Moved to write to Smith on account of his "glorious reputation" and his "benevolent and friendly spirit". He has been working on a biography of Linnaeus for the last three years; requests response from Smith on several questions regarding the purchase of the Linnaean collections, as several unconfirmed or false tales are circulating: 1. what price did Smith pay and in which year; 2. what did the purchase include; 3. asks if Smith is producing new editions of "Species plantarum" and "Systema naturae", as reported in French edition of Pulteney's "General view of the writings of Linnaeus", and whether Smith has published anything else based on Linnaeus' collections; 4. requests one or two memorable letters from Linnaeus' correspondence; 5. asks after foundation of the Linnean Society.

News of Linnaeus' widow and daughters. A monument to Linnaeus to be erected in front of the Uppsala Academy's new garden, at royal expense. His friend, Professor Giseke of Hamburg, is to publish Linnaeus' "Praelectiones in ordines naturales plantarum"

Also a page taken from "Benlag; zu des Hamburgischen unparthenischen Correspondenten" no. 160, dated 7 Oct 1791, in German.

Sending flower and account of another [unspecified] via Grieg, her gardener. They have discovered that 'Datura aborea' does not fully open till 11 o'clock at night and is asking [James] Sowerby to stay all night to draw it; expects Smith has seen it at [Richard] Salisbury's or at Kew but invites him, too. Smith's 'Dombeya' has "a little delicate sort of flower" and 'Murraya' about to flower. Pleased by the looks of all her plants, "they are crowded to death".

Surprised to find sprig of thyme in Smith's tin box sent via Harrison after expecting 'Hortensia'.

Has acquired Cusson's MS and collection of Umbelliferae.

Thanks for Smith's letter of 5 August [1791] copy of "Linnean Transactions" [vol 1]; wishes such an endeavour was in effect 20 or 30 years ago; praises papers by [Adam] Afzelius, Smith, and [Thomas] Martyn [see RelatedMaterial below]. Declines, for time being, Smith's offer to procure Cavanilles' "Monadelphiae". Thanks Smith for sending work on Syrian plants [Labillardiére's "Icones plantarum Syriae rariorum"].

[Aylmer Bourke] Lambert "strolling about", he has visited Lord Bute's garden and raised 'Zizania aquatica'. Requests Vandelli's "Viridarium Grisley Lusitanicum" and Smith's "Spicilegium botanicum", when published.

Sends copies of his "Sketches of the Progress of Botany" for L'Héritier and [William] Curtis.

Sends books and account of money owing to him. Keen for Pulteney to publish in "Linnean Transactions". Just returned from a trip to Lord Lewisham's [George Legge] in Kent to see 'Convolvulus speciosus'.

Pleased to receive confirmation of value of specimens he sent Smith some time ago, via [Nathaniel] Kindersly [Smith's cousin]. Will receive much satisfaction from "corresponding with so distinguished a Botanist as Dr Smith". Pleased to see in "Critical Review" for January [1791] that Smith has decided to make a genus of 'Paulina asiatica'; it will be drawn and described as 'Scopolia aromatica' in his next collection to be sent to the Court of Directors [of East India Company] and Sir Joseph Banks.

Requests copy of anything Smith publishes.

Botanical exploration of Valencia; prices of his publications; requests identification of plants sent.

Thanks for books, requests succeeding volumes in due course and English description for collection of coloured illustrations. His account with Smith. Asks after the illustrations of Xaempsori produced by [Sir Joseph] Banks, which he previously requested. Requests copies of "Linnean Transactions", though he is not a member of the Linnean Society.

Thanks for "Linnean Transactions". Sends papers for publication. Natural science not neglected despite the Revolution.