Appreciates Smith's proposal to add a footnote mentioning the republication of his "Flora Canatabrigiensis" when quoting from the same.

Habitat of 'Bromus arvensis' which is growing in his own fields along with 'Lolium perenne'. Received seeds and ferns from Jamaica. Received letter from [Jacques-Julien de] Labillardière who has been commissioned by French government to publish natural history of his voyage [to Australia]. Extract from Labillardière's letter, in French, on his appreciation of England, and on the chemist Guiton Morreau [Louis-Bernard Guyton-Morveau (1737-1816)]. Could not find 'Bromus erectus' for [William Fitt] Drake. A life of Cyrillus [5th century Greek jurist] in August's "Monthly Magazine". [Richard] Salisbury has found twenty new species of 'Erica' in [Lambert's] plants from the Cape [of Good Hope], intends including them in a supplement to his paper on the same.

Received alarming accounts of Smith's health from Sir Thomas Cullum and brother-in-law, R Reeve, and that it was not Smith's lungs but an erysipelas affecting his head and rendering his eyes weak, preventing him from going to Liverpool. Sends two varieties of 'Potamogeton natans', one approaching close to 'P. lucens' and other to [Richard] Relhan's 'P. palustris'. 'Ophrys beselii' growing in boggy ground near his house; peculiarities of its habitat.

His health much better since coming here, though still cannot read or write for more than half an hour at a time. Sowerby made a mistake in ordering the indexes sheet of "English botany" to be printed now as he had enough for September. Intends to spend a week with [Dawson] Turner at Yarmouth, [Norfolk], shortly. Requests copies of "English botany" from no 81 onwards, for an American friend.

Would like to help Sowerby with his intended book on minerals but has "never attended much to that part of Natural History", and concerned it will delay Sowerby in his work with "Flora Graeca", which the executors want finished as quickly as possible; Smith will never consent to any other artist being employed, though [Thomas] Platt [(d 1842), one of John Sibthorp's executors, supervised the publication of "Flora Graeca"] thinks Sowerby is not progressing as fast as he might. Suggests new wording for Sowerby's advertisement for a mineralogist.

Congratulates Smith on his marriage. Preoccupied with educating his son and three daughters and in the last few years with the revolution, taxes and arrests, which included his own arrest for a time, and a siege which induced disease and famine [in 1797 Napoleon formed the Ligurian Republic, incorporating the Republic of Genoa and other areas, it was occupied 1800-1801 by Austrian forces]. Gave over his "Villetia" to [Carlo] di Negro [(1769-1857) poet] in a deal with the government. Management of the botanic garden has gone to [Domenico] Viviani who has been appointed Professor of Botany at University of Genoa and is using it as the School of Botany. Has a collection of 1400 plants in the country, asks Smith to recommend an amateur to exchange seeds with, suggesting "jeune Aiton" [possibly John Townsend Aiton (1777-1851)]. Thanks Smith in advance for the seeds of 'Mimosa', 'Hibiscus', 'Sida', 'Geranium' promised. Expresses admiration for volumes 2-5 of "Linnean Transactions". Impatience for the publication of "Flora Graeca". Intends to publish on the "Flora Ligustica and Italia" with Viviani and [Antonio] Bertoloni.

Bedford River "abounding" with 'Chara flexilis' "English botany 1070". Encloses "curious production" with habit of 'Conferva' [extant]; observations. Believes 'Chara flexilis', 'Ceratophyllum submersum', and 'Ceratophyllum demersum' can be consolidated under one genus; observations. Lists plants he has found since 1798 as a supplement [to his "Flora Bedfordiensis" (1798)], for Smith's "Flora Britannica". Prays for recovery of Smith's health, "so valuable to the botanical world".

Specimen of a plant.

Hopes Smith soon recovers from his illness, relates his own "sundry pulmonary attacks". Went to Öland island in the summer, amongst the peculiar plants growing there is 'Cistus oelandicus', however the season was too late for scarcer plants such as 'Orchidea', and the rain so continual that little could be done, but obtained some good cryptogamic plants. Also found 'Carex obtusata', sends Smith a specimen of it, it is close to 'Carex pulicaris'. Expects [Georg] Wahlenberg back from the northern regions [an expedition to Lapland], part of his "Carciographia" has been printed in transactions of [Swedish] Academy [of Sciences]. Hopes printing of [Erik] Acharius' "Lichenographia" ["Methodus lichenum"?] will begin soon. Asks if Smith has seen his paper on 'filices' in [Heinrich Adolph] Schrader's "Journal of Botany".

Thanks for Smith's offer for assitance in completing his book ["Description of the genus Pinus"]. Pleased Smith has "settled the willows". Letter from [Jacques-Julien de] Labillardière who is sending a packet of plants by [Karl Friedrich von] Gaertner [(1772-1850)], comments that he is successfully following his father's career [Joseph Gaertner (1732-1791)] and is to visit England. Has a "fine copy" of [Johann] Hedwig's "Mus." ["Species muscorum"?] should Smith wish to borrow it. The Secretary to the English embassy in Naples, [Italy], is sending plants of 'Papyrus' and seeds, also informed by him that [John] Graeffer [(1746-1802), gardener to Queen of Naples] is dead, will send any plants they desire. A young draughtsman [unnamed] from Bath copying plates lent by Smith.

Sending specimens of several lichens and rare mosses.

Asks Price to enquire about fifth volume of the American Philosophical Society's "Transactions" that should have been received by Linnean Society. Also requests that a delayed packet for him also from American Philosophical Society be located and forwarded.

Revives their correspondence with intention of offering product of his Tangier plant collecting and everything that may interest Smith in France, to which he is returning. Has not had any book on botany since he left France in 1792, excepting fourteenth edition of the Systema Naturae. Encloses catalogue of plants.

Has not forgotten Smith's offer in 1796 to send New Holland plants. Broussonet is still near the Canaries, had hoped to reach the Cape of Good Hope.

Received collection of plants from New South Wales, Australia, from Governor [Arthur] Philip [(1738-1814) first governor of New South Wales] including 'Metrosideros' and 'Melaleuca', offers to send them, they are not in "White's collection". Encloses 'Emobothrium' [Smith has annotated underneath "'myricifolium'"]. Also a parcel of New Zealand plants from Dusky Bay, most are Forster's, offers to send. Apparently training a young man in botany, he is currently learning French.

Letter of introduction for Buchanan's friend [John] Fleming [(1747-1829) physician, Indian Medical Service, Bengal] who is bringing a copy of Buchanan's manuscript on fish, asks Smith to advise and assist as to corrections and publication. Hoping to return to Calcutta soon, will try to send specimens collected from area of Mount Emodus.

Pleased to hear of Smith's recovery. A parcel sent has been sent for Smith by Adam Afzelius, containing: lichens; some other plants; a packet of plants from [Erik] Acharius; a copy of his paper on ferns from [Heinrich Adolph] Schrader's "Journal [of Botany]"; and a parcel to forward to [Dawson] Turner. Asks Smith's opinion of the roses he has cultivated [and sent specimens of]. [Georg] Wahlenberg [(1780-1851)] has returned from expedition to Nordcap, [Lapland], but forced to leave his collections at 71 degrees latitude until the spring, is now collating his observations: 30 to 40 new lichens, several other undetermined plants, and a new species of Hedwig's ['Arrhenapherum'] moss genus have been collected. His topographical observations are curious. Acharius' "Methodus Lichenum" now printing.

From consultation of Smith herbarium the 'Rosa' specimens sent by Swartz appear to be 'Rosa caesia', 'Rosa spinoissima n', 'Rosa multiflora', and 'Rosa arvensis', which were all acquired in 1803.

Has been busy with assizes and visits at home and abroad. Does not agree with Trafford's notion that Lord Moira [Francis Edward Rawdon-Hastings, 1st Marquess of Hastings (1754-1826)], is a "precox Chevalier", having heard he was "too great a Jobber for the Character, and it came from those who employed him". Reckons that if the newspaper reports are true, and that Napoleon believed [William] Windham [(1750-1810), politician] wished him assassinated, it shows him "a poor mind", and his recent manifesto to the Swiss "proves him a Tyrant". Had once thought Napoleon "great", but now finds "melancholy" that only one person in history has "voluntarily quitted absolute power uncontaminated, and the new world has the glory of it" [probably referring to George Washington (1732-1799), first President of the United States]. Supposes Napoleon's ambition can "never be glutted", expects him to make a formal complaint against the liberty of the English press. Discusses his becoming a printer and arrival of the press; shall shortly commence printing his Froissart [(c 1337-c 1405), French chronicler] and is not concerned by reviews or newspapers.

Reminds Smith of Sir Joseph [Banks'] "famous letter" to the member of the [French] Institute on his election and adds that Banks has written to a lady thanking her for sending him a "most nonsensical ode on the death of Dolomieu". Delighted with the naked barley [Thomas William] Coke gave him, which will be a benefit to this country.

Encloses letter proposing [Fielding Best] Fynney as FLS to be forwarded to [Alexander] Macleay and asks that Macleay meet with [Jonas] Dryander to discuss Fynney's literary merits.

Hopes complaint in Smith's face is better. [Lewis Weston] Dillwyn [(1778-1855), naturalist] moving to Wales, believes it will delay his 'Conferva' book. Asks for publication date of fungi part of Smith's "Flora [Britannica]", as he intends to write his own remarks. Compliments [James] Sowerby's figures [in "Coloured figures of English fungi.."], letter-press not as good and he has figured same individual under different appearances several times. Recommends fungi books for Smith to borrow from Sowerby, including Butch, Bolton, [Christiaan Hendrik] Persoon, Bulliard, and Schaeffer.

"Flora Londinensis" bought by Samuel Curtis, of the estate of William Curtis, his intentions unclear.

Glad to hear of Smith's improvement in health and offers his own "quack" remedy when himself recently afflicted with two similar cases himself of an infusion of dandelion roots. Has been informed by the Marquess of Huntly that there will be plenty of ptarmigan eggs next season if desired. Has acquired [George] Don a position at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Edinburgh, which will be of great service to [Daniel] Rutherford. Recently sent [James] Sowerby a new 'Clavaria' but he never writes. Offers to send Smith a recently found in seed 'Asperugo procumbens'.

Has come to England partly to see the Linnaean collections but frustrated by the distance Smith lives from London; sends five specimens for Smith's opinion that he would have consulted about in person if it was possible. Requests a specimen of 'Hypnum myosuroides'. Leaving England in a month to visit Morocco, from where he will attempt to reach the interior of Africa with Domingo Badia [Ali Bey al-Abbasi (1766-1818), Spanish explorer]; author of a plan for finding new discoveries in Africa commissioned by Spanish government. [Antonio José] Cavanilles hoped Clemente would be able to visit Smith, desirous of some remark if this is agreeable.

Smith has annotated "the lichens were 'pollinarius', 'subfuseus' on walls, 'vinellus', 'cerinus' & 'saxicola'" and one near 'paellus' which could not be determined.

Sends note of all the money paid for [Edmund] Davall's herbarium sale [extant]. Encloses what he presumes is a catalogue of Davall's library, expected to arrive at Calais shortly. Thanks for herrings.

Bill of expenses incurred in acquisition of Davall's herbarium.