Hopes Smith received the box of lichens he sent, intends to send new parcel of plants via Mr Mandrot. Classification of 'Dianthus glaucus' Hudson, [Werner de] Lachenal [(1736-1800)] convinced it is 'Dianthus plumarius', Haller's no 897. Anxious that [Jacob] Wyttenbach's "submissive respect for Haller" may lead him not to translate his manuscript if anything in it derogates Haller. Just received a box of live alpine plants, including 'Hieracium pumilum' and 'Hyoseris foetida'. Responds to points in Smith's letter of 4 January 1791: 'Ribes petraeum' did not grow from cuttings; 'Coronilla minima'; 'Graphalium orientale'; 'Rosa m' from Reynier; 'Saxifraga sedoides'. Sent [Edward] Forster wild, rare specimens in good condition and received in return a "heap of disfigured garden specimens".

[Letter possibly incomplete: no signature or valediction]

Asks Smith not to tell [Edward Forster] of this letter as he is offended by Forster sending "mouldy oleraceous specimens" in return "for some of Flora's pure & rarest productions". Sends parcel of plants with a former governess of the Duke of Argyll's children who is accompanying Mr Mandrot, including 'Satyrium repens' for [James] Dickson . Successfully weaned his daughter. Will send alpine lichen and 'Psora testacea'. Smith's publications: assumes Smith has finished "Flora Lapponica", asks when more of "Plantarum Icones" and "Icones pictae" appear, would like to be kept up to date with "English Botany", and when "Systema vegetabilum" and "Obs. Bot." are out. 'Cypripedium calceolus' in flower, 'Ranunculus parnasifolius' and 'Arenaria grandiflora' in flower, and 'Anemone alpina' flowering for first time five years after transplantation.