Heard that Smith was at [Nicholas Gwyn's] in Ipswich, [Suffolk], before coming to Norwich for his lectures. Glad Smith's lectures are likely to be "handsomely attended". Keen to see [James] Crowe's 'Cerastium'; Smith justly observes it cannot be a hybrid of 'C. aquaticum' and 'Stellaria nemorum'. Unable to send [James] Sowerby 'Trifolium suffocatum' or ['Potamogeton compressus'] again. Sends specimen from Mr Burroughs of Stratton of new 'Vicia' gathered at Alderburgh, [Suffolk], though he thinks it 'V. lutea'; observations. Notes on the 'Ulva' he will bring Smith; wants to reform the genus. Thinks he has 'Mentha exigua' Linnaeus growing in his garden from root of 'M. pulegium' [Smith has annotated "not so JES"].

Thanks for Smith's permission to consult the Linnaean herbarium in his absence, which he will use to examine 'Fucus' specimens. Reassures Smith he will be too busy for any "gallantry" with the maids, who were not chosen, "as single men's maids sometimes are for their superior beauty". Sends paper he has drawn up on genus 'Ulva', including description of new species 'U. decorticata', for Smith's opinion; notes on its contents.

As Smith now a "great collector of coins" asks him to acquire Sheffield coins from Dr [William] Younge. If Smith's brother goes to America wishes him success; discusses coins from the north of England. Asks after Smith's publications "[Specimen of the botany of ] New Holland", "Spicilegium botanicum", and "Flora Britannica". Asks if he could acquire remaining Bulliard plates ["Histoire des champignons"] through [Edmund] Davall. Asks after specimen of 'Atriplex laciniata'. Mr Windham requests visit from Smith.

Thanks for use of Smith's house and library. He and Dr [William] Younge went to Drury Lane and saw "Ladoisha", "the most extraordinary piece of machinery" he ever saw on any stage. Visited [William] Withering in Birmingham; his house and its environs; Withering's precarious health, suffering violent attacks to this lungs and spitting blood; if he survives the winter interested by Dr [Thomas] Beddoes' [(1760-1808), chemist and physician] "aerial process"; coins.

Has left specimen of 'Bromus diandrus' and seeds and specimen of Portuguese grass, since found to be 'Andropogon hirtum', from Withering. Notes from his study of the Linnaean 'Fucus' specimens; made some pencil notes on the different species. Thanks Smith's servants.

Queries on his 'Ulva' paper for Smith to resolve. Arrangements for visit by [James] Sowerby and commissions for drawing 'Fucus' species. Received [Samuel] Goodenough's articles for their paper on 'Fucus', which he generally praises, except that his Latin can run into the "oratorical style"; further notes on composition and contents of their paper. Can acquire coins for Smith. Asks if plan respecting Smith's brother, John, [to emigrate to America] is arranged, after seeing report that some people of large fortune who emigrated from Birmingham have been taken prisoner by a French frigate during their passage.

Returns final revision of his 'Ulva' paper; notes on additions, composition, and contents, including figures. [William] Withering informs him that 'Tamarisca gallica' grows plentifully in the hedges at Lizard Point, Cornwall.

Sends new Bungay halfpenny for Miss [Sarah Sophia] Banks [(1744-1818)] Keen to know fate of his paper on 'Ulva', and whether Smith thinks 'Fucus foeniculaceus' of Linnaean herbarium is really 'F. concatenatus' of the British authors, and 'F. concatenatus' of the herbarium is a different plant.

Has opened a correspondence with [John] Stackhouse, who intends to publish on marine plants; transcribes a postscript from one of Stackhouse's letters in which he offers to the Linnean Society a specimen and description of new 'Ulva' found at Weymouth, [Devon]; desires to become FLS. Observations on Stackhouse's new 'Ulva punctata'. Stackhouse's anxiety that his [Woodward] and Goodenough's work will supersede his own. Strongly recommends admitting Stackhouse to Linnean Society. Received drawing and description of 'Fucus tomentosa' for his and Goodenough's paper on 'Fucus'.

Mail coaches to Bungay. Enjoyed last number of "[Botany of] New Holland", particularly 'Eucalyptus' for curious construction of its flowers, and 'Styphelia', Mrs Woodward says the 'Mimosa' are "ugly". Asks for most recent copy of "Zoology [of New Holland]". Acquisition of coins. [John] Stackhouse to lend him a parcel of 'Fucus' specimens; Stackhouse's and [Thomas] Velley's publications. [Samuel] Goodenough has sketched a preface for their paper on 'Fucus' but he is "too speculative" in parts of his theory; notes on contents of the paper.

Fears Smith's father's illness is a "symptom of a breaking constitution". Smith's "Flora [Britannica]" "much looked for". Distress of the poor during this severe frost. Transcribes epigrams from Bacon's halfpence.

Condolences on death of Smith's father; recounts the news he received of it. Surprised at Norwich paper listing his age as 68, having supposed him to be 62 or 63. Smith's family will receive consolation from the "uninterrupted harmony" that has always existed between them, and "their love & affection for each other". Glad Smith's health has been better since arrival at Norwich, [Norfolk]. Unsure whether Smith intends to publish the 'Ulva diaphana' in "English botany" or "Linnean Transactions". Corrections to make to his paper on 'Ulva' and additional notes. Condolences on death of François [Borone].

Sorry he is not visiting Norwich whilst Smith is there. His old disorder recurred again, moving between his stomach, ankle and foot, and intestines, leading him and his doctor to think it a "vague & unfixed gout". Sends specimens for [Samuel] Goodenough, and parcel of Bury halfpences for Miss [Sarah Sophia] Banks [(1744-1818)].

Received from [John] Stackhouse manuscript account of several 'Fucus' species, "extremely well" drawn up in English & Latin; expects it to print in May. Also has specimen Stackhouse's 'Ulva punctata' for Linnean Society. [William] Withering's and his own opinion of Stackhouse's abilities. Hopes Smith is recovering from death of his father.

Sends his joint paper with [Samuel] Goodenough on 'Fucus'. Uncertain how Smith is to settle the Linnean Society anniversary meeting which he will be missing for the first time; his absence will be looked upon as "unpropitious to the Society". Also understands Smith is quitting his Marlborough Street house, another "serious inconvenience" to the Society if they are not yet rich enough for their own premises and a caretaker salary.

Sends parcel for [William] Withering and coins for Miss [Sarah Sophia] Banks [(1744-1818)]. Taking Withering's prescription to fix or dispense his gouty condition; keen to get to anniversary meeting to see [Samuel] Goodenough and look over Linnaean 'Fucus' again, as well as Buddle's and other herbarium in the [British] Museum. Sends [John] Stackhouse's specimen of 'Fucus punctatus', his new name for 'Ulva punctata', probably too late for reading of the paper.

Thanks for Smith's "Syllabus [of a course of lectures on botany]". Sorry to be missing Smith in Norwich previous to his going into Wales. His poor health: constant swelling of his foot and ankle and shrinkage of his person. [William] Withering would like Smith to visit him in Birmingham, [Warwickshire]. Glad Smith likes [John] Stackhouse, though does not have a personal acquaintance with him. Concern at Smith's move from London to Hammersmith, [Middlesex].

Notes and observations on the 'Hypericum' Smith sent from Wales, which nearly approaches 'H. perforatum' but seems clearly distinct; the 'Gnaphalium' is undoubtedly 'G. rectum'. Comparison of prices for books owned by [Thomas] Johnes' and [Andrew] Fountaine. Finest harvest almost ever remembered, with great bulk of barley, oats, peas, and beans; wheat not quite as good. Death of Lee a "great loss" to Smith. [Andrew] Caldwell's disappointment at frustrated Guernsey trip; suggests he supplies 'Fucus' from Irish coast; Caldwell's promise of supplying Irish halfpence, lists the varieties.

Congratulations on Smith's engagement; his opinion of Mr Reeve; what he has heard of "the lady" [Pleasance Smith, née Reeve]. Corrects observations he made on 'Hypericum' Smith sent from Wales. [John] Pitchford met a surgeon in Wisbech, [Cambridgeshire], who has found 'Orobanche ramosa', 'Dactylis stricata', '[Riccia] glauca' which he thinks 'Riccia natans', and 'Ulva incrassata'. [John] Stackhouse hopes Smith has received his paper on 'Hirniaria glabra'; received specimens of 'Fucus' from him and Velley via [William] Withering, including 'F. elimiathoides' and 'F. defractus'; observations. Coins.

Received a letter from Matthew on great financial distress of [Richard] Relhan, who applies to Smith and Sir Joseph Banks for a subscription to be raised for him at the Linnean Society or elsewhere; unsure of Relhan's current situation. Asks when Smith is next at Norwich; hopes for an introduction to Smith's fiancée [Pleasance Smith, née Reeve]. Asks after elections to Linnean Society, including Abbé Ricolini. Anxious to hear from [Samuel] Goodenough, who is comparing [John] Lightfoot's [‘Fucus'] specimens at Frogmore for their joint paper. [John] Stackhouse's great progress on marine plants; expects him to discover real nature of their fructification and mode of propagation; Stackhouse's paper on 'Hirnicaria glabra'. Arrangements for exchange of coins between himself and Miss [Sarah Sophia] Banks [(1744-1818)].

Encloses comments from [Samuel] Goodenough on [John] Lightfoot's 'Fucus' specimens, showing that Lightfoot's work on this genus was "almost always guesswork". Expects a battle with Goodenough over 'Fucus repens' and its right to be called a species; observations. [John] Stackhouse's "accuracy & industry" in investigating marine plants, in reference to 'F. repens'. Long character description and observations on 'F. repens'.

Congratulates Smith on his marriage [to Pleasance Smith].

His plans for visiting London; difficulties caused by Smith's removal to Hammersmith. Sent [Samuel] Goodenough his last two descriptions for their paper on 'Fucus'; notes thereon, including on engraving of plates. Pleased to hear that Smith intends to go on "seriously" with the "Flora [Britannica]".

Smith's trip to Hafod, Cardiganshire, pleasant except for [Mariamne] Johnes disorder; fortunate that Smith's was there to diagnose and suggest best treatment; Mrs Woodward's cousin of 17 years old suffered from similar affliction and made long but successful recovery following Mr Potto's method.

Smith's East Anglian friends rejoice at his intention to settle in Norwich, [Norfolk]. Received 'Bellium bellioides' of [James] Crowe's garden from [John] Pitchford; a new British genus. Asks after [Dawson] Turner's admittance to the Linnean Society.

Received [William] Withering's new edition [of "An arrangement of British plants"]; "very much improved" in arrangement and matter; [Samuel] Goodenough's assistance with 'Carex', [Hugh] Davies' with mosses, and [Thomas] Velley's and [John] Stackhouse's with 'Fucus', including some not in his and Goodenough's paper, as they did not want to supersede them. Requests specimens or view of [Adam] Afzelius' American 'Fucus' species, so they can be described.

Thanks for Smith's letter of 20 January [1797]; pleased to hear of Smith's successful move from Hammersmith, [Middlesex], to Norwich, [Norfolk]. Had a letter from [Samuel] Goodenough expressing his regret at Smith's removal from London and fears of it being injurious to the Linnean Society; he himself fears Smith's "uninterrupted literary leisure" at Norwich will prevent his visits to London being as frequent as the wellbeing of the Society requires. Plans for their visit to the Smiths in Norwich.

Glad to hear of hopes of favourable outcome for [Mariamne] Johnes' lameness. There is no "greater plague than the fancied discoveries of young botanists", in reference to "minute" specimens sent by Dawson Turner of several marine plants. Writer in the "Gentleman's Magazine" for December [1796] has proposed arranging 'Fucus' with the zoophytes; in response states that 'Fucus' are "really & truly vegetables, producing seeds", and [John] Stackhouse is currently engaged in experiment of raising the larger sort from seed, and expects to succeed.

Glad Smith likes [William] Withering's new edition [of "An arrangement of British plants"]; Withering is indebted to Smith and others for the improvements; Withering's "true spirit of candour". Surprised by Smith's objection to the alteration of the system; had idea that Smith entirely approved [Carl Peter] Thunberg's system and that he intended to adopt it for his "Flora [Britannica]". Curious to see [Archibald] Menzies', not [Adam] Afzelius', 'Fucus' specimens, one appears similar to his 'Ulva decorticata'.

Plans to visit Smith in Norwich on 3 July [1797]. Directions for copies of "Linnean Transactions" vol 3. Criticises comment made by [Samuel] Goodenough in preface to their paper on 'Fucus', printed in that volume. Wished he could have attended the anniversary meeting at the Crown & Anchor. Hopes to see [Thomas] Velley at Norwich, even though he is a "botanical bore". Encloses certificate nominating [Dawson] Turner as FLS.