Accepts [Patrick] Keith's [(1769-1840)] apology regarding his "Linnean Transactions" paper, though believes Keith took unnecessary trouble to generate "feelings of hostility", and comments on Keith's attempt at justification in his book ["A system of physiological botany" (1816)], in which he blames a "confusion of language". Asks that an explanation be given in the next volume of "Linnean Transactions".

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.

Identification of plants in Dioscorides.

Smith's candidature for Botany Professorship at Cambridge University. Sorry that Smith met with opposition from Dr Clarke, professor of mineralogy, and Mr Cummings in trying to rearrange botany lecture room. Refutes Clarke's claims that he only ever gave one lecture on botany. Dr [Richard] Walker [(1679-1764) founder of Cambridge Botanic Garden] intended that the botanical garden should promote study of medicine with particular attention to poisonous plants and Martyn always read lecture on poisonous plants, inspired by Dr [William] Heberden's [(1710-1801) lecturer at Cambridge] Materia Medica lectures, however the medical quarter of garden has since been destroyed.

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].

Received chest of books and letter Smith sent on 6 March. Had hoped to send Smith the last fasciculus of "Eclogae" and "Supplementum Collectaneorum" but prevented by sickness of his father [Nikolaus Jospeh von Jacquin], now sending them with "Synopsis Stapeliarum" in a chest directed to Sir Joseph Banks. In settling their long book account observes the higher price of eighth fasicuclus of "Icones plantarum"; is sending "Supplementum Collectaneorum"; unaware that Smith already had "Oxalis"; a mistake by the bookseller is the reason for Smith not receieving the fourth volume of "Hort. Schöenb.", urges Smith to take the copy at Mr Boydell's. Itemised accounts for Smith and Jacquin. Requests [William] Sole's "Menthae" and Smith's edition of Linnaeus' "Journey to Lapland". Next summer publishing last fasciculus of his father's "Stapeliarum" and continuing publication of "Eclogae" and "Grasses" ["Eclogae graminum rariorum"]. Thanks for "Compendium Florae Britannicae", "a model of a flora as every country should have one". Enquires after "the only perfect copy existing" of ["De Materia Medica"] of Dioscorides [(c 40-90) Greek physician] that Nikolaus von Jacquin lent [John] Sibthorp in Vienna before his first trip to Greece, to be returned after his journey, and whether Smith could claim it at the executors. Explains that the notes in "Eclogae" were written in German to evade Bonaparte's higher import tax on Latin books. Defends the right of German botanists to write in their own language as the French and English do. Received "Flora Graeca". [Abraham] Rees' "Cyclopedia" is in Vienna but has not yet seen a copy.

Smith's candidature for Botany Professorship at Cambridge University. Sorry to hear of the measures the tutors have taken against Smith's proposed lectures. [Several tutors signed a paper addressed to the Vice-Chancellor stating that pupils should not be permitted to attend lectures given by a lecturer who was neither a member of the university nor of the Church of the England].

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.

Smith's candidature for Botany Professorship at Cambridge University. Outraged by the Tutors opposition to Smith on grounds of his not being a member of the University, gives numerous examples of previous foreign and non-member professors. Glad that Smith is pleased with [George Cornelius] Gorham, details of his botanising. Suffering from vertigo in part due "to the weight of the atmosphere". Flooding from heavy rains.

Smith's candidature for Botany Professorship at Cambridge University. Has found a manuscript copy of Dr [Richard] Walker's [(1679-1764) founder of Cambridge Botanic Garden] donation confirming that the Walkerian lectureship can be granted to a foreigner.

Smith's "rebuff" a "disgrace upon Cambridge" [Smith's failed campaign to be appointed to Botany Chair]. Comments on Lord Spencer, his wife would like to meet Smith.

Smith's candidature for Botany Professorship at Cambridge University. Indignant at failure of Smith's campaign.

Business card for "Lawford, Fletcher & Co, Stock & Share Brokers", and with "M Wood" handwritten on recto.

Smith's candidature for Botany Professorship at Cambridge University. Believes all hope of future success destroyed [with Smith being turned down for professorship], fears it will reflect badly on the university. Asks Smith to recommend Sedgewick to Sir Joseph [Banks] as best candidate for the professorship.

Asks when Smith can visit Liverpool, as [Thomas Stewart] Traill [(1781-1862), physician] finishes his course this week and Mr Campbell is not free to lecture until latter end of June, so the interval time is free for Smith's lectures. Explains the lecturer's fees, which are based on two guineas for each subscriber, with a certain amount being guaranteed. Will endeavour to have Smith nominated Professor of Botany. His business affairs continue to improve and will soon be reestablished.

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]

Smith's candidature for Botany Professorship at Cambridge University. Regrets Smith's failure and largely approves of his pamphlet ["Considerations respecting Cambridge, more particularly relating to its botanical professorship"]. Wanted to speak to Smith about the Copyright Bill. The Master of St John's is Smith's "great opponent" [James Wood (1760-1839)].

Sending publications for Smith and the Linnean Society, including most recent memoirs of the Royal Academy of Sciences, first fasciculus of his "Lichenes Americani", dissertations on genus 'Daphne', and [Erik] Acharius' "Synopsis Lichenum".

Requests Smith to compare with Linnaean herbarium species of 'Veronica', 'Galium', and 'Sedum' he has placed within volume of memoirs. Praises Smith's ["Review of the Modern State of Botany"] that appeared in the "Edinburgh Encyclopedia" ["Supplement to the Encyclopedia Britannica"]. Asks if the botanical articles in Rees' "Cyclopedia" can be obtained separately.

Observations on roses he is sending Smith.

Read Smith's Cambridge pamphlet with "equal impatience & pleasure"; believes it will eventually gain him the position [of botany professor]. Transcribes notice for the "Liverpool Mercury" announcing Smith's upcoming course of lectures on botany and vegetable physiology at Liverpool Royal Institution; requests further details from Smith; the subscription for non-proprieters will be two guineas. Sorry to hear Lady [Pleasance] Smith will not be accompanying Smith to Liverpool.

Sorry to not have seen Smith yesterday. The general election and debate over arrangements for a visit, including accomodation of his indigestion. Keen for [Jacob] Bigelow to become a member of Linnean Society and a Foreign Member of the Royal Society.

Financial embarrassments; asks Smith's help to obtain British employment; encloses a specimen.