Pleased his paper on the "Vitellus of seeds" is to be printed [in "Linnean Transactions"], afraid Council may find it too controversial. His paper on ferns intended only to be read, as he intends a more complete one for the Linnean Society.

Sending a turkey. Received request from [William George] Maton for papers for the Linnean Society, happy to comply. Maton has asked whether the reference to Eden in his preface [to his "Introduction to Botany"] alludes to [Richard] Salisbury and "Paradisus Londinensis", to which he answered the passage was first written for his introductory lecture of April 1805, before their dispute, but would write the same now, as he "neither go a step one way or the other to avoid or to meet him".

Thanks for turkey, which they had on Christmas Day. Praises Smith's "Introduction to Botany", not surprised the preface has been complimented so much; he has heard that [Richard] Salisbury is "not quite pleased with some parts of it".

Encloses part of his paper to be read at Linnean Society. He is not anxious about [Richard] Salisbury's "censures" regarding his preface [to "Introduction to Botany"] and does not expect him to renew his attacks; justifies his own response to Salisbury's conduct. Pleased by [Samuel] Goodenough's "advancement" [made Bishop of Carlisle], and hopes [Thomas] Marsham is well, "for he is one whom we could not spare".

Returns [William Jackson] Hooker's paper, which he and [Dawson] Turner have both looked over.

Never had much hope for the war before, but from the first of the Spanish resistance he has always hoped; cares not who manages the country as long as they do it well, but concedes the Ministry have conducted themselves with "singular wisdom & discretion", and the King's [George III (1738-1820)] speech "was in the same style". Returns his paper on 'Hookeria' and a paper on snakes not worth publishing.

Arrangements for printing of papers. Sorry "Linnean Transactions" vol 8 is so thin; his paper on 'Brodiaea' would have helped and is a fresh reason why he regrets not publishing it now. [James] Brodie's friends think not publishing it defeats the compliment, and all think it an "undue deference to a villain who is our disgrace" [Richard Salisbury had published 'Brodiaea' as 'Hookera' in "Paradisus Londinensis"]; several Council members lamented to see him forced to yield to "such opposition" and the brutality with which it was enforced. He knows Macleay acted for the best and feels the "bulk of the Society entirely guiltless", and will continue to send papers.

Has requested proofs of all [James] Sowerby's plates for his and [William Jackson] Hooker's papers on mosses, following the mistake he made with 'Hookeria lucens' in "English botany". Expecting a visit from [Robert] Brown.

His autumnal headaches "more troublesome than usual of late". Sending paper by [James Perchard] Tupper on "the possible sensation of plants", "amusing enough, if not sufficiently solid for printing". Defends his decisions regarding his naming genus 'Brodiaea' in spite of [Richard] Salisbury have named same genus 'Hookera', and insists his papers are not attacks; hopes the Linnean Society will always support him "on the side of true Linnaean principles". List of names to receive copy of "Linnean Transactions" vol 9.

Encloses letter from [Thomas] Marsham [extant], informing Smith that [Erik] Acharius' collection of lichens for the Linnean Society is at the Custom House, asks Macleay to obtain it.

[Letter from Thomas Marsham, West India Dock House, Billiter Square, 23 November 1808, to Smith]: Smith's box of dried plants and lichens from Sweden has been at Custom House since last September; instructions for its retrieval.

Encloses [James Perchard] Tupper's paper; will send a paper of his own in January or February. Macleay to expect monies from [James] Sowerby for Linnean Society membership dues. Thinks the new "Linnean Transactions" volume "very respectable" in size and content. Thinks 'Apion' a bad name and only 'Apium' spelt wrong, "when Greek words are made Latin they must take Latin terminations".

Sending Macleay one of this season's rare good turkies. Sends small piece of information for Linnean Society, assuming they are well supplied for papers. Intends to be in London for 21 March [1809], a month earlier than usual. Anxious to know whether [Erik] Acharius' lichens are now at the Linnean Society.

Arrived back at Norwich 1 July [1809]. Informed by [Robert] Brown that the two species of 'Centrolepis' in [Edward] Rudge's paper ['Description of several Species of Plants from New Holland'], were stolen from Sir Joseph Banks' private herbarium, and do not grow in Port Jackson, [Sydney], as stated in the paper; Brown remarks that [Richard] Salisbury is "making a cat's paw of Rudge, to interfere with Brown's work"; certain that the specific characters are Salisbury's and "very uncouth, & a disgrace to our Transactions". Leaves it to Macleay and Brown to decide whether the paper should be suppressed or corrected.

Encloses continuation of his paper, Macleay to expect more and paper from [William Jackson] Hooker for 21 November [1809]. Wishes [Robert] Brown would change name of his genus 'Josephia', named after Sir Joseph Banks, "it is not only against all rule, but in itself so foolish it must expose us to ridicule as well as blame", proposes 'Brunonia'.

Discussed [Edward] Rudge's paper with [Robert] Brown and [Jonas] Dryander and attempted to call on Rudge to represent to him that he believed "he had been imposed upon by some one having stolen 2 of the plants from Sir Joseph Banks", but he was out. Asks Macleay to send letter on subject; takes it for granted Rudge knew nothing of the theft, which he charges on [Richard] Salisbury.

Returns sheets. Does not doubt Patrick Neill's sorrow, but he shows "how foolish a figure a man makes who does any thing he would be ashamed to own". Glad that "our other foolish friend", [Edward] Rudge, has withdrawn the two disputed plants from his paper [suspected to have been stolen from Sir Joseph Banks' herbarium]. He and [Dawson] Turner are going to Holkham [Hall, Norfolk, home of Thomas William Coke] for a week.

Condolences on death of "our rough diamond", [Jonas] Dryander. Smith can recommend a new librarian [unnamed] for Sir Joseph Banks but he has "the unsteadiness of a genius", and was educated for "a Moravian minister, but has left that bigotted & tyranical society".

[William] Bullock [(c 1773-1849), naturalist and antiquary] elected to Linnean Society by majority of 21 votes, in spite of [William Elford] Leach's efforts to blackball him, for which he was reprimanded by the Chair; Smith mistaken in involvement of [Edward] Donovan [(1768-1837), zoologist], who tried to persuade Leach against such a course.

Laments death of [Jonas] Dryander; [Robert] Brown has succeeded him at Soho Square [as Sir Joseph Banks' librarian]; asks for Smith's suggestions for filling the vice-president position. Asks if it is essential for [William Jackson] Hooker's 'Andraea' paper to appear in present volume of "Linnean Transactions".

Laments [William Elford] Leach's conduct [Leach initiated a campaign to blackball William Bullock (c 1773-1849), naturalist and antiquary, at the Linnean Society] but thinks the vote of censure and record of it right. Pleased [Edward] Donovan [(1768-1837), zoologist] is cleared of blame. Leach improper to show the confidential letter he wrote him, but he is "ever happy to admit [his] mistakes in judgement or in science", asks Macleay to apologise to Donovan for him.

Suggests [John] Symmons as new vice-president; his qualities; leaves all decisions to Macleay as his work and health prevent a winter visit to London. Necessary for [William Jackson] Hooker's 'Andraea' paper to be corrected and shortened before publication in "Linnean Transactions"; Hooker "entirely out of reach at that confounded place Halesworth, [Suffolk]". Agrees that an index is a good idea, but unable to help himself; he works from 9 to 3 everyday and 7 to 9 almost every evening.

[Thomas] Marsham agrees with Smith that [John] Symmons is the "fittest man" for Linnean Society's new vice-president, but he [Macleay] is sorry "none more fit can be found"; Symmons has scarcely attended for several years and "his object in attending since the death of poor Dryander is too evident to require any notice", but he cannot think of any better candidate, considering Lord Valentia's [George Annesley] absences; concerned Symmons will not be agreeable to the other vice-presidents.

Defends his choice of [John] Symmons for Linnean Society's new vice-president.

Does not think [William Elford] Leach's vote of censure should be rescinded [Leach initiated a campaign to blackball William Bullock (c 1773-1849), naturalist and antiquary, at the Linnean Society]; intends to give him "a good lashing by letter". Hopes Macleay informed [Edward] Donovan [(1768-1837), zoologist] of what he wrote [apologising for thinking Donovan implicated in Bullock dispute] but reminds him that Donovan "is not clear of misrepresentation as to Hugh Davies" [Donovan was also involved in a dispute with Davies]. Would not approve of [Edward] Rudge for vice-president, and [George Annesley's] absence is an "insuperable objection", additional to "some might find other reasons against him, better kept out of sight".

Dreads a winter journey; he is rheumatic, though freer than usual from his "teazing autumnal headaches".

Returns proof sheet [of William Jackson Hooker's paper on 'Andraea'] with an added 'Menziesia'. Warns Macleay not to mention "the private anecdote" from India, which he believes false. Pleased Macleay approves of his plans about the vice-president.