Encloses specimens of 'Hieracium', which are "truly intricate like the willows and some other families", believes no one can judge of between species and varities unless they cultivate them; numbered observations: 1. 'Hieracium ramosum' said to be native of Hungary; 2. 'H. kalmii', contrary to Goodenough's claim distinct from 'H. prenanthoides'; 3. a 'Hieracium' he previoulsy thought described in "Flora Britannica". Asks Goodenough to forward this letter to Dr [James Edward] Smith.

Encloses specimen of true 'Hieracium prenanthoides'. Numbered observations on additional enclosed specimens: 1. an unknown 'Hieracium'; 2. possible 'H. kalmii' raised from seed by Mr Mackay; 3. a 'Hieracium' grown by late [William] Curtis in his Lambeth garden, never found wild, raised from seeds sent by [James] Donn [(1758-1813), curator of Cambridge Botanic Garden] under names of 'H. cornatum' and another.

A packet from [Jacques-Julien de] Labillardière for Smith. Received latest editions of "Annals du Museum d'Histoire Naturelle" which include the whole of [René Louiche] Desfontaines' "Choix de plantes du Corollaire de Tournefort". Received from Mr Coxe a copper plate of [Peter Simon] Pallas from St Petersburg, will give it to Linnean Society to accompany his paper. Obtained all of [Alexander von] Humboldt's works on plants. Has been busy on Salisbury Plain, is going to Longleat, [Somerset], to visit Lord Bath [Thomas Thynne, 2nd Marquess of Bath (1765-1837)], says of Lady Bath "my Lady fancys [sic] herself very fond of plants but I fancy she is not". Proposes Sir Edward [Hulse] and Mr Duke as Linnean Society members.

Constantly reminded of Smith by his "very assiduous & ever-to-be-encouraged correspondent Mr G[eorge] Don". Made to doubt his own knowledge after seeing Don's "acute observations", and wonder "where have all these things lain since the days of Adam, that no one should have noticed them before". Does not wish for Smith to be charged for any of [the Don letters and plant specimens]. Eagerly awaiting confirmation of Smith's visit.

Has previously written to Smith on an animal of the 'Physophora' genus. Staying at home of [Thomas] Jefferson [3rd President of USA] with Jefferson's son-in-law, [Thomas Mann] Randolph [Jr.], an "excellent naturalist". Has discovered at least two orchids not described in books following Smith's request to look into 'Orchidaceae', many species in America. Found two species of 'Helleborine' established but not described by [Christiaan Hendrik] Persoon, two new 'Cacalia' and a new 'Talinum'. Believes America will be rich in 'Cryptogramia'; 'Lichen Sepincola' is abundant on 'Pinus taeda'; also rich in 'Carex'. Leaving shortly to explore Louisiana as a "first Reaper" and will winter at Fort St Louis on the Mississippi with Captain Lewis, who was sent by President Jefferson to explore the Missouri and has discovered 20 new species of animal. Randolph cultivating 'Holcus sorghum', 'Sorghum vulgare' of Persoon, and 'Sesamum indicum' for oil.

Intends to subjoin some remarks in [David] White's paper on the Malabar Cardamom explaining the name for new genus of the plant, 'Elettaria', and correcting errors in Linnaeus' 'Amomum cardamomum', describes some of them and asks Smith to examine Linnaeus' specimen. Unsure on how to proceed with publication of the note.

Death of [Amelia] Hume after a "long and severe illness". Has received from [William] Roxburgh a large parcel of specimens for Smith and seeds for Liverpool Botanic Garden, and one for Royal Society at Edinburgh and seeds for the Edinburgh Botanical Garden.

Discusses etymology of 'Ethulia', 'Euclea', and Linnaeus' non-scholarly formation of names. Fears death of Lady Amelia Hume will remove Sir Abraham Hume from natural history. Continually asked when the fourth volume of "Flora Britannica" is out. Had told a group of country botanists in Carlisle region that Smith was coming to visit, they shall be disappointed. If Smith visits next year requests root of Smith's "pale primrose-coloured Carnation".

Discusses a "curious communication" containing as "much botanical as well as physical information" [presumably a paper or figure by Richard Salisbury]. States they "are only at war with the immoral not the scientific part of "that fellow of nuisance and scandal"", concludes that [Salisbury] is now received at Soho Square [home of Sir Joseph Banks] as Lady Hamilton [(1765-1815) mistress of Lord Nelson] would be [following discovery of Salisbury stealing Sir Joseph Banks' drawings and publishing them as his own]. Discusses history of a disputed related drawing. Death of Amelia Hume. Discusses distinctness of the two species of 'Aegiphyla'.

[Letter incomplete: sections cropped, presumed destroyed]

Numbered observations on enclosed specimens: 1. an 'Agrostis', discovered on beach in Angushire in 1807 with 'Equisetum variegatum' [Goodenough annotation: "can this be a variety of 'Agrostis setacea'? S.C."]; 2. a 'Saxifraga' same as no. 8 in letter he sent 3 April 1809; 3. a 'Scleranthus'; 4. a 'Scleranthus annuus'; 5. a new 'Anthemis' proposes name 'A. bicolor'; 6. another new 'Anthemis' proposes name 'A. tricolor'. Hopes to hear from Goodenough soon, asks him to forward this letter to Dr [James Edward] Smith [address label to Smith at Norwich, 3 September 1809].