[It is probable that this letter was never sent as it bears no date, valediction, signature or address, appears unfinished, and from references in other letters to a long letter started in January but not sent.]

Currently suffering poor physical and mental health after discovering that a large part of his herbarium has been spoiled by damp though his recent acquisitions escaped, including wild specimen of 'Daphne alpina' Haller "Historia stirpium" no.1026. Reminiscences at length on his life, including his first introduction to botany move to Switzerland following father's death, introduction to Smith and increasing passion for the subject, limitations imposed by decreased patrimony, becoming a recluse, and marrying despite intending to remain single; has been unable to botanise in Alps since that time due to becoming a father, also preventing him from publishing his work and legal troubles with his wife's brother. Describes his son and daughter and fears for their future as they are strangers in both the country of their birth and native land of their father and "the desolation of the times in which we live is fit also to inspire melancholy", thinks England is "running headlong into ruin". Disastrous wars have doubled the price of everything and a famine was only narrowly avoided by an abundant potato crop and Turin rice; the armies on the Rhine and a collusion founded on private interest on part of Balsois to supply neighbouring French with grain disrupted the Swiss' usual provision from Suabia.

Responds to Smith's letter of 26 September 1794: would like to know his opinion of the 'Carex' he sent; sent seed of 'Digitalis' and 'Verbascum nigrum'; the 'Biscutella' specimen and seed he sent Smith originally came from seed from Moscow Hort. Demidof.; 'Saxifraga mutata'; plunging temperatures made him fear for his 'Morina'; Rhine armies and cold weather have pushed wolves into areas of human habitation; account of his discovery of 'Cyathea montana' on Mount Suchet for first time in the Jura, hopes this mountain and Davall's stock of books will tempt Smith to visit as well as plants 'Saxifragus hirculus' and 'Carex leporina' Linnaeus, 'Orchis abortiva', and 'Orchis coriophora'.

Reports death of [Jean Baptiste François] Bulliard [(1752-1793)] who did "so much in the Fungi"; an error in his plate 333 'Crataegus oxyacantha' fig A should be 'Prunus spinosa' fig B 'Crataegus monogyna' Jacquin. Still unable to forward Smith's parcel to [Jacques] Dorthes in Montpellier due to total annihilation of commerce at Geneva. Received [James] Dickson's outline for a greenhouse but needs fully detailed plans, there being no similar structures in Switzerland. Enjoying Smith's "Tour" though confesses he has never read any Rousseau, his eyes being weak from the smallpox and having lived in such seclusion has focused on visiting Nature rather than reading; remarks and opinions on page references Smith gave him from "Tour".

The severe winter limited his literary pursuits as he had many colds. Reports death of his father on 8 March and his family's grief. Reports death of François Borone last October who fell from window in his sleep whilst staying in Athens with [John] Sibthorp and buried at the Church of the Madonna at Athens; shall dedicate a genus in the "New Holland Botany" to him and his skills and acuteness as a "martyr to botany". [Adam] Afzelius has lost his manuscripts and collections in Sierra Leone following raid by French. Este has published his tour, "very intelligent, very singular & very bold".

Informed that the Queen could not finish reading first volume of his own "Tour" as she "found so many bad things which she could never forgive"; has not yet asked her forgiveness and does not much regard her opinion though sorry she "mistakes her own solid interest in these critical times, which is to make friends of all moderate people".

Condolences on death of Smith's father and François Borone. [Adam] Afzelius' great strength of mind in bearing loss of his collections in French attack on Sierra Leone. Hoped the Queen would have more good sense to read the entirety of a work before passing judgement [Smith's "Tour"]. Mandrot not coming to England for first time in twenty years as he does not have time to go via the altered route through Hamburg. Recounts letters and packets most recently sent to Smith.

Forgetting his native language. His gardening work: destroyed a vineyard to make a garden, building walls, and levelling ground, had to closely supervise workmen to control costs. Large part of new ground will be for a kitchen garden to feed his family and hopes to add a greenhouse but needs plans more specific than [James] Dickson's sent as the few greenhouses in Switzerland are "hardly better than cellars". Misses Smith and reminded of him daily. Requests Dickson to reserve "Hortus Siccus Britannicus" for him. Impatient for "English Botany" and "New Holland Botany", suggests sending them via a perfumers on Haymarket.

Note by Davall letter received 20 November.

Received no letters from Davall since 13 April and 19 June though he spoke of a long letter in gestation since January. Visited [Thomas] Johnes in Wales, "a man of taste, feeling, liberality & large fortune" with whom he became acquainted through his "Tour" and considers it repayment for losing the Queen by it. Moved from Marlborough Street to Hammersmith in September and now lives within 50 yards of Lee's garden, who died in the summer, succeeded by his son. Did not receive Davall's letter and 'Digitalis' seeds of 30 November. Marrying daughter of old friend of his father's and friend of his second sister's in March, her tastes the same as his. Spending next summer with Johnes, his ten year old daughter [Mariamne Johnes] "a most determined botanist & entomologist". Lady Rockingham in bad health following injudicious bleeding last summer. His eldest sister still single. [Adam] Afzelius expected from Sierra Leone, and [Francis] Masson [(1741-1805), Kew plant collector], [Archibald] Menzies, [John] Sibthorp are back in England, and [John] White from Botany Bay. Received letter from Broussonet dated Gibraltar; he can now return to France and his friends and property are all safe.

Last letter received from Smith dated 16 March 1795; recounts most recent letters sent and received between them, his parcel of November 1794 with seeds of 'Digitlalis' and 'Verbascum nigrum' lost on ship seized by French privateer. The war having severe impact on communications with and from Switzerland. Mandrot dead from an apoplexy. Anxious to receive continuations of "English Botany" and [James] Dickson's "Hortus Siccus Britannicus". Conscious that Smith lives "in the very centre of science" and has many correspondents and interesting observations to take up his time. Death of [Jakob] Ehrhart, one of his few Swiss connections since his poor health has made him a recluse. Named his son born 12 September Charles Edward after Linnaeus and Smith. Summarises his long unsent letter of January detailing his despair at damp which destroyed much of his herbarium.

Responds to Smith's letter of 28 October [1795]. Regrets not marrying an Englishwoman as he now feels exiled from England and Smith, and tormented by notion that his children are strangers both in country of their birth and native country of their father. Has bound all correspondence received from Smith to fulfill Smith's request that if either of them should die the letters be returned to the other. Despondent that his life not as happy as it would have been if he had lived nearer to Smith but consoled that Smith's affection for him has grown with his increase of occupations, connections, and distance between them; hopes he and Mrs Smith will visit.

Wrote to Smith 10 November enclosing 'Digitalis' seed from 1794, recommends it to [James] Lee though it probably will not rise till spring 1797. Was not well last summer so did not collect 'Saxifragus mutata' as intended.

Numbered botanical observations by Smith on parcel of plants received May 1794: 'Veronica longifolia', 'Poa angustifolia' HL and Hudson, 'Festuca spadicea', 'Galium anglicum' Hudson, 'Rubia tinctoria', 'Potamogeton', 'Juncus nivens' HL and Jacquin, 'Juncus angustifolius' Jacquin, 'Rumex hydrolapathum', 'Vaccinium uliginosum' HL, 'Silene dichotoma', 'Euphorbia amygdaloides' HL, 'Aconitum napellus', 'Thalictrum', 'Acquilegifolium' HL, 'Lamium laevigatum', 'Lamium album', 'Melampyrum cristatum' HL and "Flora Anglica", 'Antirrhinum gennistifolium' HL, 'Antirrhinum linaria' HL and "Flora Anglica", 'A. purpureum', 'Hesperis inodora' Jacquin and Linnaeus HL, 'Xeranthemum annum' HL, new 'Carex', 'Buxus sempervirens' HL, 'S. angustifolia', '[Salix] repens' [HL probably signifies Herbarium Linnaeus].

Responds to Davall's letters of 10th November 1795 and 29 December 1795: regrets death of Mandrot, honoured to be namesake for Davall's son, his summer plans, Davall is not entirely unhappy, vague plans for an Italian trip with wife, eldest sister sends her remembrances, joys of the Johnes family who they are staying with in Wales this summer.

Sends seeds of 'Digitalis lanata' Ehrhart, 'Saxifraga mutata', and 'Verbascum nigrum' with white flower. Acknowledges Smith's letter of 17 April 1796, will respond more fully by next post, his time currently taken up supervising workmen working on his garden. His daughter died in March at 20 months. Recommends treating the 'Digitalis' like a hardy greenhouse plant.

Responds to Davall's letter of 18 September 1796: thanks for seeds, sends numbers 42 to 66 of "English Botany". Enjoyed delightful tour of Wales by Bath, Bristol, Worcester and Oxford. Moving to Norwich for family comfort, leisure, and command of his time, but will still be in London three to four months every spring continuing his pursuits including lecturing at Guy's Hospital and Presidency of Linnean Society, which now has four vice-presidents. Sends fresh seed of true 'Vicia bithynica' from Weymouth; a new 'Vicia' there commonly taken for 'bithynica', will explain in "English Botany". A superb 'Renealmia' in flower at Grimwood's, the same as Rumphius' figure quoted in "Supp." for 'R. exaltata' and 'Globba nutans' Linnaeus; Smith calls it 'R. nutans'. Third volume of "Linnean Transactions" almost printed and he is working on a "Florula of New South Wales".

Note on letter received 5 February [1798].

Sorry to have not written since 2 November 1796; informed by Bracy Clark that Davall is in bad health. His move to Norwich successful and happily settled with wife and no children. Has been in Wales treating [Mariamne] Johnes' diseased spine. Working on "Flora Britannica". Anxious to send Davall continuation of "English Botany". Has been studying [William] Sherard's [(1659-1728)] herbarium at Oxford and can now settle 'Mentha' to his satisfaction: gives botanical characters of 'M. arvensis', 'M. gentilis', 'M. sativa', 'M. pulegium', and thinks there are no real differences in species between 'capitate' and verticillate'. Publishing a volume of "Tracts relating to natural history"; contents. Lady Rockingham often asks after Davall.

In red ink at top of first folio: "Mr Davall's last unfinished letter".

Revived by Smith's letter of 17 January 1798. His health totally destroyed, intellect affected and faculty of speech impaired at age of 35 by "frequent attacks of one of the most terrible" convulsive disorders. Fears he was too copiously bled on 2 February 1797, losing 150 ounces between that date and end of March and blisters applied to his leg caused violent cramps and tortured his nerves. Attended by a too young doctor trained at Pavia who thinks his ills come from an obstinate constipation caused by too frequent use of purgatives. Has taken a deluge of 'Valerian officinalis', 'Cinchona officinalis', flores zinci, 'Moschus', 'Viscum album', and since 10 January wholly on milk diet.

Letter unfinished and unsent, enclosed in Henriette Davall's letter of 10 October 1798 informing Smith of Edmund's death.

Relieved to receive Henriette Davall's account of his health. Thinks Davall's disorder is debility and prescribes Peruvian bark taken in peppermint tea, does not see the benefit of a milk diet and recommends plain light meats, warns against too debilitating a plan in case it causes apoplexy, fits, and fainting, not to load stomach with physic or food, take light plain broth or a little solid meat and keep bowels gently open. For uneasiness in head recommends bathing legs and feet in warm water before bed. Suspects he has taken too much physic and has too "Sangrado-like" a doctor [sangrado, Spanish for bleeding].

Lists his plans and destinations for year. Continuing work on "Flora Britannica" though currently cannot do more than five plants a day, just through 'tetrandria', grasses very troublesome. Sorry Davall has not received "English Botany" 42 to 66 he sent with letter of 2 November 1796 listing his reasons for moving to Norwich - domestic comfort, cheapness, command of time, and good air, his health much better. Offers to send "English Botany" and [James] Sowerby's "Fungi".

Note on letter received 7 May [1798].

Glad that Bracy Clark is with Davall, has received full account of Davall's health and symptoms in Clark's letters. Concludes that Davall chiefly needs repose. Reassures Davall not to worry about the fate of England, "every nerve will be exerted in National defence", he relies on "our navy, which has always saved us". Would like to send his just printed "Tracts relating to natural history". "English Botany" to be doubled to twelve plants a month. Extremely busy: his plans for next few months. Requests seeds of 'Pinus cembra' for [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert as he is writing on the genus.

Note for Bracy Clark on second folio, cropped.