Received Smith's letter of 28 January. Glad that Smith and everyone else agrees with the Council resolution regarding [Thomas] Marsham, though Marsham has requested an explanation of what "confessing judgement" means. Goodenough certain that Marsham will not repay the money unless he is compelled. Reviews the "Hortus Gramineus Woburnensis"; disappointed by the "celebrated Fiorin grass" and doubts whether it should be called variety of 'Agrostis stolonifera' as the book claims, but thinks it "dog cheap" at three guineas.

Is actively pursuing mathematical investigations. Plans to come to Cambridge soon for a short visit. Will follow this first letter by many more. Excavations by the Geological Society going on in JH's area.

The state of the country and friends, and please push JG's book.

Asks that [John] Bradbury write to Linnean Society Council requesting them to accept the 10 guineas from his as compound payment of his arrears. Uncertain what the solicitors have done with [Thomas] Marsham. The Horticultural Society propose to leave the building unless they are allowed use of the room daily for four hours. Asks when Smith is coming to London. Part of late George Anderson's [(fl 1800s-1817), plant collector] paper on 'Paeonia' read at last meeting, [Joseph] Sabine is to add a biographical sketch.

Thanks for turkey. Glad Smith's health improved; convinced there is no diseased disorganisation in his chest but recommends living temperately and regular exercise. Prescribes Pelula Hydraggii for his headaches.

Encloses letter from [Joseph] Sabine, secretary to the Horticultural Society, for Smith's opinion on the proposal [that the Horticultural Society have daily use of Linnean Society's rooms]; doubts how far the Society ought to give the constant use of its rooms to another Society for the sake of "a few pounds".

Thanks for turkey. Received letter from [Michel Felix] Dunal [(1789-1856) French botanist] on seeds and specimens for his work on 'Solanum'. Received letters and specimens from unknown doctors in New York. Received letter from [Thomas] Nuttall [(1786-1859)] in Charlestown, USA. [Sir Stamford] Raffles [(1781-1826)], late governor of Java, in London, "quite the lion of naturalists" has brought back vast collections, Raffles' house in Bernes Street "is quite a museum", his collector Dr [Thomas] Horsfield [(1773-1859)] is still in Java. The Duchess of Somerset requested an introduction to Raffles from Lambert for the Duke [Edward Adolphus Seymour] and herself to see the collections. Raffles hosted a party of Fellows of the Royal Society, "a magnificent set-out, top was a soup of swallows' nests", Raffles has brought back several boxes of them. [George Spencer, 4th Duke of Marlborough's (1739-1817)] will: the Duchess will receive £10,000 per annum; the present Marquess and Lady Caroline £3000 per annum each; everything belonging to Blenheim [Palace] left to trustees; the family to live there with £30,000 per annum. Thanks Smith for "Compendium".

Necessary for him to make an addition to his 'Tofieldia' paper before it is printed.

Objects to the Horticultural Society having daily use of Linnean rooms as it would "endanger our property", and be "extremely burthensome" to [Robert] Brown and the servants, "not on acc[oun]t of that Soc[iet]y most of whose members are our friends, but because there will unavoidably be strangers, gardeners &c, up & down", but if agreed to the Horicultural Society ought to pay at least £100 per annum; he has "always felt that we should be more dignified if we had our house to ourselves". Intends to be in London by end of April.

Induced to part with the papers of [Sir Edward] Coke [(1552-1634), lawyer, legal writer, and politician, ancestor of Thomas William Coke] by the propriety of Coke's wish to possess the papers of the "great founder of the splendor of his family". Satisfied with the value Smith set on them.

Has sent letters in a parcel. Regarding functional equations of the first order.

Note to the effect that Dr. William Clarke of Trinity is a candidate for the Professorship of Anatomy. Hopes JH will support the Dr. [This letter is an appendix to CB's 1817-2-17]

Death of his father necessitates his return home [to USA]. Sends plants. Seeks admission to Linnean Society; expects to be able to dedicate himself more to science on his return to England.

No summary available.

Requests information on "Balsam of Guatemala" [balsam of tolu] and "'Myrospermum toluiferum'", anxious to learn more after the Minister of Denmark received a letter from an eminent physician in Spain about it.

No summary available.

About JG's book on population and a pamphlet on the usury laws [letter completed 1817-2-26].

Discusses at some length the strengths and weaknesses of Lucan's Pharsalia. Mentions JG's pamphlet on usury laws, suggesting that the argument from analogy is especially precarious in political economy.

Encloses a letter from [Henry Thomas] Colebrooke detailing a plan for publishing [William] Roxburgh's "Flora Indica". Brown's opinion of it.

Reassures Smith he franked Smith's letter to Mrs Martin, comment on Mrs Lloyd. Will be pleased to look over ["Hortus Gramineus Woburnensis"] with Smith; guards his copy and has only allowed [Edward] Rudge to view it, under supervision. Complained to Linnean Society about their habit of holding Council meetings late in the evening, which means he cannot attend, and against the Horticultural Society using the Society's rooms. [Thomas] Marsham has repaid £50 but Goodenough distressed to see the former resolution to make Marsham confess judgement has not been implemented and the business has been given to [Daniel] Moore.

Will give Smith's message about Norwich societies to Lord Sidmouth [Henry Addington, 1st Viscount Sidmouth (1757-1844), Home Secretary 1812-1822]. [Henry] Hunt's meetings [(1773-1835), radical speaker] are fueling disorder amongst the "lower orders"; there are reports of respectable women being accosted for money on quiet streets and Goodenough himself was "accosted very rudely" in his own street.

Engaged Richard Clarke of Apothecaries Hall in making further enquiries into "Balsam of Guatemala" and "'Myrospermum [falcictem]'", after ascertaining that balsam of tolu will not mix with alcohol to answer the puposes alluded to by Dr Luxunasa [Spanish doctor]. Encloses a copy of a letter from Richard Clarke, dated 25 Feb 1817, relating his findings from his enquiries, including the production methods, believes the balsam described by Dr Luxunasa relates more to balsam of Peru, comments on prescriptions and uses.