Has not heard from from Smith or any of his other botanical correspondents for a long time, "botany has suffered much [...] by the unhappy interruption of mutual communications" [War of 1812, conflict between the US and Britain in North America, 1812-1815]. The President has given permission for Mr Whiston to travel to England to return with plants "for the use of science", Whiston introduced the [medicinal?] use of 'Urtica' and 'Asclepias' to America. Sending with him copies of his pocket book "Catalogus plantarum Americae septentrionalis", complains of difficulty of getting it or similar published. Hopes Smith and Sir Joseph Banks will assist Whiston. No book on fungi with figures in any of the public libraries of Boston, New York, Philadelphia, or Charlestown, asks [Dawson] Turner's book can be sent, or if specimens could be sent for comparisons with his own collection. Intends to send Turner specimens once navigation reopens. Would like observations on the 'Solidago' specimens he previously sent.

Encloses copy of his report on the "Fishes of New York"; brief notes on composition and general findings. "Valuable" "Linnean Transactions" are in their library. Offers to send copies of his report to [George] Shaw and [Edward] Donovan [(1768-1837), zoologist].