Has looked over the sample of the "Flora Graeca" Smith sent and generally approves of the plan although believes the title to not be very logical. Received parcels from the Academy of Stockholm the day before the embargo on Swedish vessels, including some for Smith: one from the Academy containing documents and two from [Carl Peter] Thunberg.

Asks Smith to thank Mr Grave for "his magnificent present" of a swan, and Smith's mother for turkeys. Uncertain how the "sudden and unexpected concussion" caused by resignation of Prime Minister William Pitt will end, "dear old England cannot suffer much" [Pitt resigned after an impasse was reached over Catholic Emancipation].

A draft of the Linnean Society charter is with Sir Joseph Banks for his opinion. Obliged to Smith for offer to send a Norfolk turkey and provides his address. The late [Benjamin] Robertson [(c 1732-1800)] of Stockwell, [London], has left property worth £80,000-£100,000 to establish a public botanic garden; he is one of the 7 Trustees it is left to, lists the others; regrets not making Robertson a FLS.

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.

Thanks for turkey and letter. Has not yet met the other Trustees of [Benjamin] Robertson [(c 1732-1800)] [bequest of £80,000 to establish a botanic garden], but already has plans for a Professor; does not intend allowing any of the Trustees having superintendence of the garden.

Moved to Fulham "out of the bustle" of London. Hoping to send the engravings, specimens and manuscripts for his book "Description of the genus Pinus" but waiting first for Lamarck's next volume in which he hopes for information on 'Pinus orientalis'. Paid twelve guineas for the engraving of 'Pinus sylvestris'. Bought the "Flora Peruviana" for seventeen guineas, believes it is the only copy in England. Received his first share of [William] Roxburgh's Indian plants from Sir Joseph Banks, currently on 'Triandria', will send any duplicates Smith desires. Discusses 'Durva', the 'Agrostis linearis' of Retz, figured in volume four of "Asiatick Researches" by Sir William Jones [(1746-1794) philologist]. Believes it is 'Panicum dactylon', remarks that even [Carl Ludwig] Willdenow was mistaken about it. Has been in chair at Linnean Society every other meeting since Smith left town.

Sending 'Phascum' specimens; his method for keeping them. Finds that most botanists have confounded 'P. multicapsulare', 'P. aphyllum', and 'P. stoloniferum' under 'P. acaulon'; observations.

Sends 'Bryum canceolatum' by request, also 'P. muticum', 'P. acaulon', 'P. bryoides', 'Lichen narius' of Hoffmann, 'L. punctiformis', 'P. curviocollum'; a "singular production", 'P. scandens'.

[Johann Karl Adam] Murhard [(1781-1863)] of Gottingen; Berg-Rath Wille of Fredrickshalle, Hesse; and John Schaub, Professor of Chemistry, Hesse Capel, have all been proposed as FMLS by [George] Shaw and [John] Parkinson. Received draft of Linnean Society charter from Sir Joseph Banks, intends to send it on to Smith shortly.

Makes observation on upper pair of leaves in his 'Rubus' compared to [James] Sowerby's; brought specimens for Sir Joseph Banks but he does not think there is a second species. Has his 'Ulva lumbricalis' for Smith. Has taken his seat but unsure how long he will hold it and confusion of politics prevents the arrangement in which his brother is concerned from taking place at present. Has just received Chelmsford felons' calendar with 110 names, the Yorkshire has 59.

Sends [Friedrich] Stromeyer's dissertation at Stromeyer's request [(1776-1835)], in gratitude for the information he found in Smith's works. Noehden nominates him as a FMLS. Stromeyer hopes to visit England and Smith after touring France and the Pyrenees.

Thanks for Smith's "authentic & decisive" information in response to his queries; leaves all his specimens in Smith's hands. Was not aware he sent specimens of 'Carex flava' intermixed with those of 'C. fulva'; encloses further spikes of the latter; observations. [Samuel] Goodenough sent him a copy of his "Linnean Transactions" paper on "British species of 'Carex'" but found no reference to himself for variety of 'C. muricata', but confirms the specimens Smith received are the same as the ones he formerly sent Goodenough.

Observations on other plants and specimens, including: 'Carex' resembling 'C. ampullacea', 'Dianthus caryophyllus', 'Mentha gentilis', 'Chara flexilis', encloses specimen of 'Trifolium striatum', saw 'Conferva aegagropila' hopes to acquire specimens soon. Intends to send Smith list of his desiderata.

[Spec 29 written in pencil at head of folio]

Thanks for specimen of 'Hypnum smithii' and opinion on 'Phascum' specimens he sent Smith; observations on these, including possible new species of stemless 'crispum', 'P. aphyllum' different from 'P. muticum', 'P. bryoides'. Approves of name 'Salix russelliana'. Finds that the 'P. scandens' is 'Mnium annotinum' Linnaeus; sends specimen in fruit; observations. Sends specimens of 'Lichen punctiformis', and 'Lichen luteus' Withering, which grows on bark of pollard ashes. Also sends 'Bryum rusescens'.

["Spec. 1" annotated in pencil at top of verso of folio]

Encloses a specimen from the Cape of either 'Galanthus' or 'Leucojum', sent via Mr Rowley's brother, a sea captain. Is resuming his botanical studies with the assistance of "Flora Britannica". Longs for one or two distinct characteristics of grasses to be pointed out to him so as to avoid having to go into minute examination. [John] Underwood [(fl 1780s-1834)], gardener at Dublin Botanic Garden, is growing 'Anemone hortensis' in a greenhouse. Wishes that an "accurate and able" botanist would complete "Flora Londinensis". Glad that Smith's travels through Greece [writing of "Flora Graeca"] "are perform'd at the Desk" as "that climate don't seem to agree with English Constitutions", recalls the death in Greece of Mr Tweddale. Feels no alarm at the situation of Ireland but concern for the starving and situation of the poor. Obliged to Dawson Turner for remembering him. Remarks that if Smith ever quits botany he could look into Helen Maria Williams [(1762-1827) writer], "in the vast profusion of chaff there may be found a few good grains of fact". A friend just arrived from Paris was disappointed by the paucity of the Garden there.

A friend of Smith's desire for rearing birds from eggs and the known difficulties of transporting ptarmigan eggs for this purpose, will endeavour to procure some but recommends that they should travel by sea. At a loss as to how to procure black game [black grouse] for Smith as it is now so scarce in Scotland but recalls seeing "immense flocks" near Morpeth, Northumberland, in 1770.

Thanks for Smith's letter of 2 March [1801] and 'Drosera' specimens. Botany has "afforded [him] a most agreeable relaxation" from more severe study; preparing fourth edition of his father's [William Withering] work ["An arrangement of British plants", first published 1776], though warns not much alteration or improvement can be expected; thanks for Smith's offer of assistance. Requests Smith's assistance regarding an "indifferent specimen" of 'Ranunculus gramineus' gathered in North Wales; observations, will send it. He recently applied to join the Linnean Society.

The "Champion Potatoes" sent by Smith's mother from Norwich have been distributed and planted although have come up with both white and red blossoms, asks which is the true "Champion", Smith has annotated "the white is the right, orange stamina". Has been botanising with "Flora Britannica", approves that 'Cucubalus beken' is now 'Silene behen' but queries how it was determined. The only other plants he has seen are 'Draba verna' and either 'Fumaria capreolata' or 'Fumaria officinalis'. Believes the flower he sent previously was not 'Corolla supera' and therefore could not be either 'Galanthus' or 'Leucojum'. Suprised to find that 'Fumaria solida' and 'Fumaria lutea' are natives.

Sends specimens of 'Salix rubra' and 'S. fissa'; inclined to think they are sexual varities; his reasons. Encloses specimen of 'Erodium moschatum' gathered Ampthill Warren; will send specimens of 'Salix russelliana' catkins when in flower; sent [James] Sowerby 'Mnium annotinum', transcribes comments by Dawson Turner on this, who thinks it 'Trentepohlia' Hoffmann and now calls 'Surculum bulbiferum'. Encloses specimens of 'Lichen psora' [extant] and 'Bryum flavescens', found near Clapham Park Wood, new to England.

Specimen labelled 'Lichen psora'.

At request of [Alexander] Macleay encloses copy of proposed [Linnean Society] charter for Smith's opinion. [William] Kirby's work on 'Apis' in the press, as is his own "Entomologia Britannica".

Hopeful over the procurement of ptarmigan eggs for Smith's friend although there is conflicting advice on how to keep the suitable for incubation. Assured of British success in Egypt [to end French occupation] through information from the Russian Minister in Paris via Mr Lock and the French Administration via Mr Addington.

Communicates his observations on "the small knobs frequently found on shells of the 'Anomia' genus", which he has discovered to be the ossified "tendinous ligature" of other unfortunate shells violently forced from their "adhesive situation".