Asks Smith to procure her two or three lemon trees for her conservatory. Hopes to see Smith in London, and in better health than when he and Mr Ives last met.

Informed by his friend Sellackie of Smith's intention of publishing the "Flora Britannica" in English soon ["English Flora"]. Induced to send specimens of the large 'Rhinanthus' described by [John] Ray, which grows plentifully on Stockton Common; its differences from 'Rhinanthus crista-galli'. Found two species of 'Myostis' in this neighbourhood [Yorkshire] agreeing with Hooker's 'M. sylvatica'; offers descriptions and specimens, and Yorkshire habitats for rare plants.

Characters of 'Rhianthus crista-galli' and 'Rhianthus rayi'.

His daughter, [Sophia], married on 5 November. Asks if Smith could include all the "perfect plants" furnished by George Don before closing "English Botany". Realises that cryptogamic research is endless, and has never been examined as closely as now by the likes of Smith, [Dawson] Turner, [William Jackson] Hooker, [William] Borrer, and others, but many are not aware of the precise differences defined by Smith. Believes the Allies' delay in crossing the Rhine and taking Antwerp will allow Buonaparte to escape, as he always does.

Sent Smith his criticism of [William] Roxburgh's 'Scitamineae' paper in "Asiatic Researches" to be presented to Linnean Society, though unsure whether the section on 'Canna' and description of three species of 'Alpinia' in Lord [Edward Smith-]Stanley's "Chinese Drawings" should be omitted.

Disgusted at the "arrogance, conceit, & bloodthirstiness" of his countrymen and is withdrawing himself as much as possible from political associations and public affairs. Recently made additions to his library from late Mr Willett's sale.

Death of George Don, on 14 January [1814], of a putrid sore throat; he has left a widow and 6 children in poverty, 4 of which are incapable of working, and the 2 eldest boys unfit to continue work on Fofar Botanic Garden or sell the plants. Addresses Smith as the "guardian of British Botany" and asks him to suggest means to alleviate the family's distress.

Shock at death of George Don, asks that if one of the last plates for Smith's "elegant work" [presumably "English Botany"] is one of Don's discoveries he should be commemorated in it.

Sorry to hear of death of George Don and comments how destructive this winter has been; five of his friends have died in the last three weeks. Encloses an appeal from [Patrick] Neill to raise a subscription for Don's widow and "spine-distorted daughter"; questions the likelihood of his proposal for providing a regular maintenance or whether a temporary relief would be more achievable.

Responds to Smith's enquiries about 'Pinus', referring him to [Andre] Michaux's [(1746-1802)] comments in Pursh's "Flora Americae". A 'Pinus maritima' at Kew now 'Pinus caricio' "Lamarck Encyclo. vol 5". Growing new species of pine at Boyton, [Wiltshire], compares it against 'Pinus cembra' and 'Pinus pinaster', it was sent from the Crimea by [Peter Simon] Pallas and named 'Pinus maritima' in his last "Travels". [Pierre] Sonnerat [(1748-1814)] returned to France. Linnean Society short of papers for next volume of "Linnean Transactions".

Sends 9 more drawings for "Flora Graeca" and 4 drawings to finish present volume of "English botany"; a "melancholy feeling" at finishing that work. Informed by David Booth George Don's death from putrid sore throat; his family left in poverty; has collected money for them; the family wish to sell the plants in his garden before they are dug up, asks for advice from [James] Dickson and the Andersons; Dawson Turner "very bountiful as usual, to this poor family". [William Jackson] Hooker to be married to Turner's eldest daughter [Maria Sarah (1797-1872)].

[Draft of letter in Sowerby's hand]: relates Don's death and plight of family and seeks recommendations for the family to sell the plants.

[Notes in pencil]: sums of money collected by Smith for Mrs Don.

Thanks for turkey. Had he known would have contributed to Smith's collection for George Don's widow instead of Patrick Neill's. Fears Neill may have endangered a reasonable subscription by aiming to raise enough for a permanent provision for Don's widow.

Many people, including [Amelia Warren] Griffiths [(1768-1858), algologist], [Elizabeth] Hill [(c 1760-1850), algologist], and Miss Hutchins, are complaining that [Dawson] Turner detains Sir Joseph Banks' collection, does not answer queries, or acknowledge or send back specimens. Many also complain that he has not published any numbers [of his "Fucus"] for over a year. Everyone anxious to see the outcome of Buonaparte's invasion of France but are baffled that after losing two armies of 500,000 each he has been allowed to return with a third army; Goodenough thinks Napoleon's case is "unique in the history of man".

Sorry Smith has been so ill, hopes not to hurry him. Will appreciate Smith's advice about "English botany" indexes. Encloses further patterns for "Flora Graeca" and letter from [George] Anderson on plight of late [George] Don's family for Smith and [Dawson] Turner's consideration. Asks to borrow Linnaean specimen of 'Ostrea diluviana' for drawing; thinks a work on Linnaeus' shells "would perhaps answer a good purpose".

Discusses Smith's campaign for Cambridge botany professorship: unfortunate that Smith has to win over the powerful vice-chancellor, Professor [Isaac] Pennington [(1745-1817), physician and chemist], and Professor [Busick] Harwood [(1750-1814), anatomist], for Dr [Richard] Walker's [(1679-1764)] lectureship. Begs Smith to become a member of the university first to remove obstacles other candidates will take advantage of. In comparison to the expense of the knighthood it would be a minor cost, and as the Linnean Society already has a Duke, Earls, Viscounts, Bishops, and Lords, it is no great favour for the President to have an honorary distinction.

Has been unable to write after falling in icy weather, injuring his hand and leg and developing gout in the former. Hopes Smith received the oysters. Quantity and quality of members of Linnean Society improving but there is a dearth of papers. Thinks Buonaparte is in his last struggle. Everybody "more than complaining" about Dawson Turner and his poor communications. Asks after fourth volume of "Flora Britannica". Has given his son-in-law Mr Lynn, husband of his daughter, Charlotte, a valuable living.

He has been confined to his house for two months with "debility & headaches", a consequence of influenza. His campaign [for botany professorship] is stationary; the present Cambridge vice-chancellor [John Davie] is not a friend so it is not expedient for [Thomas] Martyn to resign, but believes his interest is working as it is to their own concern to have an active professor. Nothing to be done with his knighthood until he is sure of Cambridge. Delayed in sending papers for Linnean Society meeting.

Requests permission to dedicate his work on conchology, written to Linnaean principles, to Smith. History of the work; similar works have been prohibited by expense of engravings. Intends to write a work on "General Conchology"; intends to copy all from nature and not engravings. Will show his drawings to the Linnean Society so specific names can be determined, thus avoiding future disputes; asks Smith's opinion and requests terms of admission. Transcribes newspaper advertisement for the first work.

Death of Lady Brownlow [Sophia Brownlow (1788-1814) wife of John Cust, 1st Earl Brownlow, and daughter of Sir Abraham Hume] of a "rheumatick fever". Sir Abraham Hume's reaction. Believes Smith's indisposition a result of "this Siberian winter". Health of various friends including [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert, Sir Joseph Banks, and [Samuel Goodenough].

Sending Smith a new species of 'Sparganium', gathered in 1808 ago on Zetland [Shetland]; observations; believes it was referred to by Mr Neill in his "Tour to Orkney and Zetland", transcribes Neill's comments. Proposes name 'S. longifolium'.

Looking forward to seeing Smith in London. The Linnean Society is flourishing "more & more every year"; [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert last filled chair "with great good humour & cheerfulness", [William George] Maton absent on account of death of his mother. Sir Joseph Banks passed winter surprisingly well, it gives "one less pain to see him wheeled about, than to see him walk in such a crippled gait". Recently wrote to [William] Webb of Clare Hall; it would be worthwhile if Smith went to Cambridge on his way to London to meet with his supporters there. Transcribes lines of a satirical poem written when the "late Bishop of Norwich" [Charles Manners-Sutton (1755-1828)] succeeded [John Moore (1730-1805)] as Archbishop of Canterbury, "in a more amiable style [sic] than the couplet on poor Lady Brownlow".

Grateful for Smith's condolences on death of his daughter Sophia [Lady Brownlow (1788-1814), wife of John Cust, 1st Earl Brownlow], a "victim of [...] this cruel winter". Believes the people at Cambridge are "most obstinatley blind to their own interests" [Smith's unsuccessful campaign to become Professor of Botany], comments that the Botanical Garden there last summer was in a "most forlorn uncomfortable state". Wishes Smith knew Mr Eustace, a writer who has been staying at Wormleybury. Sophia's death has "badly checked" the pleasure he gained from his plants and garden, which after the death of his wife Amelia were cultivated solely for Sophia.

Encloses possible new species of 'Myosotis', found in this parish; suggests name 'M. sylvestris' [named 'M. intermedia' in Smith herbarium]. Lists new order for genus. Also sends a "flesh-coloured" 'Orchis mascula'. Following their recent enclosure they have lost 'Ophrys spiralis', 'O. fentunculus minimus', 'Veronica scutellata', 'Littorella', and 'Peplis'.