Long break in their correspondence. Publication of "Linnean Transactions" vol 14, lack of papers at Linnean Society meetings, requests one from Smith. Delay in last part of previous "Transactions" volume occasioned him "more vexation" than he can express; he is "most heartily sick of the Secretaryship" and asks that Smith consider a replacement; David Don's [(1799-1841), botanist] progress [as Society Clerk]. Several objectives he would like to complete before leaving office: a subscription for a bust of Smith, though fears he will not have much good will on this, having brought forward so many other subscriptions; a general index to "Linnean Transactions"; and to put the Society's funds on a better footing, proposals for this, asks Smith to chase up money bequeathed by Natural History Society [Society for Promoting Natural History, precursor to Linnean Society].

[Aylmer Bourke] Lambert and Mrs [Catherine] Lambert both unwell, when he took the Chair he "appeared as if he were mad", which was much commented on by Fellows, asks Smith to ensure [William George] Maton takes the Chair when the Bishop [of Carlisle, Samuel Goodenough] cannot attend. His daughter ill.

Has finished work on Linnaeus' autobiography "Life of Linnaeus" and has almost finished translation into Engish. Asks Smith to find a bookseller in London willing to publish the translation.

Thanks for gift of Smith's "Compendium florae Britannicae" and Linnaeus' "Orbis eruditi Judicium" and "Observationes in Regnum Lapideum" to the Academia Reale delle Scienze di Torino [Royal Academy of Sciences Turin]. Twenty-sixth volume of transactions of the Academy has been dispatched for Smith, Linnean Society, and other societies. Confirms Smith is still one of the Academy's twenty foreign members. [Antonio Lodovico] Bellardi gratified by Smith's remembrance of him.

[Aylmer Bourke] Lambert and Mrs [Catherine] Lambert both much better since he last wrote to Smith. Efforts being made to receive funds from Natural History Society [Society for Promoting Natural History, precursor to Linnean Society]. Smith's proposal to charge for next volume of "Linnean Transactions" not suitable.

Council thinks [Francis] Hamilton's 10 long papers on "Hortus Malabaricus" too long for "Linnean Transactions", they ask that Smith to write to Hamilton for them to be compressed as much as possible. Has no doubt that Smith's "English flora" will be "anxiously sought after" but recommends publishing it all together, in consideration of "Flora Britannica" not having been finished. Recommends Smith seek out Edmund Goodenough's [(1785-1845), headmaster] own copy of "Flora Britannica" with extensive manuscript notes. His daughter recovering from her illness.

Has been ill since 13 November. Unsurprised by manoeuvres of [William] Cobbett's [(1763-1835), political writer and farmer] inflaming "the passions of the ignorant" at a meeting held in York, believes the argument about the composition of the consitution too finely drawn for the "lower orders". Glad that Smith has ordered the 'Umbellatae', a class he has previously been confused by. Has not seen anything of Professor [Christian Friedrich] Schwaegrichen [(1775-1853)] after refusing [Archibald] Menzies request to support him for a Foreign Member of the Linnean Society.

After delay has received a specimen of Mr Maughan's 'Salix livida', gathered near Moffat. Encloses the specimens for Smith, they agree with Swedish plants he has had from [Olof] Swartz and confirmed by Christian Schmidt. Also encloses 'Juncus arcuatus' found in Grampian mountains with [George Arnott Walker] Arnott [(1799-1868)] and [Robert Kaye] Greville of Edinburgh, new to Britain and in [Georg] Wahlenberg's [(1780-1851)] "Flora Lapponica". Has heard from [Dawson] Turner that Smith is progressing well with the "[English] Flora". Five members of his family have suffered from scarlet fever, including himself, describes symptoms. Hopes Smith has not been suffering from the severe winter.

Discusses learned societies: informed by Sir George Staunton of the founding of the Asiatic Society of London; anxious for the prosperity of the Linnean Society, asks if the vice-president, [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert, and [Robert] Brown communicate with Smith; laments death of Sir Joseph Banks [president of Royal Society] and reserved behaviour of Lord Aberdeen [George Hamilton-Gordon, 4th Earl of Aberdeen (1784-1860)], president of Antiquarian Society; requests copy of 1819 Linnean Society list.

Reported in newspaper that [George] Leathes [(1779-1836)] caught a live 'Ampelis garrulus' in his hothouse and is feeding it on grapes, juniper berries, and raisins; Cullum would like to see if it can live on misletoe berries. Just received fifth volume of [John] Latham's "[A general history of] Birds", has subscribed in friendship and knowing of his difficult financial affairs due to his son's imprudence. Asks if Smith knows what plant 'Buchu' is as the leaves of it are being advertised in a pamphlet to treat complaints of the urethra and vesica urinaria [Smith has annotated in pencil that "'Buchu' is the Hottentot name" for 'Diosma'].

Asks Smith to subscribe to Robert Kaye Greville's "Scottish Cryptogamic Flora", a relation of hers, and exert his influence in getting his botanical friends to also support it.

Sending 'Juncus' specimens from his herbarium, delayed by his comparison with the specimens [James] Bicheno sent to Linnean Society accompanying his paper on subject; observations on species.

Having heard that Smith is engaged in finishing "Flora Britannica" ["English Flora"] sends two plants that may be of use, 'Hypnum polymorphum' and 'Racodium actua', detailed observations on each.

Reply to Smith's of 27 February delayed by ill health and domestic troubles, including: his confinement for the last four months by the "very awkward weather"; death of his grandchild, the eldest daughter of Mrs Charlotte Lynn who died last summer, from a cold upon her chest and illness of three other of the children; Mr Lynn's threatening to leave Keswick; and the ailing of Mrs Goodenough of Lincolnshire's two remaining children out of ten, now being treated by Sir Henry Halford [(1766-1844), physician].

Attended a rare daytime Linnean Society council meeting at which an "absurd" hoax paper about robins read at the previous meeting; Joseph Sabine proposed publicly acknowledging it at the next meeting but Goodenough persuaded them to let the matter drop, grateful the reader is not stipendiary otherwise public notice might have been made. The Society unable to commit to publishing all eleven of [Francis Hamilton's] remarks on the "Hortus Malabaricus" and should never have printed the first part; this, alongside the cock robin paper, has determined [Alexander] Macleay to resign his post.

Account of various fevers and inflammations suffered by himself, his youngest daughter, his wife, and maid-servant. Death of [Thomas] Purton's eldest son from pulmonary consumption, as well as his partner, who was to have been his son-in-law. Observed again the 'Byssus septica' in his cellar covering everything with particles. Gratified by Smith's remarks on Purton's "Appendix to the Midland Flora". Hopes to see Smith at one of their summer committees [of Apothecaries Company] in Chelsea.

[John] Denson [(fl 1820s-1870s, curator of Bury botanic garden] received parcel of seeds sent by Smith. Alarmed by account given of Smith's health, his own legs are inflamed and forming superficial abscesses. Had hoped to invite Smith to visit him in Bury on his way to London. Received letter from [Thomas] Rackett, an executor for David Garrick's widow [Eva Marie Veigel (1724-1822)], offering to show him curiosities from Garrick's estate, and given a catalogue of Garrick's soon to be auctioned library; sketches and transcribes inscription of one of Garrick's book plates and comments on it. Received letter from his son in Rome, details their intended movements around Italy.

Asks directions for forwarding [Joseph] Sabine's supplemental paper on Chrysanthemums for Smith's observations, at request of Linnean Society Council.

Received small cargo of Australian plants; sending one of each kind for Smith. Hopes to meet Smith in London in the summer.

Death of his mother following a sudden illness.

Received Smith's letter of 30 April [1823], sorry to hear so bad an account of Smith's health, but reassures him that whatever he hears to the contrary, he has "steady friends in the Council". Hopes Smith can attend the audit as it is essenital for the President to attend. Asks if Smith has conferred with anyone about taking office of Secretary. [Antoine] Gouan has been dead several years and his FMLS place filled.

Received Smith's letter of 30 April. Thinks Smith wise to stay in Clapton rather than London, where he would eat and drink more than he is used to. No longer has time to go over papers and only spoke of Latin errors in David Don's [(1799-1841), botanist] 'Saxifrafa' paper from first sight. Although [Richard] Taylor [(1781-1858), publisher] has exculpated himself to Smith over his reading of the hoax paper on robins Goodenough knows he had time to see it and seek advice whether to read it or not. Agrees with most of the Royal Society's statute revisions but uncertain about doubling the admission fee, supposes it may keep applications down and deter "society hunters".

Anticipates Smith's upcoming visit. Sorry Smith has been ill again.

Encloses remarks he published relative to the Cambridge botany professorship [extant]. Smith will also receive a letter and book from Governor [DeWitt] Clinton.

Newspaper clipping from the "The Statesman", New York: Wednesday evening, June 4 1823: discusses Smith's rejection for Cambridge botany professorship and warns America to "take warning by the example of Europe".