Contents of Linnean Society charter satisfactory, with the only remaining difficulty being the number of names in it; the Attorney and Soliciter General suggested the first Council, which was rejected by himself, [Thomas] Marsham, and Sir Joseph Banks on account of cost, so they are now examining precedents to include as few names as possible, or to otherwise limit Council names to 15.

Encloses letter, to be returned, which has recently caused much discord at the Society; account of the business, apparently related to nomination of [Johann Karl Adam] Murhard [(1781-1863)] as a FMLS.

[Richard] Pulteney has left his museum to the Society provided they keep it as a separate collection, or that it be sold at auction, the price being made up to £200 if necessary, and given to the Society for purchase of an annual medal of 5 guineas for best botanical paper. Banks has behaved "handsomely" to the Society.

Thanks Macleay for this care and attention to him. The plant Macleay sent from [John] Fairbairn is a new 'Cissus', not in Willdenow, if he gets the flowers will write a specific character to go at end of "Linnean Transactions".

Congratulates Macleay, [Thomas] Marsham, and Sir Joseph Banks on success of the Linnean Society charter; agrees that 15 Council names would be enough. Regrets Society discord, suggests course of action for allowing [John] Parkinson to produce testimonials in favour of electing [Johann Karl Adam] Murhard [(1781-1863)] a FMLS, and for Macleay to regulate [Jonas] Dryander until he comes to London, he is an "indifferent person, & fear[s] neither". Unable to decide on [Richard] Pulteney's legacy until they see what it consists of. Sending Macleay a turkey.

Thanks Smith for introducing him to [Hugh] Davies, although he seemed "a little irritated at what originated from a mistake". Believes 'Agrostis minima' is a new genus after receiving specimens from Davies to draw for "Gramina Britannica", recommends naming it after [Benjamin] Stillingfleet [(1702-1771)]. Drawing in pen and wash of a new 'Poa' found on Devon coast, proposes name 'Poa tuberosa'. Sends a 'Festuca' from Pembrokeshire [extant] that also appears in [William] Sherard's [(1659-1728)] herbarium. Asks the difference between 'Phleum crinitum' and 'Agrostis littoralis', small drawing in pen and wash of the former. Has almost finished plates of British grasses and plans to visit Scotland next summer. Believes 'Avena strigosa' is indiginous. Found '[Gnaphalium] margaritaceum' in the same place [John] Ray gathered it and "felt a a momentary inspiration".

Specimen of 'Festuca'.

Thanks for information in Smith's last letter; discusses confusion regarding his and [John] Mackay's [(1772-1802), employed at Dickson nursery, Edinburgh] specimens of 'Thlaspi hirtum' and discovery of the plant; discusses "certain people" taking the credit for plant discoveries when not due, and Dr [John] Walker's [(1731-1803)], professor of natural history at Edinburgh, subsequent guardedness over his herbarium; his dissatisfaction with Mackay and [Robert] Brown over claiming credit.

Numbered observations on enclosed plants: 1. a 'Potomogeton'; 2. a 'Juncus'; 3. an 'Arenaria'; 4. 'Epilobium cordifolium', believes it distinct from the normal 'E. cordifolium'; 5. a 'Carex'; 6. a 'Calatouche'; 7. a 'Cochelaria'; 8. 'Saxifraga nivalis'; 9. a 'Peziza' found on leaves of 'Carex pulla'; 10. a 'Lycoperdon'; 11. 'Bryum ricursotum'; 12. a new 'Bryum'; 13. nondescript 'Hypnum', proposes name 'H. alpinum'; 14. nondescript 'Hypnum'; 15. 'Bryum nudum'; 16. 'Splachnum purpureum'; 17. 'Splachnum ovatum'; 18. 'Hypnum asplenioides'; 'Stellaria scopigera'; 19. a 'Phascum' which he calls 'P. maritium' [Smith annotation: "'Gymnost[omum]'"] ; 20. a 'Polytrichum'; 21. a 'Lichen' gathered with no.11 [Smith annotation: "'crenulata'"]; 22. nondescript 'Helvela'; 23. a 'Hypnum' resembling 'H. fontinalis'; 24. a 'Bryum' [Smith annotation: "'rufescens"]; 25. a 'Peziza' found growing on 'Urtica dioica'; 26. a 'Boletus'; 27. a 'Sergula'.

Included as many cryptogams as possible, knowing Smith is working on that part of "Flora Britannica".

Sends specimen pages of the manuscript for his new 4 volume work on Natural History, for Smith's opinion; the "tribunal of the public is a somewhat awful one to young writers". The arrangements principally adopted from Gmelin's ["Systema naturae"], [George] Shaw's "General Zoology", and [John] Latham's "Synopsis [of birds]"

Has sent letterpress of his third fasciculus [probably "Nereis Britannica"] to [Dawson] Turner for Smith's opinion. Hopes Smith received specimen of 'Lichen vulpinus'; observations. Encloses specimens of 'Byssus fulva', observations; drawings of 'B velutina v aurea', observations. Sent specimen of 'Auricularia papyrina' to Turner; observations.

[Spec 25 written in pencil at head of verso of first folio]

Thanks Smith for the "excellent Alderman" he sent [a Norfolk turkey]. Present [Walter] Wade's specimen of 'Eriocaulon septangulare' and extract from his letter to the Linnean Society. [John] Fairbairn unable to to acquire flowering specimen of the 'Cissus' until May.

Pleased to state that the recent discord at the Linnean Society between [John] Parkinson and [Jonas] Dryander over the election of [Johann Karl Adam] Murhard [(1781-1863)] as a FMLS has been satisfactorily settled; has always been of opinion that it was a personal quarrel originating in words spoken after the Chair had been left. The Society has decided to accept [Richard] Pulteney's museum on condition of its being kept a separate collection.

Assures Smith that it is only those "that expect every thing, and who give themselves airs when they come here" that he is vexed, though he is sorry for the repeated complaints he has had of the avarice of his housekeeper and concludes the easiest solution is to close his house up, for if it remains open to all he shall be overrun. Has not heard or seen anything of Symmons since he returned to Wales, and though Symmons has had many workmen does not think he will stay long. Has a "small bantling" coming out; complains of White's high charges for printing. His Froissart [(c 1337-c 1405), French chronicler] translation now ready but waiting to see how his "partinger" is received before proceeding. Intends to be in London early February, in order to settle his accounts, but will not stay longer than a month as his farm now requires constant attention.

His old schoolfellow [William] Windham [(1750-1810), politician] seems willing to "undo all her formerly did", and from being a "steady Whig is become a determined Tory". Does not think the peace will last long. Thinks everyone ought to attempt to "alleviate our informal debt" and has drawn up a plan for this.

Communicated Smith's favourable opinion on [James] Playfair [(1738-1819), Church of Scotland minister] experiments on honey bees and drones to Playfair; further details of this, including frustrations of establishing experimental hive. Charles Morse very agreeable young man. His and Smith's opinions of war and peace accord. Health of McKay, Dr Rutherford, and Dr Waltner. Industry of [George] Don; if Sir Joseph Banks gave him £100 a year he would make many more discoveries.

Thanks for Smith's criticisms and approval of his manuscript; his intention for it not to claim attention but to be useful. Altered the section on bats following Smith's comment that he had made free with [George] Shaw's work. Preparing second edition of his Welsh tour; spent four months there this summer; intends to include sketch of [Thomas] Pennant's life in style of anecdote, which seems to lay "the greatest hold on the attention of the public".