Has sent a letter introducing Smith to Professor [Frédéric-Louis] Allamand of Le[i]den, and will ask Allamand to introduce Smith to Professor [David] van Royen. Also a copy of Banks' letter of introduction, in Smith's hand.

Vindicated in his suspicions that Smith's visit to [Nicolaas Laurens] Burman would not be propitious. Offers letters of introduction on the Continent. Has received a living 'Nepenthes' from China as well as two species of 'Grass aromatic' and an "'Armeria' or rather 'Cepia'". 'Holcus odaratus' has rapidly increased in his garden. Has received König's bequest of manuscripts and herbarium, including 'Sanguit draeanis' and 'Gummi gutta' [Johann Gerhard Koenig (1728-1785) German botanist].

[Note in Smith's hand] "with Mr Wadde's curious epistle".

As of yet has been unable to see [Charles Louis] L'Héritier [de Brutelle's] herbarium. Encloses two letters of introduction for Naples, one for Sir William Hamilton and the other to [John] Graeffer [(d 1802)], the gardener Banks sent to the Queen of Naples, from whom Banks believes Smith will receive more assistance. Danish botanist [Olof] Swartz has returned to London from the West Indies.

Confusion over Stelarzani business, following letters from [Giovanni Antonio] Scopoli and Seraphin Volta. [Charles Louis] L'Héritier [de Brutelle] is in England being difficult with specimens. Value of [Olof] Swartz's herbarium, "the best botanist [Banks] has seen since dear Solander's death". Appointments at the British Museum and comments on Richard Penneck, Keeper of the Reading Room. Proceedings at the Royal Society; an account from [Sir Frederick William] Herschel of volcanoes burning on the moon.

[Charles Louis] L'Héritier [de Brutelle] is still in England, amusement at his behaviour. Cautions Smith against showing Linnaeus's herbarium to L'Héritier as he will try to find, and publish, faults and lower its value, "which ought not to be as it must be the real standard to prove the meaning of Old Linnaeus's works". Thinking of bringing forward publication of William Aiton's catalogue of "the garden" [Kew] to preempt possibility of L'Héritier not acknowledging them in his own work. Queen Charlotte's botany lessons with Aiton. The ship being sent to bring the breadfruit to the West Indies will bring many plants from there. Comments on the gardens at St Vincent's and Bengal and hopes for another to be established soon in Madras. Remarks that [Olof] Swartz is the best botanist he has seen since Solander and hopes to have him supply König's place in India [Johann Gerhard Koenig (1728-1785) German botanist].

Separate note requesting Smith to bring seed of 'Racine de disette'.

Proposal by [Jonas] Dryander to procure for [Adam] Afzelius the late Richard Southgate's position at British Museum, but Afzelius unlikely to accept it, not least because of five other candidates being more skilled for the medal department.

Has directed the Mayor of Falmouth, Cornwall, to grant a passport to Joseph Porto [pseudonym of José Francisco Corrêa de Serra] so he can come to London. Has enclosed a letter from Corrêa.

Much obliged to Mrs Smith and the effort she goes to in supplying turkeys. Reports on an extremely fertile field near Norwich, apparently due to plague victims being buried in it.

Compiling an account of an earthquake felt at Norwich, unsure whether it was caused by "an explosion in the air or under the earth".

Details of [John] Sibthorp's will: provision for publishing his "Flora Graeca" in ten volumes each containing 100 plates, and when the work is finished the produce of the estate to be applied to the establishment of a professorship of Rural Economy at Oxford University when certain conditions are met. Discussion of candidates for professorship at Oxford. The "miraculous field" near Norwich.

Thanks for turkeys. [Jonas] Dryander is working on the botanic part of the "catalogue" ["Hortus Kewensis"], they have arrived at 'Diadelphia' in [Adam] Afzelius' plants.

Double geraniums given to Lady Banks by Lady Charlotte Murray [(1754–1808), sister of 4th Duke of Atholl], and discussion of who to credit the discovery to, to the best advantage of the "study of botany". Compliments Mrs Smith on turkeys.

Thanks Mrs Smith for turkeys. [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert "delighted" with 'Lambertia', named by Smith in his honour. Unable to confirm or disprove Smith's opinion on the fruits of 'B[anksia] pyriformis' and ['brebeinum'].

Thanks Mrs Smith for turkey. Unable to recommend Bracy Clarke to the directors [Executive Directory, body of five directors that held executive power in France, 1795-1799] for obtaining a passport, but nevertheless admires his acquirements as a veterinary surgeon.

Has specimens of 'Poa bulbosa' from France, Syria and Switzerland but not England. Has compared his specimen of the 'viviperous' variation against two texts. Not sending his 'Clumae' as his specimens are foreign. Comments on grasses.

Fears that the packages from India he has sent by waggon may be damaged in transit. Detained in London by experiments with alloys at the Mint.

Has received a letter from [Pierre Marie Auguste] Broussonet in Tangier, [Morocco], and forwarded to Smith a parcel of specimens collected in Barbary by Broussonet. Is sending a collector to New South Wales, asks for any papers from "Linnean Transactions" on plants of the area. Has received letters from [Friedrich Conrad] Hornemann, who was intending to set out for the interior of Africa on 12 September, following difficulties with the French. Thanks Mrs Smith for turkeys.

Thanks Mrs Smith for turkey. Flattered by dedication of "Flora Anglica" [Britannica]. Remarks on severity of the winter, in which his steward has reported hearing "frost crack" in trees, apparently not observed in England since the "Hard Frost" of 1739-1740. Time has been taken up with Committee of Coinage so has done very little botany. [Jonas] Dryander printing catalogue.

Thinks it wise for Mr Nortcut to delay his candidature at Royal Society until communicating a paper to them, to preclude "all fear of an unfavourable decision by ballot". Comments on winter weather.

Has given Mr Frost a letter of introduction to Count [Benjamin Thompson] Rumford. Compliments Mrs Smith on her turkeys. Has planted 'Eriocaulon decangulare'.