[William] Coyte mistaken in informing Smith that Velley wished to sell his recently acquired "curious uncut copy" of [Johan Jacob] Dillenius' "Historia Muscorum", of which only fifty copies were printed, apologises to Smith for the misunderstanding.

Briefly in Bath after having marched his regiment to Hilsea barracks, [Hampshire]. Requests Smith to look over some of his Latin descriptions of sea plants prior to publication. Asks Smith's opinon of the term "caulis" to express the stem or stalk, frequently used by Linnaeus, reminds Smith how they both objected to it when they last saw each other. Asks Smith to thank Mr Wigg for the parcel of sea plants.

Sends copy of his book ["Coloured figures of marine plants" (1795)] for Linnean Society; "as the investigation of truth ought to be the great object of every inquiry" asks that Smith inform him of any errors apparent.

Thanks Smith for opinion on his manuscript [Velley's 'Remarks on the Nature and Propagation of marine Plants' for "Linnean Transactions"]. Discusses origin and use of the word "seeds" and his initial reluctance to apply it to marine plants, references [Carl Friedrich von] Gaertner [(1772-1850)] and discusses his own observations of 'Fucus' and 'Confervae'. Wishes to forward to Smith parts of a collection of exotic duplicates he has lately received.

Wishes to publish a paper in "Linnean Transactions" on 'Fucus'; it will include an examination of [John] Stackhouse's theories on the subject and expand on a similar paper published by [José Francisco] Corrêa [de Serra] in "Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society" ['On the Fructification of the Submersed Algae']. Has been compelled to write it after a review of "Nereis Britannica" erroneously stated that Velley's work ["Coloured figures of marine plants"] was written in support of [Carl Friedrich von] Gaertner's [(1772-1850)] theory on the propagation of 'Fucus'. Believes it would compliment similar [Samuel] Goodenough's paper ['Observations on the British Fucus'].

Has left instructions for his 'Fucus' paper for next "Linnean Transactions" to be delivered to Smith, and has included a drawing of the "singular and curious 'Conferva'" to be engraved and coloured by [James] Sowerby. Thinks it unfortunate that the plates for the "Transactions" are not well executed, and suggests charging Fellows 5 shillings on receipt of their copies.

The "calamitous state of the times" will oblige them to carry out any further correspondence "across the ocean".

Reassures Smith that the communications he intends to make to Linnean Society will not clash with [Dawson] Turner's.

Explains his efforts to suppress [William] Sole's strictures on Smith's 'Mentha' paper, over which Smith expressed concern to [John Leonard] Knapp; has ensured that the only surviving rough copy of the notes will be delivered to Smith on death of current possessor.