Thanks for election as FLS. Isolated from progress of botany, owing to his "out of the way" location, not having a botanical correspondent in London, and inability to buy even old botanical books. Declines Smith's offer to acquire L'Héritier's "sumptuous work" until he is sure of its extent; would like to see the treatise on 'Geranium' mentioned in "Hortus Kewensis" but assumes the "present distracted state of France " will disrupt such publications.

[Smith has briefly noted on recto of second folio extent and cost of a book]

Thanks Smith for offering to procure botanical books for him; requests L'Héritier's "Sertum anglicum"; directions for sending. Anxious to procure those books quoted by Linnaeus, particularly Dalechamp and Brunssaling. He is about to publish his "Sketches of the progress of botany" [(1790)], orginally intended as an introduction to a large scale English flora.

Reminds Smith of his request for L'Héritier's "Sertum anglicum", adds L'Héritier's "Stirpes novae" to his order.

Thanks Smith for sending books [L'Héritier's "Sertum anglicum" and "Stirpes novae"], encloses payment. Requests L'Héritier's "Cornus" and second fasciculus of Smith's work ["Plantarum icones" ?]. Intends to send Smith a complimentary copy of his own new book ["Sketches of the progress of botany" (1790)].

Sends copies of his book ["Sketches of the Progress of Botany" (1790)] for Smith and Linnean Society.

Uncertainty of his coming to London. Declines opportunity to purchase Gaertner but will borrow it. Pleased to hear Smith intends to publish a new edition of "Systema vegetabilium", hopes it will be followed by a "Species plantarum". Had wished to see Lamarck's French "Flora" until seeing it was gone from the catalogue and following Smith's remarks on it.

Has heard from [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert in Ireland, where he is visiting his estate in [County] Mayo, transmits contents of his letter, including natural history finds. Directions for sending L'Héritier's "Cornus".

Praises Gaetner's book [De fructibus et seminibus plantarum (1788-1805)], but feels "somewhat repugnant" to any attempt of forming a system on his principles. Thanks for attempts of Smith and others for their praise of his book ["Sketches of the progress of botany" (1790)] but concedes it will be of interest only to curiosity of young botanists and men of general reading.

Requests remainder of L'Héritier's works as they appear in Britain though fears revolutions and politics of France will hinder the author. Requests copy of Gmelin's edition of "Systema naturae". Hopes [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert is not idle in Ireland. Surprised that [John] Lightfoot and others should have missed so many Scottish plants now published by [James] Dickson in his second fasciculus [of "Plantarum cryptogamicarum Britanniae" (1785-1801)]. Dr Patrick Browne has given Lambert a manuscript on Jamaican plants, suspects it is of little worth. Apologises for corresponding with Smith on "such unequal terms".

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.

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.

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 Smith's letter of 9 December [1791]. Requests copy of Smith's "Flora Lapponica" and remaining parts of Gaertner. Expects Labillardière's circumnavigation of the globe will delay his work. Requests remainder of Cavanilles' "Monadelphiae".

Thanks for "Flora Lapponica" and [Olof] Swartz' "Prodromus", has since acquired his "Observations". Fears everything in France will stop except bloodshed [France went to war with Austria in April 1792], wishes L'Héritier was in England. Wants to delay purchasing [Antonio] Cavanilles' "Monadelphiae" for its 'Gerania' content as L'Héritier is also publishing on same. Encloses specimen of 'Anemone nemorosa', following erroneous identification as 'Polypodium trifoliatum' by Mr Burrel in last "Gentleman's Magazine", has observed that the "appearances" on the underleaf are not insect eggs but fungi of 'Peziza' genus, asks Smith to examine and propose names.

Specimen of 'Anemone nemorosa'.

Thanks for Smith's letter of 16 [July 1792] and books; congratulates Smith on return of his health; state of his account with Smith. Expects he will have to draw a line soon regarding his purchase of works on exotic botany. Book orders for himself and a gentleman of his neighbourhood.

Should his 'Lycoperdon' paper be intended for publication he has some small additions to make. [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert in a "very low & depressed state". Grandmaison has published a French edition of his "View of the Writings of Linnaeus". Cannot come to London to examine Linnaean shells; his own collection contains nearly 1000 distinct species; he has lately inspired two young gentleman of the area in natural history, including [William George] Maton, whom Smith has already shown the Linnaean shells. Hears much of Bulliard's book on fungus ["Histoire des champignons de la France.." (1791-1812)].

Encloses bill for books, discharging his account. Reluctant to purchase periodical works such as Hedwig's, owing to difficulty of completing them.

Asks to borrow Smith's folio copy of [Johann] Hedwig's "Historia muscorum" for the catalogue of plants he is compiling for Nichols' "History of Leicestershire", the previous editions are not proper to reference from. Reflects on his youthful enthusiasm for 'Musci' and small plants inspired by [John] Ray's "Synopsis" and his exchanges with [William] Hudson. Visited late Earl of Bute's "very rich" botanical library, 300 feet long conservatory, and four acre garden [John Stuart, 3rd Earl of Bute (1713-1792)]. Asks for L'Héritier's current location.

Asks Smith to obtain list of foreign botanical books Haslock currently has in hand, as he wishes to obtain several titles of repute, including Schmidel's continuation of Gesner ["Historiae plantarum fasciculus" (1759)], and Hedwig's work ["Descriptio et adumbratio microscopico-analytica muscorum" (1787-1797)].

Asks if Smith received his letter of 20 November 1793.