Wishes he could be in London to attend auction of Paitoni's books. Pleased to hear Smith is contemplating a "Flora Anglica" and new edition of "Flora Lapponica", suggests including all the new plants discovered since publication of "Species plantarum". Astonished by the number of botanical books being published; feels so far left behind that he must give it up. Requests books by L'Héritier; asks Smith's opinion of Krocker's "Flora Siberiaca".

Requests Smith's vote for William Frazer's candidacy at the Royal Society. Asks Smith to bid on his behalf for lot 8585 at Paitoni's election, work by Ehrhet.

Thanks for Smith's letter of 17 February [1791] and the trouble Smith took at auction of Paitoni's books, information on Harrison's herbarium, and botanical news. Arrangements for sending plates of L'Héritier's "Sertum Anglicum". Requests supplement of "Flora Pedemontana" and other botanical books. Pleased by reviews of his "Sketches of the progress of botany". His health "wretched" all winter.

[Draft or copy]

Apologises for delay in replyigng to Smith's letter of 22 October [1790], caused by a severe indisposition all winter. Thanks for Smith's remarks on his book. Responds to points in Smith's letter: Plukenet's authority, John Ray's manuscripts, difficulty of his acquiring books.

Would have replied to Pulteney's letter of 24 May [1791] sooner had the enclosed "Linnean Transactions" vol 1 arrived earlier. "Quite out of patience" with waiting for L'Héritier's recent publications; offers to send Pulteney's sketches to him. Discussion of recent publications, including by Allioni, Cavanilles, Hedwig, Schreber, and Labillardière.

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'.

Thanks Smith for sending books, including L'Héritier, encloses bill, clearing his account with Smith; asks after text for Smith's "Spicilegium botanicum" and second part of Gaertner, and price of "Flora cochinchinensis". [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert "greatly enriched" his herbarium by a visit to Lord Bute's garden [John Stuart, 3rd Earl of Bute (1713-1792)], at High Cliff, Hampshire.

Thanks for Pulteney's letter of 4 [Dec 1791] and bill. Discusses arrival of remaining prints for first volume of Cavanilles' ["Icones et descriptiones plantarum quae aut sponte in Hispania crescunt"]. Gaertner dead, unclear if his 5 remaining "Centuriae" will be published. Laments death of Dr Pictairn, said that his collection will be sold.