Introduces himself and his botanical work: has collected 1200 plants from the 10 sq miles of his neighbourhood, from which he is publishing an "Index florae Lancastriensis" in the third volume of the Transactions of the Philadelphia Philosophical Society. Is now making a full description of the indigenous plants of Pennslyvania in the fashion of [William] Withering, [John] Lightfoot, or [Carl Peter] Thunberg, but frustrated by his ignorance of which plants Linnaeus has already described. Received some assistance from [Johann Christian Daniel von] Schreber, now requests Smith's assitance after seeing him mentioned as holder of Linnaean collections by [Jonathan] Stokes in "Withering's Arranagement". Offers to send prepared specimens for Smith to confirm.

Sending numbered Lancastrian plants for Smith's attention, including all the local ferns. Will send mosses and lichens in next shipment, of which he has observed 'Lycopodia', 'Mnia', 'Sphagnum', 'Phaseum', 'Fontinalis', 'Polytrichum', 'Brya', 'Hypna', 'Jungermannia', and 'Marchantia'. Cannot obtain Dillenius' "excellent work" ["Historia muscorum"] but expecting [Johann] Hedwig's "later works" ["Descriptio muscorum"]. Assisted with his work on lichens by [Georg Franz] Hoffmann's "Enumeratio lichenum". Using Schaeffer's "Fungi" to identify the local fungi but still unsure on many. Asks for Smith's particular attention on several numbered plants. Generally confused by 'Carex', 'Solidago', 'Aster', 'Asclepias', 'Polygala', and 'Hedysarum'. Unfortunate that [William] Aiton's "Hortus Kewensis" is out of print as it is valuable for American botanists. Lists some of his American botanical correspondents: Dr Culler in New England; Mitchill in New York; Barton, Barkram, and Marshall in Pennsylvania; Kramsch in North Carolina; and in Germany [Johann Christian Daniel von] Schreber and Hoffmann. Asks Smith to investigate a box of specimens sent to Philadelphia by Hoffmann but possibly delayed in London.

The 234 dried plants he sent Smith are still in Philadelphia after missing ships and a "dreadfull sickness" in the city that stopped communications. Sending seventy-eight 'Cryptogamic' plants additional to those already sent. His "Index florae Lancastriensis" now published in Transactions of Philadelphia Philosophical Society, offers to send any plants Smith wants from it. Limited usefulness of [Johann Christian] Schaeffer's "Fungi". Queries: asks if 'Hypericum setosum' and 'Sarothra gentianoides' are really different plants; if 'Cassia ligustrina' and 'Cassia marilandica', 'Asclepias tuberosa' and 'Asclepias decumbens', 'Ambrosia elatior' and 'Ambrosia artemisiifolia', 'Urtica capitata' and 'Urtica cylindrica', and 'Rumex britannica' and 'Rumex persicaria', are different and how; if there is a book on North American plants containing figures, and if Plukenet in particular is one. Smith has annotated some of these queries with brief responses, in pencil.

Anxious to hear of the two packets of dried plants, numbered 1-234, and 235-313, he sent Smith from Philadelphia, [Pennsylvania], December 1793. Sending a third packet, consisting entirely of 'Lichen'. "Unhappy troubles in the old Countries" have broken correspondence with his German friends, hopes Smith will prove more constant.

Sending a third packet of local plants to Smith composed of grasses, his favourite, they are listed on second and third pages. Hopes the second packet formed of Lichens has arrived. Offers to send plants from Carolina, Kentucky, and some of the northern states. Very gratified by the observations Smith sent in repsonse to the first packet of plants.

Received Smith's letter of June 1796. Preparing a new packet of plants to send, including some better quality specimens of those previously sent. Discusses previously sent plants, including whether 'Acnida cannabina' should be renamed either 'Acnida celosioides' or 'Acnida amaranthoides'. Growing 'Orchideae' in his garden to eventually send on to Smith. Willing to send Smith any American plant but believes most are already in Kew Garden. Sending seed of 'Trollius ? americanus' and 'Pedicularis aspleniifolia'. Anxious for Smith's next set of observations. Asks if American trees are superficially described and specifically whether 'Juglans cinerea' L is the 'Juglans oblonga' of [Philip] Miller and if Linnaeus made 'J. oblonga' a variety of 'J. nigra'.

Has not heard from Smith since 1796, uncertain if this is due to the turbulent times or if Smith is even alive. Receives curious plants from his botanic correspondents, believes many are unknown in Europe. His attempts at describing them hindered by inability to determine the trivial names without the Linnaean herbarium. Asks for Smith's observations on plants he has previously sent and asks permission to send more. Struggles with complexities of 'Carex', 'Asclepias', 'Vaccinium', 'Aster', 'Solidago', 'Viola', 'Salix', and 'Hedysarum'. Gives brief descriptions of local species of 'Vaccinium' he has already sent to help Smith determine the trivial name.

Four sided list of queries and notes on the numbered plants he has sent Smith over the previous six years.