Complains that letters sent to him at the Linnean Society are not forwarded quickly enough. Sends bill of lading for "most valuable present" for Linnean Society sent from America. Asks if Macleay received box of roots of Sicilian 'Orchideae' from [William] Swainson in Palermo, [Sicily], which he had arranged to be sent to Mr Anderson at Chelsea. Asks if [John Russell, 6th] Duke of Bedford and [Francis] Buchanan have been elected FLS yet.

Apologises for delay in forwarding letters to Smith; took the necessary measures for obtaining box sent from America; confirms [William] Swainson's Sicilian 'Orchideae' were sent to Mr Anderson at Chelsea. [John Russell, 6th] Duke of Bedford elected FLS at last Linnean Society meeting. "Linnean Transactions" printed, [Samuel Latham] Mitchill's paper on American fish was not included. Asks Smith's opinion of [John] Murray of Stranraer, [Scotland], and suitability to become FLS. Was unable to meet Smith's acquaintance, Dr Burke, at the Transport Office.

[Thomas] Marsham's affairs are in "a sad state"; read a letter from him at Council declaring his present inability to repay any of the £400 he owes the Society, but he hopes to pay it to his successor as Treasurer soon; the Society is to sell £400 of stock so as to be able to pay [James] Sowerby. Smith is named "Institutor and President of the Society" in published Society minutes.

Asks after Smith's "Cambridge business" [campaign for botany professorship]; was surprised to hear of Smith's new opponent, [William] Kirby, but confident he will not do anything unhandsome towards Smith. Asks if it is true that Miss Fanny Smith is to be married to his friend, the second son of [James Sinclair, 12th] Earl of Caithness [(1766-1823)]. Thanks for turkey.

Arrangements for [John Russell, 6th] Duke of Bedford's first attendance at Linnean Society. His opinion of [John] Murray of Stranraer, [Scotland]; no claim to be FLS except on strength of his paper on vegetable poisons, he is "an itinerant lecturer", as [Richard] Salisbury once called [Smith]. "Far more sorry than surprised" regarding [Thomas] Marsham's financial troubles, asks Macleay to reassure Marsham of his continuing regard for him. Satisfied with title "Institutor".

Intends to have [Thomas] Martyn resign the [Cambridge botany] professorship in April, erroneous reports of Martyn's death have helped his cause; lists supporters. [William] Kirby intends to oppose him only as he [Smith] is a dissenter and not of the university; his low opinion of Kirby.

They have heard nothing of Miss Fanny Smith's intended marriage.

"Greatly surprised" to hear that [William] Kirby had put himself forward as a candidate for the [Cambridge] botanical professorship but believes he only did so as he thought the university's "shameful objection" to Smith would be fatal to Smith's cause, and thinks Smith wrong to charge him of hypocrisy. His opinion of Smith's chances and controversy surrounding him.

Recently discovered that the signature of the president is necessary before the Linnean Society seal can be affixed to anything; sends power of attorney for Smith to sign.

[William] Kirby acting contrary to Macleay's claimed reasons for his running for [Cambridge botany professorship]; he has the character of a priest, "in the bad sense, [...] essentially composed of hypocrisy & bigottry", which he distinguishes from a "Christian Divine, of whatever church or denomination". Discusses his own chances for Cambridge; has only to "try the fate of the election"; support pledged by Dean of Norwich [Joseph Turner (c 1746-1828)], Bishop of Bristol [William Lort Mansel], and "many other most orthodox clergy".

Comments on "sad event at Liverpool to poor [William] Roscoe" [whose bank failed].

His health continues very weak but mends daily. Hopes to be in London about 20 May to attend Linnean Society audit. Lord [Edward Smith-]Stanley and Richard Taylor [(1781-1858), printer and naturalist] should be recommended for Council. Hopes to attend anniversary meeting. Asks to be remembered to [Thomas] Marsham.

All disappointed that Smith could not be at Linnean Society yesterday; [John Russell, 6th] Duke of Bedford did not attend nor has he paid his admission fee; [Thomas] Marsham sent another £100 and resigned his offices of Treasurer and vice-president and his place on the Council; lists members to leave Council and proposed replacements, [Richard] Taylor [(1781-1858), printer and naturalist] unable to be considered as it would be a bad precedent to have anyone on Council employed as a tradesman by the Society.

Wishes some notice to be paid to [Richard] Taylor [(1781-1858), printer and naturalist] as a return for his "gratuitous assistance as Secretary". Has informed [John Russell, 6th] Duke of Bedford that he can be admitted to Linnean Society at his leisure after paying the fee. Happy to hear [Thomas] Marsham as taking the "best method to silence "curious tongues"".

Account of his improved health, though he is still weak; arranged for Bishop of Carlisle [Samuel Goodenough] to preside at anniversary meeting, impossible for him to attend for fear of journeys such as those in 1802 and 1812 which affected his health so much, his current illness also caused by journey from London. If Marsham pays all he owes by 24 [May 1816] "some civil notice of him should be taken", otherwise "silence will be most prudent".

Confirms he is unable to come to London; hopes Bishop of Carlisle [Samuel Goodenough] will not treat [Thomas] Marsham , and if the remaining £200 be paid hopes nothing will be said of him. Asks Macleay to inform him how and when he appointed the vice-presidents in 1812. [Richard] Salisbury's paper "ought by no means to be printed" on grounds that the Linnean Society should not "sanction such changes" nor print "what may be only a trap for us, like his indecent paper".

Sorry Smith will not be at Linnean Society on Friday [for anniversary meeting]. Forwards letter from [Thomas] Marsham; surprised to find he still has a balance of £428, hopes he sends £100 on Friday and will then agree to a plan for paying the remainder. Smith should write to remind the Council he has the authority to appoint vice-presidents, and name his intended. [Richard] Salisbury's paper has not passed Council.

Everything passed "very smoothly" at [Linnean Society anniversary] meeting yesterday, and 54 attended the dinner; nothing was said of [Thomas] Marsham's absence. Asks Smith for list of his intended vice-presidents in time for next Council meeting.

Encloses list of his preferred Linnean Society vice-presidents. "A thous[an]d thanks for all y[ou]r intelligence, trouble & attention"; grieves for [Thomas] Marsham and hopes to one day see him at the Society in "honour & credit" but unhappy that Marsham originally said the whole debt was £400, as it makes him look "deceived or deceitful".

Smith's list of Linnean Society vice-presidents received and entered in Council minutes; it was agreed that [Thomas] Marsham will repay his debt at intervals of 2, 4, and 7 months. Called on William Smith in Park Street to inform him that Smith is getting better.

His friend, Joseph Sparshall of Norwich, "a good young entomologist", wishes to become FLS; vouches for his personal worth, he will call on Macleay on way back from Paris. Recalls Samuel Young of Formosa, Berkshire, now Sir Samuel Young, baronet, being proposed FLS 4 or 5 years ago; asks why he is not on the list.

He is "quite recovered" from his late illness and is to go into the country for several days before going to Lowestoft, [Suffolk]. His friend, [Joseph] Sparshall, pleased with his reception at Paris and now on his way home; presumes it was Sir Samuel Young's certificate for the Royal Society he was thinking of. They now begin to have summer.

Items for discussion at next week's Council meeting: painting of Linnean Society house, giving leave of absence for [Robert] Brown to go to Paris, and to consider a subscription to purchase [George] Caley's [(1770-1829), farrier and botanist] "collection of New Holland zoology"; asks how much Smith would subscribe, he and Sir Joseph Banks' are both giving £10.

Received Macleay's letter of 13 [July 1816]. Returning to Norwich, [Norfolk], tomorrow before leaving for [John Russell, 6th] Duke of Bedford's and Holkham [Hall, Norfolk, home of Thomas William Coke]. Sir Benjamin Hobhouse wishes to become a FLS.

Uncertain if [George] Caley's [(1770-1829), farrier and botanist] collection [of New Holland zoology] is worth paying much for; in general he never used to bring such subscriptions before the Linnean Society, thinks "that for [Richard] Relhan's herbarium was entirely thrown away - he & his collection being equally worthless", but will subscribe £10 anyway; thinks the Bishop of Durham [Shute Barrington] "ought to do something for us" and asks Macleay to privately inform his of this subscription.

Asks that all his belongings be sent to Norwich, though his "chapeau may remain". Apologises to [Thomas] Woodward and [John] Stackhouse for missing anniversary meeting.

Leaving for Woburn Abbey, [Bedfordshire, home of John Russell, 6th Duke of Bedford] tomorrow. Received [Thomas] Woodward and [Robert] Stone's [(c 1751-1829), botanist] guinea Linnean Society subscriptions; directions for sending their copies of "Linnean Transactions". Remarks that "pay is become a prevalent word in our language".

Heard a report 10 or 12 days ago of death of [Thomas] Marsham, but as he has not had it confirmed by a letter from Macleay or in the papers hopes it is not true. Spent all of last week at Sir Thomas Cullum's and next week shall be at Yarmouth, [Norfolk], or Lowestoft, [Suffolk]. Has papers and presents to send Linnean Society. Asks if Macleay knows anything of Dr Nisbet. "Statistic report from Norfolk", including item "water - more than has been known since the days of Noah".

Reports of [Thomas] Marsham's death unfounded, but fears his circumstances are not improved as he missed the last two installments of his bill to the Linnea Society; promises to pay 5 November [1816]. [Robert] Brown returned from Paris, "well pleased with his visit".