel] Wallich, which have also been sent to Sir Joseph Banks, [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert, and [Edward] Rudge; includes 'Hedychium' and 'Roscoea'. He has been studying the former and with help of Smith's "Cyclopedia" article has made twelve distinct species, of which he will shortly send an account. Discusses Wallich's plants, some of which were unnamed, and from which he has identified four new species of 'Roscoea'. Glad Smith and Lady [Pleasance] Smith are to visit albeit for a short time, and will endeavour to make Smith's new appointment deserving of his acceptance [Professor of Botany at the Liverpool Royal Institution].

Mr Martin [Smith's brother-in-law] remains "very lame" and will have a long recovery but his general health is good. [Liverpool Botanic] Garden going on well. [John] Shepherd [(c 1764-1836, curator Liverpool Botanic Garden] intends to send Smith a curious 'Cryptogamian' plant via John Fraser [(c 1750-1811), botanist], who has just returned from a 3 year expedition in America with thousands of new and valuable plants; they are being sent to Chelsea via canals; Fraser spoke warmly of Smith.

Considering writing botanical paper on "a subject so critical that no one else dare venture upon it" [comparison of systems of Linnaeus and Jussieu], which will complete his public image as being "heretic in religion, a sceptic in history, a malcontent in politics"; intends to quote Smith in support of Linnaeus.

Sends sketch of his paper on "natural & artificial arrangements of plants" to Smith [see RelatedMaterial below]; comments and remarks on contents.

Sends the 'Cryptogamous' plant found by Henry Shepherd, brother of John Shepherd [(c 1764-1836, curator Liverpool Botanic Garden] for Smith's opinion. Shepherd thanks Smith for parcel of seeds. Allerton undergoing great changes including completion of modern elevation and sweeping away of old gardens. Anxious to see Smith's "Tour to Hafod". Asks for details of plan, extent, and price of "Flora Graeca". Still regrets cessation of "Exotic botany"; urges Smith to consider an edition of the works of Linnaeus, of which Smith is the only possible editor. Mr Martin [Smith's brother-in-law] making little progress in his recovery.