Asks what Linneaus meant by the word 'Aethiopia' when applied to the habitat of plants. Asks which tree produces the "slender cane used for extending the troops of Indies". Currently working on the ninth folio volume of his "Outlines of the Globe" according to plan in his "Introduction to the Arctic Zoology".

Intends to use title "Aethiopial Africa" for third volume of ["Outlines of the Globe"]. Asks if Smith knows of any large trees in the Isles of Bourbon [now Réunion, east of Madagascar]. Would like Smith and [William] Hudson to visit him. Shall not publish anymore as he intends his manuscripts for posthumous publication.

Thanks for election to Linnean Society but wishes "to have no concern in the internal business of the Society".

Declines membership of the Linnean Society on account of his age. Asks Smith's opinion of Bruce's botanical knowledge [possibly James Bruce (1730-1794) traveller in Africa, who was initially celebrated but later treated with scepticism]. Asks for Mr Bosse to send him Jussieu's "Genera plantarum 1789".

Hopes to give to Linnean Society the third editions of his "[Journey from Chester to] London", "Indian Zoology", and "History of Quadrupeds". Queries on Indian plants for the 11th folio volume of his "Outlines of the Globe": whether Linnaeus refers to the "Poon tree" used for masts; the "cotton tree" referred to by "Gerard p.1552" and "[Edward] Ives Voy[age] 478", thinks it a classical tree; asks if the common walking cane is made from a 'Rotang'; requests correct reference to correct a mistake in [Robert] Orme's "Fragments". Thanks for mention in Smith's essay on natural history [in "Linnean Transactions"] but upset to be coupled with "the dull Brisson" [Mathurin Jacques Brisson (1723-1806) French zoologist]. Requests list of the 20 most striking Indian plants or trees.

References to "poon tree" of India in "Raii hist. 11. p. - & Ives's Voy[age] 46a", from which masts are made. Sends an oak leaf "filled with some matters" that Hugh Davies could not determine. Declines membership of Linnean Society but proposes his son David.

Believes the specimens of [William] Hudson's 'Mentha villosa' he received from [Samuel] Goodenough are 'Mentha sylvestris', confirmed by Linnaeus and Ray in "Historiae plantarum"; further observations on it. Received 'Mentha sativa' from Bath from Goodenough, who believes Pitchford's garden 'M. satvia' is 'M. gentilis'. Confusion over figures of 'M. sylvestris' and other 'Mentha' species in "the old authors" Hudson, [John] Gerard [(1545-1612)], [John] Ray, and [John] Parkinson [(1567-1650)]. Has thirteen customers for [James] Sowerby's work [presumably "English Botany"], and one for [James] Dickson's "Plan[tarum] Crypt[ogamicarum]". Dickson sent him '[Acrostichum] ilvense', thinks it different from the Swedish specimen. Will consult [William] Sole on 'Mentha'. Received 'Sium repens' from Dr Randolph of Oxford, found by [John] Sibthorp, new to England, asks if it is also a new Linnaean one.

Returns Smith's 'Mentha gentilis', believes it the plant of Linnaeus and wild although [Edmund] Davall not as as specific as he would wish, makes his own observations including reference to [John] Ray's "Hist[oriae plantarum]", only needs to see [Philip] Miller's 'M. gentilis' and 'M. sativa' specimens to complete his work. Observations on the 'M. corolla', believes it will help distinguish most species. Observations on Smith's notes of the different specimens: 'M. arvensis', 'M. sativa', 'M. sylvestris', 'M. rotundifolia', 'Menthiastic aquatici'; hopes [Samuel] Goodenough has conceded that his 'Mentha villosa' is 'M. sylvestris'; further observations on these in postscript. Explains errors is Fuschius' figures. Thanks Smith for specimen of 'Schoenus ferrugineus'. Miller's 'Mentha gentilis'.

Thanks Smith for gift, glad the print she sent via [Samuel] Goodenough was acceptable.

The Duke of Portland [William Cavendish-Bentinck, 3rd Duke of Portland (1738-1809)] and herself invite Smith to Bulstrode, [Samuel] Goodenough is also there.

Thanks for books, requests succeeding volumes in due course and English description for collection of coloured illustrations. His account with Smith. Asks after the illustrations of Xaempsori produced by [Sir Joseph] Banks, which he previously requested. Requests copies of "Linnean Transactions", though he is not a member of the Linnean Society.

Moved to write to Smith on account of his "glorious reputation" and his "benevolent and friendly spirit". He has been working on a biography of Linnaeus for the last three years; requests response from Smith on several questions regarding the purchase of the Linnaean collections, as several unconfirmed or false tales are circulating: 1. what price did Smith pay and in which year; 2. what did the purchase include; 3. asks if Smith is producing new editions of "Species plantarum" and "Systema naturae", as reported in French edition of Pulteney's "General view of the writings of Linnaeus", and whether Smith has published anything else based on Linnaeus' collections; 4. requests one or two memorable letters from Linnaeus' correspondence; 5. asks after foundation of the Linnean Society.

News of Linnaeus' widow and daughters. A monument to Linnaeus to be erected in front of the Uppsala Academy's new garden, at royal expense. His friend, Professor Giseke of Hamburg, is to publish Linnaeus' "Praelectiones in ordines naturales plantarum"

Also a page taken from "Benlag; zu des Hamburgischen unparthenischen Correspondenten" no. 160, dated 7 Oct 1791, in German.

Thanks for letter and pamphlet of Smith's "Introductory Discourse" from the first volume of "Linnean Transactions".

Thanks for election as FMLS. Sending a copy of his "Prodromus".

Thanks for "Linnean Transactions". Hopes Smith and Sir Joseph Banks have received the copies of his "Prodromus". Missed Smith whilst he was visiting England. Defends himself against not having mentioned Smith in the preface of his "Prodromus" by stating he consulted the duplicates in Carl Linnaeus junior's herbarium and other collections connected with Linnaeus including Dr Dahl's, same applies to his "Obervationes", a copy of which he has sent to Smith. Warns Smith of possible errors in the 'Cryptogamic' section of Linnaeus' herbarium as many were collected by himself, states an error noticed by [James] Dickson. Long list of desiderata [on second folio, some names have a pencilled tick against them]. Asks for Smith's observations on enclosed 'Carex' specimens [not extant].

[Smith has noted on verso of second folio] "if my friend Mr Afzelius should be met with, to beg to be remembered to him".

Thanks for Pulteney's letter of 4 [Dec 1791] and bill. Discusses arrival of remaining prints for first volume of Cavanilles' ["Icones et descriptiones plantarum quae aut sponte in Hispania crescunt"]. Gaertner dead, unclear if his 5 remaining "Centuriae" will be published. Laments death of Dr Pictairn, said that his collection will be sold.

Thanks for memoirs. News of French botanists. La Société Royale d'Agriculture.

[Draft or copy]

Apologises for delay in replyigng to Smith's letter of 22 October [1790], caused by a severe indisposition all winter. Thanks for Smith's remarks on his book. Responds to points in Smith's letter: Plukenet's authority, John Ray's manuscripts, difficulty of his acquiring books.

Would have replied to Pulteney's letter of 24 May [1791] sooner had the enclosed "Linnean Transactions" vol 1 arrived earlier. "Quite out of patience" with waiting for L'Héritier's recent publications; offers to send Pulteney's sketches to him. Discussion of recent publications, including by Allioni, Cavanilles, Hedwig, Schreber, and Labillardière.

Sends books and account of money owing to him. Keen for Pulteney to publish in "Linnean Transactions". Just returned from a trip to Lord Lewisham's [George Legge] in Kent to see 'Convolvulus speciosus'.