Opening of [Liverpool Royal] Institution and his Introductory Lecture delayed by the "awful calamity which has involved all the country" [probably death of Princess Charlotte (1796-1817), only child of the Prince Regent, on 6 November 1817, which led to widespread grief and mourning]. Hopes Smith has seen their Report. Discusses plans for appointment of a Classical tutor and asks for Smith's and Mr Valpy's opinions and recommendations; they are also planning a Mathematical School and discussing whether to nominate professors or obtain as and when the best instructors possible; offers any future botany nomination to Smith. The Botanic Garden is in "high condition" under [John] Shepherd's [(c 1764-1836)] care.

Duke of [John Russell, 6th] Bedford 's letter concerns Linnean Society only so has returned it. Suffering from a "tedious stomach & bowel compl[ain]t". He and Lady [Pleasance] Smith "can think nothing but the late sad event, it is truly deplorable, no one can calculate the effects" [probably reference to death of Princess Charlotte (1796-1817), only legitimate grandchild of George III].

Sends plants from New York and New Hampshire. Brief account of his journey through Nova Scotia to Boston, [Massachusetts]. Arrived back in Britain in August. Has a parcel of plants for Smith from [Jacob] Bigelow; new species of 'Orchis' nearly allied to 'O. fimbriata'; they are to write a "Flora of the Eastern States" together; preparations for the work. Observations on American plants, including: 'Viola parviflora', 'Viola clandestina', 'Claytonia spatulafolius', 'Erythronium', 'Silene'. Requests introduction to [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert so as to consult Pursh's herbarium, in Lambert's possession. Assistance received from [Robert] Brown and use of Sir Joseph Banks' library.

Sends plants from [Olof] Swartz for confirmation. Thanks for Smith's remarks on his "Flora Londinensis" work. About to publish a periodical work on "exotic mosses"; requests specimens.

Acknowledges receipt of £42 8s 6d from Smith, which balances his account with White & Cochrane's [publishers] assigness. Sorry that Smith's "property has been so sacrificed in consequence of the Bankruptcy, which otherwise no doubt would have produced a considerable profit".

[Swartz writes, in English] Received Smith's letter of 19 June. Thanks for the article intended for the supplement to "Edinburgh Encyclopedia", and the new edition of "Compendium florae Britannicae", intends publishing a much needed similar work on Scandinavian plants. Longs to see botanical part of [Abraham] Rees' "Cyclopedia". Pained to hear of valetudinarian state of Sir Joseph Banks. Has sent the most recent "transactions" of Swedish Academy [of Sciences]. Praises work and talents of [William Jackson] Hooker. Impatiently awaiting sequel of Robert Brown's "Prodromus".

[Acharius writes, in Latin] He has waited a long time for a letter from Smith. Staying with Swartz. Asks after a letter and rare lichen he sent Smith a few years ago via Mr Ekenstam, and monographs on 'Glyphis' and 'Chiodecton', with illustrations, for "Linnean Transactions". Requests copy of [Dawson] Turner and [William] Borrer's "Lichenographia britannica" as soon as it appears, as he is preparing a "Philosophia lichenologica".

Brief account of his tour following his taking of the Cheltenham waters for twenty-one days: returned to Bury via Marquess of Buckingham at Stowe, Bedford, St Neots, Cambridge, and Newmarket, also called on Professor [Thomas] Martyn who appeared cheerful but weak and debilitated. Spent a fortnight in Ipswich and visited to Languard Fort but could not find the 'Santolina maritima' he had noted in his "Flora Britannica" as finding there with Smith on 16 August 1793. Colonel West, governor of the Fort, has enclosed a considerable piece of the sandy ground for a garden.

Wishes to subscribe to Mr Matchett's "topographical history of all the villages in Norfolk", to be published as a supplementary volume to Blomfield's "Norfolk". Charles Miller [(c 1739-1817)], son of Philip Miller, died in London on 6 October, he never married but left all his £35,000 to £40,000 property to his eighteen-year-old daughter, aside from legacies of £5,000. Declined to become an executor after the other two refused to put it into Chancery; he spent twenty years in Bencoolen before returning to England, laments that a man so capable of being a useful member of society passed his life almost unknown and unseen.