Received his diploma of medicine from Hamburg. Will inform [Johann Christian Daniel von] Schreber [(1739-1810), physician and botanist] of progress of his FMLS application. Smith's honour at being made a member of Imperialis Academia Naturae Curiosorum, [Erlang, Germany]. Requests numbers of "English botany" as per their exchange.

Thanks for seeds, wishes Smith could have delivered them in person. 'Embothrium buxifolium' healthy but does not exhibit any disposition to flower, would like to show Smith 'Lawsonia inermis'. Encloses specimen of unknown New South Wales plant of 'Didynammia' class. Hopes to see Smith in the winter.

Condolences [on death of Smith's father], and hopes Smith's health will be restored. He has broken his knee-cap and is confined to his room. Asks the date on which he was admitted to the Linnean Society [as an Honorary Member, 1794], believes it was in place of the Duc de Noailles. Hugh Davies is visiting.

Arrangements for [Charles] Bryant [(d 1799)] to be paid for the collection of grasses Bryant is sending [Samuel] Goodenough. He has corresponded with Goodenough on Linnaeus' 'Carex actua', they have found it is his 'C. stricata'; observations. Condolences to Smith on death of François [Borone].

Sends collection of English 'Mentha' species in state before flowering, offers to send specimens in flower. Numbered list of specimens, "according to Mr Sole's Flora Somersetensis", with some observations, in three orders: 'Mentha spicata', 'M. verticillata', and 'M. capitata', 40 specimens in total.

Sends leaves for identification from each of the plants he managed to grow from 5 of the 6 Sierra Leone seeds Smith sent last spring, and leaf of 'Stelitzia', the most thriving plant in his stove with habit quite different from Lady Rockingham's. new 'Ulva' found at Weymouth; elected FLS.

[Spec 23 written in pencil at head of verso of folio]

As requested via [Thomas] Woodward, sends Smith description of the new 'Ulva' or 'Fucus' found by him at Weymouth, [Dorset], and will arrange for Woodward to send the specimen. Thanks Linnean Society for honour of being elected FLS.

Sorry to hear there is no chance of his being presented to Smith next month in London, on account of Smith's being absent in Norfolk. Thanks for Smith's attentions to his paper, [Thomas] Woodward will forward Smith the specimen. Has submitted to Woodward a fasciculus of his marine plants, and if well received intends to describe and delineate the 3 genera, or at least those not recently described and drawn in England; expects to receive accurate observations in Woodward and [Samuel] Goodenough's paper in forthcoming "Linnean Transactions".

Sending specimens of 'Spaendoncea'; seeks Smith's approval of the name.

Sends copy of his book ["Coloured figures of marine plants" (1795)] for Linnean Society; "as the investigation of truth ought to be the great object of every inquiry" asks that Smith inform him of any errors apparent.

Introduces Councillor Boardman and Mr Haner, who are returning property belonging to Smith [probably duplicates of Smith's publications]. They have at last acquired land for the Dublin botanic garden and are to start work immediately.

Congratulates Smith on his upcoming marriage. Anxious that Smith may not have received the letter and patterns of poplins he sent. Comments on medals for Smith and [Thomas] Woodward. Relates the progress of a 'Datura' brought over from England which is now in blossom although has no scent. Did not realise that the "Flora Britannica" had already been begun, was hoping Smith would first complete the translation of the "Iter [Suecicus]" and hopes a map of the journey will accompany it, and the "Iter Lapponicum". Unsurprised by the bad harvest in England as "the weather till August was so wet and cold". Presumes Smith sees the Abbé Correa [José Francisco Corrêa de Serra], asks to be remembered to him.

The poplins, also known as tabinets, have been sent, discusses the order, fabrics, and arbitary nature of fashion, and sends an additional piece of "strip'd and spangled tabinet". Tells Smith to not bother getting franks for him as it causes more delay than it is worth. Reviews Thunberg's "Travels", finding most of it new to him not having read Kompter or [Peter] Kolben [(1675–1726) astronomer and traveller], but a particular grievance is with the paucity of attention given to 'Champaca' in fourth volume.

Prevented from immediately accepting Smith's proposal of a botanical excursion as he is waiting the arrival of his nephew Colonel Cockburn [Sir George Cockburn (1763–1847) army officer], to chaperone his female companions and has some business to conclude with Lord Bessborough [Frederick Ponsonby (1758-1844) 3rd Earl of Bessborough]. Turns down Smith's offer of accommodation, not wishing to intrude "in the first moments of so interesting an occasion as a marriage", will stay at an inn instead and shall travel by coach so as to be accompanied by [Nicholas] Gwyn. Trying to procure a tin box for plants.

Three small sketches of plants in ink and pencil on recto of second folio.

Invites Smith to accompany him with his nephew, Colonel Cockburn [Sir George Cockburn (1763–1847) army officer], to Jersey and Guernsey.

The proposed visit to Guernsey suspended as the War Office has ordered Colonel Cockburn's [Sir George Cockburn (1763–1847) army officer] regiment from Guernsey into camp at Netley, Hampshire. Intends to visit Smith in Norwich instead, as soon as possible. [Caspar von] Voght did not call on him.

Describes his return journey from Norwich to London, along the way saw 'Verbascum', '[Centaurea] cyanus, '[Centaurea] inlybus' and 'Echium'. Describes Thetford, Norfolk, and relates how a few days previous troops had been despatched on erroneous reports of a riot, and Epping Forest. The Guernsey expedition still in suspense. There is little news, with "no accounts being given of the Emigrants [it] looks unfavourably for them".

Had a good journey back to Dublin, relates his journey afterwards which was "altogether a Tragi-comedy", with one chaise falling apart and overturning and the horses of another refusing to move, meaning he had to walk five miles in a "storm of wind", believes it was the same night that did "such damage in England". Sends eight patterns for poplins, asks Smith to circulate them. Hopes Smith is comfortably settled in his "rural habitation". Hopes Smith did not forget to see the "engaging bird" at the Exeter Change, regardless of whether it is the 'Turdus nitens' or not. [Walter] Wade found 'Scilla verna' in abundance at the Giants Causeway and collected some roots.

Due to a "hellish plot" instigated by the Inquisitor General has been obliged to leave Portugal. [Pierre Marie Auguste] Broussonet will inform Smith of what he saw of it. In his haste to leave did not acquire the necessary passport to enter England and asks for assistance from Smith and Sir Joseph Banks. He cannot apply to the Portuguese Ambassador to England, the Chevalier Almeyda, as he is a relative of the Inquisitor General, which also prevents him for choosing England for his asylum. Reminds Smith that he once did a similar deed for their common friend Broussonet in Lisbon. Informs Smith that his ship is the "Sloop Mary" captained by Anthony Roskruge although it is currently held at Penzance by the government's embargo on all ships coming from abroad. Has taken the pseudonym Joseph Porto. Laments his situation, comparing it to happier times as described in Smith's "Tour of the Continent".

Hopes Smith received his previous letter written from Penzance, Cornwall. The embargo detaining ships at Penzance has been lifted and they are now at Deal, expecting to reach London in three days.