Investigated report in old letter from [Samuel] Goodenough that 'Veronica spicata' and 'Veronica hybrida' grow on a chalk bank at Icklingham, [Suffolk], with assistance of his "Calendarium florae", and in relating his observations thinks there are two species of 'Veronica'. Found a 'Serapias' distinct from Smith's "English Botany" 'Serapias latifolia' in Dunmow, [Essex], and Clare, [Suffolk], woods as mentioned on p.442 of [John] Gerard [(1545-1612), herbalist]. Observations on the 'Oppioglossum' he recently collected in every state. Praises Smith's paper on 'Mentha', found it much clearer than [William] Sole's "Menthae Britannicae". 'Erysimum cheiranthoides' in full flower in their sandy hills. Encloses specimens of the 'Veronica' discussed.

Received Smith's letter of 14 [September]. Spent the week with "our friend Edwards" and a French friend of his, who confirmed suspicions that they were ignorant of what was happening in France; it would take a volume "as big as Boswell's "Life of Johnson" to inform Smith of all the information he learnt. Unluckily, Mariamne's new master, Signor Bianchi, came whilst they were staying and "the Frenchman & Italian were in a constant scene of war". Convinced he will like the plates of Hafod, and Edwards is pushing for 250 copies as he is sure they will sell.

Thanks for the seeds. Asks if Smith thinks maize will grow here, as he wishes to introduce polenta to his poor people, and the stalks would feed pigs. Will finish his first volume of Froissart [(c 1337-c 1405), French chronicler] before Christmas. Requests same quantity of fearnought [thick cloth for overcoats] as last year.

Under another cover sends Smith a specimen of a mineral found here which none of the miners know what it is. Asks the value of manganese and best market for it. Anticipates valuable deposits of lead and copper in Beulahwalter hill opposite his house, though it will spoil the scenery and cause a contest between avarice and pleasure. [Thomas] Beddoes [(1760-1808), chemist and physician] has had a sever ague.

Sorry to hear of Smith's late illness. Still awaiting further funds for Linnean Society's charter application, which now stands at £276 11s; list of further subscribers. Forwarded parcel for Persoon.

Smith's paper read at Linnean Society meeting on 7 [October], where he also got additional subscribers to Linnean Society charter, bringing the total to £284 19s, and there is no doubt of the full sum being made. He and [Jonas] Dryander think it necessary for Smith to be in London about 15 November in order to consult about the Rules of the Society. Asks if Smith has any part of Persoon's "long lost paper on fungi". Time for another volume of "Linnean Transactions" to be published.

List of additional subscribers.

Requests two specimens of 'Papilio machaon', as he hears it is common about Norwich.

Thanks for Australian plants and "Flora Britannica", most prizes the 'Carex vera leporina'. Sending seeds of 'Sonchus alpinus', 'Astragalus arenarius', and 'Kitaibelia vitifolia'. Will send recently published part of his edition of "Species plantarum".

Spent the summer at his living of Cropredy, Oxfordshire, "one of the stillest places imaginable" but complains how all of the country "is in a state of cruel high cultivation, so that Nature's original designations are not to be discovered". Found 'Ulva compressa' on rocks in a rapidly running stream, an occurance never witnessed by him before; informed by [Dawson] Turner that 'Ulva compressa' and 'Ulva intestinalis' are the same plants. Hopes Smith's "Flora [Britannica]" is proceeding; its imperfect appearance "not relished" at Oxford. Did not see [George] Williams at Oxford but did visit the Botanic Garden, which was in very good form, and received 'Crocus officinalis' specimen which agreed with the description and figure in "English Botany". Received an old specimen of [Sir] T[homas] Frankland's 'Bromus secalinus' and now convinced he never saw it before; those sent under its name were 'Bromus mollis'. Presented Smith's gift of a plant to the Queen [Charlotte (1744-1818), wife of George III]. Knows nothing of political agitation or riots in the market town next to Cropredy.

As Smith takes pleasure in "promoting botanical researches" requests his assistance in obtaining best possible edition of Linnaeus' "Species Plantarum" from London. Sends specimens of 'Syena' in fruit, seeds of red-flowered 'Digitalis', and seeds of 'Bigonia crucigera'. He has found 50 new genera near the city, he has named and sends seeds of: 'Conapetalum elliptifolium', 'Stellandria integrifolia', and 'Jeffersonia semparviens'; observations on each. His best "Genera plantarum" is Schreber's of 1791 but is "too minute & particular"; asks if a better edition is available. Asks that he be kept informed of botanical discoveries. Tea plants from China thriving here, they are the true hyson tea.

Requests to renew his old acquaintance with Smith after reading the "Monthly Review" of August 1794 which included an account of one of Smith's works. Recalls their early friendship including the occassion Smith found 'Helvella acaulis' in a storm. Invites Smith to Hare Street near Romford, Essex. [Samuel] Goodenough sends greetings.

Pleased the plant he sent from Revd Mr Williams of Eaton, near Shrewsbury, [Shropshire], proved a valuable acquisition. 'Potomageton' nothing more than 'P. natans'; observations. Has no more specimens of the 'E. hydropiper'; extraordinary that Dillenius confused 'Centunculus' for 'Eltaine alinastrum'.

Thanks for Smith's hospitality at Norwich. Discusses the 'Byssus barbata' figured in "English Botany": after viewing Lady Elizabeth Noel's specimen believes that [James] Sowerby's and [William] Withering's are different species. Believes that there is a oversight in the literature stating that 'Byssus fulva' is a 'B. barabata', compounded by Dillenius, [William] Hudson, [John] Ray, and [William] Withering all repeating this. Sends a drawing of 'Byssus fulva' [not extant] and makes general observations taken from "Flora Anglica" on the genus 'Byssus' and species 'B. fulva' and 'B. barbata'. Spent an evening with Hanbury Williams who remains cheerful but has given up parties.

Was mistaken in his determination of recently found 'Cistus marifolius' and is in fact 'Cistus helianthemum'. Joining the 2nd Regiment militia in Montrose.

Thanks for gift of seeds to Oxford Botanic Garden. Visitors to Oxford: missed Dr [Carl Franz Anton von] Schreiber, [Peter] Lathbury [(1760-1820), Church of England clergyman] has not repeated his visit, unsure if Mr Watts passed through. His plans for the garden hindered by his eye complaint. Informed by [Thomas] Garnier that Smith believes [Johann Jacob] Dillenius confused between 'Elatine alsinastrum' and 'Centunculus'. Asks the state of Smith's "Flora Graeca" labours; communications with the executors of [John Sibthorp's] will regarding money.

Thanks for gift of books to Musée d'Histoire Naturelle. The letter is signed by [Antoine Laurent de] Jussieu, Lamarck [Jean-Baptiste de Monet], [Barthélemy] Faujas [de Saint-Fond], [René Louiche] Desfontaines, and [André] Thouin.

Forwarded Mr Harriman's letter. Glad his 'Bromus' correct. Approves name 'Ulva alcicornis' and thinks Dawson Turner "very dextrous in his names" compared to those previously stating names. Will bring 'Ulva diaphara' and 'U. flavescens' to London for Smith to see what [William] Hudson named the latter.

Sorry Smith was an invalid this summer and hopes London was clear of its "detestable fogs" when he was there. His own health good since adopting rigid temperance plan of limiting himself to eight ounces of wine a day and no fermented liquor at supper, though cannot resist his own beer, brewed by itself 10 bushels to 3 hogsheads and matured for 12 to 18 months. Lady Frankland surprisingly well considering her anxiety over her three daughters. Recently made some "metallic tractors" for a Durham physician; in a recent number of the "Medical Journal" there is a complete "quizzing" of them by Dr Alderson of Hull, several patients in the infirmary received so much benefit that they returned their thanks in church for their cures, these tracters were made of wood and coated with sealing wax.

Previously sent [Dawson] Turner specimens of 'Phascum crispum' and 'Phascum multicapsulare', the latter drawn by [James] Sowerby who called it Hedwig's plant; understands Smith visited Turner and thinks the specimens "perfectly distinct". Recently sent Sowerby parcel containing 'Phascum stoloniferum', 'P. serratum', 'P. multicapsulare', 'P. muticum', 'P. acaulon', and 'P. curvicollum'; this last differs from figure in "English botany", which he has always considered 'Bryum lanceolatum' of [James] Dickson and "Flora Bedfordiensis"; further observations on this and other 'Phascum'.

Sonnet [by Abbot] "On the Condition of the Poor, written the last morning of the year 1800".

Sending a Lichen resembling 'Lichen articulatus' from Exmouth warren, Devon, some observations. Remarks on classification of 'Agrostis' and 'Milium' following Smith's defintion of 'Agrostis' in "Flora Britannica", suggests that 'Milium lendigerum' should be placed after 'Agrostis setacea', with example terms of description. Alludes to a possible circumstance with 'Panicum dactylon' that may justify Jussieu's arrangement of 'Panicum'. "Flora Britannica" clarified confusion caused by [William] Withering of 'Festuca rubra'.

Thanks Smith's mother for turkeys. Has received pamphlets. Glad to hear of Smith's progress in arranging, and writing, papers of [John] Sibthorp. Institut Français has begun its election of foreign members, including President Jefferson of USA for political economy, Dr Hayden for belles-lettres and Banks for geometry and physics. Has heard of disputes in Linnean Society over election of foreign members.

Forwarded letter to [Richard] Salisbury. Sorry to hear of Smith's poor health. Unable to procur specimens of 'Poa procumbens' this season for Smith's Lady friend. Encloses a grass which grows "by the Avon side below the Hotwells". [William] Curtis' 'Poa retroflexa' grows near him on dry soil in a thick patch where an old road was obliterated, sees no difference between the two except that Avon plant is two or three feet high. There is no snow and colour of grass not changed by frost, cattle are out and he is about to sow wheat. Criticises [James] Sowerby's figure of 'Fucus roseus' for not resembling any specimen he has seen; lists differences.

Thanks for "Flora Britannica" and fifth volume of "Linnean Transactions". Requests the "Compendium" and Smith's edition of Linnaeus' "Flora Lapponica", it is not available in Germany. Sending second volume of his edition of [Carl Peter] Thunberg's "Dissertations". Discusses his "Synopsis fungorum" and 'Bungea' or 'Batarrea' as generic name for 'Lycoperdon phalloides'. Requests plants from [Dawson] Turner and [Robert Bransby] Francis for a "cryptogamical manual" [probably "Synopsis plantarum seu enchiridium botanicum ..."]. Requests from [James] Sowerby: 'Spaerocarpus' of Micheli, 'Lichen scopulorum', 'Lichen omphalodes', 'Lichen canescens', 'Lichen muscorum', 'Lichen trapeiformis', 'Lichen inclusus', 'Lichen gelides', 'Bryssus nigra', 'Bryssus barbata', and rare mosses. Requests from Smith: 'Mentha', rare grasses, 'Veronica hybrida', and 'Sibthorpia europaea. Several of the named plants requested have pencilled ticks.

Introduces Marti ; hopes of peace.