Congratulates Smith on his marriage. Preoccupied with educating his son and three daughters and in the last few years with the revolution, taxes and arrests, which included his own arrest for a time, and a siege which induced disease and famine [in 1797 Napoleon formed the Ligurian Republic, incorporating the Republic of Genoa and other areas, it was occupied 1800-1801 by Austrian forces]. Gave over his "Villetia" to [Carlo] di Negro [(1769-1857) poet] in a deal with the government. Management of the botanic garden has gone to [Domenico] Viviani who has been appointed Professor of Botany at University of Genoa and is using it as the School of Botany. Has a collection of 1400 plants in the country, asks Smith to recommend an amateur to exchange seeds with, suggesting "jeune Aiton" [possibly John Townsend Aiton (1777-1851)]. Thanks Smith in advance for the seeds of 'Mimosa', 'Hibiscus', 'Sida', 'Geranium' promised. Expresses admiration for volumes 2-5 of "Linnean Transactions". Impatience for the publication of "Flora Graeca". Intends to publish on the "Flora Ligustica and Italia" with Viviani and [Antonio] Bertoloni.

Bedford River "abounding" with 'Chara flexilis' "English botany 1070". Encloses "curious production" with habit of 'Conferva' [extant]; observations. Believes 'Chara flexilis', 'Ceratophyllum submersum', and 'Ceratophyllum demersum' can be consolidated under one genus; observations. Lists plants he has found since 1798 as a supplement [to his "Flora Bedfordiensis" (1798)], for Smith's "Flora Britannica". Prays for recovery of Smith's health, "so valuable to the botanical world".

Specimen of a plant.

Hopes Smith soon recovers from his illness, relates his own "sundry pulmonary attacks". Went to Öland island in the summer, amongst the peculiar plants growing there is 'Cistus oelandicus', however the season was too late for scarcer plants such as 'Orchidea', and the rain so continual that little could be done, but obtained some good cryptogamic plants. Also found 'Carex obtusata', sends Smith a specimen of it, it is close to 'Carex pulicaris'. Expects [Georg] Wahlenberg back from the northern regions [an expedition to Lapland], part of his "Carciographia" has been printed in transactions of [Swedish] Academy [of Sciences]. Hopes printing of [Erik] Acharius' "Lichenographia" ["Methodus lichenum"?] will begin soon. Asks if Smith has seen his paper on 'filices' in [Heinrich Adolph] Schrader's "Journal of Botany".

No summary available.

Thanks for Smith's offer for assitance in completing his book ["Description of the genus Pinus"]. Pleased Smith has "settled the willows". Letter from [Jacques-Julien de] Labillardière who is sending a packet of plants by [Karl Friedrich von] Gaertner [(1772-1850)], comments that he is successfully following his father's career [Joseph Gaertner (1732-1791)] and is to visit England. Has a "fine copy" of [Johann] Hedwig's "Mus." ["Species muscorum"?] should Smith wish to borrow it. The Secretary to the English embassy in Naples, [Italy], is sending plants of 'Papyrus' and seeds, also informed by him that [John] Graeffer [(1746-1802), gardener to Queen of Naples] is dead, will send any plants they desire. A young draughtsman [unnamed] from Bath copying plates lent by Smith.

Sending specimens of several lichens and rare mosses.

Asks Price to enquire about fifth volume of the American Philosophical Society's "Transactions" that should have been received by Linnean Society. Also requests that a delayed packet for him also from American Philosophical Society be located and forwarded.

Revives their correspondence with intention of offering product of his Tangier plant collecting and everything that may interest Smith in France, to which he is returning. Has not had any book on botany since he left France in 1792, excepting fourteenth edition of the Systema Naturae. Encloses catalogue of plants.

Has not forgotten Smith's offer in 1796 to send New Holland plants. Broussonet is still near the Canaries, had hoped to reach the Cape of Good Hope.

No summary available.