Has been kept busy attending to county business, believes "in these perilous times [...] it is the duty of everyone to put a hand to the plough" [threat of invasion by Napoleon]. Would like to meet [William] Roscoe. Hopes that the people will change their attitudes to the war, "as they grow wiser in science so they may in politics & learn the true [difference] between justice and tyranny". Would like a particular account of Forster's herbarium. Letter from [Alexander von] Humboldt and [Aimé] Bonpland in Peru in most recent number of "Annals de Museum National", they have collected 3000-4000 specimens. Milne [(fl 1800s-1810s) William Beckford's gardener] has informed him that Beckford wishes Smith to see [Fonthill] Abbey and all its improvments, "the only person that has that permission, even the Duke of Norfolk [...] was refused". Shocked by news from Ireland [a rebellion in Dublin]. Impressed with [William] Turton's [(1762-1835), conchologist] "Syst. Veg.". 'Leea crispa' growing well in his stove. All of [William] Roxburgh's plants growing well.

Received a parcel of specimens and two volumes of lectures from [Antonio José] Cavanilles for Smith. Visited [George] Williams in Oxford followed by stay with the Marquess of Blandford [George Spencer-Churchill]. Impressed with Blandford's botanic garden, who has done "more than anyone in the cultivation of plants". Describes Blandford's arboretum which includes 'Pinus maritima', he is also currently building a water plants hothouse, plants from Botany Bay, [Australia], grow as well as in their native climate. Believes "if any cultivator deserves a Genus it is his Lordship". Blandford wishes to see Smith at Whiteknights, [Reading, Berkshire], next year.

His book "A description of the genus Pinus" printed, has had a coloured copy made for Smith. Lord Blandford [George Spencer-Churchill] wishes him to come and meet [Thomas] Hardwicke who has just arrived with "the largest collection of Natural Hist[ory] that ever came from India", an interesting botanical paper by him in volume six of "Asiatic Researches" [account of Hardwicke's journey to Srinagar]. Informed by [George] Jackson of a Hastings privateer capturing a boat containing thousands of plants for Madame Bonaparte [Joséphine de Beauharnais (1763-1814) 1st wife of Napoleon Bonaparte]; all sent to Kew under [William] Aiton's direction. Would like Smith's description of 'Zizaria' for a paper for Linnean Society. Some of [William] Roxburgh's plants have flowered this summer including 'Curcuma longa'.

Discussion of pricing and profit and loss for his "A description of the genus Pinus". Lord Spencer [George John Spencer], Lord Blandford [George Spencer-Churchill], Lord Bath [Thomas Thynne, 2nd Marquess of Bath (1765-1837)], and [William] Beckford [(1759-1844)] have all had copies. Sir Joseph Banks thinks it "the finest work ever published".

One of the "finest collections of specimens of plants that ever came to this country", from Surinam [Suriname], on sale. [Edward] Rudge and himself intend to buy the whole, invite Smith to join them. Describes collection and commiserates "poor Martin". [Joseph Martin (fl 1788-1826) collected living and dried plants from South America for Joséphine de Beauharnais (1763-1814), 1st wife of Napoleon Bonaparte, and Paris Natural History Museum but during the return to France his ship was captured by English privateers. The living plants were sent to Kew and the dried plants bought by Lambert, they are now at the Natural History Museum]. Collection of birds also for sale, Lord Blandford [George Spencer-Churchill] has been in town and intends to buy all of Martin's seeds and two of the bird boxes.