Just received "Flora Glottiana" and one of [George] Don's "Fasciculi of Dried Plants" for Smith. [William Elford] Leach has been recommended by [Dawson] Turner and [William Jackson] Hooker to get certificates signed by Linnean Society members in support of his candidacy at the British Museum, will add his name if this happens.

Transcribes extract from letter by [John Russell, 6th] Duke of Bedford, in which he recommends Smith take up continuation of "Flora Rustica", now that interest in agriculture as a science is well established; his own thoughts on subject.

Unable to make out the flowers on Sir Thomas Gage's specimen of 'Trifolium squarrosum', will hope for an earlier gathered specimen next year.

Announces publication of part one of "Theophrastus [Eresii de Historia]", though the costs are such he cannot send Smith or Sir Joseph Banks copies. Asks after concluding volume of "Flora Britannica" and continuation of "Flora Graeca". Just returned from a tour in Cornwall.

Thanks for Smith's letter of 8 March [1813] and "valuable packet of plants". Offers to procure Smith any Northumberland or Durham plants not currently in Smith's herbarium, now that "English botany" is drawing to a close. Encloses specimen of 'Utricularia intermedia' [extant] for English habitat for plant, 'Utricularia vulgaris' grows with it; 'Rosa rubella' found on sea coast of South Shields, Durham.

Requests specimen of 'Senecio sylvatica'; plant so named in his catalogue as common in this neighbourhood is 'Senecio lividus' of Willdenow and "English botany". Asks if Smith received specimens of 'Saxifraga hirculus' and 'Sagina maritima'.

Specimen, labelled, "'Utricularia intermedia'"; references to 'U. minor' and 'U. vulgaris minor'.

Observing by last number of "English botany" that Smith is beginning to be short of plants has gleaned his herbarium for plants which he now encloses, listed: 1. 'Gnaphalium' from Skye; 2. 'Senecio lividus' for its habitat, frequent Newcastle; 3. 'Viola grandiflora' of the gardens; 4. 'V. amano' Ben Lawers; 5. female 'Salix arenaria'; 6. 'S. andersoniana'; 7. 'S. rupestris'; 8. 'S. incubacea'; 9. 'S. septentrienalis' L'Héritier; 10. 'S. mysinites'; 11. 'S. rubra'; 12. 'S. mollissima'.

Observations on 'Ribes spicatum'. 'Draba incana' in "English botany" is "ten times too large". Will procure 'Rosa rubella' with flowers and fruit this summer. Will send the packet to Smith via [James] Sowerby; would not have written by post "but to prevent it laying six months in his museum".

Sent Smith parcels of plants via [James] Sowerby on 26 July and [Dawson] Turner; if lost can send more should Smith continue "English botany". Sends further plants for Smith's opinion, including a rose like 'Rosa collina', and 'Salix' specimens. Received 'Angelica archangelica' by [James] Backhouse from banks of the Skerne in Durham; thinks it indigenous. Asks to be remembered to Turner and [William Jackson] Hooker.

Requests specimen of 'Rosa micrantha'. Just received a vist from Smith's old correspondent, Mr [John] Harriman. 'Erica vulgaris' with very hoary leaf and double flowers grows on Bagshot Heath, in "Flora Britannica" without habitat. Finds it curious how long plants continue to grow in the same place; example of 'Eryngium campestre'.

Botany still in its infancy in America, with only a scattering of amateurs and European "travelling gardeners" collecting for the gardens and nurseries of Europe. Introduces [Jacob] Bigelow, only botanist of merit he has met in his two years in America, except for [Henry] Muhlenberg.

Invites Smith to Holkham to meet the Duke of Gloucester [Prince William (1776-1834), chancellor of Cambridge University]; certain a personal introduction will further his interests at Cambridge.

Submits two papers from the delayed "Acta Gorenkenia" for "Linnean Transactions": Baron Marschall von Bieberstein's commentary on 'Serratula', and a communication by Mr Stevens, notes on plates and plants for latter.

Has sent [James] Sowerby 'Carduus tuberosus'. Relates how a grandson of Dr [Nehemia] Grew [(1641-1712) pioneering of plant anatomy] introduced himself. Hopes to soon send to Sowerby an 'Oenothera' in flower from Mexico. Recommended Smith's "Introduction to Botany" as the best introductory work for a friend's sons.

Has manuscript copy of [Peter Simon] Pallas' autobiography by way of [William] Coxe [(1748-1828)] and a German life of Pallas possibly by [Kurt] Sprengel is at Sir Joseph Banks'. Received a letter from Dr [Eriedrich Ernst Ludwig von] Fisher of the Gorenki Gardens, [Russia], stating that Pallas left all his natural history collection to the Academy of Berlin where he died. Has sent 'Leptospermum', 'Plumeria pudica', 'Justicia americana', and 'Russelia' to [James] Sowerby for "Exotic Botany". Has grown a new species of 'Brucea' from seed, and plants from Mexico. Pleased at Smith's good prospects for Cambridge professorship. Death of [George] Shaw from a bowel complaint. Sent Sir Jospeh Banks plants of the true chili, believes Smith is wrong about them.

Thanks for basket of game. [Thomas] Nuttall [(1786-1859)] admitted a member of Linnean Society and Lord Louvain proposed.

Thanks Macleay for forwarding a packet from [William Jackson] Hooker. Anxious about Sir Joseph Banks' health.

Having "great hopes" of being elected Professor of Botany at Cambridge University, whenever [Thomas] Martyn sees a favourable moment to resign, he asks Macleay to enquire the method for applying for a knighthood, which he previously declined when pressed to upon by his Linnean friends. Would like to apply for the honour as president of the Linnean Society, and before the election of a professor is announced, so it does not seem on that account only. Intends to explain his "seeming inconsistency" at a Society Council when he comes to London.

Smith's candidature for Botany Professorship at Cambridge University. Informed by vice-chancellor [William Chafy (1779-1843) vice-chancellor 1813 & 1829] that the trustees of the Botanic Garden have declined election of a Reader in Botany, however they would like another curator. Asks to be informed when Smith intends to canvas the university so as to be able to write to the heads of the colleges who would support Smith.

Thanks for Macleay's letter and interest in his concerns. Sorry Macleay has been so busy, but rejoices at the "glorious cause" of his multiplied engagements", in reference to the Dutch. Sent Macleay game from Holkham [Hall, home of Thomas William Coke], where the Duke of Gloucester [Prince William (1776-1834), chancellor of Cambridge University] was also staying.

He has made "considerable progress" in his views at Cambridge [candidacy for botany professorship], does not doubt succeeding, and may get botanic garden appointment in the meantime, enabling him to lecture in April, but more doubtful of this. Determined not to be knighted until he at least gets that appointment; thanks for Macleay's assistance, means to receive it as president of the Linnean Society. Asks that the Society forward money owing to [James] Sowerby, who is in debt with him, as are [John] Sibthorp's executors.

Smith's candidature for Botany Professorship at Cambridge University. Reiterates importance of having the vice-chancellor's [William Chafy (1779-1843), vice-chancellor 1813 & 1829] support for both the Walkerian lectureship and the whole Professorship. Explains structure of the Senate, lists college heads currently supporting Smith, debates other potential supporters and process of election. [Arthur] Biggs' [(1765-1848)] election as curator of Botanic Garden. Sir Issac Pennington [(1745-1817), physician and chemist] thinks Smith's non-membership of the university or Church of England makes it difficult for him to be granted an appointment; Martyn refutes this, with examples. Death of [George] Shaw.

Smith's candidature for Botany Professorship at Cambridge University. Not necessary to hold a degree for a professorship but fears Smith could not be admitted as he would be unable to sign the declaration to conform to the Church of England.

Smith's candidature for Botany Professorship at Cambridge University. [Thomas] Martyn's offer to resign the Walkerian lectureship discussed at the meeting to appoint a new Cambridge Botanic Garden curator following [James] Donn's death [(1758-1813)], however the trustees decided not to make an appointment until the professorship becomes vacant. Reports great prejudice against Smith, especially from Sir Isaac Pennington [(1745-1817) physician and chemist]. Recommends Smith apply directly to the Crown for the Regius Professorship in order to obtain the greatest future claim.

Smith's candidature for Botany Professorship at Cambridge University. Anxious for Smith's success in campaign as he believes it would raise "recruits to the study of natural history". Thinks Smith will be successful judging by the conduct of the university in the case of the chemistry professor. Has heard nothing from the vice-chancellor regarding [Arthur] Biggs [(1765-1848)] appointment [as Cambridge Botanic Garden curator], fears he is ineffectual in offering advice to "alma mater".

Smith's candidature for Botany Professorship at Cambridge University. Will do all he can to promote Smith's candidacy and advises him to apply for Roger Wilbraham's assistance in obtaining votes.