Heard a report 10 or 12 days ago of death of [Thomas] Marsham, but as he has not had it confirmed by a letter from Macleay or in the papers hopes it is not true. Spent all of last week at Sir Thomas Cullum's and next week shall be at Yarmouth, [Norfolk], or Lowestoft, [Suffolk]. Has papers and presents to send Linnean Society. Asks if Macleay knows anything of Dr Nisbet. "Statistic report from Norfolk", including item "water - more than has been known since the days of Noah".

Reports of [Thomas] Marsham's death unfounded, but fears his circumstances are not improved as he missed the last two installments of his bill to the Linnea Society; promises to pay 5 November [1816]. [Robert] Brown returned from Paris, "well pleased with his visit".

Just returned home from his wife's [Pleasance Smith] brother's wedding. Distressed by news that [Thomas] Marsham has not paid his bills to the Linnean Society; despite all his "indulgence for an unfortunate friend" feels compelled by his obligations to the Society to do everything possible to recover the money; asks that the state of the case be presented to first Council meeting of the session; his knowledge of the case.

[Thomas] Marsham has "behaved very ill towards the Linnean Society"; encloses extract from minutes of Council meeting [extant] on the matter and has informed Marsham of it, warning him not to expect any further indulgence. New edition of [James] Macbride's [(1784-1817), physician, South Carolina] 'Sarracenia' paper came too late as the original had already been partly printed.

Resolution by Council that if Marsham does not pay his two bills due to the Linnean Society by 4 January [1817] they will insist on collateral security for the whole amount, otherwise they will feel themselves obliged to take "the most decisive measures for the immediate recovery of the debt".

Thinks the Linnean Society Council ought to have immediately tried to get security from [Thomas] Marsham for his debts. Pleased to hear Sir Joseph Banks is recovering. Nothing to say regarding Cambridge [his campaign for botany professorship], the heads of houses consulting lawyers about mode of election. Wishes somebody would oblige Sir J G to take the name "Horn", so that he would then be called "Justly Green-Horn" [Sir Justly Watson Green, 2nd baronet (1755-1826)], "totally ignorant & incompetent". Has seen that Macleay's office is abolished.

According to Smith's request has sent papers by Sir [Justly Watson] Green [2nd baronet, (1755-1826)] on 'Phascum' and [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert on 'Cinchona'. Pleased to find the debt owed by [Thomas] Marsham is not so great as Smith feared, hopeful he will repay all by 4 January [1817], Smith misinformed as to amount of his income.

The government finds more difficulty in abolishing this office than anticipated, uncertainty over final outcome. Sir Joseph Banks recently well enough to take Royal Society chair.

[John] Bradbury, an old FLS who has been travelling in north America for some time and is now in heavy arrears, has asked to compound with 10 guineas in full; advises Council to grant this indulgence "as his name is honourable to us".

Asks if Sir [Justly Watson] Green's [2nd baronet, (1755-1826)] paper on 'Phascum' is a continuation of any former paper on the genus; "greatly doubts his knowledge of such very difficult matters". Hopes to send a paper of his own by 21 January.

Agrees with Smith that they should compound with [John] Bradbury for 10 guineas for his subscription arrears. Explains Sir [Justly Watson] Green's [2nd baronet, (1755-1826)] paper on 'Phascum'; not fit to be printed in its present state. [Thomas] Marsham has still not paid any of his debt, which he finds "so inexcusable" he has informed him he will no longer interfere on his behalf, and Marsham has written to [Edward] Forster pleading for more time.

Condolences on death of [George] Anderson [(fl 1800s-1817), plant collector]; hopes neither Anderson's paper on 'Paeonia' or willow collection are lost. Returns Sir [Justly Watson] Green's [2nd baronet, (1755-1826)] paper on 'Phascum' with no conclusive judgement as to its worth; [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert's paper [on 'Cinchona'] should be printed. Sending his own paper on 'Tofieldia' and another on 'Lycopodium', with [Robert] Brown, not to be printed.

Urges Linnean Society Council to take legal action against [Thomas] Marsham [to recover debts].

Asks that [John] Bradbury write to Linnean Society Council requesting them to accept the 10 guineas from his as compound payment of his arrears. Uncertain what the solicitors have done with [Thomas] Marsham. The Horticultural Society propose to leave the building unless they are allowed use of the room daily for four hours. Asks when Smith is coming to London. Part of late George Anderson's [(fl 1800s-1817), plant collector] paper on 'Paeonia' read at last meeting, [Joseph] Sabine is to add a biographical sketch.

Encloses letter from [Joseph] Sabine, secretary to the Horticultural Society, for Smith's opinion on the proposal [that the Horticultural Society have daily use of Linnean Society's rooms]; doubts how far the Society ought to give the constant use of its rooms to another Society for the sake of "a few pounds".

Necessary for him to make an addition to his 'Tofieldia' paper before it is printed.

Objects to the Horticultural Society having daily use of Linnean rooms as it would "endanger our property", and be "extremely burthensome" to [Robert] Brown and the servants, "not on acc[oun]t of that Soc[iet]y most of whose members are our friends, but because there will unavoidably be strangers, gardeners &c, up & down", but if agreed to the Horicultural Society ought to pay at least £100 per annum; he has "always felt that we should be more dignified if we had our house to ourselves". Intends to be in London by end of April.

Council unanimously rejected application of the Horticultural Society [to use Linnean rooms everyday]. [Thomas] Marsham paid £50 of his debt. Bishop of Carlisle [Samuel Goodenough] objects to Council meetings being held after General meetings, but [William George] Maton and [Edward] Forster can only attend Council in evening; believes opinion of Council members who regularly attend should be given precedence.

His trip to London delayed by an influenza attack but hopes to be there by 5 May [1817]. Proposes Sir Christopher Pegge [(1764-1822), physician] as a Council member. Essential for [Thomas] Marsham to repay more of his debt before Linnean Society anniversary meeting.

Forced to again delay his journey to London but intends to arrive in time for Linnean Society anniversary meeting. Anxious that Sir Christopher Pegge [(1764-1822), physician] be made part of Council, also suggests [Thomas Thynne, 2nd] Marquess of Bath [(1765-1837)]. Proposes Baron Alexander [von] Humboldt for FMLS, and either [Jean] Cuvier or [Augustin] de Candolle if there is another vacancy. Mortified to miss the dinner at Somerset Place [House, home of the Royal Society]. Necessary for [Thomas] Marsham to have repaid all his debt to the Society by the anniversary, or a considerable part with sufficient apology.

All disappointed Smith is not to attend Linnean Society next Tuesday but pleased he is recovering well. Agrees with Smith's nominations of Sir Christopher Pegge [(1764-1822), physician] and [Thomas Thynne, 2nd] Marquess of Bath [(1765-1837)] for Council. Only one FMLS vacancy but too late for it to be filled this season, anxious for [Alexander von] Humboldt to be the first elected.

No longer receives letters free of expense since abolition of the Transport Office. [Thomas] Marsham "so exceedingly ill" doubts the Society ever receiving anymore money from him. Does not expect to suffer from abolition of Transport Office.

Macleay's account of "poor [Thomas] Marsham" makes his "heart ache". His health "perfectly restored", but still "tender & not strong", hopeful for attending in 3 weeks [Linnean Society anniversary dinner]. Duke of [John Russell, 6th] Bedford will attend anniversary dinner, though he "dreads a hot full room".

Uncertain whether to lament loss of Macleay's office, hopes he obtains what he "so well deserve[s], an easier, & at least as profitable a place". Intends to stay at 43 Seymour Street when in London [home of Aylmer Bourke Lambert]. His dependence on Macleay for forwarding his letters and parcels. Hopes the Society received security for Marsham's debts.

Forwards letter. Asks Macleay to send [Thomas Andrew] Knight his pencil corrections to Knight's paper. He leaves tomorrow morning.

Duke of [John Russell, 6th] Bedford 's letter concerns Linnean Society only so has returned it. Suffering from a "tedious stomach & bowel compl[ain]t". He and Lady [Pleasance] Smith "can think nothing but the late sad event, it is truly deplorable, no one can calculate the effects" [probably reference to death of Princess Charlotte (1796-1817), only legitimate grandchild of George III].

Encloses "curious communication" from DeWitt Clinton, Governor of New York, to David Hosack, on wild wheat; the latter wishes it to be read at Linnean Society. Clinton has sent specimens of the wheat but still awaiting receipt. Hosack wishes to join Linnean Society, suggests he does so as FLS rather than FMLS to save time. Pleased to hear [Alexander von] Humboldt and [Jean] Cuvier are proposed FMLS, , not yet received, wishes to become a Linnean member; glad to hear that Humboldt and Cuvier have been proposed, [Augustin] de Candolle should also be proposed.

Clinton a "very great friend to science, a practical naturalist, & of a most amiable character"; transcribes extract from letter by Clinton describing that "as yet clouds of darkness rest upon the Natural science of our Country". Hopes to send Macleay a Norfolk turkey.

Sorry to hear [Thomas] Marsham has been a defaulter to government, "he that was always so loyal, calumniating better men than himself, with all the cockney church & king cant", and compares him to the "great saints in religion, all with some sinister motive". Thinks the Linnean Society should now enforce payment.