Thanks for election as FLS. Isolated from progress of botany, owing to his "out of the way" location, not having a botanical correspondent in London, and inability to buy even old botanical books. Declines Smith's offer to acquire L'Héritier's "sumptuous work" until he is sure of its extent; would like to see the treatise on 'Geranium' mentioned in "Hortus Kewensis" but assumes the "present distracted state of France " will disrupt such publications.

[Smith has briefly noted on recto of second folio extent and cost of a book]

Thanks for Pulteney's bill for Linnean Society admission charges. They hope to print a volume of "Transactions" soon, Sir Joseph Banks having promised to pay for the engraving of the plates. Sorry Pulteney has so much difficulty in getting books, offers his assistance, and to supply numbers of L'Héritier's "Stirpes novae aut minus cognitae". "All science stands still at Paris at pres[en]t". Hedwig's work on mosses. Asks after Pulteney's book currently in the press.

Thanks Smith for offering to procure botanical books for him; requests L'Héritier's "Sertum anglicum"; directions for sending. Anxious to procure those books quoted by Linnaeus, particularly Dalechamp and Brunssaling. He is about to publish his "Sketches of the progress of botany" [(1790)], orginally intended as an introduction to a large scale English flora.

No summary available.

Olivier's work on 'Coleoptera'. Charles Louis L'Heritier de Brutelle likely to be elected to L'Académie Française. Civil duties.

No summary available.

Reminds Smith of his request for L'Héritier's "Sertum anglicum", adds L'Héritier's "Stirpes novae" to his order.

Going to Ceylon as Army Surgeon.

Account for books, etc.

Encloses L'Héritier's "Sertum anglicum", bill should Pulteney keep them. Was unable to acquire Dalechamps or Brunfelsius for Pulteney. Asks after Pulteney's intended "Flora".

Passifloraceae'; 'Smithia'; De Jussieu; L'Héritier.

Sent sprig of 'Myrtus tomentosa' via [William] Weddell to be drawn by [James] Sowerby, she and Grieg, her gardener, are unclear on it having previously only seen the specimen [Harvey] Spragg gave Smith last year.

Greig is in London to buy corn and would like to hear Smith's lecture; will stand behind a door if necessary. Grieg has had cough again for three weeks and though appetite strong his voice has altered and his face drawn, she believes these are constant indicators of consumption and asks Smith to examine him. Unless the 'Strelitzia' stays out in flower doubts whether she can come to see it.

Sending parcel of one hundred and thirty plants for Smith via Mr Gooch, some of which are from Smith's desiderata, and with this letter includes systematic list of them [extant]. Explains key to his list: plants marked with a red cross urgently need an answer from Smith; plants marked "S" are gathered in Switzerland and "G" from his garden. Smith has further annotated Davall's systematic list of specimens, marking "Fl" on those incorporated into his herbarium and a series of ticks denoting when he wrote his remarks on the specimens.

Also sends six drawings of his work for [James] Sowerby with the original specimens, and two samples of beadwork from a convent for Smith's sister. 'Smithia sensitivia' and 'Diapensia lapponica' framed and glazed in his study. Requests another copy of "Hortus Kewensis" as the "Flemish affairs" prevent communications between Switzerland and England.