Smith's candidature for Botany Professorship at Cambridge University. Believes appointment for professorship should be entirely on merit. Has been canvassing for Smith the Chancellor of Cambridge [Prince William, Duke of Gloucester and Edinburgh (1776-1834)], who is predisposed to academical claimants. Believes "friends of the opposite party" may have also canvassed the Duke. Master of Emmanuel College, Dr Cory, is vice-chancellor and has been preferred by Archbishop of Canterbury. Thanks for volumes.

Smith's candidature for Botany Professorship at Cambridge University. Is supporting "R" [Richard Relhan] instead of Smith for professorship in order not to compromise himself, despite believing Smith to be better qualified. Believes the vice-chancellor [George Thackeray] will do the best thing for the university. Glad to hear that the Master of Caius College [Martin Davy] is not as ill as reported. Suffering from ill health himself.

Smith's candidature for Botany Professorship at Cambridge University. Has heard little of the professorship since [Thomas] Martyn's "reviviscene" [Martyn had been prematurely reported as dead in Norwich and London papers]. Lists Smith's competitors: [Richard] Relhan; two members of Jesus College; and two Linnean Society members, Powell and Pryne. Powell has given notice of reading lectures in agriculture this term. Smith's status as a dissenter has been mentioned several times as an impediment to his election. Promises to support Smith should Relhan give up.

Smith's candidature for Botany Professorship at Cambridge University. Sorry to hear of the measures the tutors have taken against Smith's proposed lectures. [Several tutors signed a paper addressed to the Vice-Chancellor stating that pupils should not be permitted to attend lectures given by a lecturer who was neither a member of the university nor of the Church of the England].