A fit of gout has taken away the use of his right hand. Thanks for turkey, hopes to send oysters in return once they are good again. Smith's appointment of [Thomas] Marsham as vice-president "gives universal satisfaction". Proposes that [Robert] Brown's position and salary as Linnean Society Librarian be divided between him and another person; "£100 per ann[um] & the use of the House is extravagant pay for 4 hours service in a week".

Signed [William Fitt] Drake's Linnean Society nomination certificate and sent on to [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert. Just received [William Jackson] Hooker's "interesting" work on Iceland ["Journal of a tour in Iceland" (1809)]. Sent oysters.

Uncertain whether to continue sending specimens to Goodenough until he hears back from regarding previously sent ones.

Numbered remarks on enclosed specimens: 'Saxifraga', marginal note suggests it may be 'S. petraea' of Linnaeus; 2. 'Lamium' possibly true 'L. maculatum' of Linnaeus [Smith annotation: "not wild?"]; 3. 'Poa', may be just 'P. annua' variety; 4. 'Lichen alcicornis' of Lightfoot. Asks Goodenough to forward this letter to Dr [James Edward] Smith.

2 specimens of grasses.

Intended to be at the Linnean Society anniversary meeting and dinner but requested by the Duke of Portland [William Henry Cavendish-Scott-Bentinck, 4th Duke of Portland (1768-1854)] to attend the Marylebone Church Bill in the House of Lords and dine at Lord Lonsdale's [William Lowther, 1st Earl of Lonsdale (1757-1844)]. Asks what the protocol is for appointing the Bishop of Durham [Shute Barrington] an honorary member of the Linnean Society and offers to propose or second him; lists his talents.

Numbered observations on enclosed specimens: 1. a 'Saxifraga'; 2. a 'Saxifraga' different from all palmated ones currently described; 3. previously unnoticed 'Saxifraga', close to 'S. elongella', proposes name 'S. fragella'; 4. 'Cerastium' like 'C. arvensis'.

Asks Goodenough to forward this letter to Dr [James Edward] Smith.

Following receipt of letter from their mutual friend [Charles] Lyell concerned to hear that [John] Mackay [(1772-1802), nurseryman and gardener] has been credited in "English botany" as sending the 'Saxifraga pedatifida', which he claims is impossible as it is very rare and only found in the Clova mountains; offers to send plants botanists are not well acquainted with so as to be cultivated in gardens.

Encloses specimens of 3 varities of 'S. pedatifida'; an 'Arenaria' he proposes naming 'A. charlinfolia', observations. Points out that Smith has credited [Robert] Brown with finding 'Sagina maritima' in 1798 on coasts of Ireland and Fifeshire, when he himself found it in 1784 on Ben Nevis.

Asks Goodenough to forward this letter to Dr [James Edward] Smith.

Forwarded Smith's letter to [George] Don. Goodenough wishes Smith would ask Don about how he found the Italian 'Lemium maculatum' in Scottish woods, which he remembers from Kew Gardens; Don is rumoured to have sown foreign seeds and claimed them as native plants. Asks Smith to consider Bishop of Durham's [Shute Barrington] election as honorary member of the Linnean Society. Advises Smith to solicit the Prince Regent to become patron of the Society. Gathered in Bolton woods, near Bolton Abbey, 'Rubus saxatilis', 'Thalictrum majus', 'Thalictrum minus', and 'Polypodium dryopteris'.

Sorry to hear that Smith is indisposed, especially as it means delaying the visit to Rose Castle. Smith should not be vexed by the bad review in the "Anti-Jacobin".

Numbered observations on enclosed specimens: a 'Triticum' first found in 1793 on Ben Lawers, and never encountered again until 1810, proposes name 'T. alpinum', very rare but now established in his garden; 2. leaf of 'Iris xiphium', thinks it indigenous; 3. leaves of an 'Alchemilla' larger than 'A. alpina'; 4. leaves of an 'Anthyllis' different from 'A. vulneraria' and the coastal 'Anthyllis'. Asks Goodenough to forward this letter to Dr [James Edward] Smith.

Hopes Smith is better, all in London were surprised to see one so "abstemious" suffering from fever; recalls Mrs Delaney, companion of the old Duchess of Portland, dying of one at 93. The 'Sedum ochroleucum' Smith sent is in good health but of the two carnations only the straw-coloured one produced flowers and the "piquote" one died. Compliments Smith on his handling of engaging the Prince Regent as patron of the Linnean Society; thinks there will be no impediments to Bishop of Durham [Shute Barrington] now becoming an honorary member. Hopes Smith's friend [William Fitt] Drake will succeed [in his training for the clergy], and that he will think for himself. Carlisle botanists disappointed Smith is not visiting this year; one of them, Mr Holme of Peterhouse, finds good things. Has given one of his vacant prebends to his second son, Robert, who has married Miss Markdam, and has also preferred several other family members.

Franked Smith's letter to [Walter] Wade. Amused by Smith's letter stating he is teaching [William Fitt] Drake religion [he had begun training for the clergy], presumes he does not mean Divinity. Debates atonement and "vicarious punishment" as defined by Smith's Unitarian faith and his own. Counsels Smith not to advise Drake and compares the religion of a citizen and of a clergyman.

Arrived back in London. Thanks for "Lachesis Lapponica". Sir Joseph Banks taking him to the [Royal Society] anniversary dinner. Antiquarian Society in uproar; Sir [Henry] Englefield [7th baronet (1752-1822)] "pants" for the Chair but his Popish connection has raised a powerful opponent in Lord Aberdeen [George Hamilton-Gordon, 4th Earl of Aberdeen (1784-1860)], who has carried ninety-two votes to three.

Smith's reply to Goodenough's dated 4 October 1811. Goodenough does him "great injustice" but by mistake, he informed Goodenough of his disbelief in vicarious punishment as taught by the [Anglican] church in confidence, and claims, as a professed dissenter, his own right to judge for himself. States that he has never perplexed Drake or anyone else with his doubts or opinions and only tried to get him to take the Christian religion as a whole, and thinks that all Christians should judge for themselves.

Thanks for basket of game. Assures Smith he did not mean to suggest Smith was trying to influence [William Fitt Drake] with his own religious persuasions, and looks upon "any conscientious dissenter as being as good & as religious as any churchman whatsoever".

Will join the Linnean Dining Club, proposed by [William George] Maton, [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert and Mr Baker, if it is a "frugal literary dinner, where eating is not the primary object". Fears the plans for it are moving too fast; could not attend a meeting on subject held at the British Coffee House and attended by Maton, [George] Shaw [(1751-1813)], [Joseph] Sabine, and [William] Pilkington [(1758-1848)] as it would be "out of character". Enjoying reading "Lachesis Lapponica" and the greater maturity of Linnaeus' writing compared to his earlier "Systema".