Disputes Smith's attribution of 'Fragaria indica' as a new genus in "Linnean Transactions" and [Abraham] Rees' "Cyclopedia", countering Smith's observations with his own, taken from his own plant given him by Lord Valentia [George Annesley]. Would like to show Smith his collection around 1000 hardy herbacious perennials, would be grateful if Smith could suggest anyone with whom he could exchange. Toured Scotland in 1811 but did not make any botanical discoveries. Has [John] Mackay's [(1772-1802), employed at Dickson nursery, Edinburgh] Irish 'Saxifragas' from Edinburgh. List of plants and their habitats.

As "English Botany" is almost finished asks Smith to reconsider the genus 'Circaea', encloses a specimen from a Yorkshire plant and a 'Circaea alpina'. Through comparison with Linnaeus, [Carl Ludwig] Willdenow, and [William] Withering, believes 'Circaea alpina', 'Circaea intermedia' and 'Circaea lutetiana' are all distinct. Contests the validity of separate genera for 'Potentilla' and 'Tormentilla' when 'Potentilla reptans' and 'Tormentilla reptans' have the same flower. Thinks that 'Geranium lancastriense' and 'Geranium sanguineum' are distinct, his observations. Would like to be introduced to [George] Don's successor. List of rare British plants, hopes for assistance from Smith's friends in acquisition, [some of the names are marked by circles with dots in the middle].

Butt puzzled by a 'Rubus' which grows in a nearby wood, gives descriptions in Latin of three varities and in English of his variety, which he thinks may be a hybrid of raspberry and blackberry, would like Smith's observations.

Wishes Smith success with his Cambridge candidature. Agrees with Smith that "the small 'Circaea'" is 'Circaea alpina' but thinks it differs from that in "English Botany". Has not made any further observations on 'Rubus'. 'Glechoma hederacea' is known in his neighbourhood as "ground ivy" and "robin-run-in-the-hedge", a tea is made from it for "scorbutic complaints".

Received Smith's letter of 7 May. Remarks on Indian weather and seasons. Has visited Agra and Allahabad. Now in the Gorakhpur district, where he plans to finish his survey, followed by a short trip to Hurdwar and then returning to England via Calcutta next year. Has been collecting the flowers of 'Scitamineae' orchids and 'asclepiades' in spirits as dried specimens are not satisfactory and the want of an appropriate terminology prevents a full description. His collection is large and various, eager to show Smith so as to have a new terminology for fructification developed. Concerned its bulkiness will result in high duties but hopeful of meeting with a Lord of the Treasury as obliging as the Marquess of Blandford was on the last occasion.

Requests the following 'Orchidaceae' specimens from the Linnean Herbarium when Smith comes to London: 'Orchis tripetaloides', 'Orchis sancta', 'Orchis flava', 'Orchis tipuloides', 'Satyrium aculatum', 'Satyrium pedicellatum', 'Satyrium hians', 'Ophrys cernua', 'Ophrys camtschatea', 'Serapias capensis', 'Limodorum altum', 'Epidendrum amabile', and 'Epidendrum pusillum'. Additionally requests unsettled 'Epidendrum' and 'Arethusa biplumata', [Francis] Buchanan's "two fine 'Epidendra' figured in "Exotic Botany"", and syngenesious plants 'Barnadeisa spinosa', 'Atractylis purpurea', 'Atractylis mexicana', 'Stachelina ilicifolia', 'Perdicium magellanicum', 'Sphaeranthus chinensis', and 'Jungia ferruginea'. Sir Joseph Banks slowly recovering from his attack of gout.

Sends handwritten extract from "Mem. de l'Institut", 1807 4, on [Étienne Pierre] Ventenat's genus 'Poiretia'. His name 'Hovea' is after the Polish traveller Anthony Pantaleon Hove, a friend of William [Townsend] Aiton who has collected for Sir Joseph Banks' herbarium. Hopes Smith has a productive visit to Holkham, [Norfolk, home of Thomas William Coke]. [William Elford] Leach to succeed the late [George] Shaw at the British Museum. Banks in good health but has lost the use of his legs.

Informed in confidence that [Charles] Konig will most likely become Keeper of Natural History at British Museum in consequence of his "great exertion" in arrangement of the Greville minerals. [Bingley] believes he has great friends in the Museum, having heard of [George] Shaw's death less than 24 hours later.

Pledges his support to Smith for situation of Professor of Botany [at Cambridge], though his name has long been taken off the boards for voting. Asks for Smith's continued support in his campaign for Keeper position, and to interest Bishop of Winchester [Brownlow North], Archbishop of Canterbury [Charles Manners-Sutton (1755-1828)], and Sir Joseph Banks to his cause.

Lists the candidates for [Charles] Konig's now vacant position [for Assistant Keeper of Natural History at British Museum]: Dr [William Elford] Leach, Mr Wood, Mr Lawrence, and Mr Thompson; requests information on Leach and Thompson. Transcribes letters of support from the Bishop [of Winchester, Brownlow North] and Lord Malmesbury [James Harris, 1st Earl of Malmesbury (1746-1820)]. Will support Smith's application for Professor of Botany [at Cambridge], asks for particularls of "Flora Graeca" so as to better argue Smith's claim.

Has already been promoting Smith's candidature at Cambridge [for botany professorship]. Election at the British Museum [for position of Assistant Keeper of Natural History] has not yet taken place; understands that Sir Joseph Banks is the "real mover" behind the decision and asks for Smith to intercede for him and argue that his "Animal Biography" should not be used to judge his talents, rather his "British Quadrupeds" should be used [Bingley was ultimately unsuccessful and William Elford Leach was appointed].

Since receiving Smith's letter has compared his specimens of 'Pyrola' sent from Sweden by [Olof] Swartz to [Nathaniel] Winch under name of 'Pyrola minor'; they agree, and also agree with 'P. minor' of "Flora Danica", but not with [James] Sowerby's figure; observations. His uncle, [Edward] Robson, hopes to see Smith at Linnean Society anniversary meeting. Relates remarks by Sowerby on discrepancies in "English botany" figure of 'Cypripedium'. Smith can figure 'Belula pendula' as species distinct from 'B. alba'; observations.

Writes on introduction of Corrêa. Necessity of European correspondence to supply defect of books during the present "imperfect state of science" in the USA; his sense of honour in having access to the "head sources of the science". Discusses botany of New England, little explored by European botanists; remarks that there are many small differences between American and European species, citing 'Salicornia herbacea', 'Callitriche aquatica', and 'Athusa cyanpium' of which he encloses seeds. Difficulty of exchanging specimens during the present war [War of 1812, conflict between USA and Britain 1812-1815]. Sends seeds of an 'Iris' and another unidentified plant; observations and small ink sketches of components. Printing an edition of Smith's "Introduction to Botany" for his students; not yet enough botanists in USA to induce booksellers to publish large works.

Has applied for position of Keeper of Natural History at British Museum vacant by death of [George] Shaw; solicits Smith's support. [William George] Maton has presented his application to Sir Joseph Banks. Expects to finish his history of Hampshire within the next year and to then devote himself to natural history. Requests Smith to present his application to the Bishop of Winchester [Brownlow North].

Regret at imminent end of "English botany": errors to correct, including 'Conferva dissilieus' [see RelatedMaterial below]. Sending his Caithness specimen of 'Fucus crista' to [James] Sowerby.

Whilst investigating respiratory organs of different animals he discovered that the circulation of the butterfly is performed by a heart, and has since observed it in other insects, particularly the garden snail.

Found species of 'Trifolium' near here, hopes it is 'Trifolium squarrosum' Willdenow [Smith has annotated "right HL"]; comparison with Spanish specimen. Also found new 'Verrucaria' and 'Lecidea'; observations.

[Spec 12 written in pencil on verso of first folio]

Encloses lichen resembling 'Lichen leucomelas' found at Babbicombe, [Devon], for Smith's opinion. Tempestuous weather but his brother's health improving.

[Smith has annotated 'Lichen leucomelos' on recto of folio]

Found 'Aristolochia clematitis' in flower at Oxford Botanic Garden, discussion with gardener, notes on enclosed specimen [extant]; found 'Tipula plumicornis' in some of the flowers. Wishes Smith success in his application for botanic chair at Cambridge [University]. Concerned at reports of death of Revd Hornsted. Met Dr [George] Williams, Oxford Professor of Botany, at the Oxford garden. His commitment to natural history; has named his recently born daughter "Linnaea".

Specimen of 'Aristolochia clematitis'.

Flattered that [William Jackson] Hooker has consented to the enclosed 'Jungermannia' being named after him ['J. hookeri'], hopes it will appear in "English botany" [Smith has noted "EB t.2555" on recto of second folio]; description, including habitat.

["Spec 18" written in pencil top of verso of first folio]

Sends numbers as usual and encloses £15 note. Also sends a little bit of ulmin on elm bark, finds similar substance on oak, hornbeam, and horse chestnut and asks Smith's botanical friends to look out for it; has recommended it to the Society of Arts as excellent for finishing in water colours, in same way that Sir Joshua Reynolds [(1723-1792), painter] used 'Asphaltum' in oil.

Requests Smith to revise enclosed 4 numbers of "English botany" and number enclosed in last.