Received Smith's letter of 24 March and "Compendium [florae Britannicae]". [American] Philosphical Society to publish their second volume within the next six months, invites Smith to send a paper. Intending to send his son to Oxford or Cambridge. The books he is sending to Sir Joseph Banks and Horticultural Society, under care of his fellow former student [Joseph] Sabine, may differ from those he sends to Smith. Sending various unnamed magazines and publications, including book on "Life of Mr Fullar, inventor of steamboats", asks Smith to present it to the Royal Society after he has read it.

Sends papers on contemplated canal between Lake Erie and the Hudson river, work of which has begun under direction of DeWitt Clinton. Clinton has just been elected governor of New York, believes he will be the next President of the United States, nominates him to be a member of the Linnean and Royal Societies, lists his commendments including extensive botanical collections, referring Smith to second volume of "the Repository" for biographical information, shall write to Banks' on same subject.

Often sees [José Francisco] Corrêa de Serra who is enjoying a good income as the Portugeuse Minister to American government. Requests copy of third edition of Smith's "Elements"[?] and last edition of "Tour on the Continent"; "there is no book in our city library that has been more read". Bust of Smith placed in New York Institution. In reference to a conversation had in 1794 asks after the minerals in the Linnaean collections and whether the Institution would be able to purchase them.

Tempted to write this letter by the kindness Smith showed him in London; informs Smith of two new supposed plants, 'Reseda undata' and 'Euphorbia emarginata' of "Hortus Kewensis"; the first growing in Clifton and the latter in Swansea. Offers to send dried specimens if required.

Encloses paper by DeWitt Clinton for "Linnean Transactions" [unknown], with plants and seeds to follow. Appends an addition to his paper on "the Carolina fungus" in case it is published. Has sent a box of books.

Sending Professor [Josef August] Schultes' new botanical publication, [presumably "Osterreichs Flora"], by request of the author.

[Francis] Boott unexpectedly returning to England. He has invited Boott to work on his "Flora of New England"; as yet they are novices in the science and have much to gain from Smith's advice; similarities and differences of New England and European floras. State of science in USA "rapidly progressive" but not yet advanced enough to support the "luxuries of science", such as coloured engravings of American plants; he is making the experiment in his "Medical Botany", sends plates via Boott. Sends pencilled sketch of an 'Orchis grandiflora', close to 'O. fimbriata'. Corrêa is Portugeuse Minister Plenipotentiary at Washington. Requests that the plants he sent Smith for determination be reserved for his and Boott's flora; some have since been published in Elliott's; further query on the two 'Rubus'.

Gave "5 lights" to the Great Mogul melon Smith sent seeds of from Shuckburgh, [Warwickshire], and thinks that those who admire this fruit do not know the small orange cantaloupe or Green Egyptian melons.

His garden: abundant mushrooms from mushroom house he built last spring; like most others has no peaches or nectarines on open walls this year so is now building a 43 feet long peach house; began mowing 8 July but much of the hay still out and is as black as the corn is green.

Undertook tour of England in June, travelling 654 miles: London, where the temperature was 84°F, to Wincanton, [Somerset]; Stourhead and Longleat, [Wiltshire]; Bath, [Somerset]; Rodborough, [Gloucestershire]; Cheltenham, [Gloucestershire]; Warwick and its Castle, [Warwickshire]; and Northampton, [Northamptonshire], before joining north road at Wansford, [Cambridgeshire]. Encloses plant specimen collected between Andover, [Hampshire], and Amesbury, [Wiltshire]; Smith has annotated "'Sonchus oleraceus' the prickly var[iet]y". His son failed to find local 'Burbaumia' in Tunbridge Wells, [Kent], but [James] Dickson has sent both kinds though he only requested 'B. foliosa'.

Amazed by birth of quadruplets to Dr [Edward] Rigby's [(1747-1821)] wife. Fine weather in Cumberland after weeks of rain, though the temperature has always been high; there were swifts until 23 August which is late for the area. Smith's account of being given 'Juncus trifidus' as a new plant reminds Goodenough of the time [William] Withering sent him 'Eriophorum vaginatum' as a new 'Carex glavcosa'. Disappointed that Dawson Turner does not finish his "Fucus". Unsurprised that [Thomas] Marsham's children are marrying to escape their uncomfortable house. Hopes Mrs Lloyd will not offend Smith. Hopeful of a lengthy tranquility in Europe if not pulled into the "American vortex", and glad that no one in Parliament condemned Buonaparte "being prevented from bustling about amongst us again". His 'Lathyrus batifolius' and carnations have performed poorly this year.

Sends copies of his book ["Memoires pour servir a l'histoire naturelle des Abeilles..."] for Linnean Society.

The complaint Smith mentions is a tendency towards diabetes; prescribes laudanum, and rhubarb for costiveness. Smith should eat fewer vegetables and more meat, drink water, and avoid dessert.

Has found 'Potentilla rupestris' in the Breiddin Hills, near border with Shropshire, which from "English Botany" he is led to believe had been presumed a doubtful native due to it not being found again, will send Smith specimens if interested. Believes the hill he found it on may be the same as where [John] Ray first discovered it. Has also found two other rare plants, in the same place, mentioned by Ray; 'Veronica hybrida' and 'Lychnis Viscaria', and 'Hieracium murorum'. Desires to fix 'Veronica hybrida' as distinct from 'Veronica spicata', compares with a description only of the latter. Hopes to see a supplementary volume to "English Botany". Describes a 'Briza' unlike any of the Enlgish species and an 'Aspidium' which does not correspond with [James] Sowerby's figures, criticises Sowerby's plates of ferns as "not sufficiently characteristic of the different species".

Does not see a connection between the birthing and the death of one of Dr [Edward] Rigby's [(1747-1821)] quadruplets. Surprised that it took Smith so long to find 'Thlaspi arvense'; recalls finding it in abundance in the turnip and corn fields of Brompton, Oxfordshire, from whence he sent it to [William] Curtis for "Flora Londinensis" and supplied the London cultivators with seeds.

Glorious weather for the last six weeks but sharp frosts at night, heralded by the arrival of the Barnacle goose 'Anas erythropus'. Discusses Linnaeus' naming of two species under 'erythropus', his own being the male, and [John] Latham's 'albifrons' being the female. Thinks [Dawson] Turner undertook too much with his "Fucus". Ashamed by [Thomas] Marsham's behaviour [repeated delays in repaying money owed to Linnean Society]. Has not seen any of [John] Stackhouse's work but never had any opinion of his "skill or candour". Surprised that Sir Joseph Banks is to make his Lincolnshire journey, and admires the Bishop of Durham's [Shute Barrington] activity at the age of 85 and a half. [Elizabeth] Hill [(c 1760-1850), algologist] in distressed circumstances and contemplating teaching marine botany.

Smith's candidature for Botany Professorship at Cambridge University. Reports that [John] Haviland, Regius Professor of Physic and a trustee of Dr [John] Walker's [(1731-1803) professor of natural history] botanical readership, is opposed to [Thomas] Martyn resigning if it causes an election, in which case he [Peacock] would have to prefer a university member candidate. Haviland is under the influence of Dr [James] Wood [(1760-1839)], the current vice-chancellor, who is strongly prejudiced against Smith. For certain success, as [William] Webb is to be the next vice-chancellor, proposes Smith gains three trustees' support and have Martyn resign without conditions. Recommends Provost of King's College [George Thackeray] as best conduit for Smith's wishes. If the professorship is appointed via the Senate he [Peacock] shall canvas for Smith with junior university members.

A further dividend is to be made on the estate of White, Cochrane & Co. [publishers], instructed to write to Smith requesting £44 14s, being the balance due from Smith to the estate.

[Smith has briefly annotated his reply at bottom of verso of folio]

Franked Smith's letter to [John Eddowes] Bowman. The line of distinction between 'Veronica hybrida' and 'Veronica spicata' is imperfectly marked, recalls having plants of both in his Ealing garden. Certain that Linnaeus was incorrect in labelling 'Anas albifrons' the female of 'Anas erythropus', as proved by his having obtained a female specimen of the latter.

Thinks it strange that Dr [Edward] Rigby's [(1747-1821)] quadruplets died so suddenly and without apparent cause. His daughter, Mrs Lynn, became ill with a fever whilst visiting with five of her nine children; Goodenough had to treat her himself with "a good bleeding", diluting and refrigerant liquids, and gentle purgatives. Cumberland farmers finishing their harvests, typhus fever has been worse than usual there this autumn.

Garden developments: success of his recently constructed mushroom house, adapted from [Isaac] Oldacre's [(fl 1810s-1852), Lady Banks' gardener at Spring Grove, Isleworth, Middlesex] engraved plan but with flue above ground; explains benefits with small ink sketch. New peach house: Oldacre recommends "noblesse" and "Galande" as those which force best, but [James] Lee prefers the "Buckingham mignon"; details of the building.

Regrets missing the recent show of fruits at the Horticultural Society. Intends to try Lee's recommendation of Verdeltro grapes; reported to be very hardy and one of the grapes Madeira wine is made from. His daughter and Lady George Murray prefer the green Egyptian melon to any other. One of [Erik] Pontoppidan's [(1698-1764), Danish bishop] sea serpents "seems to have got down the American coast - to gobble up herrings!". Recently received 'Linnaea' specimen from [James] Brodie. Praises botanical zeal of Miss Murray, Lady George's unmarried daughter; she began with mosses and would walk five miles to find a 'Phuscum' and brought many mosses from Isle of Man; compares her beginning and Joseph Dalton's with 'Carex' to beginning music with thoroughbass.

Has an ear of 'Talavera' wheat from near Cirencester, [Gloucestershire], and two from Gordon Castle, [Moray]. Ate last green melon yesterday, small but excellent. Prices of apples: abundance of French apples at York imported to Hull, [Yorkshire], at 16/ per bushel; recently given 20/ for natives and 24/ at Thirsk, [Yorkshire], his gardener thinks the French "most like cur Hawthorn Dean".

Forwards book by [Jean Vincent Félix] Lamouroux [(1779-1825), botanist] Smith purchased off him. Requests Smith's opinion on enclosed 'Ulva' specimen [Smith annotation: "merely 'Fucus saccharinus' rather longe!"]. He has been in Shropshire this summer, studying the larch beetle , which "continues its ravages"; in correspondence with [William] Kirby on subject and will present paper to Linnean Society.

Frustrated by the shortsightedness of his servants who do not consider the seven mile journey to Carlisle necessary to procure anything. Interested by all details of the birth and extreme suddeness of deaths of Dr [Edward] Rigby's [(1747-1821)] quadruplets; would like there to be a postmortem carried out on the last to die. Typhus fever endemic in the unclean parts of Carlisle, although it was only noticed after one of the physicians died of it; Goodenough thinks he might have recovered had he been allowed enough wine.

Seeing the pods of 'Thlaspi arvense' reminded him of his father's Oxfordshire home and the plant being mentioned in [William] Curtis' "Flora Londinensis", which he now reads for the comfort it brings in reminding him of old friends. Recently received as "rarities" 'Erysimum barbarea' and 'Agrostemma coronaria' but has not yet received 'Potentilla rupestris'. Remarks on a theory of Dr Clarke's regaring the tomb of Joseph and the Pyramids. Cumberland hills covered in snow, some "lazy" farmers still have cut corn in the fields.

Brief account of his tour following his taking of the Cheltenham waters for twenty-one days: returned to Bury via Marquess of Buckingham at Stowe, Bedford, St Neots, Cambridge, and Newmarket, also called on Professor [Thomas] Martyn who appeared cheerful but weak and debilitated. Spent a fortnight in Ipswich and visited to Languard Fort but could not find the 'Santolina maritima' he had noted in his "Flora Britannica" as finding there with Smith on 16 August 1793. Colonel West, governor of the Fort, has enclosed a considerable piece of the sandy ground for a garden.

Wishes to subscribe to Mr Matchett's "topographical history of all the villages in Norfolk", to be published as a supplementary volume to Blomfield's "Norfolk". Charles Miller [(c 1739-1817)], son of Philip Miller, died in London on 6 October, he never married but left all his £35,000 to £40,000 property to his eighteen-year-old daughter, aside from legacies of £5,000. Declined to become an executor after the other two refused to put it into Chancery; he spent twenty years in Bencoolen before returning to England, laments that a man so capable of being a useful member of society passed his life almost unknown and unseen.

Acknowledges receipt of £42 8s 6d from Smith, which balances his account with White & Cochrane's [publishers] assigness. Sorry that Smith's "property has been so sacrificed in consequence of the Bankruptcy, which otherwise no doubt would have produced a considerable profit".

Opening of [Liverpool Royal] Institution and his Introductory Lecture delayed by the "awful calamity which has involved all the country" [probably death of Princess Charlotte (1796-1817), only child of the Prince Regent, on 6 November 1817, which led to widespread grief and mourning]. Hopes Smith has seen their Report. Discusses plans for appointment of a Classical tutor and asks for Smith's and Mr Valpy's opinions and recommendations; they are also planning a Mathematical School and discussing whether to nominate professors or obtain as and when the best instructors possible; offers any future botany nomination to Smith. The Botanic Garden is in "high condition" under [John] Shepherd's [(c 1764-1836)] care.