Had planned to attend Linnean Society and Club on his way to Liverpool with Lady [Pleasance] Smith but forced to cancel this on account of Lady Smith's mother, "whose death is hourly expected". Now intends to come to London with Lady Smith at beginning of May, before proceeding to Liverpool. "Almost afraid to enquire the state of [Macleay's] family". He has been unusually well "this severe weather", but in the last two months the deaths of his mother and several other "dear friends" have brought on his usual headaches, eager to change the scene.

Received Smith's letter of 27 [March 1820]; extremely sorry for Smith's "family distress", hopes he and Lady [Pleasance] Smith will be well enough to come to London in May. His family well, though since the death of his "poor girl" in January they have had a "good deal of sickness"; more sickness in London this winter than ever known. Thinks Sir Joseph Banks has borne the winter well; Mrs [Catherine] Lambert not expected to ever recover her "reason", [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert cannot bear name of his wife to be mentioned.

"Linnean Transactions" vol 13 progressing "very slowly", conflicting opinions on presentation of [Joseph] Smith's [(1775-1857)] paper. Linnean Society's address to the King [George IV (1762-1830)] well received and printed in the "[London] Gazette". Pleased to hear that Smith is to "stick by" the original [Linnean Dining] Club; account of the division, fears consequences of break in Society's harmony which makes him more anxious than before to resign as Secretary.

Just returned from Lowestoft, [Suffolk], "after having paid the last duties to our beloved parent" [Pleasance Smith's mother, Pleasance Reeve, née Clerke (1739-1820)]. Condolences on death of Macleay's loss [his daughter], "more afflicting, as it was not in the course of nature"; like Macleay "never lost so many friends as in the late dreadful winter".

Intends to be in London for Linnean Society meeting on 2 May [1820]. Received poor accounts of Sir Joseph Banks' health from Bishop of Carlisle [Samuel Goodenough] and [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert, but good account of Mrs [Catherine] Lambert's. Return's Joseph Smith's [(1775-1857)] paper with corrections, observations. Sorry to hear of [Linnean] Club "squabbling", which he thinks "more becoming a tavern than a literary society", but will "lend a hand to calm differences". "Sicken[s] at the thought" of Macleay resigning Secretary position.

Returned from Scotland. Happy to hear Smith will be at next Linnean Society meeting, hopes Smith can attend upcoming Council meeting. The Society to take late Sir Joseph Banks' house as its rooms, with the drawing room to become the meeting room. A subscription being raised for marble bust of Banks, limited to £1; £100 of £120 cost already raised. New "Linnean Transactions" volume ready for publication before 24 [May 1821], "it will be a very splendid one", the plates for [Robert] Brown's paper cost £240. Necessary for the Society to recruit in order to continue, asks Smith to interest [Thomas] Brightwell [(1787-1868)], "one of the most intelligent entomologists in this kingdom".

Received Smith's letter of 17 [April 1822]; in spite of 12-month interruption of their corresondence his regard for Smith "unaltered and unalterable". The Linnean Society blackballed a man "because he had not treated their President with the respect which he so highly deserves". [Joseph] Sabine has sent Smith a paper of his. Printing of "Linnean Transactions" goes on "very slowly", which vexes him much as he knows the Society at large will blame him for delay.

Unable to go to London tomorrow as he is suffering from one of his "old inflammatory attacks on the lungs", but hopes to be well enough to attend Linnean Society anniversary meeting by staying at Mr [Thomas] Forster's in Hackney, [Middlesex], for a week beforehand. [Thomas] Brightwell [(1787-1868), entomologist] will attend Society on Tuesday to be admitted, will bring [Joseph] Sabine's paper.

All disappointed not to see Smith on 7 [May 1822], Linnean Society Council meeting adjourned until 21 May in the hope that Smith can attend. New FMLS elected.

He has been at home since middle of June and had recovered his health and strength until contracting a severe case of cholera, "very prevalent here"; hoping to recover his strength at Lowestoft, [Suffolk], before going onto Birmingham, [Warwickshire], to give another course of lectures at the Institution, beginning 16 September [1822]. Following this will visit Holkham [Hall, Norfolk, home of Thomas William Coke]. Suggests Macleay come to Norfolk in late autumn.

"There is no end of strange & awful events in the history of our times", comments on deaths of Lord Londonderry [Robert Stewart, 2nd Marquess of Londonderry (1769-1822), statesman, committed suicide], and Mrs [Charlotte] Lynn [daughter of Samuel Goodenough, died suddenly].

Thanks for Smith's letter of 20 [August 1822], happy to hear of his recovery from cholera attack. His summer plans disrupted, hopes to see Smith in London before he can go to Norwich. Sent Smith's letter for "Linnean Transactions" to the printer but uncertain what title to give it.

Fate of Lord Londonderry [Robert Stewart, 2nd Marquess of Londonderry (1769-1822), statesman, committed suicide] "has indeed been a sad one", feels he has lost a friend. Did not realise Mrs [Charlotte] Lynn's [daughter of Samuel Goodenough] death was sudden, Mrs Macleay's sister also died suddenly.

Thanks for Macleay's letter of 30 August [1822], sorry to not see him at Norwich, [Norfolk], this year. Enjoying his visit to Mr and Mrs Corrie, "she is one of the deepest botanists" he knows. His lectures "fully & brilliantly attended", hopes he is a "good milch cow to the Institution". Condolences on death of Macleay's sister-in-law, remarks on death of Mrs [Charlotte] Lynn [daughter of Samuel Goodenough, died suddenly].

Long break in their correspondence. Publication of "Linnean Transactions" vol 14, lack of papers at Linnean Society meetings, requests one from Smith. Delay in last part of previous "Transactions" volume occasioned him "more vexation" than he can express; he is "most heartily sick of the Secretaryship" and asks that Smith consider a replacement; David Don's [(1799-1841), botanist] progress [as Society Clerk]. Several objectives he would like to complete before leaving office: a subscription for a bust of Smith, though fears he will not have much good will on this, having brought forward so many other subscriptions; a general index to "Linnean Transactions"; and to put the Society's funds on a better footing, proposals for this, asks Smith to chase up money bequeathed by Natural History Society [Society for Promoting Natural History, precursor to Linnean Society].

[Aylmer Bourke] Lambert and Mrs [Catherine] Lambert both unwell, when he took the Chair he "appeared as if he were mad", which was much commented on by Fellows, asks Smith to ensure [William George] Maton takes the Chair when the Bishop [of Carlisle, Samuel Goodenough] cannot attend. His daughter ill.

Thanks for Macleay's "kind letters" but has "very little time to write in reply" as the "Herculean labour" of his "English Flora" demands all his daylight and most of his evening time; current progress and publication plans.

Laments "most truly" Macleay intention to resign Linnean Society Secretaryship, suggests [Joseph] Sabine, Macleay's son, or [Robert] Brown as successor, asks Macleay's opinion. Will try to write a paper for Linnean Society for March. Thanks Macleay for suggestion of a bust of him, "should esteem the honour greater than being made a Baronet at the solicitation of the Soc[iet]y". Opinion on proposed index to "Linnean Transactions". Requests most recent "Linnean", "Horticultural", and "Philosophical Transactions". Proposes Dr [Christian Friedrich] Schwaegrichen [(1775-1853), zoologist] of Leipzig for FMLS vacancy. Respecting Society finances, proposes charging a guinea for each volume of "Linnean Transactions".

Approves of course of treatment for Macleay's ill daughter. He had "much illness" last year but is now "very well". Lectured at Birmingham, [Warwickshire], for a month "with good success, & hope [he has] "sown good seed"".

[Aylmer Bourke] Lambert and Mrs [Catherine] Lambert both much better since he last wrote to Smith. Efforts being made to receive funds from Natural History Society [Society for Promoting Natural History, precursor to Linnean Society]. Smith's proposal to charge for next volume of "Linnean Transactions" not suitable.

Council thinks [Francis] Hamilton's 10 long papers on "Hortus Malabaricus" too long for "Linnean Transactions", they ask that Smith to write to Hamilton for them to be compressed as much as possible. Has no doubt that Smith's "English flora" will be "anxiously sought after" but recommends publishing it all together, in consideration of "Flora Britannica" not having been finished. Recommends Smith seek out Edmund Goodenough's [(1785-1845), headmaster] own copy of "Flora Britannica" with extensive manuscript notes. His daughter recovering from her illness.

Received Macleay's letter of 22 January [1823], pleased to hear of Miss Macleay's recovery. If the Linnean Society cannot afford to publish "Linnean Transactions" then they ought to either refrain, publish on some other plan, or sell their stock at a cheap rate to booksellers abroad or at home. [Francis] Hamilton's papers on "Hortus Malabaricus" are "extremely valuable to real botanists", but if they extend too far they must be delayed, anxious not to "disgust" Hamilton. The "Horticultural Society Transactions" "form a valuable mass of inform[atio]n & entertainment".

As Macleay has said nothing of his successor [as Society Secretary] hopes this means he is relenting in his intention to resign. Believes a voluntary contribution to the Society [to improve funds] would be "nominal" and feels it is his duty to "resist for others". Thanks Macleay for hint respecting Master of Westminster's [Edmund Goodenough [(1785-1845)] copy of "Flora Britannica" but finds his "own materials & observations best - do not think me a growing a coxcomb for this". Has finished one volume [of "English flora"] and hopes to have another finished by the time he comes to London.

Asks directions for forwarding [Joseph] Sabine's supplemental paper on Chrysanthemums for Smith's observations, at request of Linnean Society Council.

Cannot conceive that anything written for the Linnean Society by [Joseph] Sabine can require his revision. Had hoped to be in London for 15 April but this will now be 1 May in order for him to finish second volume of his "[English] Flora" and to correct sheets of the first. Received "melancholy letter" from Bishop of Carlisle [Samuel Goodenough]; hopes he is better, "great pressure of his work" prevents him from writing to his friends.

Has read [Joseph] Sabine's paper and concurs with him in everything, except for minor changes to specific names. Sorry he gave Macleay "such a kettle of fish", had hoped it would be better. Hopes to be in London on 6 May [1823] but very unwell at present, being threatened with a pulmonary irritation and "a bad state of bowels". Macleay to "throw the Cornish paper aside if not quite worthy to appear".

Too unwell with influenza to come to London for 6 May [1823], finds it "mortifying" after having been so well over the winter. Hopes to attend Linnean Society anniversary meeting, will stay at [Thomas] Forster's in Clapton, [Middlesex], so as to prepare for the London air, and only the Society will bring him to London this spring, as he must decline visits, sights, and lecturing. Just informed that [Antoine] Gouan of Montpellier, [France], has died. Afraid Bishop of Carlisle [Samuel Goodenough] is ill, he wrote a "very melancholy" letter on death of his granddaughter.

Received Smith's letter of 30 April [1823], sorry to hear so bad an account of Smith's health, but reassures him that whatever he hears to the contrary, he has "steady friends in the Council". Hopes Smith can attend the audit as it is essenital for the President to attend. Asks if Smith has conferred with anyone about taking office of Secretary. [Antoine] Gouan has been dead several years and his FMLS place filled.

Has taken efforts to arrange Linnean Society Council meeting for Monday evening, hopes Smith will be able to attend. Understands from [Robert] Brown that Smith does not think the Linnean Society should interfere with the Asiatic Society, but as the Council unanimously agreed to oppose their charter feels it his duty to do what he can to fulfil the instruction, as should Smith, asks that he write to the Attorney General on the matter.