His son broke his collar bone in a hunting accident but had good fortune to meet his surgeon on way home, hopeful of good recovery considering Duke of Portland's recovery from his many accidents.

Timber prices: informed by Dr Barham of Kent that Lord Despenser has lately sold English fir for 2500 at 3/9 per foot, and by Duke of Gordon that [James] Brodie has just also sold some advantageously; advising his friends to not pay more than 10d per cubic foot for Riga timber, it is now 5/8 at York, and there is none in Stockton-on-Tees, [County Durham] where it is usually sold.

Pleased with [Dawson] Turner's work [probably "Fucus sive plantarum fucorum..." (1808-1819)], Turner's 'T. pusillus' was amongst the drawings he sent Turner, found at Exmouth, [Devon], in 1799. Sent Turner receipt for an effective rheumatism medicine received from Hoppover two years ago.

Received Smith's letter of 24 [April]. An Aberystwyth surgeon has used "cuperose" with great effect to cure a young man's epileptic fits, and will write to him if Lady Amelia Hume wants the medicine. "Great loss" in death of [Thomas] Beddoes [(1760-1808), chemist and physician]. Returns Smith's manuscript and has made only minor corrections, offers plan of the present house [for Smith's "A tour to Hafod" (1810)].

Complains of the "miserable criticism" the "Edinburgh [Review]" of his [Jean de] Joinville [(1224-1317), French chronicler] translation; suspects it was "fabricated here by an ancient supposed friend". Laments "change in men's minds in last year", "they all seem unhinged" and they have "no heads and no leaders".

His family's tour of the north: visited Edinburgh, the south country of Scotland, Westmoreland to visit the Bishop of Llandaff [Richard Watson (1737-1817)], then Liverpool, [Lancashire]. Asks if Smith has seen Mr Blundell's collections at Ince, [Lancashire], where there are very fine marbles including a Theseus; he made him present of the "real hand" of his Bachuus, which is now complete. Disappointed to return to find rebuilding of Hafod ongoing.

Wishes Smith would print something in his "Tour of Hafod" to contradict the rumours that the Hafod estate is entailed on the male line, and to state that his daughter [Mariamne Johnes] will inherit it all.

Gratifiation at herbarium Smith sent to Liverpool [Botanic Garden]; the garden is progressing but he doubts whether botany will "ever make any effectual progress" in Liverpool area.

Received letter from [William George] Maton on 'Amomum repens', the true cardamon; agrees with Maton's inclination that from the drawing in [David] White's paper on subject read at Linnean Society it is a new genus, with reference to "Hortus Malabaricus" vol 11 tab 5&6; advises caution until Smith's idea of it being an 'Alpinia' is removed. Hopes Smith is continuing with his 'Scitamineae' research, about which "much remains to be done"; they have many at the Botanic Garden but they rarely flower. Anxious about Smith's brother.

Received Smith's letter of 31 January [1809]. Postponing their visit to Norwich on account of the miserable weather. Expects to see second fasciculus of "Flora Graeca". Uncertain whether [James] Sowerby's supplement to his "Fungi" is published. Never received 'Fucus' specimens from Sowerby, would be sorry to lose the 'F. abrotanifolius'; it needs to be carefully examined by Smith before it appears in "English botany" as the Linnaean specimen is old and broken, and [Dawson] Turner has not examined it and others with enough care; observations on the young leaves.

His health: consulted Dr Baillie and [William George] Maton, who both confirm his ideas; Maton says that none of the College preparations of antimony are as good as James's powder. He has two patients: Sophia Goodenough and his aunt Kindersley, the latter very weak and incapable of recovery. His trip to Cambridge to see William [Fitt Drake]; meetings and dinners. His time in London; meetings and dinners. William Smith and resignation of the Duke of York [Prince Frederick (1763-1827), son of George III, resigned as Commander-in-Chief following scandal caused by mistress selling army commissions]. Bishop of Carlisle [Samuel Goodenough] made a vice-president of the Royal Society. Lady Amelia Hume suffering epileptic fits.

Sends leaf and seed head of a 'Geum' gathered between Kendal and Shap, Cumberland, by Mr Forster of Stoney, thought to be either 'Geum montanum' or 'Geum rivale' [Smith annotation: "merely 2 states of 'G. rivale'"], sends a seed of the latter for comparison and imparts his own opinions. Also sends specimens of an 'Epilobium' from Westmorland.

Sending two copies of his Botanic pamphlets and some of the plates of Cupani's "Panphyton siculum", touched up by Bonanno. Invites Smith to contribute to the "Sicilian Flora". Refrained from sending specimens as they would have been accompanied by a request for "elucidation". Asks whether the fourth volume of "Flora Britannica" has been published yet.

[Copy or draft] Thanks Bernardi for pamphlets and Cupani book. Would like specimens of the rare plants described in Bernardi's works, especially the 'Orchideae'. Happy to help with his botanical correspondence. Sending an [unnamed] English book, the introudction of which translated into Italian may encourage the study of botany in Italy. Hoping to finish the fourth volume of "Flora Britannica" by next winter. Believes Bernardi's 'Allium album' is 'Allium lacteum' of "Flora Graeca".

Has previously written to Smith on an animal of the 'Physophora' genus. Staying at home of [Thomas] Jefferson [3rd President of USA] with Jefferson's son-in-law, [Thomas Mann] Randolph [Jr.], an "excellent naturalist". Has discovered at least two orchids not described in books following Smith's request to look into 'Orchidaceae', many species in America. Found two species of 'Helleborine' established but not described by [Christiaan Hendrik] Persoon, two new 'Cacalia' and a new 'Talinum'. Believes America will be rich in 'Cryptogramia'; 'Lichen Sepincola' is abundant on 'Pinus taeda'; also rich in 'Carex'. Leaving shortly to explore Louisiana as a "first Reaper" and will winter at Fort St Louis on the Mississippi with Captain Lewis, who was sent by President Jefferson to explore the Missouri and has discovered 20 new species of animal. Randolph cultivating 'Holcus sorghum', 'Sorghum vulgare' of Persoon, and 'Sesamum indicum' for oil.

Discusses his paper on 'Proteaceae' and reasons for keeping the name 'Hakea' instead of Smith's apparent suggestion of 'Conchium'. This was in deference to [Baron Christian Ludwig von] Hake, and previous use by [Heinrich] Schrader, [Antonio José] Cavanilles, [Jacques] La Billardiere and [Etienne Pierre] Ventenat, and being pushed by [Jonas] Dryander having used it in his catalogue of New Holland [Australian] plants and the strong likelihood of it being used in "Hortus Kewensis".

Encloses drawing of next engraving [for "Lachesis Lapponica"]; asks whether it is to be copied exactly from the manuscript and for any other changes.

Delivered all proofs [for "Lachesis Lapponica"] to Mr White except number 26; queries over several other engravings.

Enclosing 8 proofs of work [for "Lachesis Lapponica"]; they have taken care to make them exact facsimilies. Requests that the title mention "engravings by R T Austin".

Thanks for 'Jungermanniae' specimens from "that wonderfully promising young naturalist" [William Jackson] Hooker. Recommends Smith avoid anything that will "keep up or awaken the gall [...] of that worthless wasp" [Richard] Salisbury.

Clarifies that his comment about [James] Hoy's 'Ossigrapha' being more like figures of Hoffmann's 'Verrucaria purpurascens' than any other he could find; different from [Dawson] Turner's 'calcarea'. Turner has requested specimens of 'Fucus brodieii'; encloses some for Smith. Sent [Samuel] Goodenough specimens of 'Fucus brodieii' and 'F. lycopodioides'; Goodenough anxious to establish his varities of 'F. tetragonus' and 'F. escutentus'. Received new specimens from [George] Don, expects he will send to Smith as well, listed, with observations: 'Orbus', 'Lychris alpina', 'Myosotis nana' or 'M. lappula', 'Silene alpestre', 'Epilobium montanum', 'Hypericum barbatum', 'Erigerum uniflorum', 'Veronica allionii', 'Viola lutea', 'Hieracium alpinum' or 'H. villosum', and variety of 'Lamium amplixicaule'.

Sending 'Lichens', sent duplicates to [James] Sowerby except 'Parmelia perforata', also sent Sowerby those which he and [William Jackson] Hooker collected in Scotland last year.

Lists lichens sent to Sowerby, with habitats and other remarks: 'Pulveraria chlorina', 'Endocarpon leptophyllum', 'Endocarpon tephroides', 'Parmelia erythrella', 'Parmelia squamulosa', 'Parmelia sarmentosa', 'Picta crocata', and 'Cetraria nivalis'.

Having heard that Smith a very good collection of live willows requests specimens of the different species, so they can be drawn for her collection.

Arrangements for the Smiths visit to them in Clapton in a week.

In response to Smith's request transcribes an account he previously sent [Dawson] Turner on 'Fucus abrotanifolius' and 'F.discors' being the same species. Has specimens of various ages to send Smith if desired.

Received Smith's letter of 8 April [1808]. His military duties prevent him from pursuing his natural history interests; does not expect to stay in India for any longer than two years after hopefully taking command of the Artillery-in-the-Field, based at Cawnpore. Thanks for Smith's "Physiology and System of Botany"; believes it will prove a valuable and useful work. [William] Roxburgh working on his book; his arranging of 'Monandria' given extra impetus by [William] Roscoe's paper on same in "Linnean Transactions" vol 8.

Mr Fleming unlikely to leave India this year. Expects [Francis] Buchanan to make considerable additions to ichtyology and ornithology. Hopes Smith's family recovered from their sickness. Criticises the "marauders in the field of science". Compliments to Sir Joseph Banks, [Thomas] Marsham, [Alexander] Macleay, and [William George] Maton. Encloses memoranda from Dr [William] Hunter [see RelatedMaterial below].