Formal notice requesting Smith's attendance at Linnean Society meeting on 11 May [1802] to consider the directives in the Society's recently granted charter.

[Additional letter on second folio, also by Macleay]: After meeting with [Thomas] Marsham and [Jonas] Dryander they found that no summonses could be issued for the Dinner until the members of the Society be reelected, and as Smith's presence for such is not essential they made it the earliest day possible; his summonses was only to comply with a direction in the charter. Hopes Smith will be well enough to attend on 17 May [1802] for settling the bye-laws, and asks that he prepare an address to the Society upon its meeting as a chartered body.

No summary available.

'Salix russelliana', in the opinion of Abbot and [John Russell, 6th] Duke of Bedford, is not a native of Bedfordshire. Notes on its habitat and "quickness of growth", is known to agriculturists as "Leicestershire" or "Dishley willow". Hopes that Smith's health will have improved following his six weeks in Liverpool.

Account of Linnean Society meeting [following granting of charter]: 12 met, only absentees being Smith, Lord Dartmouth [George Legge], and [John] Symmons; all Fellows, Honorary Members, and Associates reelected except those in arrears, and the business of the Foreign Members deferred until meeting next Monday, which he hopes Smith will be able to attend.

Difficulties of correspeondence in the war; greetings and news; desiderata.

Invites Smith to visit her the next time he is in London. Apologises for long delay in correspondence, caused by her "nervous disaffection" and ill health, and had meant to respond to Smith's letter congratulating her on "the blessing of Peace". Sorry to hear Smith's old complaint has returned.

Proposes that a toast be made to her late husband, [Charles Watson-Wentworth, 2nd marquess of Rockingham (1730-1782), prime minister], at the Linnean Society Anniversary meeting on 24 May, as his birthday was also 24 May and he was a "rising botanist of great promise" and "a most attach'd disciple of Linnaeus". Thanks for present of dried fruit and biscuits, which have now regained their "peculiar taste & good quality" following "those cruel times of real, or pretended scarcity", though does not believe that any flour have yet or perhaps ever will return to same quality as before. Praises the sermon Smith sent her, which reminds her of something in [James] Saurin [(1677-1730), French preacher]; details of a sermon she will send in return. Apologises for legibility of letter as her eyelid complaint has returned.

Thanks for 'Salix' cuttings, some of which have taken root. Arrangements for paying his Linnean Society subscription arrears. Dissatisfaction at not having received a Society anniversary meeting invitation for some years.

Sending Smith specimens of a possible 'Ajuga pyramidalis', received from William Gibb, gardener to Lord Seaforth of Braham Castle, Dingwall, Scotland, desires opinion. Despairing of acquiring the ptarmigan eggs in spite involvement from the Marquess of Huntly.

Requests Smith's support for William Smith, who is standing as Parliamentary candidate for Norwich with Mr Fellows. Cannot think Smith has much partiality for the present members after the "bullbaiting business".

Itinerary for his tour of the north of England and Scotland collecting grasses for his "Gramina Britannica". Requests specimens of 'Phleum crinitum' and 'Agrostis littoralis'.

Has often talked of Smith and his writings with [José Celestino] Mutis and other botanists. Met Smith's friend William Taylor. Returning home to the Americas soon. Offers to send Smith plants of Bogota in exchange for New Holland and rare British plants; will send plant 'Guaco', the sap of which is used to protect against snake bites. He and Mutis to jointly publish "Flora bogotana", much delayed. Requests botanical book recommendations.various botanical topics.

[Note on second folio] "Mr W Taylor has been here to say that if you write to M Zea it would perhaps be better to compliment him upon his introducing the Vaccine institution into Spain as he was the first who did it & rendered himself famous by it".

Regrets the serious condition which prevented Smith from coming to Hillingdon. Recommends Dr James' powders for erruptive fevers, glad to hear Smith's lungs are not affected.

Plans to bring his brother and colleague back into the new Parliament.

Certain that 'Oenanthe crocata' poisoined two of [Charles Lennox, 3rd] Duke of Richmond's [(1735-1806)] mares in foal; examined the pasture and dry streambed of the Lavant and there is evidence of the horses digging up the roots and their stomachs were full of a white substance like sawdust, agreeing exactly with what they observed on examining roots of this year mixed with decayed roots of last year; the bank of the stream is full of the plant. Noticed a horse cropping the top of the plants which he supposes is comparatively innocent and that the brood mares must have had "depraved appetites" to dig up the roots. 'Heracleum' in meadows here is called "hog-weed" and fed to the hogs. Has not found any 'Fucus' or uncommon saltmarsh plants.

[Wilson] Lowry [(1760-1824), engraver] has returned his plants and drawings unengraved after three years, offers them to [James] Sowerby.

Found 'Hieracium sylvaticum' on same hill as mentioned in [John] Gerard's [(1545-1612), botanist] "Herbal", apologises if incorrect as ornithology is his favourite pursuit, not botany. Sends specimens for "English botany", notes on habitat. Examined 'Pilosella' of John Bauhin.

Death of one of Smith's "most affectionate friends" [Smith annotation: "Mr J. Mackay", John Mackay (1772-1802), employed at Dickson nursery, Edinburgh]. Still waiting to hear from [James] Playfair [(1738-1819), Church of Scotland minister] to hear further on bees. Dr Waltner still unwell and his class dormant. Received Devon 'Fucus' specimens from Lady Ashburton, sends onto Smith.His health good.

Account of plants collected on his journey to Oxfordshire, including habitats, sent specimens to [James] Sowerby; 'Juniperus communis', 'Rumex sanguineus', 'R. venis', 'R. rubris', 'Festuca bromoides', 'Sisymbrium irio', 'Tordylium maximum', 'Asplenium ceterach', 'Carex inflata', 'Asarum europaeum' never seen wild old habitat of [John] Ray at Cheverill's Green near Dunstable is lost, 'Geranium nodosum'. Provided for 7 'Papilio iris' larvae which travelled with him. Since returning has also sent 'Oxalis corniculata', naturalised in woods behind Oakley House from Stratton Park, Hampshire. Honored by Smith's classing him amongst his friends in "Linnean Transactions" vol 6 'Salix' paper.

Feels that Smith is too sedentary and wishes he would dedicate some time to exercise, recommends him to winter in Devon or Cornwall. [Dawson] Turner and his wife have been visiting. A very cold summer, believes there shall be no fruit, hay, or grass, but the corn and potatoes are growing well. Sorry that the new charter for the Linnean Society has caused dissention. Advised to go to Harrogate, Yorkshire, and take the waters for an external ear condition.

Concerned to hear about Smith's "serious illness" at [Richard] Salisbury's; hopes the worst of the erysipelas is over. Will send new Linnean Society list and "Linnean Transactions" vol 6 shortly. The Society rules are to be confirmed or rejected at the next meeting. Asks if he can do anything for Smith in the north of Scotland and Orkneys.

Enquires after Smith's recovery from his illness. Current "extraordinary weather" is very unfavourable to invalids; she has never known such "unabating high winds with violent storms of rain & sometimes hail, at this time of the year", she has been feeling very indifferent.

Smith to receive his catalogue of [Gian Carlo] Dinegro's garden before Dinegro leaves England, it contains new species which Viviani intends to include in his own work. Dinegro responsible for botany's inclusion in the Genoese school curriculum. Viviani plans to resend to Smith the lost dried specimens of plants intended for his book.