Unable to attend Linnean Society anniversary meeting as the situation of the country is such that it is "expedient for every person [...] to be at home to secure their own property"; reports of fires in vicinty of Bury, [Suffolk], "almost all malicious & wilful, from the discontent of the people". Poverty of the smaller farmers means that in every parish there are labourers out of employ and discontented, and rises in price of corn "only serves to irritate the poor". Describes a mob he saw in Norwich, but hopes recent falls in corn prices will quiet things.

[John] Stackhouse to republish his "Nereis Britannica" in which he will attack [Dawson] Turner for a "want of candour" in his own work ["Fucus sive plantarum fucorum"]. Criticises Turner for leaving his work in an unfinished state.

Encloses an address [extant]. He has sent his “critical observations on some errors of Pursh” by another conveyance. Death of Dr Bery Barton, a member of the Linnean Society. Collecting a new herbarium, currently has 3000 specimens of 150 species. Hopes to be an occasional correspondent with Smith.

“Circular address on Botany and Zoology; followed by the prospectus of two periodical works: Annals of Nature and Somiology of North America. By C S Rafinesque” [33 pp].

Confirms he is unable to come to London; hopes Bishop of Carlisle [Samuel Goodenough] will not treat [Thomas] Marsham , and if the remaining £200 be paid hopes nothing will be said of him. Asks Macleay to inform him how and when he appointed the vice-presidents in 1812. [Richard] Salisbury's paper "ought by no means to be printed" on grounds that the Linnean Society should not "sanction such changes" nor print "what may be only a trap for us, like his indecent paper".

Sorry Smith will not be at Linnean Society on Friday [for anniversary meeting]. Forwards letter from [Thomas] Marsham; surprised to find he still has a balance of £428, hopes he sends £100 on Friday and will then agree to a plan for paying the remainder. Smith should write to remind the Council he has the authority to appoint vice-presidents, and name his intended. [Richard] Salisbury's paper has not passed Council.

Informed by [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert that Smith agrees to increasing the number of FMLS to allow five new members; requests Smith's own opinion.

Reports from morning part of Linnean Society anniversary meeting: convinced [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert that the Society's rules would not allow five new FMLS; [Thomas] Marsham only paid £28 of his debt but proposes to repay the remaining £400 in two, three, and four month installments; Goodenough asked [Alexander] Macleay to consider not toasting Marsham's name at the dinner.

Reports from evening part of Linnean Society anniversary meeting: fifty-four members present, including: [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert, Lord [Edward Smith-]Stanley, [William George] Maton, Sir Thomas Cullum, [Thomas Andrew] Knight, Mr Greenough, two Forsters, Mr Simmonds, [James] Dickson, [Thomas] Hoy [(c 1750-1822)], Holmes, Mr Burchall, [Thomas] Rackett, and [William] Kirby. [Thomas] Marsham apologised by letter for not repaying the £100 as intended and proposed to repay the remainder in installments. Goodenough advised [Alexander] Macleay not to publicise this so as to avoid further disappointment. Marsham's name was not mentioned during the toasts at the dinner, and by accident Sir Joseph Banks and the honorary members were also overlooked.

President of the Horticultural Society [Thomas Andrew Knight] offended by [Patrick] Keith's treatment of him in "Physiology of Plants" ["A system of physiological botany"]. Shocked to see how old Kirby looks and how "amazingly distended" Hoy's chest is. Believes it would be better to reduce rather than increase number of FMLS, cites example of Royal Society who are reducing their foreign members to thirty; thinks forty is sufficiently large for Linnean Society, and proposes keeping ten spaces free for emergencies. In postscript states that whenever Marsham's name was mentioned there was silence.

Everything passed "very smoothly" at [Linnean Society anniversary] meeting yesterday, and 54 attended the dinner; nothing was said of [Thomas] Marsham's absence. Asks Smith for list of his intended vice-presidents in time for next Council meeting.

Apologises for sending Smith her proofs; she did not realise he wished to see the finished work only. Finds it impossible to publish her work; offers the sketches to Smith.

[Spec 13 written in pencil at top of verso of first folio]

Encloses list of his preferred Linnean Society vice-presidents. "A thous[an]d thanks for all y[ou]r intelligence, trouble & attention"; grieves for [Thomas] Marsham and hopes to one day see him at the Society in "honour & credit" but unhappy that Marsham originally said the whole debt was £400, as it makes him look "deceived or deceitful".

Smith's list of Linnean Society vice-presidents received and entered in Council minutes; it was agreed that [Thomas] Marsham will repay his debt at intervals of 2, 4, and 7 months. Called on William Smith in Park Street to inform him that Smith is getting better.

His friend, Joseph Sparshall of Norwich, "a good young entomologist", wishes to become FLS; vouches for his personal worth, he will call on Macleay on way back from Paris. Recalls Samuel Young of Formosa, Berkshire, now Sir Samuel Young, baronet, being proposed FLS 4 or 5 years ago; asks why he is not on the list.

Sorry he has had all the trouble with CB's translation. Father is ill. Will move shortly to Torquay. Regarding the printing of mathematical notations.

Discussed JH's proposed felspar paper [see HW's 1816-4-24] with W. H. Wollaston. Suggests using Wollaston's and [recently deceased Smithson] Tennant's unpublished method to test for alkalis and give Tennant credit for it. James Smithson first coined term 'silicate'.

Hopes Smith has recovered from his indisposition; if Smith is in London for next Linnean Society meeting will accompany him there. If Smith is not attending asks that his admission as FLS be postponed until Smith is in attendance.

Regarding his translation of S. F. Lacroix. Regarding the notation of functions.

Smith missed at Linnean Society anniversary meeting and dinner; Bishop of Carlisle [Samuel Goodenough] took chair with [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert and Lord [Edward Smith-]Stanley, [William George] Maton, [Jelinger] Symons, [Edward and Thomas Furly] Forster, and President of Horticultual Society [Thomas Andrew Knight] also attended. Glad Smith and Sir Joseph Banks have been elected honorary members of the Horticultural Society, though concerned whether both it and the Linnean Society can thrive. Leaving for Yorkshire shortly. Little notice taken of [Thomas] Marsham's resignation letter. [John] Francillon's [(1744-1816), entomologist] ill with asthma and dropsy, no hope of recovery.

Bill to Smith for two copies of Smith's "Tour to Hafod", £11 11s.

Sends above mentioned books, which have been much sought after following death of [Thomas] Johnes, has no doubt they will be much dearer. Offers to purchase another copy due to be sold on 29 June. Will enquire into the plates and blocks.

No summary available.

Satisfaction at being introduced to Linnean Society next season by Smith. Hopes Smith will succeed in his Cambridge professorship application. [Thomas] Coke to accompany Smith to Woburn in the summer.