Thanks for Roscoe's letter of 1 March. Critiques in detail Roscoe's paper on Scitamineae plants; believes it will do Roscoe "great honour" as a botanist he is the first to give a "plausible account" of these genera; a point that could have been alluded to; corrections of punctuation, quotations, spelling, and words for characteristics; asks whether 'Roscoia' is to remain in 'Amomum'.

[Richard] Salisbury has published a "most abusive & lying pamphlet" against "English Botany" ["Generic characters in the English Botany"], which he has ignored, along with two letters received since his last conclusive one. No one is paying Salisbury any attention and are anxious for Smith to keep his silence. Composed new introductory letter for Royal Institution, refuting Salisbury and not honouring him with apparent notice. Transcribes a mocking "motto" for [Salisbury] and [William] Hooker's [(1779-1832), botanical artist] "Paradisus [Londinensis]".

Details reception of Roscoe's paper [on 'Scitamineae'] at Linnean Society; approved by everybody, especially [Jonas] Dryander, who has suggested some changes in terminology after he and Smith went through all the paper's references and specimens. [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert and [William Townsend] Aiton also praised it, though they are convinced Roscoe could not have had the knowledge and materials and that it was written by Smith.

His lectures ended on 4 June; the last very well attended and applauded, even though it was entirely without preparation. His time here with Sir William and Lady East; her liver complaint. They are to visit the Marquis of Blandford [George Spencer-Churchill]. [Thomas] Velley killed on Sunday at Reading by jumping from an out of control coach; if he had stayed seated he would have lived. Norwich paving bill past in House of Lords, with opposition.

His lectures have not lost any credit and he has been engaged again for next spring. Resolved to publish an "introductory book" on botany before next spring; fears Mrs [Jane] Barrington will not live to receive the dedication. Happy Dr [Henry] Reeve is to settle in Norwich. William with him [Smith's brother?].

His periodical publications delayed by his long stay in London. Gives an account of his correspondence with and about [Richard] Salisbury: received copy of Salisbury's pamphlet ["The generic characters in the English Botany"] and letter signifying that if Smith made concessions he would not publish it. Contrary to Salisbury's claims Salisbury's sisters deny any knowledge of the business. Salisbury has told [Archibald] Menzies he would "give £500" to have never written it but has continued to attack Smith in "Paradisus Londinensis". Is particularly hurt by Sir Joseph Banks' obliviousness to the personal nature of the attacks but has long "been aware of the queerness of this great man" and is now glad he took Goodenough's advice and did name himself only the editor "Flora Graeca", as Banks wanted. As part of an experiment on Banks' humour requested a drawing for use in "Exotic Botany", which was grudgingly granted. Believes his work on 'Globba marantina' and other 'Scitamineae' in "Exotic Botany", in part assisted by [William] Roscoe's paper to Linnean Society, is excellent. [Francis] Buchanan has given him his whole collection of Nepal and Mysore plants, all his manuscript descriptions, and nearly 200 drawings for publication in "Exotic Botany".

Literary plans for winter: intends to finish "Flora Britannica", write a popular introduction to botany, to finish and publish Linnaeus' "Lapland tour", besides going on with "Flora Graeca" and his two periodical works ["Exotic Botany" and "English Botany"]. The first fasciculi of "Flora Graeca" has just printed but with possible errors to correct. Struggled with the 'Umbellatae', 'Silene', and 'Dianthus' in "Prodromus Florae Graecae". The sore on his leg has completely healed but left a "tremendous scar". Finances of the Linnean Society extremely healthy. The alarming state of the nation; "we have only the choice of evils, and perhaps not even that". The new Bishop of Norwich [Henry Bathurst (1744-1837)] a "very amiable, benignant character".

[James] Sowerby will send Roscoe as many copies of "Exotic botany" as needed but warns him of Sowerby's poor business skills. "Exotic botany" has to become more profitable for Sowerby to take up Roscoe's plan [to tour the country drawing rare plants in private collections]; Sowerby had intended to stop it until publishers Longman and co. agreed to take it on. Transcribes text for Lord [Edward Smith-]Stanley's FLS nomination certificate.

About to send first 2000 plants of herbarium and wishes them to be purchased by or for a public body, specifically Liverpool [Botanic] Garden; confident of a total of 8 to 10,000 species, "a respectable herbarium, especially with Linnaean authority", excluding fungi, and treated to last as long as the paper.

On Roscoe's advice reprinted the first sheet of "Flora Graeca". Criticises habit for naturalists to use people's names "unchanged in the nominative, but declined", though regrets engraving of 'Salvia sibthorpii' in "Flora Graeca". Questions Roscoe on the authorities he used in his 'Scitaminiae' paper, including 'Canna augustifolia'. Discusses 'Amomum exscapum' following receipt of many new 'Amomum' species from [Adam] Afzelius including 'Grana paradisi'. Has learnt much from original Dutch manuscript of "Hortus Malabaricus" that Linnaeus received with the Surinam plants, including on 'Renealmia exaltata' and 'Amomum repens'. Received new species of 'Hedychium' from [Francis] Buchanan and will put one in Roscoe's Liverpool herbarium along with a duplicate of 'Roscoea', discusses rules for assenting its character. Discusses Correa's idea that every order has one or more genera with irregular and regular flowers, which he has seen confirmed with 'Leguminosae', 'Caryophylleae', 'Saxifraga', 'Celsia', 'Verbascum', and 'Iberis'. Thinks Roscoe should print the synoptical table with his paper [on 'Scitamineae'].

Notes that [Richard] Salisbury's "abusive pamphlet" has been quoted against him in Salisbury's "Paradisus Londinensis"; [William Fitt] Drake's opinion of the matter; resolved to remain silent but desirous for it to be known that the quarrel is about "more essential things than Bot[an]y". [Sir Joseph] Banks' sketch of 'Hura siamensium' and Retzius' description is all they have to identify the plant, a 'Globba'. Plans being made for Drake to obtain a government appointment in Buenos Aires, [Argentina]. Parliament dissolved; confident of [Thomas William] Coke and [William] Windham [(1750-1810), politician] for Norfolk.

Congratulates Roscoe on his election as MP; excitement of his family. William Smith lost his Norwich seat here thanks to efforts of "contemptible beings". Considers the impact of Roscoe's election on the slave trade, which shows that "even Liverpool can do better without it"; general election excitement. Mr Creery will be glad of Roscoe's election.

Intends to exercise Roscoe's "newly acquired gift of franking in the service of botany"; sends 'Tangionia hypophylla' for John Shepherd [(c 1764-1836, curator Liverpool Botanic Garden]. Sending Roscoe's 'Scitamineae' paper in several franks. Will ensure Lord [Edward Smith-]Stanley's FLS nomination certificate is completed.

Norfolk county elections are closing with [Thomas William] Coke and [William] Windham [(1750-1810), politician] "some hundreds" ahead of Wodehouse, and at one of his dinners Coke toasted "Mr Roscoe & the abolition of the slave trade [...] 3 times 3"; Coke's favourable opinion of Roscoe based on his winning the Liverpool election with the motto "no slave trade"; Roscoe should visit Coke and [Andrew] Fountaine to see their libraries, manuscripts, and porcelain.

[Letter possibly incomplete: no signature or valediction]

Pleased that [William] Roscoe's paper has been accepted for current volume of "Linnean Transactions" and answers Macleay's queries regarding the paper: could find no drawing of 'Phrynium', "petalatoides" should be "petaloides", approves of Macleay's mode of arranging specific names, and suggests name 'Globba' instead of 'Colebrookea', with explanatory text.

Asks Roscoe to visit [Alexander] Macleay at the Transport Office to settle urgent questions regarding his 'Scitamineae' paper waiting to be printed; the law only allows Roscoe twelve copies of the paper. Pleased that Roscoe is finding multiple confirmations of his system; resolves to obtain "Flora Peruviana". Hopes Roscoe will encourage [James] Sowerby, who is "in despair about the work" ["Exotic botany"]; the publishers Longman & Co. were to continue it but withdrew on finding the confusion surrounding it caused by Sowerby's poor business skills; [Smith] is keen for the final two parts of second volume to be published.

Informs Roscoe of how much he is "looked up to by the nation" on abolition of slavery, which is very popular with "all parties, clergy & dissenters, quakers, aristocrats & democrats, if good people", though some people fear Roscoe will compromise or fall short of expectations. Principle wish of the people is for "immediate abolition of the procurring slaves from Africa", and for emancipation to follow in time. Roscoe is taking a "decided lead" and it will lead him to greater political consequence as long as [William Wyndham] Grenville [1st Baron Grenville (1759-1834), prime minister 1806-1807] or another abolitionist does not take the glory. Invites Roscoe and family to Norwich for Easter.

Thanks for Cullum's account of [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert, did not press Lambert to visit Norwich as [James] Crowe was dying which would not have been well for Lambert's low spirits. Praises Crowe's character, he died of a carbuncle on the side of his neck; account of day of his death. Anxious about Sir Joseph Banks' health. Has presumed that Banks had assisted [George] Shaw to position at British Museum and [Charles] Konig was to have Shaw's place. The 'Verbascum' Cullum sent him is the 'Blattaria alba' of Bauhin, Linnaeus thought it a variety of his 'Verbascum blattaria'; Smith thinks it may be a species.

Congratulates Roscoe on the "glorious majority in favour of the abolition of the slave trade & the glorious sentiments that came forth on the occasion" and the part Roscoe played. Hopes Roscoe's business will find relief in consultation with William Smith, who is experienced in "arduous & complicated" business; compares them to a pair of horses Lady [Amelia] Hume used to own. Pleased Roscoe has finished his 'Scitamineae' paper and is not concerned that the "Flora Peruviana" were missed, of which copies are available at Sir Joseph Banks' and [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert's.

Unable to leave for London today on account of severe weather and illness. Received "Linnean Transactions" vol 8: the shell paper "very valuable" but wonders "how some of [Richard] Salisbury's trash got admittance" instead of his own papers, especially that on 'Conchium'; criticises Salisbury's paper on a salt storm. Macleay right to leave Salisbury's "lying pamphlet" out of the list of presentations to the Society; agrees with [Samuel] Goodenough that it ought to be expelled but will leave it to the Society to decide. Upset at the Society's response to the matter, but does not intend to defend himself in "Transactions" as he will not put himself "on a footing with a man whom [he now has] materials to drive out not only of our Society but of all society".

Until reading account in "Liverpool Chronicle" had been anxious to know truth of the "dreadful reports" from Liverpool, including that Roscoe's house had been burnt down [Roscoe had been caught in a riot orchestrated by local slave traders angry at his part in the abolition of the trade]. Urges Roscoe to resubmit himself as a candidate in the Liverpool election as "resistance to such abominable treatment" and to "set aside the election of y[ou]r adversary supported by violence". Mrs Gascoign told Lady [Amelia] Hume that there was expected to be no opposition to her husband [Isaac Gascoyne] or Roscoe, believes Roscoe can use this to both their advantage.

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".

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".

Returns [Thomas] Hardwicke's paper and his own on 'Conchium' for "Linnean Transactions"; defends his choice of name and his belief in right to give names, as discussed in his forthcoming "Introduction to Botany". Thanks for forwarding box and letter from Ventenat from France, which contained sequel of Ventenat's "Jardin de la Malmaison" and Redoute's "Liliaces", Ventenat has requested plants. Surprised to receive anything from France considering the "awful condition we are in", but he does not despair. Enquires after box of living plants including 'Ophrys corallorhiza' sent by Edward Maughan from Edinburgh.

[Letter incomplete: second folio cropped, presumed destroyed]

Returns enclosed corrections; does not think the anatomical descriptions of animals ought to be "mutilated" in "Linnean Transactions"; "readers of zoology know what to expect". Objects to [Richard] Salisbury's paper "for bringing in forced illustrations that are needlessly indelicate, especially as all his writings shew that he does it with a malicious design to discredit the Sexual System of Linnaeus, as he always affects to call it". Asks Macleay to provide names for the species in the paper, as the Linnean Society should be committed to not omitting these, which "distinguish the works of true scientific naturalists". Gratified by Macleay's opinion of "Exotic botany".

Disappointed that he cannot accept Roscoe's invitation. Rumoured that Roscoe will become the sitting member for Liverpool. Hopes to accompany his mother to Liverpool in early spring and would like to discuss Roscoe's 'Canna' specimens, figures, and synonyms, particularly species Roscoe made out of 'Canna indica', for intended paper on 'Scitamineae' species.

Sent the Linnean Society a "botanico-physiological" on germination of seeds, disproving Gaertner's "vitellus"; further details. Asks if Roscoe approves with his rule of "shall & will" as he discussed in October issue of the "Athenaeum". Will shortly send Roscoe his "Introduction to Botany" for comment and corrections; hopes it will promote the study.

Hopes Roscoe has had the most recent numbers of "Exotic botany" from [James] Sowerby. Has written a lot for [Abraham] Rees' "Cyclopedia", and has enjoyed looking at botanical subjects he might not have otherwise studied. Glad Roscoe's Liverpool [Botanic] Garden is flourishing; had hoped to see [John] Shepherd [(c 1764-1836, curator Liverpool Botanic Garden] in Norwich; apologises for delay in sending the herbarium, which is proving "a long & arduous job". [William Fitt] Drake has entered Caius College, Cambridge, with one of the highest scholarships but will still assist Smith half the year. Continuing work on "Florae Graecae prodomus" but struggles to complete more than 10 to 12 plants from 10 o'clock till 3. Compliments to the Roscoe and Rathbone families. Relates a "curious anecdote" about the King of Prussia, Napoleon, and the Empress of Russia at the conference of Tilsit [ending the War of the Fourth Coalition, 1806-1807].

Pleased his paper on the "Vitellus of seeds" is to be printed [in "Linnean Transactions"], afraid Council may find it too controversial. His paper on ferns intended only to be read, as he intends a more complete one for the Linnean Society.

Agrees with Banks that a turkey's nest is known as a "rip". Comments on dispute between [William] Forsyth and [Thomas Andrew] Knight over Knight's insinuating pamphlets against Forsyth's paste for regenerating fruit trees. Smith says he can produce sections of Forsyth's trees "which tell their own story", will further enquire into the matter. Disgusted by the "backbiting" of authors and artists and London, and scornful of the effect of London society on minds. Thinks [Samuel] Goodenough will be a dignified and useful bishop. 'Buxbaumia aphylla' has been found at Roslin, [Midlothian], by Mr Maughan.