They will arrive in Norwich on 17 [July 1797], notwithstanding any further obstacles. Thanks for account of 'Saxifraga', which [William] Withering requested him to enquire about, who wanted to know where [William] Hudson's 'S. caespitosa' was from. Thanks for 'Scirpus multicaulis', though as yet does not see it as being truly a 'Salisburia'. Many errors in printing of his and [Samuel] Goodenough's paper on 'Fucus' in "Linnean Transactions", blames Goodenough. Hopes to meet [Thomas] Velley when they come to Norwich.

Encloses certificate proposing Lord St John as FLS. Received visit from [Thomas] Velley; discussed his and [Samuel] Goodenough's joint paper on 'Fucus'. Praises second fasciculus of [John] Stackhouse's ["Nereis Britannica"], but criticises his plan to form several genera based on microscopic observations, as Hedwig did with mosses, as being too "minute & intricate for general observers"; his own proposed criteria for separating 'Fucus' genera. Chases up copies of his and Goodenough's paper and [James] Sowerby's "Fungi".

Replies to Smith's letter of 2 October [1797]. Account of Mrs Manning's [Woodward's mother-in-law] suspected severe inflammation of the lungs, which she overcame at age of 73. He has suffered attack of gout in his right hand. At Smith's request examined all his specimens of 'Bromus' and finds that a "ciliated" "inner value" appears in the "coarse, rough" species, but not 'B. giganteus', observations on this; also examined his 'Festuca' specimens for same; observations.

Sorry for "sad account" of Mariamne Johnes, hopes Smith's attendance on her will not incovenience him too much.

Thanks for Smith's letter of 4 November [1797]; pleased by account of favourable turn in [Mariamne] Johnes condition; recommends book just published in Paris detailing similar cases, "Observations sur la nature et sur le traitment du Rachitisme, pur M. Poral". Steady recovery of Mrs Manning [Woodward's mother-in-law], in spite of her old age.

Reexamined all his 'Bromus' specimens and found that 'B. erectus' is ciliated; notes on this. [John] Stackhouse has a new 'Medusa' for Smith, and a nondescript bird with description for Linnean Society [see RelatedMaterial below]. Glad Oxford has a professor "more liberal minded" than [John] Sibthorp; "mysteries & secrets in scientific matters never answer any other purpose than to hurt the character of the person who deals in them". Thinks the 'Tordglium maximum' and 'T. officinale' must be erroneous, knowing that the habitats given for them are the same place.

Sends specimens and notes by himself and [William] Withering of three genera of grasses, including 'Poa angustifolia', 'P. bulbosa', 'Festuca rubra', 'F. duriuscula', and 'Bromus diandrus', and others.

Pleased to hear of good prospect for health of his sister, Fanny, being treated by Dr Lubbock, would have preferred similar account for Mrs Fred Smith. [William] Withering has sent a parcel of specimens to Smith in London, including possible new species of 'Drosera'; notes. Hopes Smith examined the 'Fucus capensis' he sent; observations on discharge of seeds and capsules. Requests specimens of [Archibald] Menzies' North American 'Fucus' species; [Dawson] Turner has acquired some. Heavy snow.

Postpones their meeting; surprised Smith is already thinking of returning to London. Glad Smith is named editor of [John] Sibthorp's "Flora Graeca"; it will give Sibthorp more credit; Smith has the notes from his examination of Tournefort's herbarium at Paris; and will add an "additional leaf" to Smith's "wreath, already sufficiently full". Poor health of Smith's sister, Fanny, and sister-in-law, [Mrs Frederick Smith]. Thanks for parcel from [William] Withering, which contained seed of 'Bromus diandrus', which could become a valuable grass to sow for sheep pasture; 'Anthoxanthum verna' has similar properties; asks if Smith knows anyone willing to experiment with 'Poa annua' for same end.

Sends Smith specimen of 'Fucus subfuscus', which if placed in water will show it is full of fructification; certain the drawing of it in "Linnean Transactions" is accurate [see RelatedMaterial below], which means [James] Sowerby's for "English botany" is not, and if this is the case they may be able to ascertain 'F. subfuscus' and 'F. variabilis'.

Health of himself and Mrs Manning [Woodward's mother-in-law]; her symptoms. Thanks for two numbers of [James Sowerby's] "Fungi". Will contribute to funds for Smith's "benevolent" design to memory of [Charles] Bryant [(d 1799)]. Unsure of how [William] Withering's specimens are to be disposed of following his death. [John] Stackhouse intends to visit him, Smith, and [Dawson] Turner in Norfolk. Thanks for two 'Carex' specimens.

Thanks for "Linnean Transactions" [vol 5]. They have been confined all winter, and Mrs Manning [Woodward's mother-in-law] confined entirely to her room; symptoms; her asthma has changed from dry to moist. Enjoyed Smith's paper on 'Mentha', but without specimens to compare it against will never master the subject; the rest of the volume not so interesting, excepting [William] Kirby's papers, and "scanty".

Thanks for ["Compendium florae Britannicae"]; praises Smith's writing and "unassuming display of knowledge", which is the opposite of modern authors, who "promise mountains, & very often produce not even molehills". Recently suffered from gout in his left hand. Sending copy of rare [John] Ray work after noticing scarcity of his works in Linnean Society library catalogue [see RelatedMaterial below].

Difficulty of acquiring good specimens of 'Lichen tenuissimus' to send [John] Pitchford after the banks of it were so "thoroughly pillaged" by Dawson Turner and Dr Nöder; observations. Glad Smith liked his pamphlet of letters [subject unclear].

Postpones their visit to Smith until the weather is more settled and warmer. Suffering from bad digestion and irregular bowels; prescribed pills of half-soap, half-rhubarb, but thinks analpetic pill or more rhubarb would be better. Should Smith still wish to visit Roche a literary call would be sufficient. Smith's discovery of 'Lichen floridus' "curious", concludes much is still wanting understanding the physiology of the Cryptogamic class; discusses tubercules and fructification in detail, with reference to Hedwig and 'Fucus' species.

Sends Smith remainder of his Bulliard ["Histoire des champignons"], found in confusion of removing his books [to Walcot Hall, Diss]. Asks after Smith's works, as he is more out of the world here than he was at Bungay, [Suffolk]. [John] Stackhouse to publish third fasciculus [of his "Nereis Britannica"]: he sent it to [Dawson] Turner for review, who was to forward it to himself, before he forwarded it onto Smith, but Turner never sent it on. Received letter from young Withering concerning claim made by [John] Stokes [(1755-1831)] for profits of third edition of [William] Withering's ["Botanical arrangement"]; thinks he has no right; either 15,000 or 1,500 copies sold; notices a fourth edition has since been published, probably rushed out before Smith completes his book ["Flora Britannica"].

Received alarming accounts of Smith's health from Sir Thomas Cullum and brother-in-law, R Reeve, and that it was not Smith's lungs but an erysipelas affecting his head and rendering his eyes weak, preventing him from going to Liverpool. Sends two varieties of 'Potamogeton natans', one approaching close to 'P. lucens' and other to [Richard] Relhan's 'P. palustris'. 'Ophrys beselii' growing in boggy ground near his house; peculiarities of its habitat.

Requests garden plants from Mackays [nursery], including: Liquidamber, Catalpha, Tulip tree, Oriental plane, and several 'Ilex'. Describes conditions for march he made to Yarmouth, [Norfolk], and back [Woodward was lieutenant-colonel of the Diss Volunteers]; spent his evenings with [Dawson] Turner, who is busy correcting his "Muscologia" proofsheets.

Sends this before Smith leaves Norwich. Thanks for parcel and trees, though some in poor condition. Intends to attend Linnean Society anniversary meeting. Thanks Smiths for congratulations on his military honours [Lieutenant-Colonel of Diss Volunteers], though he would prefer to be one step lower, as his current one involves great trouble and responsibility; reassures Smith his position does not involve any hard riding, though suffered from "gravel" recently, but it passed through.

Discusses reports of the dissolution of Parliament; worries that it will give Bonaparte opportunity to attack whilst the country is in confusion of a general election. The volunteers have had a great influence in preventing invasions, and in the last war and at the time of the Mutiny were the "salvation of the country".

Death of his mother-in-law, Mrs Manning; account of her last hours and death on 6 March, day of his and Mrs Woodward's birth. Thanks for introduction to [William] Roscoe, who made a short visit. Glad Smith's mother is to make a visit to Liverpool. Expects to attend Linnean Society anniversary meeting.

Received Smith's letter of 31 January [1809]. Postponing their visit to Norwich on account of the miserable weather. Expects to see second fasciculus of "Flora Graeca". Uncertain whether [James] Sowerby's supplement to his "Fungi" is published. Never received 'Fucus' specimens from Sowerby, would be sorry to lose the 'F. abrotanifolius'; it needs to be carefully examined by Smith before it appears in "English botany" as the Linnaean specimen is old and broken, and [Dawson] Turner has not examined it and others with enough care; observations on the young leaves.

Replies to Smith's letter of 15 December [1810]. Seldom sees [Dawson] Turner since leaving Bungay, [Suffolk]; has made observations on Turner's 'Fucus simpliciusculus' and its resemblance to his 'Ulva decorticata'; notes. Comments that Turner's work ["Fucus sive plantarum fucorum"] seems to relax as it approaches its end; a number has not come out for two months; criticises its unpleasant arrangement.

"Most severe loss" to Linnean Society and students of natural history all over the world in death [Jonas] Dryander; repsumes [Robert] Brown will succeed him at Sir Joseph Banks'. Death of Windham and the loss to residents of Earsham, [Norfolk]; obituaries.

[Letter incomplete: lower third of second folio cropped, presumed destroyed]

Unable to attend Linnean Society anniversary meeting as the situation of the country is such that it is "expedient for every person [...] to be at home to secure their own property"; reports of fires in vicinty of Bury, [Suffolk], "almost all malicious & wilful, from the discontent of the people". Poverty of the smaller farmers means that in every parish there are labourers out of employ and discontented, and rises in price of corn "only serves to irritate the poor". Describes a mob he saw in Norwich, but hopes recent falls in corn prices will quiet things.

[John] Stackhouse to republish his "Nereis Britannica" in which he will attack [Dawson] Turner for a "want of candour" in his own work ["Fucus sive plantarum fucorum"]. Criticises Turner for leaving his work in an unfinished state.