[Alexander] Macleay appointed to the Colonial Secretaryship in Botany Bay, [New South Wales]. Goodenough and [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert propose either [Charles] Stokes [(1783-1853), stockbroker] or [James] Bicheno for Macleay's replacement as Linnean Society Secretary. Warns Smith of Joseph Sabine's "spirit of ascendancy" and his influence over [John] Lindley [(1799-1865), botanist].

Thanks for Smith's letter of 20 December [1824], they had heard alarming reports of Smith's health. He has accepted the post of Colonial Secretary in New South Wales, [Australia], intends to embark at the end of April; conflicted about the posting but was offered the post in a "very handsome and flattering manner". Suggests [Robert] Brown to replace him as Linnean Society Secretary, though Smith will have to convince him to accept, otherwise suggests [Edward] Barnard. Recommends that [David] Don [(1799-1841), botanist] be removed [as Society Clerk], his "pride and self conceit are really intolerable".

Thanks for turkey. Prefers [James] Bicheno's appointment as Linnean Society secretary, as [Robert] Brown has "an invincible objection to reading aloud in public", and additionally if Brown is chose the Society will be "thrown into the lap" of the Horticultural Society, which he strongly opposes.

Deserves explusion from Linnean Society from his neglect of it; unsure whether it noticed his memorandum on red viper or if [Thomas] Rackett received his letter on it. Seriously ill for last three years with low nervous disorder which leaves him uninterested in anything, thinks the complaint unusual and lists symptoms: barely able to stand though appetite and digestion good, pulse strong, gaining weight, looks as well as 10 years ago and memory nor judgment failing yet. Has beautiful plants of 'Chrysanthemum indium' like the figures in "Hort Trans" and very successful with "Arach pear".

He has been very ill for the last 9 months. Thanks for turkey; pleased to hear the Smiths will visit in the spring. The 'Vicia' Smith mentioned is [John] Sibthorp's 'V. angustifolia', not the 'V. lathyroides' of [William] Hudson; will write further on the 'Cnicus', it grows near Tunbridge Wells, [Kent]. Recommends [Robert] Brown as first choice or [James] Bicheno as second for Linnean Society Secretaryship, or [Edward] Barnard.

Explains the enclosed "little note" [not extant] written by himself and [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert. Reports that [James] Bicheno will accept the post of Linnean Society Secretary. Thinks [Robert] Brown unsuitable for the position but believes he would make a good President should Smith die or be removed, of which measure "more than a common hint has been thrown out". Goodenough long thought [Alexander] Macleay considered himself "master of the Society" and never troubled himself about the vice-presidents, which led Goodenough to withdraw from attending for several years past. Adds that if Brown were to be Secretary in a similar style to Macleay the Society would become the "cat's paw" of the Horticultural Society.

Thanks for turkey. Compliments Smith on new part of "Flora Graeca" especially 'Dianthi' ['Dianthus'?]. [Samuel Goodenough] and himself agree with Smith on [Robert] Brown, who is making up his mind on an unspecified subject. Asks after Smith's "intersting "Flora"". Received letter from [Alexander von] Humboldt who is working on his "Geography of Plants" and complains of [Aimé] Bonpland having taken specimens. Has just obtained first part of a "Flora of Brazil".

Thanks Smith for writing to [Robert] Brown [about his taking post of Linnean Society Secretary]; disappointed Smith has not remarked on his decision to leave for New South Wales, [Australia], at the end of April, more hurt after the Bishop [of Carlisle, Samuel Goodenough] repeated several times that it would be "far beneath" Brown to take such a position. Three vacancies on FMLS list.

Queries on 'Thea' for his dissertation on same: asks why Linnaeus' named two species, 'Thea bohea' and 'T. viridis', asks that Smith consult Linnaean specimens.

[Smith has noted his reply of 12 February 1825] Relates his findings following examination of Linnaeus' specimens; confusion caused by the Chinese sending specimens of species of 'Thea' and 'Camelliae' to Europe under guise of different teas; has never been able to find any specific difference between 'T. bohea' and 'T. viridis'.

Declines offer of Secretaryship of the Linnean Society and explains his decision. Pleased that Smith's health has improved and his progress with the third volume of "The English Flora". Sending Smith his appendix to "Captain Parry's 1st Voyage" and his contribution to the botanical appendix of "Captain Franklin's journey". Pleased that Smith is to adopt Brown's proposals for 'Cruciferae', and comments on [Augustin Pyramus] de Candolle's work on the same.

Sorry that [Robert] Brown has declined Secretaryship of the Linnean Society, as he would have "done so much honour to the Society"; [James] Bicheno is willing to accept the post if offered; [Edward] Barnard also expressed an interest, but majority of Council favours Bicheno. Departure of [Alexander] Macleay a "great loss" for the Society but the colony [New South Wales] will benefit, as "such a man is much wanted there"; [Joseph] Sabine has been called out on his proposed portait of Macleay.

He has moved to Hale End, [Essex], invites Smith to stay when next in London.

[Robert] Brown has declined the Linnean Society Secretaryship; it would be a waste of his "great talents". Unsurpised that [Alexander] Macleay should think the Secretaryship undervalued as he made himself President whilst the position by ordering councils without consulting any of the vice-presidents, contrary to the charter. Glad that Smith approves of [James] Bicheno.

Sorry to hear of Smith's loss in India but forwarded his letter to [William] Roscoe; worries about his friends in Madras, where the has been bad cholera. Sir Thomas Raffles [(1781-1826), founder of Singapore] is fitting up Sir Humphry Davy's house to make a large display of natural history specimens. There are many candidates for Linnean Society membership though unsure whether or not they are practical naturalists; has always feared an influx of unscientific persons. Has a "sort of dread" of the Horticultural Society.

Thanks for Christmas turkey. Will ask [James] Bicheno what Smith said respecting Turner's explusion. Requested further information from [William] Borrer on 'Salix tetrapla' Walker. Wished to proposes Mertens as FMLS but afraid to in consequence of Dawson Turner's "slander", will attempt again next year.

Expects Smith will have trouble with cryptogamia; thinks the public expects Smith to give the whole vegetable kingdom ["English Flora"].

Apologises for the trouble caused by [James] Bicheno taking issue with the Council meetings, though unsure why this should be as they are flexible and rarely held [Bicheno had been offered the position of Linnean Society Secretary]. Knows nothing of [Edward] Barnard but dreads "the interference of the busy Horticulturalists". Glad Smith agrees that [Robert] Brown's abilities make him unsuitable for the Secretary position.

Everyone agreed that the Catholic Association [Roman Catholic political organisation established by Daniel O'Connell to campaign for Catholic emancipation] should be put down yet insist on talking about it "forever".

Sends letter via Dr [William Jackson] and Mrs Hooker. Thanks for Smith's letter of 28 January; sorry to hear of death of his "excellent nephew" in India and comments on the "numerous instances" of similar losses of "our young & adventurous friends in the Western world".

Overwhelmed by the literary work he has undertaken, even though he has almost finished work on [Alexander] Pope [(1688-1744), poet] and the third part on "penal jurisprudence". Third and fourth parts of his "Monandrian Plants" about to appear; notes on 'Maranta', 'Phrynium', and 'Thalia', settled by communications from West Indies; 'Myrosma' cultivated abundantly in Martinique and they expect it at [Liverpool] Botanic Garden, worries it might be a 'Phrynium'; an 'Alpinia auriculata' appearing in his next number, along with figure of [Robert] Brown's 'Hellenia cerulea'. Thanks for Smith's good wishes respecting his son, Thomas, who has settled indepently with his "little family" in Camden Town.

[Letter possibly incomplete: no signature or valediction]

Clarifies that [James] Bicheno never meant to refuse the Linnean Society Secretaryship. Cannot believe the report that [Edward] Barnard is to be appointed as he is too close to [Joseph] Sabine. Informed by [Alexander] Macleay that [Thomas] Marsham escaped repaying "his shameful fraud" in part by Macleay's ordering of Councils so late at night that Goodenough could not attend. Goodenough affronted by Sabine's request to subscribe to Macleay's portrait and a summons to the Society to arrange for it, as he has no authority to do so. Thinks Barnard will do as Sabine directs him.

On instruction of Legislature of Jamaica encloses copies of a Report of the House of Assembly and Resolution of the House on establishment of a botanic garden in Jamaica [extant]. Investigations to be carried out on how the soil of the island will support new vegetable cultivation or further of indigo, tobacco, and mulberry; lists skills required of curator of the garden, requests Smith's opinions.

Manuscript copies encloses copy of report of the House of Assembly, 14 December 1824, and resolution of the House Assembly, 16 December 1824, on establishment of a botanic garden.

Has requested that two copies of his recently printed catalogue of heaths at Woburn Abbey, [Bedfordshire], be sent for Smith and the Linnean Society ["Hortus Ericaeus Woburnensis"]. Intends to establish a Salicetum [collection of willows], for which he will use Smith's "valuable work" on 'Salix'. His gardener, [George] Sinclair, has left his service to set himself up as a nursery gardener.

Will travel with Smith to London if he intends to attend Linnean Society meeting of 1 March. Hopes Smith is not amongst those citizens of Norwich speculating in "rail-roads, gas companies &c". Has noticed promotion of horticultural societies, particularly one in Brighton, of which [Thomas Andrew] Knight and Joseph Sabine are to be made Honorary Members. His son and family at Pisa, doubts Mrs Cullum will ever see England again having gained no benefit from the waters of Barèges, [France], Sorrento, and Ischia, [Italy], though they intend to return home this summer.

Apologises for involving Smith in the misunderstandings over appointing a new Linnean Society Secretary; [James] Bicheno was surprised to hear he had apparently refused the position. Objects to [Edward] Barnard on the grounds that he is too close to [Joseph] Sabine, and if made Secretary he would act as [Alexander] Macleay did by being President in all but name. Goodenough objects to Sabine, his habit of provoking disorder in any Society he joins, as at the Athenaeum, and his ordering a committee to discuss a portrait of Macleay when he had no authority to do so. Had hoped for a Secretary no one objected to to be appointed. Believes Sabine is now the effectual manager of the Linnean Society which many will find unpalatable.