Had always considered that the plates [Nikolaus von] Jacquin gave [John] Sibthorp were a gift and not a loan, following communications from [Joseph von] Jacquin to the contrary; Sibthorp had intended to use them to explain the text of Dioscorides; believes they were destroyed in a fire; on a visit to Vienna in 1798 neither of the Jacquins mentioned the claim now brought. Transcribes a response for Smith to communicate to Jacquin. Leaves decision over 'Mandragora' to Smith.