Staying with his cousins [the Kindersleys]. Roscoe's address [announcing withdrawal from Liverpool election] is admired by all, and Sir Joseph Banks told [Jonas] Dryander it was "the best he had ever seen", though all are convinced he should not withdraw, especially as William Smith has just been reelected. "Astonished & indignant beyond measure" at Roscoe's countrymen._x000D_

His health is good and lung iunflammation cleared following a "good dose or two of James's powder"; comments on "noise & dirt" in Covent Garden now. Roscoe not put into Linnean Society council as he is too far from London, though finds everyone at the Society is disposed to his wishes anyway. [Richard] Salisbury is "quarelling" with everyone, and whilst breakfasting at the Banks' on Sunday they had an awkward, accidental meeting, which passed with "distant civility", and was the first time they have met outside of the Linnean Society._x000D_

[Thomas] Johnes has lost his election and [James] Brodie likely to lose his, "a great loss to me as a franker", but not to the country as he was a "mere Melville tool".

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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.

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No summary available.

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".

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

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Glad to hear that Roscoe has not been affected by the agitation and anxiety of the last few weeks. Spent much of his time in London with the William Smiths. Looking forward to his visit to Liverpool and Allerton with his mother though it is only a short visit.

Busy with many publications, including: "Introduction to Botany", second part of first volume of "Flora Graeca", second part of "Florae Graecae prodromus", a sequel to "Exotic botany", and others in planning stages. Has undertaken to write the physiological, terminological, and biographical parts of the botanical section of [Abraham] Rees' "Cyclopedia", a "pleasant & easy" job, following illness of previous writer, [William] Wood of Liverpool, who is now well enough to resume descriptive part. Will read [William] Wordsworth [(1770-1850), poet] on Roscoe's recommendation. Has just completed 'Clusius' and Peter Collinson [(1694-1768), botanist] for "Cyclopedia".

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No summary available.