Sending Smith a book on marine plants recently published in France [title not given], to be returned. Reminds Smith of the 'Byssus' specimens he sent last year; observations on the genus, thinks them nearly allied to 'Conferva'. He brought some "curious" foreign 'Fucus' from Paris, which he sent to [Dawson] Turner, difficulties of another in delineating them.

Apologises for delay in answering Smith's letter of 23 [December 1802]; gratified by the confidence Smith puts in him and hopes to ease his anxiety over [Richard] Salisbury's report that remarks had been made at Linnean Society regarding Smith's political beliefs. Uncertain what Salisbury is alluding to, unless he meant "the old story" of Smith's "Tour", and he has never heard any insinuation at the Society regarding Smith's political involvement; the only occasion being during the application for the Society's charter, when Sir Joseph Banks expressed concern that the King [George III (1738-1820)] would recollect the "Tour" on seeing Smith's name, being the only time Banks has commented on Smith's politics. Banks and many others regret Smith's absence from London and its effect on the Society, which proves Smith's political sentiments are not dreaded.

Believes Salisbury is wrong regarding blackballing of [Robert John] Thornton [(c 1768-1837), physician and writer on botany], who was not rejected on account of his politics, but because he is "a Quack in Botany as well as in medicine", and for publishing himself as FLS before even being proposed to the Society; it was not known that he was brought forward by Smith. Reassures Smith he "stand[s] as high in the opinion of the Society at large as [he] ever did", and as long as he chooses to continue President, "there is not the least probability of any other person being proposed", and does not see what consequence it is to the Society to know whether Smith is a Whig or a Tory. His own political beliefs: inclines to Toryism, yet "highly respect[s] the true old English spirit of Whigism". Believes the only politics the Linnean Society should attend to is the proper government of its own body. Encloses new version nomination certificate.

Reassures Smith that the communications he intends to make to Linnean Society will not clash with [Dawson] Turner's.

Explains his efforts to suppress [William] Sole's strictures on Smith's 'Mentha' paper, over which Smith expressed concern to [John Leonard] Knapp; has ensured that the only surviving rough copy of the notes will be delivered to Smith on death of current possessor.

Sends note of all the money paid for [Edmund] Davall's herbarium sale [extant]. Encloses what he presumes is a catalogue of Davall's library, expected to arrive at Calais shortly. Thanks for herrings.

Bill of expenses incurred in acquisition of Davall's herbarium.

Delighted and surprised at the "sudden unexpected blessing of Peace" [with France] and excited by possibility of accompanying Smith to Paris. [Walter] Wade will send Smith his catalogue of plants found at Connemara, Ireland. Unenthused by the idea of such expeditions. His summer botanising confined to his garden in Dublin but did find, and encloses, a specimen of 'Myosotis ß', and 'Rubus idaeus'. Comments on the unpleasant scent of 'Orchis latifolia'. Compares figures of [Philip] Miller and [William] Curtis. Found many 'Bidens' at the Bishop of Dromore's in County Down. Also found another location of 'Rubus idaeus', convincing him that it is indigenous. Asks if there is any mark to distinguish 'Nymphaea lutea' and 'Nymphaea alba' when not in flower.

Winter has been severe but believes not as much as it has been in England. Vast flocks of crossbills, 'Loxia curvirosta', stayed from the end of August till the beginning of October and wreaked havoc in the orchards. Details the course of their flight across Ireland, believes they are "good prognostics of a severe winter" having also been observed in other winters with hard frosts. Has seen in December's "Monthly Review" a "Natural History of Pennsylvania" by [Benjamin Smith] Barton. Has also seen [William] Turton's [(1762-1835), conchologist] "The Animal Kingdom" advertised. Comments on a lottery prize; biggest prizes always go to the rich. 'Eranthemum pulchellum' is in Dublin stores, a rumour that London gardeners stole it from Kew.

Feels that Smith is too sedentary and wishes he would dedicate some time to exercise, recommends him to winter in Devon or Cornwall. [Dawson] Turner and his wife have been visiting. A very cold summer, believes there shall be no fruit, hay, or grass, but the corn and potatoes are growing well. Sorry that the new charter for the Linnean Society has caused dissention. Advised to go to Harrogate, Yorkshire, and take the waters for an external ear condition.

His indebtedness to Smith's works.

Thanks for courtesies to his pupil Clementi; modifications in the Linnean system.

Has come to England partly to see the Linnaean collections but frustrated by the distance Smith lives from London; sends five specimens for Smith's opinion that he would have consulted about in person if it was possible. Requests a specimen of 'Hypnum myosuroides'. Leaving England in a month to visit Morocco, from where he will attempt to reach the interior of Africa with Domingo Badia [Ali Bey al-Abbasi (1766-1818), Spanish explorer]; author of a plan for finding new discoveries in Africa commissioned by Spanish government. [Antonio José] Cavanilles hoped Clemente would be able to visit Smith, desirous of some remark if this is agreeable.

Smith has annotated "the lichens were 'pollinarius', 'subfuseus' on walls, 'vinellus', 'cerinus' & 'saxicola'" and one near 'paellus' which could not be determined.

Thanks Smith for determining the plants he sent in his last letter, and sends further plants for Smith's opinion. The 'Lichen vinellus' he sent with his last letter is part of a collection of Spanish cryptogams owned by three pupils of [Antonio José] Cavanilles, Clemente being one of them, and described in "Anales de Ciencias Naturales" [Spanish natural history journal, 1799-1804]. Will revisit England on his return from Africa so as to consult Smith before publishing his findings. "English Botany" has cleared some doubts he had with lichens. Offers to collect any plants Smith may desire from Africa.

Thanks for Smith's answer concerning a mysterious letter from [John Leonard] Knapp, who "draws admirably". Sending specimens of 'Agrostis minima' and 'Schoenus rufus' to [James] Sowerby and Smith. Also encloses a lichen, asks its name. His lameness has been relieved by two months of seabathing.

Thanks Smith for the "monument" erected to his memory [genus 'Daviesia'], asks to be able to pay for at least one of the engravings in whatever work it appears. Approves of Smith adopting [Johann] Hedwig's principles for ascertaining new genera. Encloses all the specimens that [William] Hudson attributes to him, except 'Bryum cirrhatum', has made obserbervations on the outer package of each.

Has made a 'gymnostomum' of 'Bryum alpinum'. Surprised to hear that Smith had not received the true 'Bryum verticillatum' from himself as he recalls after [James] Dickson had given the public "a very different one for that species" he had sent specimens to Smith, [Samuel] Goodenough and Dickson. Sends several more specimens of 'Bryum'.

Thanks for the specimens of 'Salix'. Has recently bought volumes one and two of [Johann] Hedwig's "Descriptio et adumbratio microscopico-analytica muscorum" and enquires how to procure a reasonably priced copy of the third volume. Sends what he believes is a specimen of 'Artemisia caerulescens' but may just be a variety of 'Artemisia absinthium', makes some observations in a postscript.

Has sent as many of Smith's desiderata as he could find. The 'Splachnum' Smith sent may be 'Splachnum purpum'. Would like to compare his lichens and mosses with the ones Smith received from his foreign friends as it is "the best way of being sure of plants".

Revives their correspondence with intention of offering product of his Tangier plant collecting and everything that may interest Smith in France, to which he is returning. Has not had any book on botany since he left France in 1792, excepting fourteenth edition of the Systema Naturae. Encloses catalogue of plants.

Has not forgotten Smith's offer in 1796 to send New Holland plants. Broussonet is still near the Canaries, had hoped to reach the Cape of Good Hope.

Congratulates Smith on his marriage. Preoccupied with educating his son and three daughters and in the last few years with the revolution, taxes and arrests, which included his own arrest for a time, and a siege which induced disease and famine [in 1797 Napoleon formed the Ligurian Republic, incorporating the Republic of Genoa and other areas, it was occupied 1800-1801 by Austrian forces]. Gave over his "Villetia" to [Carlo] di Negro [(1769-1857) poet] in a deal with the government. Management of the botanic garden has gone to [Domenico] Viviani who has been appointed Professor of Botany at University of Genoa and is using it as the School of Botany. Has a collection of 1400 plants in the country, asks Smith to recommend an amateur to exchange seeds with, suggesting "jeune Aiton" [possibly John Townsend Aiton (1777-1851)]. Thanks Smith in advance for the seeds of 'Mimosa', 'Hibiscus', 'Sida', 'Geranium' promised. Expresses admiration for volumes 2-5 of "Linnean Transactions". Impatience for the publication of "Flora Graeca". Intends to publish on the "Flora Ligustica and Italia" with Viviani and [Antonio] Bertoloni.

Dufresne visiting London; has added 500 new genera to his work; Corrêa in Paris; desiderata.

Difficulties of correspeondence in the war; greetings and news; desiderata.

Thanks for Smith's recognition of his service [elected FMLS]. Sending signet ring with image of his late father, Johann Hedwig [(1730-1799), botanist]. Discussion of ferns: Dawson Turner handling, drawing, and examining these plants for his book; requests any ferns Smith may have. Lists ferns according to Smith's taxonomy, highlighting how many items are missing from Smith's classification.