His health continues very weak but mends daily. Hopes to be in London about 20 May to attend Linnean Society audit. Lord [Edward Smith-]Stanley and Richard Taylor [(1781-1858), printer and naturalist] should be recommended for Council. Hopes to attend anniversary meeting. Asks to be remembered to [Thomas] Marsham.

All disappointed that Smith could not be at Linnean Society yesterday; [John Russell, 6th] Duke of Bedford did not attend nor has he paid his admission fee; [Thomas] Marsham sent another £100 and resigned his offices of Treasurer and vice-president and his place on the Council; lists members to leave Council and proposed replacements, [Richard] Taylor [(1781-1858), printer and naturalist] unable to be considered as it would be a bad precedent to have anyone on Council employed as a tradesman by the Society.

Wishes some notice to be paid to [Richard] Taylor [(1781-1858), printer and naturalist] as a return for his "gratuitous assistance as Secretary". Has informed [John Russell, 6th] Duke of Bedford that he can be admitted to Linnean Society at his leisure after paying the fee. Happy to hear [Thomas] Marsham as taking the "best method to silence "curious tongues"".

Account of his improved health, though he is still weak; arranged for Bishop of Carlisle [Samuel Goodenough] to preside at anniversary meeting, impossible for him to attend for fear of journeys such as those in 1802 and 1812 which affected his health so much, his current illness also caused by journey from London. If Marsham pays all he owes by 24 [May 1816] "some civil notice of him should be taken", otherwise "silence will be most prudent".

Confirms he is unable to come to London; hopes Bishop of Carlisle [Samuel Goodenough] will not treat [Thomas] Marsham , and if the remaining £200 be paid hopes nothing will be said of him. Asks Macleay to inform him how and when he appointed the vice-presidents in 1812. [Richard] Salisbury's paper "ought by no means to be printed" on grounds that the Linnean Society should not "sanction such changes" nor print "what may be only a trap for us, like his indecent paper".

Sorry Smith will not be at Linnean Society on Friday [for anniversary meeting]. Forwards letter from [Thomas] Marsham; surprised to find he still has a balance of £428, hopes he sends £100 on Friday and will then agree to a plan for paying the remainder. Smith should write to remind the Council he has the authority to appoint vice-presidents, and name his intended. [Richard] Salisbury's paper has not passed Council.

Everything passed "very smoothly" at [Linnean Society anniversary] meeting yesterday, and 54 attended the dinner; nothing was said of [Thomas] Marsham's absence. Asks Smith for list of his intended vice-presidents in time for next Council meeting.

Encloses list of his preferred Linnean Society vice-presidents. "A thous[an]d thanks for all y[ou]r intelligence, trouble & attention"; grieves for [Thomas] Marsham and hopes to one day see him at the Society in "honour & credit" but unhappy that Marsham originally said the whole debt was £400, as it makes him look "deceived or deceitful".

Smith's list of Linnean Society vice-presidents received and entered in Council minutes; it was agreed that [Thomas] Marsham will repay his debt at intervals of 2, 4, and 7 months. Called on William Smith in Park Street to inform him that Smith is getting better.

His friend, Joseph Sparshall of Norwich, "a good young entomologist", wishes to become FLS; vouches for his personal worth, he will call on Macleay on way back from Paris. Recalls Samuel Young of Formosa, Berkshire, now Sir Samuel Young, baronet, being proposed FLS 4 or 5 years ago; asks why he is not on the list.