Encloses "curious communication" from DeWitt Clinton, Governor of New York, to David Hosack, on wild wheat; the latter wishes it to be read at Linnean Society. Clinton has sent specimens of the wheat but still awaiting receipt. Hosack wishes to join Linnean Society, suggests he does so as FLS rather than FMLS to save time. Pleased to hear [Alexander von] Humboldt and [Jean] Cuvier are proposed FMLS, , not yet received, wishes to become a Linnean member; glad to hear that Humboldt and Cuvier have been proposed, [Augustin] de Candolle should also be proposed.

Clinton a "very great friend to science, a practical naturalist, & of a most amiable character"; transcribes extract from letter by Clinton describing that "as yet clouds of darkness rest upon the Natural science of our Country". Hopes to send Macleay a Norfolk turkey.

Sorry to hear [Thomas] Marsham has been a defaulter to government, "he that was always so loyal, calumniating better men than himself, with all the cockney church & king cant", and compares him to the "great saints in religion, all with some sinister motive". Thinks the Linnean Society should now enforce payment.

He does not have a spare specimen of 'Saxifraga palmata'; it is identical to 'Saxifraga decipiens' in Ehrhart's "Herba exsiccata" and "Fasciscules", plant of same name in "Flora Danica" dubious. Apologises for writing on a single sheet, which is on account of the enormous postal charges. 'Schmidtia subtilis' is entirely new to him and most acceptable.

Frustrated in his attempts to send Smith a turkey. Comments on death of "good old" [Nikolaus von] Jacquin. "Extremely anxious" that [DeWitt] Clinton be proposed FMLS; praises his introductory discourse in first volume of the New York Society's "Transactions". Prefers [Augustin de] Candolle to be elected next, followed by [José Antonio] Pavon, will write to [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert on the matter, though he is "worried to death with writing letters".

Encloses certificate nominating [DeWitt] Clinton for FMLS; [David] Hosack also wants him to be a fellow or foreign member of the Royal Society; hopes to be at Linnen Society meeting of 5 May but if there is any chance of Clinton being rejected would prefer he is not proposed.

Cannot justify prison for [Thomas] Marsham when the Linnean Society is "so highly indebted to his assistance". His own "private thoughts & speculations" on Marsham's character and financial history, asks for confirmation from Macleay.

Has been busy writing all winter including business and botanical letters and finishing his part of Rees' "Cyclopaedia", now at 'Yucca'. Interrupted for some weeks by a "very severe & obstinate bowel complaint" that began with vertigo, which many have had this winter, recovered but now labouring under a bad catarrh. Confident about his Cambridge prospects regarding the garden and Walker's lectureships; Dr [Martin] Davy says the new Professor of Physic [John Haviland (1785-1851)] has promised his vote as one of the five trustees and sure of two more, has written to vice-chancellor but has not heard anything for six weeks, if possible would like to give a course of lectures this spring.

Updates Cullum on his Cambridge progress [campaign for botany professorship]: received a request from Professor [Thomas] Martyn to lecture next term in his place, and the authority to use the botanic garden. The vice-chancellor [George Grenville] and Master of Trinity [William Lort Mansel] approve but Master of St John's [James Wood (1760-1839)] does not, and Dr [Edward Daniel] Clarke [(1769-1822), professor of mineralogy] and Professor [James] Cumming [(1777-1861), professor of chemistry] are being obstructive in admitting him to their lecture rooms. Attended Linnean Society last week. Intends his first lecture to be given in the botanical school.

Sends what he hopes "will lead to a final settlement of this foolish & contemptible business" between [Patrick] Keith [(1769-1840)] and [Thomas Andrew] Knight [Knight was offended by remarks made against him in several publications by Keith, including "Linnean Transactions"].

His lectures begin on Monday for 4 weeks, hopes not to hear anything further of above affair as he has "enough business" of his own, and intends to be at Linnean Society for 5 May [1818].

Unable to lecture at Cambridge University, despite his lectures being announced and generating considerable interest, as several tutors signified they could not permit their pupils to attend lectures of anyone not a member of the University nor the Church of England, and though the reasons were only "pretence" the Vice-Chancellor did not want to cause dissention. A "great body of the Master of Arts" are to present an address in his favour, but shall probably give up the lectures for this year; his eminent friends. Four of the opposing tutors have since repented; outlines opposition and supporters.

Hymn written by Smith, 6 stanzas. Never saw [Aylmer Bourke] so struck with anything; they showed it to [William Lisle] Bowles [(1762-1850)], the poet, who was "profuse in commendation" and lamented that the church did not use such.

[Letter incomplete: this is the second folio of letter, the proceeding folio presumed destroyed. Fragments from other letters have been pasted to bottom of verso of folio]

Thanks for Wallich's letter and those from Colonel [Thomas] Hardwicke and [Henry Lloyd] Loring [(c 1784-1822), Archdeacon of Calcutta]. Would be glad to receive communications and specimens from Wallich, especially of 'Scitamineae', 'Orchideae', and 'Liliaceae', which are rare in herbariums due to the difficulty of drying them, gives instructions for successfully doing this. Would also like specimens of [William] Roxburgh's 'Aeginetia', any 'Orobanche', and parasitic plants. Glad that Wallich is in correspondence with [William] Roscoe and [John] Shepherd [(c 1764-1836)] of the Liverpool Botanic Garden; requests ripe fructifications of ferns for Shepherd's nephew [Henry Shepherd (c 1783-1858), assistant at Liverpool]. Divided Wallich's seeds with the Bishop of Winchester [Brownlow North], who propagates cinnamon trees from seeds ripened in his own hot-house. Has yet to receive the other packet containing 'Rhododendron arboreum'. Prefers single letters without covers on account of the postage cost, and that specimens be sent to [Nathaniel] Kindersley in London.

Describes his return journey from Liverpool, which included a stop at Matlock, [Derbyshire], to climb on Cromford Moor, "often celebrated in "English Botany"", for the first time since 1792; saw many lichens but concludes the dry summer has prevented their fructification. Has informed [Thomas William] Coke about Roscoe's intended visit. The Bishop of Winchester [Brownlow North] delighted by his Cambridge pamphlet; finds it curious that four Oxford bishops approve of his candidacy for Cambridge botany professorship.

Received a "curious work" by Sprengel ["Plantarum Umbelliferarum" (1813)] in which 'Umbelliferae' is reformed as successfully as 'Scitamineae' was by Roscoe; transcribes a Greek quote referring to himself. Encloses packet of New Holland fern seeds. Lists stipulations if the [Liverpool Royal] Institution should invite him to lecture again, would also stay two months to study the Botanic Garden for a long held project on garden plants.

[Letter possibly incomplete: no signature or valediction]

Has been busy with Sessions week, a visit from his brother-in-law, James Reeve, and wife, and a feverish cold. On his way to Liverpool stayed at Dunston Hall, Derbyshire, Reeve's new home. Gave twelve lectures in Liverpool supported with abundant specimens from the "fine" botanic garden, they were enthusiastically received with about three hundred in attendance, mainly women, including Lady Crewe. Pleased to see [William] Roscoe so well respected. Some Cambridge men in the audience were "abundantly flattering" and indignant "at the behaviour of the Johnians" to him [College of St John had been obstructive in Smith's campaign for Cambridge botany professorship].

Believes Dean [of Norwich, Joseph Turner (1747-1828)] correct to say that the Cambridge establishment only objects to Smith on grounds that they do not want to see the £200 a year for the botany professorship go to one who is not a member of the university. Bishop of Winchester [Brownlow North] recently blind but enthusiasm for botany still active and he was pleased with Smith's pamphlet ["Considerations respecting Cambridge..."]. Collected rare ferns from high rocks of Cromford Moor, near Matlock, [Derbyshire], will raise them from seed by following instructions of the Liverpool gardener who has raised 'Acrostichum calomelanos' from a fifty year old specimen of Forster's. Has deferred a visit to Holkham, [Norfolk, home of Thomas William Coke] but glad Cullum enjoyed his time there.