Sends this via his niece, Elizabeth Daulby, who is giving evidence on Miss Turner's bill in the House of Lords [annulment of marriage between Ellen Turner and E G Wakefield]. Also sends specimens of flower and fruit of 'Amomum Melegueta' preserved in spirits and his accounts of 'Matonia' and 'Amomum' for Smith's opinion; has asked Mr Graves to show Smith the figures of 'Matonia renealmia' and 'Amomum melegueta' [for Roscoe's "Monandrian Plants"].

Informed by Mr Martin [Smith's brother-in-law] that his son, Frederick, has secured his degree and is likely to become tutor to Lord Lindsay and his brother, heirs of the Ancaster family; hopes this will alleviate some of the Martin family's misfortunes. Concedes to Smith's opinions regarding a cryptogamic volume following ["English Flora"].

His friend and partner, [Thomas] Leyland [(? 1752-1827), merchant and banker], died last Sunday, leaving a rumoured £1,500,000. Broods on his increasing physical and mental debilities and recent deaths of his only sister, most of his old companions, his son Robert's only son, and daughter Levon's daughter. Sends copy of American book just received.

Condolences on death of Mr Reeve. His botanical work ["Mondandrian Plants"] drawing to conclusion, 12 numbers of expected 15 or 16 published; satisfied with its reception but wishes he had published a larger number. Pleased Smith approves the generic character of 'Matonia', it is nearest allied to 'Roscoea'. Convinced that the 'Cardamom' plant of the east and the 'Renealmia' plant of the west are of the same genus and suggests 'Matonia' for them.

Regrets the only two plants he has not obtained living flowers of are 'Costus speciosus' and 'Alpinia malaccensis', though he has introduced the latter to the [Liverpool] Botanic Garden and area; asks permission to republish Smith's figure of 'C. speciosus'. His acknowledgments for 'Roscoea' will appear with the account of the genus when the work is bound.

His infirm health and increasing debility prevent him from joining the Smiths at Holkham, [Norfolk, home of Thomas William Coke]; reflections on approaching death. Endeavouring to finish his literary work with all reasonable speed: revising his catalogue of Holkham manuscripts for last time, including Mr Madden's additions; finishing his "Mondandrian Plants" with the 15th number; and finishing his pamphlet on American penitentiary system with advocation for a system equally desireable in this country if not for its "old institutions & inveterate prejudices".

Thanks for Smith's remarks on his descriptions of Monandrian plants and assents to Smith's opinion regarding 'Renealmia'; will place in it the 'Cardamom' plant, radical flowering 'Alpinia', and other plants which according to their system are not in any other genus. Received from [William] Carey [(1761-1834)] in Serampore four flowers of 'Curcuma' preserved in spirits. Had been anxious about [Nathaniel] Wallich after hearing he had remained behind the embassy among the Burmese, but now hears he is expected in about a month with an "immense cargo" of living and dried plants including 'Curcuma' and 'Crina'; the 'Scitamineae' Wallich promised him will be too late for his purposes now.

Suffered a stroke on 16 December, affecting his speech and right-hand side of his body, but much recovered after copious bleeding, blistering, and other remedies; still confined to his library. Finished his catalogue of the Holkham manuscripts, although [Thomas William] Coke has postponed its publication. His botanical work ["Monandrian Plants"] almost completed. Shortly before his stroke he concluded his correspondence with New York respecting the discipline in the prisons there, closing his investigation, so for the first time in many years free from any literary engagements.