Sorry he is not visiting Norwich whilst Smith is there. His old disorder recurred again, moving between his stomach, ankle and foot, and intestines, leading him and his doctor to think it a "vague & unfixed gout". Sends specimens for [Samuel] Goodenough, and parcel of Bury halfpences for Miss [Sarah Sophia] Banks [(1744-1818)].

Received from [John] Stackhouse manuscript account of several 'Fucus' species, "extremely well" drawn up in English & Latin; expects it to print in May. Also has specimen Stackhouse's 'Ulva punctata' for Linnean Society. [William] Withering's and his own opinion of Stackhouse's abilities. Hopes Smith is recovering from death of his father.

His fourth daughter, Charlotte, has been suffering from fits for the last six weeks. Encloses preface to his paper [with Thomas Woodward] 'Observations on the British Fucus', and [William] Markwick's paper 'Aves Sussexienses; or, A Catalogue of Birds found in the County of Sussex', for "Linnean Transactions".

Had heard from [Thomas] Velley that Smith was ill but infers from the advertisements for his series of lectures that he has recovered. Offers to send specimens of the 'Avena sterilis' she has planted as thanks for Smith's observations on it, remarks on the "animated flowers". Asks if Smith knows of a "Guernsey lily", which [Carl Peter] Thunberg believes to be from Japan, flowering a second time from one root, in England, without the use of a hothouse, as hers has. Details of how she achieved it, quotes [Thomas] Fairchild [(1667-1729)] from one of [William] Curtis' "Botanical Magazines", believes the same may be true of 'Amaryllis sarniensis'. [John] Stackhouse to visit, he is about to publish work on seaweed.

Thanks for observations on the plants he sent Smith. Thanks for plants sent by Smith and Sir George Staunton last July, New Holland [Australia] plants sent for Staunton, and second volume of "Linnean Transactions". Sends his "Statistical Account" of the parish of Luss [from Sir John Sinclair's "The statistical account of Scotland" (1796) vol 17 pp.238-271]. Currently editing a Gaelic translation of the New Testament.

Condolences on death of Smith's father and François Borone. [Adam] Afzelius' great strength of mind in bearing loss of his collections in French attack on Sierra Leone. Hoped the Queen would have more good sense to read the entirety of a work before passing judgement [Smith's "Tour"]. Mandrot not coming to England for first time in twenty years as he does not have time to go via the altered route through Hamburg. Recounts letters and packets most recently sent to Smith.

Due to a "hellish plot" instigated by the Inquisitor General has been obliged to leave Portugal. [Pierre Marie Auguste] Broussonet will inform Smith of what he saw of it. In his haste to leave did not acquire the necessary passport to enter England and asks for assistance from Smith and Sir Joseph Banks. He cannot apply to the Portuguese Ambassador to England, the Chevalier Almeyda, as he is a relative of the Inquisitor General, which also prevents him for choosing England for his asylum. Reminds Smith that he once did a similar deed for their common friend Broussonet in Lisbon. Informs Smith that his ship is the "Sloop Mary" captained by Anthony Roskruge although it is currently held at Penzance by the government's embargo on all ships coming from abroad. Has taken the pseudonym Joseph Porto. Laments his situation, comparing it to happier times as described in Smith's "Tour of the Continent".

No summary available.

Has directed the Mayor of Falmouth, Cornwall, to grant a passport to Joseph Porto [pseudonym of José Francisco Corrêa de Serra] so he can come to London. Has enclosed a letter from Corrêa.

Sorry to hear there is no chance of his being presented to Smith next month in London, on account of Smith's being absent in Norfolk. Thanks for Smith's attentions to his paper, [Thomas] Woodward will forward Smith the specimen. Has submitted to Woodward a fasciculus of his marine plants, and if well received intends to describe and delineate the 3 genera, or at least those not recently described and drawn in England; expects to receive accurate observations in Woodward and [Samuel] Goodenough's paper in forthcoming "Linnean Transactions".

Sending Siberian plants delayed by the war in Holland.

Hopes Smith received his previous letter written from Penzance, Cornwall. The embargo detaining ships at Penzance has been lifted and they are now at Deal, expecting to reach London in three days.

Sends his joint paper with [Samuel] Goodenough on 'Fucus'. Uncertain how Smith is to settle the Linnean Society anniversary meeting which he will be missing for the first time; his absence will be looked upon as "unpropitious to the Society". Also understands Smith is quitting his Marlborough Street house, another "serious inconvenience" to the Society if they are not yet rich enough for their own premises and a caretaker salary.

Sends parcel for [William] Withering and coins for Miss [Sarah Sophia] Banks [(1744-1818)]. Taking Withering's prescription to fix or dispense his gouty condition; keen to get to anniversary meeting to see [Samuel] Goodenough and look over Linnaean 'Fucus' again, as well as Buddle's and other herbarium in the [British] Museum. Sends [John] Stackhouse's specimen of 'Fucus punctatus', his new name for 'Ulva punctata', probably too late for reading of the paper.