Pleased Smith's series of lectures in Liverpool has been confirmed; details, including acquisition of a room over the Union Coffee House, offers to supply Smith with any botanical works or specimens required over the course of the lectures, having the works of [Nikolaus von] Jacquin and the principle "Floras", and advertising by himself and Taylor.

Reflects on Smith's visit to Liverpool and their new acquaintance; considers Smith a "friend of very early days, but lately found".

Expects [John] Shepherd [(c 1764-1836, curator Liverpool Botanic Garden] to go to London to look through the nurseries in October. He and Shepherd lately studied difficult 'Pancratium', 'Crinum', and 'Amaryllis' and now thinks the '[Crinum] americanum' they saw at Lord Derby's is '[Crinum] latifolium' of Linnaeus and 'Amaryllis latifolia' of L'Héritier. Will hopefully be able to see Smith for a few days at Norwich. Would like to establish a regular correspondence with Smith, or if he is busy, his "deputy", [William Fitt] Drake.

Condolences on death of [Thomas] Taylor, who was his introduction to Smith. Called on his brother, Philip Taylor, who is in good health, but Meadow's [Taylor's nephew] leg injury from the rifle corps has swelled and erupted again. [John] Shepherd [(c 1764-1836, curator Liverpool Botanic Garden] began journey to London yesterday and will visit Birmingham and Lord Valentia's [George Annesley] on the way and after visit Smith at Norwich. Thanks for Linnean Society membership. Discusses the health of his two sons.

Thanks for parcel from Smith. Delighted by John Shepherd's [(c 1764-1836, curator Liverpool Botanic Garden] account of his visit to London and Norwich, and the acquisitions of "the first importance" and connections he has made. Praises Smith's "Tour of the Continent", of which the observations and opinions accord with his own, and believes the "well tempered zeal for national liberty, that love of science & predilection for works of art" will render it highly interesting to all who feel "for the true dignity & happiness of mankind". Confirms Smith's declination of word "Mediceorum" and discusses the usage. Distressed by public affairs; "was there ever such an instance of the insanity of mankind as the present war".

New year greetings, in Latin. Busy with his literary and business work, especially correcting and proof reading. Thanks for Smith's present of books of last year, delighted with Smith's "Tour of the Continent". Asks Smith to value works of Columna [Smith sent copies owned by Edmund Davall to Roscoe as a prospective buyer]. Smith should ask of Messrs Cadell and Davies a poem called "The Press", written by his printer, and published as a specimen of typography and to show the excellence of its mechanical execution and engravings.

Asks Smith to consult on possibilities of his 16 year old son, James, being placed with [Samuel] Taylor to learn practical farming. At [Liverpool Botanic Garden] two new houses have been completed and filled with plants and five more to be finished; [John] Shepherd [(c 1764-1836, curator of the garden] says when complete it shall challenge "all the kingdom in point both of elegance & convenience".

Satisfied with the terms for placing his son, James, with the farmer [Samuel] Taylor. Sent his other son, Robert, to a public school at Macclesfield, [Cheshire], after to the "great terror of all the family" he had a "violent fit of Chemistry". Sends banknotes as payment for the "two rare works of Columna" sold by Smith. Pleased bust of Smith is liked as he greatly values the original model given him by [George] Bullock [(1783-1818), sculptor]. Reminds Smith of his promise to visit Liverpool again, and hopes Smith's work on a herbarium for Rocoe is progressing. Thanks for election as FLS. Offered some "very interesting" medals by Mr Stevenson.

"Unhinged" by his trip to London and return journey to Allerton [Hall, near Liverpool], where he enjoyed the "attractive company" of his friend [Henry] Fuseli [(1741-1825), painter]. Looking forward to Smith's planned trip to Liverpool next year. Received Smith's letter of 6 [June] containing parcel of Indian seeds collected by Captain [Thomas] Hardwicke. Hopes Smith has seen his son, James, at Norwich; asks his opinion of James' health.

Rejoices with Smith at "the happy event which has just taken place". Thanks Smith and his wife for the "kind & continued attention" they have shown James, his son, [studying under Samuel Taylor, farmer, in Norfolk]. Looking forward to seeing Smith in Liverpool and eulogises their friendship. Sends regards to Mrs [Susannah] Taylor and [William Fitt] Drake.

His joy at receiving a letter from Smith. Pleased Mrs [Pleasance] Smith recovered her health through sea-bathing; Liverpool is "the most frequented bathing place in the kingdom". All his Liverpool friends "charmed" with Mrs Martin [Smith's sister] but concerned she is walking too long. Flattered by Smith's proposal to dedicate "Exotic Botany" to him.

Responds to points in Smith's previous letter: has not seen Captain [Thomas] Hardwicke, though received seeds and letter from him; [John] Shepherd [(c 1764-1836, curator Liverpool Botanic Garden] sent Lady [Amelia] Hume plants two months ago, and she sent back specimen of 'Humea elegans'; Shepherd hopes to send Cooper cuttings of 20 kinds of 'Passiflora' in the spring, their collection has considerably increased; safely received parrot tulip roots; will soon send packet of seeds from the gardens; observed the "minute criticism" [of Smith's "Flora Britannica"] in the "Monthly Magazine" and agrees the author must be handled "with tenderness". His "[Life and Pontificate of] Leo [the Tenth]" [(1805)] in final parts of fourth volume. Ordered "Annals of Botany" with "Exotic Botany". Glad of progress in his son [James, placed with Norfolk farmer Samuel Taylor] and [William Fitt] Drake.

Praises Smith's "Exotic Botany"; flattered by the dedication. Criticises Smith for his treatment of "the poor snail" [Smith's response to criticism of his "Flora Britannica" in the "Monthly Magazine"] and thinks [William Fitt] Drake would have handled it better; applauds Drake's appearance in "Annals of Botany". Approves Smith's title page for "Flora Graeca". Saw Frederick Smith [Smith's brother] in Liverpool; looking forward to visit by Smith and Mrs [Pleasance] Smith.

Rejoices with Smith on the "happy events" [probably birth of a child to Smith's sister, Mrs Fanny Martin, resident in Liverpool] and was delighted to meet Mrs Smith [Smith's mother]. Has discussed Smith's upcoming Liverpool lectures with Mr Martin; anticipating Smith, Mrs [Pleasance] Smith, and [William Fitt] Drake's stay at Allerton. Admires plan and execution of Smith's "Exotic botany", but believes it needs better advertisement. Expects his "Leo" to be published in London in May.

Letter to Smith delayed by work and a feverish cold but has seen Mrs Smith, Mr and Mrs Martin [Smith's sister], and their son. Subscription for Smith's Liverpool lectures has opened headed by Prince William Frederick [(1776-1834)], the Mayor, Dr Brandreth, and 30 more; confident the subscription will match or exceed the last course. His book "Leo" complete, gives his opinion of it.

Laments [James] Currie [(1756-1805), physician and author] and Clarke, who both died shortly after Smith left Liverpool. Remarks on positive change in character of his son, James, following his return to Allerton after long absence [training under Samuel Taylor of Norfolk, farmer]. Thanks for Smith's letter of observations and specimens; convinced his system will withstand criticism but has struggled to write dissertation on it.

Has learnt via [William Fitt] Drake that after receiving a "very violent" letter from [Richard] Salisbury, Smith has terminated all further intercourse; [Roscoe] glad Salisbury has shown himself publically, thus making the split justifiable and proper.

Reports on unexpected docking of "The Investigator" at Liverpool on way to Plymouth, and encounter with the two naturalists [Robert] Brown and [Ferdinand] Bauer [(1760-1826), botanical artist]; their collections could not be opened or seen but informed they found only one Scitamineae, an 'Alpinia'. Smith has a start on them with "Exotic botany".

Postscript on left-hand side of verso of first folio: returns "valuable specimen" of the "Arur. Cardamom", keeping the other specimens for present.

Replies to Smith's letter of 20 November: yet to see the letters [copies of acrimonious correspondence sent between Richard Salisbury and Smith] but is glad to hear that Smith has acted with the "most decisive conduct" and believes the estrangement must be "absolute & total". [Robert] Brown and [Ferdinand] Bauer [(1760-1826), botanical artist] do not feel threatened by Smith's "Exotic botany", though they were surprised on being shown the first numbers by [John] Shepherd [(c 1764-1836, curator Liverpool Botanic Garden]. Prevented from sending Smith his dissertation on the "Monandrian plants".

Hopes Smith's health is good. Intends to send copy of his Monandrian essay but busy correcting his "[Life and Pontificate of] Leo [the Tenth]" for second edition; defends the book against criticism in journals and "Critical Review" by stating the critics' ignorance of the period.

Sends draft of his paper [on 'Scitamineae']; if Smith agrees with principal points he can improve it with Smith's herbarium and library. Comments on a "sullen & ungracious" critique of his "[Life and Pontificate of] Leo [the Tenth]" in the "Edinburgh Review", pointing out its errors and his determination to respond to the "volumes of abuse". Pleased by Mr Reeve's "favourable opinion" of the book.

Responds to Smith's remarks on his Scitamineae paper, transcribes a new opening paragraph and makes other additions and corrections. Smith and himself should take strength against their attackers: [Richard] Salisbury's pamphlet ["Generic characters in the English Botany"] attacking Smith, and his own criticical reviewers in "Critical Review" and "Edinburgh Journal"; has written a paper against the latter. Thanks for numbers of "Exotic botany" but insists on purchasing the rest.

Thanks for Smith's and [Jonas] Dryander's remarks on his 'Scitamineae' paper; plans to add some notes before it is printed and other corrections based on fifteen Scitamineae plants sent by Lord Seaforth [Francis Humberston Mackenzie] from Barbados. Details some of the corrections he is making for second edition of "[Life and Pontificate of] Leo [the Tenth]".

Returns his revised paper on 'Scitamineae'; details some of the changes including rearrangement of genus 'Canna' after observations and thinks all the varieties marked in "Hortus Kewensis" are distinct species. Has been making improvements to his lands and buildings since start of the year. Encourages Smith to investigate difficult genus 'Amomum'. Has no interest in critical reviews of "Exotic botany" and encourages Smith to continue it, thinking that it will "answer much better in the result" than "English Botany".

Further remarks on his 'Scitamineae' paper; transcribes note to be added explaining Smith's discovery which has abolished 'Colebrookia', and discusses possibility of abolishing 'Globba'. Agrees that Smith should reprint the first sheet of "Flora Graeca", on basis that Smith is the editor, not the author, and to make other corrections. Has not seen issue of "Exotic botany" containing the plant named after him ['Roscoea'].