Invites Smith to visit him on his way back from Hafod, [Cardiganshire, home of Thomas Johnes].

East India seeds received from [Robert] Brown are already growing. Found an undescribed 'Geranium sanguineum' very similar to 'Geranium lancastriense'. Has increased his collection of' 'Orchidiae'. 'Erica glutinosa' in flower in his garden. Seeds Smith sent are growing, including the supposed 'Adansonia', 'Supatrens calsamina', creepers, and the "Carica papaya". Description of two 'Sophora monosperma' he has raised. Requests that the genus similar to 'Dillenia' that Smith is to name after him be named 'Valentiana', asks if the disputed 'Dillenia indica' is of this new genus.

Thanks for seeds, especially of 'Nymphoea adversa', Murchison [his gardener?] skilled at raising seeds. Was forwarded part of [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert's Cape collection, the thirty 'Protea' species the most valuable part. Has grown a red reed 'Erythrina' from seeds sent by [Jelinger] Symons. Received seeds from [Robert] Brown in Jamaica including 'Wrightea superba[?]'. Brown has made a collection of 'Epindendrum' and named a new genus 'Valentiae' from the Blue Mountains in [Annesley's] honour. Anxious to see "Flora Britannica". Smith to receive a letter from [Thomas] Butt. Requests 'Erica' seeds to compliment those received from Lambert. A new painter in his area who will soon rival "most of the Londoners".

His friend, Dr Salt of Birmingham, has found 'Gnaphalium margaritaceum' in Longdon parish, near Lichfield, [Staffordshire], in a meadow with small stream running through it. Sent in addition to [Thomas] Butt's letter [of 17 December 1799].

Requests 'Protea' seeds in addition to the 'Erica' ones he already requested from the Cape . He has been looking over [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert's Cape specimens; starting to consider 'Protea' superior to 'Erica'; more and more astonished at botanical riches of the Cape; expects more from Sir George Young [(1732-1810), naval officer]. Asks if the Botany Bay plant Lee calls 'Hibiscus' is properly named yet; gave plant to local nursery man but missed it in flower. Last autumn busy gathering hardy herbaceous plants. Enquires after "Flora Graeca", anxious to see it.

No longer possible for him to visit Norwich, [Norfolk], as planned, due to an arbitration against him at Arley, [Worcestershire]. Requested biennial and perennial herbaceous seeds or plants from Cambridge, for his expanding botanic garden; high prices makes Lee the last resort. White [bookseller] has offered to supply first two volumes of Smith's "Flora Britannica", on account of his being so far from London. Surprised that Andrews is to draw and publish character of 'Pattersonia'. [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert's servants.

Disappointed not to see Smith in London. Several of the seeds Smith sent have germinated but not 'Trilium erectum'. Requests any spare seeds from [William] Roxburgh's parcel to Smith. [Thomas] Butt grateful for mention Smith made of him in "Flora Britannica" though puzzled at Smith's doubts over 'Gnaphalium margaritaceum'. 'Pattersonia' coming into flower.

Elected to Linnean Society Council. Has collected plants in Abyssinia and shells from the Red Sea. Offers Smith plants from his herbarium on his return to England in two months.

His work has consumed all his attention. [Henry] Salt [(1780-1827), traveller and collector of antiquities] appointed messenger to Abyssinia by the government; anticipates great increase in knowledge of botany of Abyssinia. Will attempt to retrieve his articles from Sir Joseph [Banks] and give Smith duplicates, also has specimens. Great expectations for the voyage and consequences for book.

Describes places of interest on the route from Stafford to Arley, including Coalbrook Dale, the China works at Coalport, and Mr Whitmore's grounds at Apley, in anticipation of imminent visit from the Smiths.

Thanks for seeds, intends to sow the perennials now so they survive the winter under shelter. Thanks for Smith's observations on his plants. Will ask Smith to acquire aquatic and bog plants for him later in the year. Hopes that the Bishop of Norwich [Henry Bathurst (1744-1837)] will visit. News of learned societies: informed of Royal Society news by [Charles] Babbage [(1791-1871) mathematician], secretary to the "new Astronomical Society", [Annesley] believes this new society will injure the Royal Society; election of [Sir Humphry] Davy as Royal Society president not beneficial, comment on his wife; asks how the Duke of Somerset [Edward Adolphus Seymour] has offended the Horticultural Society. Received letter from [William] Roscoe. The ferns from Trinidad are growing in his garden. Anxious to hear from Dr [Nathaniel] Wallich as there is no news of the plants and seeds collected in the last survey of New Holland [Australia].

Repeats his requests for 'Stratiotes' and 'Butomus' for his "Naboths vineyard". Hopes to see the Smiths at Arley Hall in the summer. Pleased that Smith received specimens from [Nathaniel] Wallich, received a packet of seeds himself from Wallich but few have germinated, hopeful of mountain firs. Received seeds and bulbs, including 'Liliaciae', from north-east coast of Australia from his protegé. Has Australian shells for Lady Smith should they visit in the summer, and has installed a roaster in his garden to germinate tropical seeds.

Disappointed in receiving visits from Smith and Bishop of Norwich [Henry Bathurst (1744-1837)]; latter's attendence at House of Lords did not produce the peace in Ireland anticipated. Received a box of Australian specimens, now with [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert; half are for Smith. Asks Smith not to trouble himself about the aquatics. His new pit proficient at raising seeds; expects to show Smith new things from Australia, Nepal, and Brazil.

Thanks Lady Smith's brother for the barrel of 'Stratiotes' which are currently growing at "Naboth's vineyard". Anxious to procure 'Butomus' in the proper season. Improvements to his lower pond, has made room for aquatic and bog plants. Received another cargo of specimens from the New Holland [Australia] surveying ships, offers first choice of plants to Smith. Awaiting [Nathaniel] Wallich's promised bulbs but has received others from Trinidad and American seeds from Carr in Philadelphia. Believes he has grown three rhododendruns unknown to the traders from seeds imported by Fraser. Has shells from New Holland for Lady Smith. Hoping to acquire specimens from Madagascar via his brother-in-law, Colonel Macleod.

Suspects [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert of dissimulation over the account he gave Smith of the Australian specimens received and in Lambert's care; more were in flower than stated, has set some aside for Smith. Received many Australian bulbs via his gardener in London; shall send Smith seed of 'Silene'. Anticipates Smith's intended visit next summer; will keep duplicates of Australian shells for Lady [Pleasance] Smith. Received 'Butonuis' from [Alexander] Macleay; requests cuttings of rarer willows. Pleased with his improvements at Nabotts, intends it to be a repository for bog and aquatic plants.

[Letter incomplete: two-thirds of second folio cropped, unclear if any text other than valediction and signature lost]

Requests directions for his New Holland plants for Smith. Visiting his cousin, Sir George Cockburn.

Too busy to visit Smith in Norwich, [Norfolk], as intended. Sending Australian plants specimens; expects another cargo with the next ships. Would be delighted to meet [William] Roscoe.

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

Glad Smith accepted the unscientific collection of Australian plants from a "young Lieutenant of the Royal Navy" despite their faults, the collection included shells for himself and insects for [Alexander] Macleay. Has further dried plants to send to Smith. Received plants from [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert at Boyton. Bad weather, according to Herschel the next moon ought to be more favourable. Planning to visit Ireland in October for first time in five years. Received plants from Cordilleras, Trinidad, including the vegetable "arracacha", but has no guidance on growing it so keeping it in the hothouse. Expecting plants from [Nathaniel] Wallich including his whole collection of bulbs and 'Scitamineae', his [Annseley's] collections of both "now pretty rich". Gratified to receive seeds from Smith, especially as they had the Bishop of Norwich's [Henry Bathurst (1744-1837)] frank whom he believed was dead [Henry Bathurst (1744-1837)]. His son Lord Valentia has become a "florist".