[John] Bradbury, an old FLS who has been travelling in north America for some time and is now in heavy arrears, has asked to compound with 10 guineas in full; advises Council to grant this indulgence "as his name is honourable to us".

Asks if Sir [Justly Watson] Green's [2nd baronet, (1755-1826)] paper on 'Phascum' is a continuation of any former paper on the genus; "greatly doubts his knowledge of such very difficult matters". Hopes to send a paper of his own by 21 January.

Condolences on death of [George] Anderson [(fl 1800s-1817), plant collector]; hopes neither Anderson's paper on 'Paeonia' or willow collection are lost. Returns Sir [Justly Watson] Green's [2nd baronet, (1755-1826)] paper on 'Phascum' with no conclusive judgement as to its worth; [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert's paper [on 'Cinchona'] should be printed. Sending his own paper on 'Tofieldia' and another on 'Lycopodium', with [Robert] Brown, not to be printed.

Urges Linnean Society Council to take legal action against [Thomas] Marsham [to recover debts].

Necessary for him to make an addition to his 'Tofieldia' paper before it is printed.

Objects to the Horticultural Society having daily use of Linnean rooms as it would "endanger our property", and be "extremely burthensome" to [Robert] Brown and the servants, "not on acc[oun]t of that Soc[iet]y most of whose members are our friends, but because there will unavoidably be strangers, gardeners &c, up & down", but if agreed to the Horicultural Society ought to pay at least £100 per annum; he has "always felt that we should be more dignified if we had our house to ourselves". Intends to be in London by end of April.

Not as ill as he was this time last year. The plant of "lady botanist" [Arabella Rowden], 'Brusenia', should have been 'Brasenia', a genus of Schreber's in "Genera Plantarum" p.372, does not know the plant himself. Cannot find anything on Cullum's herb "scathery" and frustrated by lack of index to [Henry] Lyte's [(1529-1607), botanist] "Herbal", but thinks they may find something at Sir Joseph Banks' in [Thomas] Tusser [(1524-1580)], a favourite book of Banks' ["Five hundred pointes of good Husbandrie" (1580)], and thinks it must be parsley. Holds a great regard for Sir Christopher Pegge [(1765-1822), Oxford professor of anatomy]. Dr and Mrs Ward live too far away for them to call.

His trip to London delayed by an influenza attack but hopes to be there by 5 May [1817]. Proposes Sir Christopher Pegge [(1764-1822), physician] as a Council member. Essential for [Thomas] Marsham to repay more of his debt before Linnean Society anniversary meeting.

Forced to again delay his journey to London but intends to arrive in time for Linnean Society anniversary meeting. Anxious that Sir Christopher Pegge [(1764-1822), physician] be made part of Council, also suggests [Thomas Thynne, 2nd] Marquess of Bath [(1765-1837)]. Proposes Baron Alexander [von] Humboldt for FMLS, and either [Jean] Cuvier or [Augustin] de Candolle if there is another vacancy. Mortified to miss the dinner at Somerset Place [House, home of the Royal Society]. Necessary for [Thomas] Marsham to have repaid all his debt to the Society by the anniversary, or a considerable part with sufficient apology.

Understands and accepts Hodgson's reasons for resigning as FLS but if he had notice would have tried to controvert some of those reasons. Always pleased to see botany "cultivated by persons eminent in character or station". Mutual benefits of clergy studying botany. Believes the study of nature is "inferior to none in dignity or utility", never meeting more than one "fanatic" who thought otherwise, "gibbeted" him [unnamed] in a note in Linnaeus' "Lapland Tour".

Macleay's account of "poor [Thomas] Marsham" makes his "heart ache". His health "perfectly restored", but still "tender & not strong", hopeful for attending in 3 weeks [Linnean Society anniversary dinner]. Duke of [John Russell, 6th] Bedford will attend anniversary dinner, though he "dreads a hot full room".

Uncertain whether to lament loss of Macleay's office, hopes he obtains what he "so well deserve[s], an easier, & at least as profitable a place". Intends to stay at 43 Seymour Street when in London [home of Aylmer Bourke Lambert]. His dependence on Macleay for forwarding his letters and parcels. Hopes the Society received security for Marsham's debts.

Disappointment of [Thomas William] Coke and his friends at the "rancour of the Norw[ic]h mob" against Coke [and the Corn-Law, which has made a second appearance; it originates solely in the corn-bill, and as he is a great corn grower he has become a target even though he is in favour of free export and import; concludes Coke is not safe in Norwich, and he is taking action against a "most diabolical handbill".

Lord [Thomas, 1st Viscount Anson (1769-1818)] and Lady [Anne Margaret (1779-1843)] Anson left London suddenly to attend their 9 year old son, reportedly dying. He came to London on 22 May and was unanimously elected Linnean Society president for the thirtieth time; Lord [Edward Smith-]Stanley made the Society drink his health twice. Intends to attend last Linnean Society meeting on 17 June and possibly the opening of Waterloo Bridge on 18 June, and will spend the rest of summer in Norwich with visits to Holkham, [Norfolk, home of Coke], and Lowestoft, [Suffolk]. Sent dried plants by waggon from Norwich on 23 May [for Liverpool Botanic Garden herbarium]. Glad Roscoe likes [Aylmer Bourke] and [Catherine] Lambert; "she is very pleasing". Sir Joseph Banks presided at Royal Society and club, he is lame but well. Asks after payment for plants.

Forwards letter. Asks Macleay to send [Thomas Andrew] Knight his pencil corrections to Knight's paper. He leaves tomorrow morning.

Duke of [John Russell, 6th] Bedford 's letter concerns Linnean Society only so has returned it. Suffering from a "tedious stomach & bowel compl[ain]t". He and Lady [Pleasance] Smith "can think nothing but the late sad event, it is truly deplorable, no one can calculate the effects" [probably reference to death of Princess Charlotte (1796-1817), only legitimate grandchild of George III].

Replies to Roscoe's letter of 18 November. Recovered from the most obstinate bowel complaint he has ever had, which confined him for three weeks. His hard work on [Abraham Rees'] "Cyclopedia", which is now coming to a close, prevents him from saying much on the "sad loss" of the Princess [Charlotte (1796-1817), only child of the Prince Regent]; wonders at possibility of a subscription for a national memorial, as with Waterloo subscription, with a school attached.

Congratulates Roscoe on opening of the Liverpool [Royal] Institution; anxious to see Roscoe's lecture in print; he and Mr Valpy do not know of anyone for the [Classical] tutor. Depending on his engagements accepts Roscoe's proposal [for Smith to lecture on botany]. Coke family "much shocked" by the sudden death of Lady [Elizabeth] Albemarle [(d 1815), first wife of William Charles Keppel, 4th Earl of Albemarle (1772-1849)] at Holkham, [Norfolk, home of Thomas William Coke], from a miscarriage. Glad that Franklin's letters have been published.