Received Smith's letter of 19 [May 1797]; glad specimens reached him. Congratulates Smith on his move to Norwich and his marriage. Feels his advancing age; offers to bequeath his herbarium to Smith. News of Dr Woolcombe and Mr McRitchie. Rejoices at prosperity of Linnean Society and success of "Linnean Transactions".

Sent [Walker's] drawing of the moonlight view of Aberystwyth to Mr Edwards of Pall Mall, as Dr Anderson has left London for the north.

Sorry to hear Smith unwell; his own cough remains and took a "good dose of tennis this morning", a "pleasanter medicine than James's powder". Sending portfolio of drawings and plans of Hafod to Mr Edwards, including moonlight view of Abersytwyth belonging to Mr Walker of Edinburgh, who persuaded him to make an exchange he regrets for a drawing of Jacob Moore. Sorry to have lost Calonne's collection, now advertised to be sold piecemeal, as he wishes to encourage his daughter's [Mariamne Johnes] love of natural history as much as possible, "for it must tend to good". Discusses qualities and worth of the Hafod drawings but catalogue of the library delayed. Cannot give Smith good account of his daughter's health and is impatient to set out for sea water, "our sheet anchor".

Plans to visit Smith in Norwich on 3 July [1797]. Directions for copies of "Linnean Transactions" vol 3. Criticises comment made by [Samuel] Goodenough in preface to their paper on 'Fucus', printed in that volume. Wished he could have attended the anniversary meeting at the Crown & Anchor. Hopes to see [Thomas] Velley at Norwich, even though he is a "botanical bore". Encloses certificate nominating [Dawson] Turner as FLS.

Sending part one of his edition of "Species plantarum", apologises for deficiencies; reliant on his own herbarium, not having access to England's "well-endowed" herbariums.

Received Smith's letter of 18 [June 1797]; thanks for his promise of help in naming specimens in the conchology cabinet he is prerparing as a gift, as he wishes to make it scientific.

Disagrees with Smith on proposed changes to Linnean Society regulations, particularly letting the places of Honorary Members fall vacant or to fill by ballot, which "entirely does away the Honor intended"; argues that there is no need to change the rules and regulations, considering the rapid growth of the Society over the last 9 years and the unrivalled harmony it has enjoyed, and to risk the introduction of "distrust & anarchy"; determined to oppose [William] Pilkington's [(1758-1848)] proposed amendment; argues in favour of retaining Honorary Members; [Samuel] Goodenough's own motion to set the position in law.

They will arrive in Norwich on 17 [July 1797], notwithstanding any further obstacles. Thanks for account of 'Saxifraga', which [William] Withering requested him to enquire about, who wanted to know where [William] Hudson's 'S. caespitosa' was from. Thanks for 'Scirpus multicaulis', though as yet does not see it as being truly a 'Salisburia'. Many errors in printing of his and [Samuel] Goodenough's paper on 'Fucus' in "Linnean Transactions", blames Goodenough. Hopes to meet [Thomas] Velley when they come to Norwich.

No summary available.

Has just seen the prospectus for [Robert] Thornton's "New Illustration of the Sexual System of Linnaeus" but it is too expensive for him to subscribe to, will inform Smith if he finds anyone willing to do so. A long time since he heard from Smith; eager to hear if he has published anything in meantime.

Thanks for Smith's letter and "friendly documents & information", unfortunately they came too late for him to alter names [in his "Menthae Britannicae"], as the plates are all finished and letterpress almost finished; the work has been slightly delayed by his ill health. Explains his garden catalogue system. Hopes there are not too many "blunders" in his work, and if he finds any contradictions with Smith's letter will add his observations as a postscript.

Relinquished his intention to publish "an elementary treatise on botany" and is now working on a "Synopsis of British plants" modelled on the ["Enchiridion botanicum" (1782)] of [Arthur] Broughton [(c 1758-1796), botanist]. Requests Smith's advice: omitting the cryptogamic plants owing to the "inadequacy of the characters" to represent them; wishes to retain the ferns, had hoped to base them on Smith's still anticipated treatise ['On the Genus of Dorsiferous Ferns', published in "Tracts relating to natural history" (1798)], asks whether to present them according to the Linnaean arrangement or to leave them for an appendix with the other cryptogamic plants. Outlines the changes he has made to presentation of characters and synoptic tables.

Asks after announcement of publication of a new "Flora Britannica" and discovery of new British plants recently announced in "Gentlemen's Magazine".

[Smith has briefly annotated his reply]: his volume will appear this year ["Tracts relating to natural history"], thinks it unfortunate that Symons has disturbed natural arrangement of genera in "Species Plantarum" and recommends he studies the cryptogams and compile from his predecessors.

Disappointed to see 18 people at the Linnean Society at recent evening meeting, "a very large number for a private night", account of the balloting: Smith's friend [Robert John] Thornton [(c 1768-1837)] rejected with three blackballs, and two blackballs each against [James Webbe] Tobin [(d 1814)] and Revd [Henry Peter] Stacey, which is a new system they are starting; [Samuel] Goodenough's motion received 14 votes to 3 against, and [William] Pilkington's [(1758-1848)] amendment received 3 votes to 14. Lists those in attendance. Society business. Has since been informed that more people would have attended and blackballed Thornton had they known he was proposed.

Goodenough found 'Salix rubra' but [William] Curtis lost both cuttings and specimens.

No summary available.

Sends copy of his account of the late "Embassy to China", with a folio volume of plates relating to it. The Linnean Society and all Smith's London acquaintance regret his absence, "tho' it is natural for you to prefer living in the Bosom of your Relations, in Norwich, [Norfolk]".

At Smith's request forwarding three pairs of forceps. Unaware of Soho Square [home of Sir Joseph Banks] bearing any "undue influence" on Linnean Society elections, and assures Smith that the third person he suspects blackballed [Robert John Thornton (c 1768-1837)] actually voted for him. Pleased to hear Smith and [Lewis] Weston [Dillwyn ? (1778-1855), naturalist] "are going on with the 'Phalaena'".

Thanks for Smith's letter of 18 June [1797]; gratified by Smith's acceptance of offer of his herbarium on his death. Recently visited Fife, Dumfermline; account of a gelatinous marine plant. Satisfaction at "Linnean Transactions" and papers on 'Fucus' and 'Carex' in third and second volumes. Encloses specimens from Mrs Roget [extant]. Smith's description of [Nicholas] Gwyn makes him think of "some majestic oak" now mouldering away. All in expectation of Smith's "Flora Britannica". Supposes his Scottish 'Silene amoena' and the Welsh are the same.

Two specimens, labelled by Smith "'Orobus tuberosa' narrow leaved" and "'Valeriana rubra' dwarf".

Thanks for present of book ["The natural history of the rarer lepidopterous insects of Georgia"] and acknowledgement therein, praises Smith's work, "upon the whole it has the three great requisites to a modern publication - good letter, good paper, and showy plates". Has a pair of 'Papilio lathonia'. Until seeing Smith's cabinets at Hammersmith was unable to distinguish between 'Phalaena', 'Padella', and 'Euonymella'; concluded that 'Euonymella' was not English, but this year [Adrian Hardy] Haworth [(1768-1833) botanist and entomologist] and another have found it and it is described by [John] Ray. Believes Smith is mistaken in his naming of the fly 'Argiolus' Tab. 15.

Thanks for Smith's memoir on Ferns [published by Turin Academy]. Mortified by Dr [Robert John] Thornton's [(c 1768-1837), physician and writer on botany] rejection by Linnean Society; intends to propose him again, and if unsuccessful again will propose a change to the rules to reflect those of Royal Society. Concerned by "strong tendency" in Soho Square [home of Sir Joseph Banks] "to throw ridicule upon all persons and proceedings, except a certain set".

Sending by Mr Falconer specimen and seeds of a grass from the Cape of Good Hope, believes it to be 'Holeus saccharatus' but seeks Smith's opinion. Poor weather has prevented him from pursuing botany.

Encloses certificate proposing Lord St John as FLS. Received visit from [Thomas] Velley; discussed his and [Samuel] Goodenough's joint paper on 'Fucus'. Praises second fasciculus of [John] Stackhouse's ["Nereis Britannica"], but criticises his plan to form several genera based on microscopic observations, as Hedwig did with mosses, as being too "minute & intricate for general observers"; his own proposed criteria for separating 'Fucus' genera. Chases up copies of his and Goodenough's paper and [James] Sowerby's "Fungi".