Received Smith's letter of 24 April [1810]. Suffering from severe headaches, for which he has just returned from a retreat in the upper provinces; was unable to pursue any natural history inclinations and has become a "much worse botanist" than when he left England; preparing to visit the Cape [of Good Hope] or St Helena for the headaches, and will also visit England if they persist. Whilst at Cawnpore found 'Rhododendrun boorans' for Calcutta Botanic Garden and Marquis of Blandford [George Spencer-Churchill]; [William] Roxburgh sending drawing taken from dried specimen. Also found: 'Berberris ilicifolia', 'Rubus' with yellow fruit, a 'Quercus', 'Pinus longifolia', and a 'Betula'. Transplanted a tree from Cawnpore to Calcutta Botanic Garden, Roxburgh thinks it a 'Humea'; observations.

Has a specimen of 'Breccia' or pudding stone, a mineral, for Sir Joseph Banks. Pleased to hear of Banks' desire to establish a Botanic Garden at Ceylon. Concerned to hear of [Robert] Brown's desertion of the Linnaean School.

Left Bengal for restoration of his health and long abscence from that climate. Intends to tour the island and examine its natural productions. Sent a cabinet of insects of Bengal and surrounding sea coasts for the Linnean Society; details concerning its delivery. Intends to stay on Mauritius for 4 months before going on to Cape [of Good Hope], and may be in England next summer. Observations on climate. Accompanied by Captain Roughsedge of Liverpool.

Requests Smith send to Wisbech, [Cambridgeshire], the books and drawings left in his custody. Visit Lincolnshire, will return to Wisbech via London.

Thanks for return of books and drawings. Ill-health prevented him from attending first Linnean Society meeting of the winter. Introduces Dr Heyne of the Madras establishment, a botanist. [William] Roxburgh "incessantly employed" in his botanical studies; recently acquired 'Strychnos colubrina'. Intends to return to India in the spring. Smith should expect "interesting botanical communications" from William Hunter, who accompanied the expedition to Java. Comments on Roxburgh's "clustered leaved" 'Pinus'.

Hopes to meet Smith at Linnean Society meeting of 7 [December]. Offering 200 specimens of Mauritius plants to Linnean Society, with descriptions; also collected woods and minerals but they are currently detained. Asks that Smith bring drawing of "a fine 'Malvaceous' tree with large yellow flowers"; observations; [William] Roxburgh unable to determine it; sending transcript of description he gave Roxburgh in 1810 [extant]. Description of 'Malvaceous' tree.

Introduces [Nathaniel] Wallich and proposes him as FLS. His official duties prevent him from pursuing his natural history interests. Compliments to [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert, [William George] Maton, [Alexander] Macleay, [Thomas] Marsham, [Edward] Rudge, and [Robert] Brown. Considering returning to England on an 1818-1819 ship.

Received Smith's letter of 16 September, pleased he is "assisting the cause of Botany in Liverpool" [establishment of botanic garden] and hopes to see some of [Nathaniel] Wallich's Nepalese plants there. Wallich "works like a horse" dispatching plants from Calcutta Botanic Garden around the world. Hopes to return to England in 1821. His studies have focused on zoology rather than botany, receiving specimens from Nepal through Wallich's intercourse, the country is rich in 'Phasianus'. Has a "fine Alligator's head for the Society", 'Crocodilus' of [George] Shaw, and a 'Gangeticus' [gharial], figures in Shaw ["General Zoology"?] are "wretched". Pleased Smith has grown a 'Rhododendron' from the seeds he sent, would like the credit of introducing the first Indian species to England, "they do not thrive in the moist air of Bengal". Has requested latest volumes of "Linnean Transactions" and "Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society" from [William George] Maton.