Expressed his sentiments on renewal of the Suspension Bills [in House of Lords] last night, and in commenting on the evidence explained the circumstances of the parody on the Nicene Creed without mentioning names; Lord Sidmouth [Henry Addington, 1st Viscount Sidmouth (1757-1844), Home Secretary 1812-1822] denied ever having seen or heard of the publication but if it can be ascertained that it was sent to him it will be of "some importance".

Finally decided that Smith has no claim under the estate of White, Cochrane & Co [publishers] farther than the payments already made by the agreement of "Flora Britannica". The present proprietors of "Flora Britannica" have no objection to corresponding with Smith about completion of the work.

Account: Smith to estate of White Cochrane & Co.

Apologises for long silence since he saw Smith last summer; thanks for the honorable treatment given to his son [Karl Heinrich Mertens] and compliments Lady Smith.

Sending box of plants for Smith's opinion, numbered list of contents with his own observations, including: 'Lotus decumbens' or 'L. debilis', 'Cnicus heteroclitus' or 'C. elegans', 'Verbascum virgatum', a 'Malva', and others.

Disappointed not to see Smith at Norwich, [Norfolk], and of making further acquaintance following their meeting at Holkham [Hall, Norfolk, home of Thomas William Coke]. Shortly leaving for Europe, his itinerary; requests introductions. Forwards letter from [David] Hosack.

Proposes to visit Smith at Norwich, [Norfolk], before leaving for Gottingen, [Sweden].

Gives Smith permission to alter or omit any expressions in his paper that may offend [Patrick] Keith [(1769-1840)], even though Keith has been repeatedly aggressive. Believes that the issue is with the Linnean Society council as that Keith's paper was "wholly undeserving of any attention" and should not have been printed in "Linnean Transactions". Threatens to publish the paper himself if the Linnean Society does not.

[Keith had criticised Knight in a paper published in "Linnean Transactions", see RelatedMaterial below]

Sends specimens and grain of a curious species of wild wheat found near Rome, Oneida County, New York, gives a brief description of it and relates how it resists the destructive effects of winter frosts that destroys common wheat, comparing it to rye. Questions whether it is indigenous or originally imported wheat accidently introduced, leans towards the former, with reservations, and gives his reasons, remarking on Linnaeus' six species of 'Triticum', Ceres, Roman goddess of agriculture, and 'Froment tremais'. Is of the opinion that many American native plants have been improperly considered naturalised, is confident in naming the Rome wheat 'Triticum americanum'. Also sends specimens of Wild Rye which grows in parts of the country bordering the upper parts of the Mohawk River, would like an opinion. Beneath Clinton's signature is written "David Hosack M.D." Smith has annotated on the first page "Mr Lambert is making observations on this subject".

["Copied" is marked in pencil on last page, and in a different hand "culmiferous"]

Sends his book ["A practical introduction to botany" (1817)], which he has found useful "in instructing a female relative".

Thanks for Smith's letter; glad Smith determined 'Lotus angustifolius', which was his original name for it, has cultivated it for years. Discusses 'Cnicus heteroclitus'; small sketch in ink of root. Lists desiderata taken from "Flora Britannica" of plants he would like to cultivate.

Will assist Smith's nephew, Edward Smith, any way he can, though business currently slow. Studying 'Rubus', list of species he has found here.

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".