Glad of Smith's good health; hopes he keeps out of aggravating London air. Defeated in Liverpool election "with about 400 single unsolicited votes"; blames the "great animosity" against him on account of the slave trade, suspects it is sometimes conveyed "in the more popular phrase of Church & King". Encloses an address on the matter; his friends insist there were irregularities in the poll but he is fed up of the "violence, abusy, & scrutiny" of elections.

Sorry to hear of Smith's ill-health; he himself has been ill all winter with a very severe bilious attack, which leaves him unable to accept invitation Smith's invitation of meeting at the Freemasons Tavern, sends apologies to Linnean Society. Invites Smith to dine with him at home.

Thanks for books. Plants wanted by the Empress.

Smith has drafted his reply on recto of second folio: thanks for books. Apologises as he can no longer send the Empress any seeds or plants. Sends his "Exotic Botany" nos. 2 to 23 and "Introduction to Botany", including a copy for Broussonet, and six ferns from Botany Bay, [Australia]: 'Lindsaea microphylla', 'Lindsaea linearis', 'Darea' nov. sp., 'Marattia' nov. sp., 'Schizaea bifida', and 'Woodwardia caudata'. Asks if they knew each other in Paris in 1786 or 1787.

Studies botany during intervals from his work but has only an "imperfect" acquaintance with current state of botany in Britain, having been absent for nearly 20 years, but presumes he would be able to supply many desiderata; desires to establish a correspondence with Smith, exchanging plants for botanical information.

He is now at sea on a voyage to St Helena, recovering his health, but intends to immediately return to his station at Fort Marlborough, Sumatra. Sends drawings for Smith's interest [not extant], describes and makes observations on each: seed of camphor tree [Smith has part transcribed this paragraph]; a possible 'Brucea', used as an "intense & powerful" bitter; seeds. Difficulties of collecting.

West coast [of Sumatra] has been in possession of the nutmeg and clove plants for some time and extensive plantations are now flourishing, and outproducing the Dutch. He has also cultivated the coffee of mocha and 'Cacoa', the latter having arrived from South America via the Philippines. Productive botanic garden also placed in his care, where most of the tropic fruit flourish, including 'Cinnamon' of Ceylon, 'Cassia', and tea. Expects the English settlements on Sumatra to rise from obscurity to great "commercial & political importance".

Sends Cryptogams for determination.

Pleased to hear that Smith may be joining his mother on a visit to Mrs Martin [Smith's sister] in Liverpool. Relieved to be free of political life, especially as he has attained his "one great object", the abolition of the slave trade, and pleased to return to his botanical and poetical pursuits. Recommends [William] Wordsworth's [(1770-1850), poet] new poems, which he listens to "with a pleasure something like that of an infant to the prattle of an old woman", and are to be read in "listlessness & leisure".

Introduces Mr Sozzi, a friend of his who will be travelling in England, and will give Smith two books for the Royal Society.

Sending proofs of all completed blocks [for "Lachesis Lapponica"], with prices marked.

Has waited in vain for coloured copy of appendix to [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert's "Pinus" to send Smith. Returning manuscript of Linnaeus' Lapland tour with copies of all the cuts executed by Austin, who has noted the charge for each already done and those remaining.

Asks Smith to review last sheet of his manuscript [on pines], notes that the appendix and plate of 'Dacrydium' is also ready for Smith, particularly wishes to know what Smith thought of his writing on 'Cupressus pendula' of [Carl Peter] Thunberg. Plants from Lord Seaforth's collection coming into flower including a 'Commersonia'. Shortly visiting the Marquess of Bath [Thomas Thynne, 2nd Marquess of Bath (1765-1837)] at Longleat, [Somerset]. The Marchioness of Bath extremely interested in botany and is teaching it to her son. Has been exploring tumuli with Sir Richard Hoare, who is to publish "An account of Antient [sic] Wiltshire". Received letter from [Jacques-Julien de] Labillardière saying he is sending specimens of his New Holland [Australia] plants.

Sending specimens of 'Conferva', of which [James] Sowerby has made drawings. Observations on 'Conferva corallina' and 'C. retacea'; tried to make a genus from them.

Numbered descriptions of 6 of the specimens, some has identified 'C. multifida' Hudson and 'C. pedicellata'.

Sending this letter and enclosed specimens via [James] Sowerby, contains 'Grimmia nigritia', 'G. inclanata', 'G. schisti', 'Bryum gulaium' and 'Bartramia alpina'. Also encloses mosses, a 'Lichen', and a grass found in the white mine near Forfar [Smith annotation: "'Aira caespitosa'"] in 1807. Intends to undertake botanical excursion to the Cairngorns and Clova Mountains soon, but is unsure whether to collect for Sowerby, having heard nothing from him about previous specimens. Requests seeds of 'Felia muscosa' and 'Limosella aquatica'. Requests Smith's opinion on these and previous specimens.

Sending letter and "clever" drawings from Dr [Charles] Campbell, who is travelling to Sumatra; understands that knowledge of Sumatran botany would be extremely interesting to European botanists. Campbell was unable to provide description of 'Marsdenia'. If the East India Company establishes a Botanic Garden on St Helena hopes seeds from Sumatra will be naturalised here.

No longer needs Smith to correct the last sheets of his work [on pines]. Received [Alexander von] Humboldt's "Travels in South America", several "Annals of the Museum" with interesting papers by Corrêa [de Serra] on carpology, and a number of Humboldt's "Plantes Equin[octiales]" with figure on the Brazil nut, 'Bertholletia excelsa'. In his "Travels" gives an account of the 'Cusparia febrifuga' which produces the "Angustura bark of the shops", also figured in ["Plantae Aequinoctiales"]. In postcript "I see your friend [Richard Salisbury] has not forgot you in his last number of Para[disus Londinensis]".

[Transcription of letter sent by William Hunter to Anstruther]: sending duplicates of his paper on 'Nauclea', and letter to Smith which accompanied the paper [see RelatedMaterial below].

Sends copy of letter and paper by [William] Hunter of Calcutta, Secretary of the Asiatic Society. Will provide copies of drawings and specimens if required. Also has small specimen of tree which Sir Joseph Banks was anxious for. Received letter from [Francis] Buchanan, who has safely reached the Cape.

Sometimes gains more from attempting to solve difficulties than the solution to the difficulty itself. Agrees with Smith regarding his "Syllabus" and that in Smith's plain illustration and management it would become a very popular "Philosphia Botanica". Believes the best mode of strenghtening the Linnaean system is to suggest criticisms and hints on improving it. Laments that Artistotle did not begin Linnaeus' work but believes Smith has "laid a foundation of solid & progressive improvement". Advises Smith with his new work to retain all the classes as they now stand, especially ['Monoecia'], 'Dioecia', and 'Polygamia' as they are necessary to a system based upon the structure and situation of fructification. Smith's term "diclinia" correct and compares with substantive terms such as 'Monogynia' and 'Polygamia' and discusses Linnaeus' use of Latin genders. Dissatisfied with the look of [Dawson] Turner's "Fucus". Informed that Turner using remarks of his, [Ameila Warren Griffiths' (1768-1858)] and [Elizabeth Hill's (c 1760-1850)] in stating [John] Stackhouse's 'Fucus abrotanifolius' and 'Fucus disours' are the same plant, hopes they are properly credited, Stackhouse was too jealous to do so.

Discusses sending and receipt of letters.

Unable to give Mr Patterson any information regarding the state of George III's flock of merino sheep. Had recommended to the King [George III (1738-1820)] for a ram to be sold for 25 guineas, a "fine wooled sheep". The King's flock of the negretti strain of Spain, "finer than the original flock". One ram castrated this year because of a few "king hairs" in his wool but has not had one other sheep that did not pass the judgement of the wool-stapler, who annually examines each sheep.

Honoured by Smith's dedication to his late wife [Jane Barrington] and himself in "Introduction to Botany".

Sends list of New Holland [Australian] plants he received from Labillardière [not extant], requests any specimens Smith can add. Sends a sample of velvet woven in colours, capable of replicating portraits and other subjects, from a technique devised by Gregoire in Paris, it is superior to Mr Town of New Bond Street's similar product. Overwhelmed by reading Smith's "Introduction to Botany", corrects Smith's pronounciation of "Holmskiöldiaf" in same.

Encloses duplicate of letter he sent Smith in March [1807] [extant], and packet of plants; wishes to know Smith's opinion of this and the packet he sent October 1806. Asks if his new genus 'Gwillimia' has been accepted.