Urges Smith not to publish [George] Don's moss as a new 'Gymnostomum', as it would be "injurious" to Smith's credit. Hopeful his wife's recovery will continue following the death of their son. [Nathaniel] Winch claims that 'Pyrola media' is 'P. minor'; he says Smith has a parcel from [Olof] Swartz. Asks to borrow "Stockholm Transactions" vol 22 for [Erik] Acharius' papers on 'Collemata'. Encloses two or three 'Lichen'. Will send parcel for [James] Sowerby, and will resend all he has published to [James] Dickson if he wishes it, though does not expect any new publication from him.

Encloses specimen of 'Gymnostomum donnianum' [extant], named by Dr [James Edward] Smith and to be included in "English botany" for next April, also encloses a magnified drawing of it and letter from the artist [both extant]. Asks Brodie to transmit the whole to Smith. [Dawson] Turner thought it the 'Grimmea pusilla' of "Flora Britannica" but after examining five hundred specimens he is sure it is not.

Letter from James Neill, Lauriston Road, to George Don, Edinburgh, 12 February 1806: describes how he drew the magnified drawing of 'G. donnianum' with a solar microscope, a method he believes is new. Pencil drawing of 'G. donnianum' and specimen of same, wrapped in paper.

Note by Brodie to Smith on cover, forwarding the whole.

Received Winch's parcel a few days ago, enclosing one from [Olof] Swartz; thanks for present of Winch's work ["The Botanist's guide through the Counties of Northumberland and Durham"] and specimens enclosed in it, particularly 'Hypnum cordifolium' and 'Dicranum fuscescens'. Thanks Winch for his numerous communications through [Dawson] Turner and [James] Sowerby, "which have enriched "English botany"".

Numbered responses to Winch's queries on plants: 1. like 'Hypnum rugosum'; 2. like Ehrhart's 'H. rugosum' but has not the "proper rugosity"; 3. 'Cochlearia officinalis'; 4. an 'Epilobium' he gathered on glacier of Chamouin in Savoy and supposed variety of 'E. alpinum', near 'E. roseum'; 5. a 'Chironia'; 6. 'Eriophorum polystachion'; has no means of ascertaining 'Bartiamia ithyphylla'; of the exotics 1 is a 'Caucalis' unknown to him, and the rest are 'Buphthalmum aquaticum', 'Statice monopetala', 'Fumaria parviflora', 'Frankenia hirsuta', 'Tribulus terrestris', and possible 'Scabiosa plumosa'; 7. 'Pryola media' of Swartz; 8. 'Pyrola folio rotundo'; "always a matter of wonder what all Rivinius's 'Pyrolae' were".

Turner's family in far better health and spirits than could be expected after "the dreadful loss of his only son by fire".

[On recto of second folio] List of specimens, corresponds with Smith's observations above [in Winch's hand].

Sends draft of his paper [on 'Scitamineae']; if Smith agrees with principal points he can improve it with Smith's herbarium and library. Comments on a "sullen & ungracious" critique of his "[Life and Pontificate of] Leo [the Tenth]" in the "Edinburgh Review", pointing out its errors and his determination to respond to the "volumes of abuse". Pleased by Mr Reeve's "favourable opinion" of the book.

No summary available.

Encloses list of desiderata of lichen and mosses from "Flora Britannica" and "English Botany" in order to determine his own collection. Smith has ticked the following, probably specimens he sent: 'Gymnostomum aeruginosum', 'Grimmia schisti', 'Dicranum suscescens', 'Hypnum polyanthus', 'Hypnum swartzii', 'Hypnum imploxum', 'Lichen contiguus', 'Lichen conspurcatus'. Has just received some new mosses and lichens from the East Indies.

Asks Smith's opinon of value of his late neighbour Archdeacon Pierson's herbarium, due to be sold in York, comprised of 1745 British plants, 866 exotic, 130 miscellaneous, and 25 Corallines, on paper 18 inches by 11, finically neat and luxuriant, with each order arranged in a neat portfolio-like case encased in spacious wainscot chest. Smith previously valued a larger herbarium at £30, hopeful for similar value.

Has been examining mosses and pleased with Smith's genera and English names, especially preservation of [William] Hudson's specific names even when obliged to alter the genus.

Concerned to hear Sowerby is ill. Received [Richard] Salisbury's attack on "English botany" yesterday with another "scurrilous" letter; glad to see he praises Sowerby's part of the work. Intends to neither answer Salisbury's letters nor his work, and to return future letters unopened. Defends himself against Salisbury's attack by saying he is the "first English writer who undertook to examine the characters of Linnaeus, & to correct them where [he] found an error", and thus can only be blamed for not bringing them at once to "perfection".

Returns Sowerby's drawing for frontispiece of "Flora Graeca". emphasises that Hudson, Lightfoot and Curtis all copied Linnaeus without correction. Sorry to hear Sowerby is thinking of dropping "Exotic Botany" after its increased sale, reiterates that he is content to wait for his money for this work. Unable to send his specimen of 'Merops apiaster' for Sowerby to draw, so sends drawing of Hooker's. Sends his duplicate of 'Alopecurus fulvus'. Returning various plates for "English botany" and "Exotic botany".

Sorry to hear of Smith's indisposition; her health has been indifferent. Hopes to come to London next month. Dissatisfied with [James] Sowerby's figure of her 'Asclepias carnosus'. Hopes to attend Smith's botany lectures. Has a plant of the "Peay Tree". Fears the subscription cost for "Flora Graeca" will be too expensive for her.

Apologises for being unable to procure seeds of 'Fuchsia' and 'Dodecatheon'. Communicates death of [Francis] Masson [(1741-1805), Kew plant collector] in Montreal, Canada. Believes Masson was "hard dealt by in being exposed to the bitter cold of Canada in the decline of life, after twenty five years service in hot climates". Hopes Smith will be Masson's champion when the time comes for a memorial to him.

[Copy in Smith's hand]

Sends account "of the process for preparing the little cakes of lozenges called by the Malays Gutta Gambeer" [extant]. Rumphius has described the plant from which they are made but erroneously denied their being extracted from it. Sends dried specimen of the plant, two drawings, describing their subjects, and specimen of the lozenges.

"Observations on the drug called Gutta Gambeer", including description of 'Nauclea gambir' [7 pp], and description of 'Nauclea acida' and 'Nauclea sclerophylla'.

Anstruther and Hardwicke.

Leaving for India soon. Has materials for a "Flora of Nepal": 114 drawings, mostly of orchids, and 1100-1200 specimens and descriptions, of which 800-900 are new, indexed according to Jussieu's arrangement. Also has 131 drawings of plants from Mysoor, many unknown or previously badly described, many descriptions and some specimens. Offers to entrust them to Smith if they would prove useful for publications.

Frustrated in his intentions to go India by the Chairman of the Court of Directors [Sir Francis Baring (1740-1810) 1st baronet] of the East India Company so is going to Scotland for three weeks. Hopes to meet Smith after to discuss arrangements for his Nepalese flora materials; proposes that Smith publish the drawings and full descriptions in his "Exotic Botany" and he will separately prepare a Prodroumus like [Carl Peter] Thunberg's "Flora Japponica". Has seen [Richard] Salisbury and his work, advises Smith not to embroil himself in a controversy.

Replying to Smith's letter of 21 December [1805]. [Thomas Williams] Simmonds has died [(d 1804), Mackenzie's naturalist], who had made great progress with his indices but not collecting, and his gardener James Mackie has left, so has been unable to do much in botany. Will look through his notes and collection for Smith's requests. Has two boxes of living plants to send [William] Roscoe. Making ornithological notes for [John] Latham. Lady Seaforth is returning home with description of, plus head and claws of a "magnificent" vulture, it is possibly a falcon. List of fifteen plants he is sending for Mr Shepherd, apologises for its deficiencies.

Lady Frankland's sister, Mrs Courtney, died of a pleuritic cold last Christmas and her husband shortly followed her, dying of a "broken heart" "literally & anatomically". Archdeacon Pierson's herbarium still unsold and his collection of 800 portrait prints, including "semi-caricatures of Dr Cullen, & other Scotch physicians, & men of eminence" will be be sold in London.

Had difficulties securing hotel rooms in London for this spring which shows "how popular this kind of residence is become".

Contrary to [James] Sowerby's statement, he did not intend to imply he would defend Smith in print against [Richard] Salisbury's pamphlet ["The generic characters in the English Botany" (1806)], but has been openly giving his opinion in conversation. Warns Smith against responding in any of his works as it would perpetuate the "disgraceful affair". Glad to hear "Florae Graecae prodromus" is printing, but sorry to hear Smith's health not good enough to lecture at Royal Institution.

No summary available.

Thanks for Roscoe's letter of 1 March. Critiques in detail Roscoe's paper on Scitamineae plants; believes it will do Roscoe "great honour" as a botanist he is the first to give a "plausible account" of these genera; a point that could have been alluded to; corrections of punctuation, quotations, spelling, and words for characteristics; asks whether 'Roscoia' is to remain in 'Amomum'.

[Richard] Salisbury has published a "most abusive & lying pamphlet" against "English Botany" ["Generic characters in the English Botany"], which he has ignored, along with two letters received since his last conclusive one. No one is paying Salisbury any attention and are anxious for Smith to keep his silence. Composed new introductory letter for Royal Institution, refuting Salisbury and not honouring him with apparent notice. Transcribes a mocking "motto" for [Salisbury] and [William] Hooker's [(1779-1832), botanical artist] "Paradisus [Londinensis]".

Pleased to hear Smith is recovered from his late "tedious" indisposition. Unable to accommodate Smith and [William Fitt] Drake as usual this year as the house is being redecorated, and as his business has increased he is making more use of rooms than previously, and their maid Sally has also left. Will endeavour to acquire alternative accommodation for Smith.

Comments on Smith's Latinity in the "Flora Graeca" and justifies his use of "etc." for saving the trouble of listing every author of authority who has written on Greek flora. Advice on the delination of [John] Sibthorp's name. Small alteration to title page, and to the title of "Prodromus Florae Graecae".

Longs to hear when Smith will be in London. Attended Linnean Society meeting in March, "where to my astonishment, [Richard] Salisbury presented his printed squib against "E[nglish] Botany", ["Generic characters of "English Botany"]". Does not believe [William George] Maton, who was in the chair, should have allowed it to be read. [James] Dickson, [Thomas] Marsham, [Alexander] Macleay, and Sir T[homas Gery] Cullum were all of Goodenough's opinion that the Linnean Society "was not the arena on which any of its members ought to engage". [Jonas] Dryander also agrees with Goodenough. Pointed out to several fellows the weakness and impotency of the attack.