Originally intended to come to London after Easter but his "usual Spring disorder" delayed him; plans to leave on 30 April. Glad to hear "our valuable friend" Sir Joseph Banks "is rallying again". Sending this by Bishop of Carlisle [Samuel Goodenough], being unaware whether Macleay's "miraculous gift of franking has ceased".

Had hoped to dine at the Royal Academy on 1 May but detained by a bowel complaint, will endeavour to be at the Linnean Society on 4 May, offers to do any necessary work before the meeting.

Fears he will be unable to come to London for Linnean Society meeting on 4 May; Bishop of Carlisle [Samuel Goodenough] will take Chair. Alarmed by Macleay's statement that his pamphlet "could do [him] no good", and hopes he alludes to his first pamphlet and the Cambridge election, as the latter is "very little in [his] mind". Respecting elections for FMLS, would vote for Lamarck and [Augustin] de Candolle, fears [Louis Claude] Richard [(1754-1821), botanist] being a "bigotted anti-Linn[aea]n", and is made sick of [José Antonio] Pavon.

Suffering from a "terrible weakness of bowels, no pulmonary disorder, very tender & feeble".