His son's death last autumn; returned to England 23 December. Plans to summer in Brighton, [Sussex].

Suspects that the plant which poisoned two of [Charles Lennox, 3rd] Duke of Richmond's [(1735-1806)] horses is 'Oenanthe crocata', knowing that the pasture is next to a stream by which it grows. Has been confined last six weeks by infected toenail. Praises "English Botany" figure and name of 'Conferva rosea'; found it at Worthing, [Sussex], in 1782, and Exmouth, [Devon], [William] Hudson thought it his 'purpurascens', received larger specimens from Dawson Turner. His botanical library at Chichester consists of "Compendium Florae Britannicae" and most recent numbers of "English Botany". If there is a storm will try to find 'Fucus' about Bognor and Selsea Island.

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.