Sorry to hear of death of George Don and comments how destructive this winter has been; five of his friends have died in the last three weeks. Encloses an appeal from [Patrick] Neill to raise a subscription for Don's widow and "spine-distorted daughter"; questions the likelihood of his proposal for providing a regular maintenance or whether a temporary relief would be more achievable.

Thanks for turkey. Had he known would have contributed to Smith's collection for George Don's widow instead of Patrick Neill's. Fears Neill may have endangered a reasonable subscription by aiming to raise enough for a permanent provision for Don's widow.

Many people, including [Amelia Warren] Griffiths [(1768-1858), algologist], [Elizabeth] Hill [(c 1760-1850), algologist], and Miss Hutchins, are complaining that [Dawson] Turner detains Sir Joseph Banks' collection, does not answer queries, or acknowledge or send back specimens. Many also complain that he has not published any numbers [of his "Fucus"] for over a year. Everyone anxious to see the outcome of Buonaparte's invasion of France but are baffled that after losing two armies of 500,000 each he has been allowed to return with a third army; Goodenough thinks Napoleon's case is "unique in the history of man".

Has been unable to write after falling in icy weather, injuring his hand and leg and developing gout in the former. Hopes Smith received the oysters. Quantity and quality of members of Linnean Society improving but there is a dearth of papers. Thinks Buonaparte is in his last struggle. Everybody "more than complaining" about Dawson Turner and his poor communications. Asks after fourth volume of "Flora Britannica". Has given his son-in-law Mr Lynn, husband of his daughter, Charlotte, a valuable living.

Congratulates Smith on his knighthood. Asks whether Smith has published his last number of "English Botany" and ifthe complete index is ready. Asks if [Dawson] Turner has nearly completed his history of 'Fucus'. Received report from his son in Paris, Edmund, on coarsening of French manners and their inferiority to the British in mechanics, for example, they are building a steam engine but no one knows how it works. Perplexed by Abbé Montesquieu's assertion in his speech that "the rigid laws of England would no be borne in France". Heard that Smith saw the fireworks in the Parks from [Alexander] Macleay's house.

Smith's reply to Goodenough's dated 4 October 1811. Goodenough does him "great injustice" but by mistake, he informed Goodenough of his disbelief in vicarious punishment as taught by the [Anglican] church in confidence, and claims, as a professed dissenter, his own right to judge for himself. States that he has never perplexed Drake or anyone else with his doubts or opinions and only tried to get him to take the Christian religion as a whole, and thinks that all Christians should judge for themselves.

Smith's reply to Goodenough's letter dated 9 November 1810. Confident of the King's [George III (1738-1820)] recovery but waits for the "authentic declaration of the physician's opinion". Agrees with Goodenough's eulogy of [Jonas] Dryander's character. [Alexander] Macleay and [Thomas] Marsham agree with Smith in proposing [John] Symmons for Dryander's replacement as vice-president. Death of Lady East, is suffering from dropsy, is imminent; praises her character. Profits by society of Bishop of Norwich [Henry Bathurst (1744-1837)]. [Robert] Brown is Dryander's replacement as Sr Joseph Banks' librarian. Hopes [new edition of] "Hortus Kewensis" will continue.

Smith's reply to Goodenough's letter dated 5 December 1810. Thanks Goodenough for his "most judicious & able conducting" of the last Linnean Society meeting [resolving a dispute between William Elford Leach and William Bullock (fl 1790s-1840s)]. Agrees that [Thomas] Marsham is the best candidate for vice-president of the Society but is hurt that Marsham has hinted to others he expects to be appointed, despite having previously rejected the office. Intends to postpone the appointment of a vice-president and would like Marsham to explicitly state his desire for the role. Goodenough should put anyone he thinks suitable into the Council except [John] Symmons, lest it fuel rumours of his being appointed vice-president. Bishop of Norwich [Henry Bathurst (1744-1837)] moving to London soon having bought a house in Welbeck Street.

Reply to Goodenough's letter dated 25 September 1812; will pacify Mr Holme's botanical pride, should it become necessary. Cannot change his name for 'Carex rariflora' as it is already printed in a current book, as well as it being difficult to find new names for so large a genus; Goodenough's suggestion of 'nivalis' is suitable to many exotic ones. [Dawson] Turner busy "being all things to all men & women", and printing a "Lichenographia Britannica" with [William] Borrer.

Discussion of domestic and international affairs: the new Parliament will not find their business easy; fears Britain will have to give up Spain; Britain making America a maritime power; sees comfort in Russia [Napoleon's failed invasion of Russia]. Received account from [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert and Sir Joseph Banks: Lambert has found 'Carduus tuberosus', it is as obstinate a weed as '[Carduus] arvensis'. Smith intends to follow the the thirty-sixth, and final, volume of "English Botany" with the fourth volume of "Flora Britannica", and has finished the third part of "Florae Graecae Prodromus".