JDH describes, to [Archibald] Campbell [AC], his ascent of a 17000 foot mountain, during which he found new Rhododendrons, primroses & other alpine things. He finds on average 10 new plants a day. He describes the kinds of Rhododendron on the hill, the most common is Mearinase's[?]. Describes the view of the Zemu & Kinchin [Kanchenjunga] towards Thibet [Tibet] including a Rhododendron covered valley which he later tried to reach with Nimbo, Palesbull & Meepo, only to find it was inaccessible & the route to the pass is not by the head of the Lachen [includes small sketch map]. JDH thinks his current longitude is past the Himalaya crest, though further North lie the 'Powhinry?' [Pauhunri?]. JDH describes the unique vegetation of the Nepal passes. His men are trying to bridge the river. JDH is glad of supplies from AC, as at Bhomsong he is thin & hungry. He details the good weather conditions that allow him to explore every day. He calls the place 'a howling wilderness' with no animals, only snow & avalanches of stone, 1 of which nearly crushed Kinchin [his dog]. JDH recommends that if AC wants to travel to high altitudes he only take roads or passes e.g Tongra. Meepo is ordered to take JDH no further through the pass than a bridge this side of the Latong plain. Botanical collecting is satisfactory, has doubled JDH's Darjeeling flora & garnered 30 Rhododendrons. JDH has a rain register to compare with Darjeeling, will send flowers for Mrs Rowling's & requests Thullier's letter. Illustrated with a sketch titled 'my cake & I' captioned with a rhyme about not sharing cake with his dog. JDH discusses Bhotea [Bhotia] tribes who inhabit the Cachan above Limbos & Ghorkas [Gorkhas] in Nepal, & Hairos[?], Murims[?] & Lepchas in Sikkim. Translates some Bhotia words. Mentions salt trade with Tibet. The Bhotias name for Bhootan [Bhutan] is Lhop or Country of the Dhurmah Rajah. All the people in the region incl. Little Bucharia & Soongaria are Buddhists who practice Lamaism.

Map of JDH’s route from Darjeeling showing the Lachen & Lachong passes, the Chola range & his location near the Thibet [Tibet] frontier. He can see the source of the Lachen [River] at the base of Kinchin [Kinchinjunga]. JDH wrote to his mother from Choongtam & to Bentham from Lachen. The villagers are indifferent to JDH's expedition. He draws on the granary that Campbell stored for him at Choongtam. A purple Dentaria & a Polygonum make excellent pot herbs. He describes explorations through scrub of Wallich’s Rhododendron campanulatum, different to WJH’s in 'Botanical Magazine', & the vegetation of the area. JDH discusses his instruments and study of geology & geography. The Rajah has made threats for if JDH enters Thibet. JDH plans to travel up the Rungeet to Jongri. JDH discusses the prospect of going to Borneo for government. He wonders why Lobb is not sent to Darjeeling as he could get Veitch a good collection. JDH aims to open the way for explorers after him. The Rajah has gone to Chumbi & ordered the villages to share food with JDH. He discusses western Borneo & does not believe[James] Brooke’s account, especially after spending time with the Dutch East India Company. JDH would do better at RBG Kew than Borneo, despite his yearning to travel. He discusses government purchasing WJH’s herbarium & library. Graham’s fetched £900. JDH urges WJH to speak to Lord Carlisle about Borneo. Lord Auckland's death does not negate JDH’s obligations. JDH discusses finances; Findley advised him things were bad in Calcutta [Kolkata]. He is sorry the Coelogynes arrived dead; Macrae will attend to further roots sent. Falconer has written to him, JDH fears the H.E.I. [Honorable East India Company] gardens are in trouble. Lord Dalhousie does not care for science. JDH discusses how best to send collections home. Mrs Lawrence succeeded with the Amherstia. JDH discusses identification of Rhododendrons & D.C.[De Candolle’s] divisions of genera. Humbolt complained to JDH about Pentland.

JDH has received letters from WJH, Lady Maria Hooker, his Aunt & Uncle Palgrave & Elizabeth [his sister]. After JDH crossed the river into Tibet, the Bhotans sent word of 140 Tibetan soldiers approaching to turn him out. The Bhot Soubah begged to be absolved of blame; which JDH arranged with Campbell in Darjeeling. JDH describes the vegetation & scenery. He eats 'Chokli-bi' daily which is a Smilacina. One of his Rhododendron collections was ruined on the way to Darjeeling. The Sikkim Rajah is troublesome & JDH has difficulty getting food despite Campbell sending some. JDH is glad WJH liked his fungi & has nothing more to say about Borneo. The Admiralty would like him to give it up. JDH discusses [George] Gardner’s effects. JDH discusses publications; he will let Reeves publish anything but the journals which are for the RBG Kew Annals. Peel will be happy with Hoya. JDH has written a severe letter to Falconer & thinks the [Calcutta] garden is in trouble. He discusses postal methods; parcels to Colvile will not be free. JDH wants Phillips to buy the Rumphian wood cabinet on his behalf; Brown will have it for the British Museum. WJH should tell Veitch to send Lobb to Darjeeling; he can accompany JDH when he returns there in Oct. JDH is grateful for Pentland’s letter but his observations of the horary oscillations differ, as shown by his barometer readings. Sabine has proved the theories he alludes to. No traveller has a meteorological record comparable to JDH’s. Thomson wrote from Simla [Shimla] & plans to join JDH in Dec. JDH will write to thank Sir E.T.[Emerson Tennent] regarding Ceylon [Sri Lanka]. Cecil Beadon will forward WJH some opium things for the museum. Wight is also sending WJH things; JDH praises his ICONES. He is sorry to hear of Endlicher’s death. JDH is collecting moths which he stifles in Cajuput [oil] & stores in tissue paper. He eats musk deer & wild leeks. He mentions Wallich, Lindley & Fortune.

JDH writes to [Charles] Darwin [CD], having read his letter & the one to Hodgson with interest. He expresses his sympathy for CD’s bereavement & H. Wedgewood’s pecuniary loss. JDH discusses CD’s health. The Rajah is being difficult but JDH refers all his grievances to [Archibald] Campbell at Darjeeling. He has reached the Tibetan borders north east of Darjeeling but his Lepchas are afraid. JDH discusses food & provisions; he is clear of the 'malarious' valleys. He wishes to compare the cis & trans slopes but cannot go into Tibet. He compares the landscape to Salvator Rosa’s paintings. The vegetation is rhododendron scrub with pines below. JDH describes exploring the Terai plains & discusses the geology & history of the Himalayas. JDH discusses the particulars & possible glacial formation of the Yangma Valley lake beds & terraces & includes small sketches. He refers to CD’s remarks on the granite construct of the Cordillera [Letter appears incomplete]