The new Governor-General [Gilbert Elliot-Murray-Kynynmound, 1st Earl of Minto (1751-1814)] not sailing before Christmas. Had hoped to visit Smith in Norwich but delayed in his attempts to be named [William] Roxburgh's successor in India by Roxburgh having pushed for his son's appointment instead. Asks Smith to obtain [Amelia] Hume's support "or at least her being quiet".

Elected MP for Liverpool by a majority over both the other candidates.

Envelope, addressed to Smith, with note in red ink "Mr Roscoe's first Frank".

Congratulates Roscoe on his election as MP; excitement of his family. William Smith lost his Norwich seat here thanks to efforts of "contemptible beings". Considers the impact of Roscoe's election on the slave trade, which shows that "even Liverpool can do better without it"; general election excitement. Mr Creery will be glad of Roscoe's election.

Believes [Francis] Buchanan is mistaken about Roxburgh's son who is according to her "apprehension" in possession of his father's place [in India]. Believes [William] Roxburgh is neither soliciting "his late place, or for that son". Comments that Mr Roxburgh [probably William Roscoe (fl 1780s-1810) superintendent of East India Company's spice plantations at Fort Marlborough, Sumatra] has "succeeded particularly well", bringing "spices to perfection at Bencoolen, [Sumatra]" in the Company's own establishments, something they "have very much at heart". Though she generally wishes to serve anyone Smith esteems cannot in this case turn Roxburgh's son out. Amused by [William] Roscoe's and Smith's "different appellations" of Liverpool voters, Smith referring to them as "slave-mongers" and Roscoe as "worthy constituents". Wishes him well although believes he cannot in private life be a better man than the one he has turned out, "seldom the politicks of the study turn out well in the Cabinet". Happy to see men of ability come forward when England is in danger [fear of imminent French invasion], commenting on the poverty, depression, insolence and larceny in Europe under the "tyrant" [Napoleon Bonaparte]. In a postscript on recto of first folio Hume notes that the 'Nadina officinalis' is coming into flower.

Encloses Lord [Edward Smith-]Stanley's FLS nomination certificate and asks Smith to find two signatories. Asks for copies of his last arrangement of genus 'Canna' and the first copy of of his paper on 'Scitamineae' plants; agrees that the genus needs investigation; wishes he had seen Smith's 'Canna glauca' in "Exotic botany" as Smith's figure differs entirely from 'Canna glauca' of "Hortus Elthamensis"; his knowledge of the two kinds of the genus, the nerved leaved kind, including 'Canna lutea', 'Coccinea', 'Canna latifolia', and the glaucos kind, including 'Cannacorus' of "Hortus Elthamensis", Smith's 'glauca', 'Maranta arundinacea' and 'Maranta sylvatica', which both agree with 'lutea' of [Nikolaus von] Jacquin; small ink sketch of detail of plant. Intends to distribute 'Monandrian' plants to friends with stoves.

[Parts of this letter appears to have been written some time before its dating, as Roscoe mentions being called to offer himself as a candidate in the election, which he won in early November].

Intends to exercise Roscoe's "newly acquired gift of franking in the service of botany"; sends 'Tangionia hypophylla' for John Shepherd [(c 1764-1836, curator Liverpool Botanic Garden]. Sending Roscoe's 'Scitamineae' paper in several franks. Will ensure Lord [Edward Smith-]Stanley's FLS nomination certificate is completed.

Norfolk county elections are closing with [Thomas William] Coke and [William] Windham [(1750-1810), politician] "some hundreds" ahead of Wodehouse, and at one of his dinners Coke toasted "Mr Roscoe & the abolition of the slave trade [...] 3 times 3"; Coke's favourable opinion of Roscoe based on his winning the Liverpool election with the motto "no slave trade"; Roscoe should visit Coke and [Andrew] Fountaine to see their libraries, manuscripts, and porcelain.

[Letter possibly incomplete: no signature or valediction]

Thanks Smith for recommending him to [Amelia] Hume regarding campaign to be appointed William Roxburgh's successor [at Calcutta Botanic Garden] over Roxburgh's son and explains why "young Roxburgh" is not adequately qualified. Has started working on an index for his journal.

No summary available.

Apologises for the passage in his paper ["On the marine plants described in the Flora Anglica"] which referred to Mr [Lilly?] Wigg [(1749-1829), clerk in Dawson Turner's bank] and was "confessedly to produce a laugh"; suggests how the passage could be removed and additions to be made if it is printed.

Recent weather: snow followed by rain. Norfolk "a most unpleasant state from [political] contest", some details. His brother, now in the Admiralty, will frank letters for Smith.

'Lichen stellaris' and its affinities "very imperfectly understood" by English botanists: encloses specimens [not extant] and remarks [extant] on those occurring within this neighbourhood, except 'L. caesius' and 'L. aleurites', which are sufficiently known. Uncertain about his quotation of Acharius; necessity for a work on the subject according to [Dawson] Turner's recommendations in "Linnean Transactions" vol 7.

Notes written West Town, [near Lewes, Sussex], November 1804, on 8 lichens: 'Lichen cycloselis', 'L. ulothrex', 'L. virellus', 'L. pulverulentus', 'L. aipolius', 'L. anthelinus', 'L. stellaris', and a new 'Lichen'.

5 coloured drawings on 2 folios of several lichens, with pencil notes [by Smith] naming 'Lichen nigro-virens' found by Charles Lyell 1809 and 'Lichen pezizoides' found by Borrer. 8 partly coloured drawings on 2 folios of leaf, twig, and flower of 'Salix', with pencil notes [by Smith] detailing specimens found by Borrer in 1813 [unclear if drawings belong to this letter].