Introduces himself; thanks for being made ALS through "polite interference" of [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert. Praises Smith's works; his "Icones pictae" and "Spicilegium [botanicum]" are the "most superb botanic publications" he ever saw, and is anxious to receive all of Smith's works as they are published; asks if a new number of "Linnaeus' herbarium" has been published yet ["Icones plantarum"].

Forced to give up his attempt to publish a "Flora Dublinensis" for want of encouragement, but asks Smith's opinion of the sample he sent Messrs White [publishers]; Sir Joseph Banks thought it had "no particular merit", though he knows no other good extant figure of 'Hyoscyamus niger'. Now attempting to publish a "Flora Hibernica" without figures. Asks after possibility of Ireland receiving a copy of Banks' edition of Kaempfer's "Icones selectae". Praises Smith's "Introductory Discourse" in "Linnean Transactions".

Received the most recent numbers of Smith's "Icones Pictae" and "Spicilegium Botanicum". Would like Smith's opinion of his manuscript "Flora Dubliniensis", having heard from [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert that Smith has seen it. Asks if [Pierre] Bulliard [(1752-1793), botanist] has published anymore of his ["Herbia de la France"] since 1780. Had suspected the author of "English Botany" was someone "first rate" and is not disappointed [Smith's "English Botany" was originally published anonymously]; suggests improving it by including the general size of plants and differences noted when much similarity occurs. Not impressed with [Thomas Martyn's] "Flora Rustica", particularly its lack of originality and inferior paper and plates. Thanks for Smith's pledge of support for his plans to promote natural history in Ireland but is increasingly realising the futility of this in spite of Ireland's natural treasures. Shall communicate any Irish natural history findings to the Linnean Society. Andrew Caldwell sends his compliments and hopes Smith received his pamphlets.

Sends copy of his work, intended to "encourage the study of botany" in Ireland; believes is the first systematic account of any branch of natural history in Ireland [probably of his "Catalogus systematicus plantarum [...] Dublinensi" (1794)]; desires Smith's opinion. Delighted by Smith's various publications; hopes Smith long lives "to gratify the botanic amateur"; asks best way to obtain new numbers.

Hopes Smith has seen Andrew Caldwell and presumes he has told Smith of the plans for establishing a botanic garden at Dublin, for which Parliament have already granted £1,700 and £500 per annum, hopes of being superintendent. Collecting material for a "Flora Hibernica"; dreads the cryptogams, though assisted by Dillenius, Michelieux, Schaeffer, and Hedwig; [William] Withering's work a "great labour", but much confusion, and [James] Bolton's "Filices" and "Fungi" good but descriptions do not always correspond with common ferns and mushrooms of this country.

Introduces Mr Archer, their state surgeon and a "great lover of botany".

[Note at foot of letter by Archer, dated 12 October 1794] introduces himself; his regret at missing Smith when he called at Great Marlborough Street.

Introduces Councillor Boardman and Mr Haner, who are returning property belonging to Smith [probably duplicates of Smith's publications]. They have at last acquired land for the Dublin botanic garden and are to start work immediately.

Sorry to hear from [Andrew] Caldwell that Smith has not received the £5 2s 6d, which he assures Smith he sent two years ago; wishes Smith had mentioned it directly to him before, and Caldwell has now taken care of the situation.