Has been collecting rare English maritime plants at Lymington, Hampshire, and Brownsea Island, Dorset; 'Inula cruthmoides', 'Ruppia maritima', 'Chironia pulchella', 'Chironia centaurium', 'Anthemis maritima', 'Beta maritima', 'Santolina maritima', 'Cheiranthus sinautus', 'Salosa kali', 'Pinguicula lusitanica', and a possible 'Schoenus longus'. Expecting 29,300 plants sent from Jamaica. Has been growing 'Sedum villosum' for three years, a "perfect perennial". Asks Smith to obtain living plants of 'Pulmonaria maritima' and 'Convolvulus soldanella', which grow on the Norfolk coast.

Invites Smith to visit him on his way back from Hafod, [Cardiganshire, home of Thomas Johnes].

Thanks for seeds. [John] Harriman found 'Gentiana verna' in this neighbourhood; asked [James] Sowerby to credit Harriman with its discovery when figured in "English botany". Harriman has also found a rare 'Ribes patreana'.

Introduces himself; his acquaintance with Smith's brother, J F Smith of Wakefield. Lists habitats of rarer plants not yet figured in "English botany", found in Yorkshire: 'Saxifraga umbrosa'; 'Saxifraga granulata'; 'Carduus helenioides'; 'Cistus heleanthemum'; 'Sedum telephium'; 'Rhodiola rosea'; 'Saxifraga oppositifolia'; 'Butomus umbellatus'; 'Veronica sentellata'; 'Spergula nodosa'; 'Blechnum spicant'; 'Plantago coronopus'; 'Hippuris vulgaris'; 'Malva moschata'; 'Hypericum humifusum', 'Antirrhinum spurium' and 'Antirrhinum elatine'. Will send specimens of 'Saxifraga umbrosa' when next in Yorkshire and any other rare plants he encounters.

As he only started studying botany two years ago asks how to ascertain the legitimacy of location of plants, referring to article in "Gentleman's Magazine" of October 1796 which he finds insufficient. Just found 'Vinca minor' and 'Helleborus foetidus'.

Apologises for not being able to send Yorkshire specimens of 'Saxifraga umbrosa', 'Carduus helenioides', and 'Rhodiola rosea'. Smith's "obliging letter" has led him to be so much more attentive to study of botany that he is to embark on a botanical excursion to Wales. Requests directions on procuring and preserving Lichens. Ponders the propriety of calling on Welsh botanists without formal introduction; would especially like to meet [John Wynne] Griffith [(1763-1834)] of Garn, Denbighshire.

Encloses specimen of undetermined 'Serapias' found at Stanford, [Worcestershire].

Thanks for Welsh plant specimens. Does not doubt that 'Adiantum' is a different species; will preserve specimen of 'Pelargoniam' for Smith; thanks for specimen of 'S. albidna'. Death of Dr [Nicholas] Gwyn.

Notes publication of Smith's "Tracts"; reminds Smith of his request to always have one of the first impressions of his works.

Thanks for letter and East India seeds; offers to send plants to Smith's friends, particularly Lady [Amelia] Hume. Sent [James] Sowerby specimen of 'Metrosideros hispida' to draw and dry; observations, thinks it could be 'Eucalyptus'. His city honours [Alderman of London 1798-1803] a "sacrifice" to his conviction of the "serious nature of the times"; attacks those who "skulk" from their responsibilities.

Thanks for Smith's letter; account of their recent movements. [Johann Georg Adam] Forster's [(1754-1794), botanist] herbarium has now arrived in London for him, the original herbarium of "Florulae Insularum Australium Prodromus", details of arrangement; some of the New Zealand plants could be similar to their New South Wales plants, useful for Smith's "New Holland Prodromus".

Received [William] Sole's book on mints, and fresh specimens of all his species, anxious to hear Smith's opinion on them. Received confirmation that Sole's 'Mentha pratensis' is a garden escape. Asks if Smith received two copies of Jacquin's "Hortus Schoembrunensis". Requests specimens of all Smith's new genera in "Linnean Transactions" vol 4. Asks after [William] Roxburgh. Sent [James] Sowerby 'Polypodium oreopteris' of [James] Dickson.

Thanks for the two packets of seeds and letter; when he sold his property at Hayes he left his plant collection there, and is now renting a residence at Mortlake, [Surrey], on the banks of the Thames. Has given the seeds to Lady Aylesford [Louisa Finch, wife of Heneage Finch, 4th Earl of Aylesford (1751-1812)]; whilst visiting saw her "Hortus Pictus" of British plants, including 50 in her own hand; also saw Mr Griffiths, the cryptogamist of Snowdon, who brough 'Subularia acquatica'. The only new plant he has found in the summer is 'Serapias latifolia'.

Sorry not to see Smith during his Norfolk expedition. Asks after "Linnean Transactions" vol 4.

Last wrote by Mr Brown, surgeon of the Albion, in December; hopes Smith received the seeds, specimens, and insects. Arrived at the Cape a few days ago; sending his son, George, to England under care of a surgeon from Bengal Establishment. Requests Smith's assistance in getting his son, William [(fl 1780s-1810)], who has been studying in Edinburgh, a place as a writer in Bengal Establishment, otherwise to have him appointed his botanical assistant; would write to [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert on subject but does not have an introduction.

His health suffered during the voyage but now feels recovered; intends to remain 6 or 8 months, or until William and his sister arrive. Sends box of insects, including many 'Phalena paphia', which yields a large quantity of strong silk, as Smith will see by the cocoons he has sent Sir Joseph Banks, and another species of 'Phalena', the caterpillars of which live on leaves of 'Palma christi', observations on its silk; has written an account on both but yet to publish. Also sends specimens of nutmeg in spirits.

Sending various works; 'Nova Genera Plantarum'.

Unfortunate that in having two houses she cannot live in either of them; wishes she could have seen Smith but will be pleased to see Corrêa at Upper Baker Street, [London]. Asks if she can send the drawings of her sister's, Mrs Dorset, which she did as a beginning of her plan for "the 26 classes". An unexpected domestic occurance has made her "heart ache & hand tremble, but they are used to it, & both should by this time know better".

Sending live collection of his mints ['Mentha']; planting and care instructions. Plates and letterpress of his work ["Menthae Britannicae"] almost finished printing, expects it to be published by 1 June.

Numbered list of the mints, in three orders: 'Mentha spicata', 'M. capitata', and 'M. verticillata', 26 specimens in total.

Corrections to several names in the collection of dried mints he sent 1796. Regards to [John] Pitchford.

Additional correction on small separate note.

Sending copies of his book ["Menthae Britannicae"] for Smith and [John] Pitchford; welcomes any observations. Unfortunately he received Smith's kind letter of previous year too late for him to alter any names. Hopes the mints ['Mentha'] he sent Smith are growing well; state of his own. Has sent for the Linnean Society's book of specimens to adjust and rectify them according to his new arrangements; alterations to names of his own collection of dried mints he previously sent Smith.

Comments on price of his book, a "rather hazardous publication". Defends his plates against accusations that they are only varities, insisting that they are permanent varities, having kept their distinction for 25 years.

Encloses specimen of a small nondescript 'Medusa', it adheres strongly to 'Fucus cricoides', and sends phial of the purple tint of 'Fucus edulis'. Thanks for honour Smith did him in paper read last Linnean Society evening meeting.

[Spec 24 written in pencil at head of verso of folio]

Encloses small drawing [extant] of the small 'Medusa' he left for him at Linnean Socitey's rooms; observations. Has little knowledge of the Mollusca tribe but would be glad to have it the subject of a paper in "Linnean Transactions".

Two small coloured sketches of 'Medusa', one magnified, found adhereing to branch of 'Fucus cricoides' in Mounts Bay, summer 1797.

Informs Smith he is "not quite implacable" on account of Smith's critique in preface to seventh volume of "English botany", and that he is not "intemperately [...] friendly to reform"; wishes Smith had kept him a little more detached "from the furious reformers of Germany, whose zeal has carried them to adopt measures which can never be defended". His only statement on subject is that it renders "the business of investigation more easy", for sake of the ladies who "cannot fail to be shocked at the abominable & indelicate idea of the females riding the males".

Encloses specimen of "fungi parvi globosi" of "English botany"; observations. Asks that Smith delay figuring English 'Drosera' until he has sent specimens as he believes there are 5 species of that genus in the country. Encloses two Portugeuse species of 'Trifolium'; one may be 'T. angustifolium' [Smith annotation: "HL"] and the other belongs to subdivision of 'T. venicaria', if new suggests name 'T. umbellatum' [Smith annotation: "'resupinatum' HL"]; observations. In great hopes that 'Bromus diandrus' will prove valuable addition to agriculture, providing a much needed pasture in late March, though uncertain of expense of tillage; will send seed to any farming friend of Smith's.

Thanks for Smith's praise of his "Botanical Arranagement" and for the "many corrections which it owes to [Smith's] superior knowledge". Thanks for invitation to Norwich, but his health complaints do not allow him to travel, hopes Smith will visit him instead. "The very flourishing state of the Linn[ean] Soc[iety] must be highly flattering to its Founder".

Reports on the rebellion in Ireland. Living in a state of siege in Dublin, a curfew is enforced and all of the avenues out of the city are secured with guards and palisades. A great force is collected, a "rabble undisciplined, without leaders of eminence or concerted plan", who will be suppressed, although it will require time. Reports on a small skirmish that took place on 9 July. Uncertain whether he saw death notice for [Nicholas] Gwyn. Botanical researches have been a solace during the rebellion. Is subscribing to [Robert John] Thornton's [(c 1768-1837), physician and writer on botany] work ["A new illustration of the sexual system of Linnaeus"] but wary that it will not "advance knowledge or assist the novice sufficiently".