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.

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".

Busy writing and delivering his zoological and botanical lectures, teaching Lady [Amelia] Hume, and preparing his "Icones ineditae" and "Icones pictae". Thanks for chamois horns and seeds. Discusses Davall's marriage and wife; he himself has been unlucky in love although there is one woman who would make him happy. [Edward] Forster's marriage. His servant François [Borone] has returned to England but not currently placed with him.

Thanks for Pulteney's book, has already "devoured" a great part of it at Sir Joseph Banks'. Will send his second fasciculus [of "Plantarum icones"], sorry to have been "polemical, but thought a little chastisement of an impertinent fellow would save me future quarrels". Offers to send Gaertner and L'Héritier's latest works. Encloses list of Linnean Society members, 25 were present at their anniversary meeting. [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert likely to make "great discoveries" in Ireland.

Plants and drawings safely arrived but will wait for his zoological lectures to finish before commencing study. This year intends to bring out new edition of "Systema Vegetabilium" and a journal of his tour of the continent. Will inform [James] Sowerby of Davall's directions for the drawings. Davall should change name of 'Scirpus supinus' if certain it is Linnaeus' plant, otherwise call it 'Scirpus elongatus'. Received three proofs of Davall's work from Sowerby: the 'Spartium', 'Sisymbrium', and 'Crepis'. Davall's 'Scirpus triqueter' correct.

Numbered observations on some of the plants Davall sent him. Lady Rockingham has been ill but now recovered. Intends to bring out "Syst. Veg." next winter followed by "Obs[ervationes] Bot[anicae]". Warns Davall not to be cheated by [Albrecht von] Haller [(1758-1823)] and [Jacob] Wyttenbach and to bring out his book as soon as possible, approves of title "Illustrationes Hallerianae". Received Davall's box sent via [Charles St Clair, 13th] Lord Sinclair [(1768-1863)]; thanks for 'Lichen cucullatus', forwarded parcel to [William] Curtis. Spoke to [James] Sowerby about copying 'Protea mellifera'. '[Tussilago] paradoxa' called 'Tussilago spuria' of [Anders Jahan] Retzius [(1742-1821)]. His 'Senecio nemorensis' has "eight or nine rays". Knows no good figure of 'Carex saxatilis'.

Flattered that Davall should wish him to be godfather to his child but could not promise to bring it up in the Church of England as he finds it too close to popery and "believes no nonsense under the specious name of mystery"; explains his own religious beliefs.

List of plants sent to Bellardi by Smith in addition to those marked in Bellardi's desiderata.

Glad that Woodward was not more seriously injured in his coach accident; now thinks of their parting jokes as "almost criminal"; hopes Woodward prosecutes the coach operator for taking so many people on board. Reveals when he was 20 years old it was discovered that he had broken his collarbone at some point in his childhood. He was recently at Sir Joseph Banks' when [Charles Godfrey] Woide [(1725-1790)] of the [British] Museum suffered an apoplectic fit; he died shortly after.

[Letter incomplete: second folio cropped, only three lines of text remain]

Smith writes on 11 July: Suffered a slight pleuratic attack. [Edward] Forster's wife's sister, Mrs Wishaw, is dying after being improperly managed by Mrs Williams following birth of her child, eating beef steaks and drinking wine not being permitted to suckle her child; the abundance of milk has induced a milk fever and is now in hopeless state.

Thanks for Davall's assistance in determining 'Geranium molle', 'Geranium pyrenaicum', 'Geranium puscillum', and 'Geranium rotundifolium'. Responds to points in Davall's previous letters: happy to keep 'Schoenus ferrugineus'; 'Lamium laevigatum' not yet in seed; Davall can say what he pleases about 'Phaca alpina'; Davall's 'Stellaria biflora' correct, and also correct about [Anders Jahan] Retzius' [(1742-1821)] 'Tassilago'; will get hold of 'Onopordum dettoides' for him; Lady Rockingham recovered; [Jacques] Dorthes busy taking a degree.

Smith writes on 14 July: thanks for Davall's packet [mentioned in his letter of 31 May 1790] containing books, views, and plants. Responds to points in Davall's letter of 29 June 1790: all the names for his plates acceptable and [James] Sowerby has commenced work on them; has done nothing with 'Phytenma' so returning it; approves of Davall's title for his book; approves of Davall's differentia specifica; exhorts Davall to publish as soon as possible and before [Jacob] Wyttenbach and [Albrecht von] Haller [(1758-1823)] [new edition of the elder Haller's "Icones plantarum Helvetiae"]; fears [Werner de] Lechanel's letter to him has been lost. Mrs Wishaw, Forster's sister, has died, and Miss Lee has returned home to die of a "deep consumption".

Numbered observations on remainder of Davall's former packet: 'Cistus marifolius' HL, 'Anemone sulphurea', 'Mentha aquatica', 'Galeopris villosa' Hudson, 'Sonchus plumierii', 'Hypochaeris helvetica', 'Achillea moschata', 'Micropus erectus', 'Betula incana', 'Quercus cerris', and 'Fontinalis pennata'.

Numbered observations on packet of plants just received: 'Inula oculus-christi', 'Thymus vulgaris', 'Galeopsis villosa' Hudson, 'Aria flexuosa', 'Mespilus cotoneaster', 'Carduus crispus' HL, 'Carduus rivularis' Jacquin, 'Lathyrus latifolius' HL, 'Sisymbrium tanacetifolium', 'Dentaria pinnata', 'Draba fladnizensis' Jacquin, '[Dentaria] verna', 'Androsace villosa', 'Androsace lactea', 'Androsace obtusifolia' Allioni, 'Dianthus glaucus' Hudson, 'Tribulus terrestris', fungus on 'Euphorbia', 'Euphorbia', 'Carex argentea', 'Cheiranthus fruticulosus' HL, 'Lamium maculatum', and 'Euphorbia palustris' HL.

Numbered observations on packet of plants of 27 February 1790: 'Valeriana montana', 'Crocus vernus', 'Scirpus supinus', 'Phalaris alpina', 'Aria subspicata' HL, 'Briza eragrostis' HL, 'Poa eragrostis' HL, '[Festuca] duriuscula', 'Stipa juncea', 'Stipa capillata', 'Avena versicolor', 'Potamogeton retusum', 'Cerinthe minor', 'Lonicera nigra', 'Lonicera caerulea' HL, 'Lonicera symphoricarpos', 'Chenopodium atriplicis', 'Chenopodium murale', 'Bupleurum angulosum' or 'B. ranunculoides', 'Selinum chabraei', 'Laserpitium', 'Aethusa bunius' HL, 'Pencedanum silars', 'Juncus pediformis' Villars, 'Rumex lunaria' HL, 'Rumex aurens' J Banks, 'Saxifraga sedoides', 'Saxifraga biflora' Allioni, 'Sedum saxatile' Wiggers, 'Cerastiums', '[Euphorbia] gerardiana', 'Prunus padus', 'Crataegus chamaemespilus', 'Potentilla aurea', 'Potentilla minima' Davall, 'Potentilla subacaulis', and 'Papaver alpinum'.

Davall's 'Carex' is published as 'Carex bellardi' in [James] Dickson's "dried plants" and it would vex [Carlo Antonio] Bellardi to change it. Distributed Davall's seeds amongst [John] Fairbairn, Dickson, [James] Lee, [William] Curtis, and [Samuel] Goodenough, but forgot [William] Aiton; desperate to make peace with him as Aiton is secretely jealous of his ["Icones pictae plantarum rariorum..."]. Sending seeds of 'Angelica archangelica'; bulbs of 'Dentaria bulbifera' from Dickson; 'Cineraria palustris', 'Artemisia carerulescens', 'Smyrnium olusatrum', and 'Holosteum umbellatum' from [Edward] Forster; and second fasciculi of Dickson's dried plants and ["Fasciculus plantarum cryptogamicarum Britannia"]. For forseeable future must labour for his support as he is too much of a burden for his "most indulgent father" who thinks physic would be more profitable, he himself knows "nothing is to be got by a young physician in London". Sending spare copy of Burman's "[Specimen botanicum] de Geraniis".

Smith writes to Edmund Davall: Glad Davall's health is better; warns him not to fatigue himself with botanical pursuits. Charmed with letter from Davall's wife. Responds to Davall's letter of 27 April: pleased with the 'Lichen cucullatus', thinks 'Stellaria biflora' correct, Davall should publish 'Phytenma' if he thinks it new, his "Systema Vegetabilium" ["English Botany"] not out before March. Responds to Davall's letters [of 29 June and 14 September 1790]: thanks for trouble he took over 'Satyrium repens'; recovered from his cold; Davall should pay Sowerby when he can, although they both have little money having "drained their purses" to bring out their "great work without being under the thumbs of booksellers"; warns Davall not to lend his plates to [Jacob] Wyttenbach and [Albrecht von] Haller [(1758-1823)] [for their new edition of the elder Haller's "Icones plantarum Helvetiae"]; Davall should concentrate on completing his book and he can reserve new plants and observations for a second edition; responds to points on 'Hypericum', 'Arenaria grandiflora' and 'Arenaria triflora'; thought Bauhin's 'Arenaria laricifolia' was 'Arenaria striata', though Davall may be right to think it 'Arenaria liniflora'; assents to Davall's new 'Cerinthe'; 'Allium senescens'; agrees with Davall on 'Salsola prostiata' and 'Euphorbia gerardiana'; confusion over 'Crepis virens' and 'Lapsana capillaris'.

Smith writes to Henriette Davall, in French: [description to follow].

Pleased Woodward's health is recovering; does not doubt health benefits of taking quicksilver, though as he does not understand how it works he ought to deny its usefulness.

His "Icones pictae" and "Spicilegium botanicum" both soon published. [Samuel] Goodenough in London tomorrow for Royal Society anniversary meeting; looking forward to seeing the Crowes. Ordered continuation of Bulliard's ["Histoire des champignons"] for Woodward some time ago from L'Héritier but he is now extremely busy. "Linnean Transactions" vol 1 out by Christmas. Glad Woodward is thinking of coming to London in the spring. Still working on ferns; for the genus 'Woodwardia' only has species 'W. nodosa' and 'W. alata', disproves of name of former. Thanks for drawing of 'Lycoperdon phalloides', which will be in first number of "Spicilegium botanicum". Writing the text for [James] Sowerby's "English botany", on plan of [William] Curtis' "Magazine", for free, till he sees whether it succeeds or not; its motto from Virgil; contents of first number.

Davall is in danger of relapsing and overstraining his eyes: prescribes half an ounce of camphor dissolved in half a pint of rectified spirit of wine for bathing the temples; "an admirable thing for strengthening the eyes". Thanks for packet of plant specimens, 'Ribes petraeum' "surely right". Lady Rockingham sends Davall a large paper copy of his "Icones pictae" and invites him to see her 'Portlandia'; it frequently exhibits fifteen flowers "in full perfection" besides buds. Pleased Davall refused to allow his plates to go to [Jacob] Wyttenbach [for new edition of Albrecht von Haller's "Icones plantarum Helvetiae"]. Thanks for 'Schoenus ferrugineus'. Confirms Davall's order for Sowerby for coloured plates of 'Limodorum' and 'Strelitzia' and drawing of Miss Lee's 'Protea'. Editing a new edition of "Flora Lapponica" for White & Son, shall add new plants and put the trivial names to all, the original plates bought in Holland. Desires Davall's opinion of new number of "English Botany", currently writing it anonymously to gauge reaction but thinks it excels [William] Curtis' "Botanical Magazine" and it may also hurt Curtis' "Flora [Londinensis]" if he does not exert himself.

Alphabetical confirmation and observations on specimens sent by Davall [on 12 November 1790], plants include: 'Allium angulosum', 'Phalaris phleoides', variety of 'Lotus corniculata', 'Selinum palustre', 'Agrostis calamagrostis', 'Arundo epigejos', 'Ribes petraeum', 'Coronulla minima', '[Gnaphalium] orientale', 'Hieracium molle', 'Rosa collina', 'Rosa arvensis', 'Androsaces villosa', 'Androsace lactea', 'Anemone alpina', 'Scirpus caespitosus', and 'Schoneus ferrugineus'.

Numbered observations on specimens sent by Davall in parcel of 27 February 1790, now complete. Will send 'Arundo epigejo' another time. Mislaid 'Saxifraga sedoides' so cannot give opinion.

Translation of his comments on Scopoli, which the reviewer "quotes with approbation"; details the silence Scopoli was compelled to keep after false accusations were made against him.

[Letter incomplete: this is a cropped extract, missing text presumed destroyed]

Responds to Davall's five letters [of 11 February 1791] and remarks further on plants sent by Davall on which their opinions differ. Thinks that Davall should either confide the Latin of his book to [Jacob] Wyttenbach, send his manuscript to [Samuel] Goodenough or himself, or communicate his findings in English to Linnean Society for second volume of "Linnean Transactions", so long as it appears in some form or other. Does not know 'Psora testacca' but Davall should keep it for his own work, as he would rather quote it from that to save himself trouble.

The first folio of this letter includes receipt from James Sowerby for £20 from Smith on behalf of Davall. Numbered observations by Smith on plants sent by Davall in previous parcels: 'Lamium maculatum', 'Potentilla opaca' HL, 'Draba fladnizensis' Jacquin, 'Mespilus cotoneaster', 'Aria flexuosa', 'Astragalus montanus', 'Astragalus depressus', 'Leontod pyrenaicus' Gouan, 'Eriophorum vaginatum', 'Scirpus caespitosus' HL, 'Scirpus pauciflorus' Lightfoot, 'Agrostis halleri' Villars, 'Poa bulbosa', 'Carex curvula' Allioni, 'Carex hirta', 'Carex distans' HL, 'Carex leporina', 'Festuca duriuscula', 'Lactuca augustana' Allioni, 'Androsace lactea', 'Morbid euphorbia', 'Fontinalis pennata' HL, 'Medicago polymorpha-minima', 'Equisetum linosum', 'Cerastium tomentosum' HL, 'Sisymbrium pyrenaicum', 'Cytisus sessilifolius' HL, 'Corohilla minima' Jacquin, 'Polypodium montamum' Allioni, 'Festuca duriuscula', 'Oenanthe fistulosa', 'Allium schaenoprasum' HL, 'Carex rostiata' Stokes, 'Carex disticha' Hudson, 'Carex acuta' HL, 'Poa alpina', and 'Salix myrsinites'.

Responds to Davall's letters of 11 March and 30 April: [Joseph von] Jacquin generally worthy; intends to announce his "Systema Vegetabilum" in preface to the new edition of "Flora Lapponica". Received visit and parcel of plants from Dr [Franz Joseph] Maerter [(1753-1827)] who has been in South America and the West Indies; all of Jacquin's rare plants are from him though Maerter's collections have been seized at Brussels and their recovery is uncertain. Addresses Davall's remarks on 'Anemone', 'Dianthus glaucus', 'Potamogeton obtusum', and 'Potentilla'. Hopes "Icones pictae" will be profitable as his lectures are not but is determined not to give up botany. Intends to devote summer to his ["Sketch of a Tour on the Continent"], "Systema vegetabilum", and perhaps "Flora Anglica". His servant François [Borone] with him again. The Queen takes three large paper copies of his "Icones pictae".

Sends first number of his "Spicilegium [botanicum]". Second number of "Icones pictae" in preparation. Also sending specimens of 'Lichen gypsaceus' and 'Lichen saxifragas' and describes both characters, to see if the latter is Davall's 'Psora testacea'.

Disappointed Woodward is not coming to London, he will only have a short time himself in Norfolk. Printing difficulties of "Linnean Transactions" vol 1. "Flora Lapponica" printing, it will be the "most correct edition" ever of any of Linnaeus' works; describes his work on it. Working on "Spicilegium botanicum" letterpress; "English botany" "sells amazingly" and is unlikely to stop. [William] Curtis said to be in difficulties. Sends third fasciculus of "Icones [pictae]", containing 'Fucus inflatus' and 'Agrostis capillaris'.

Dined with [Edmund] Burke's [(1730-1797), politician] brother yesterday at the [William Henry Cavendish-Bentinck, 3rd] Duke of Portland's [(1738-1809)]. [James] Dickson's next two fascicules will complete his work ["A collection of dried plants..", see RelatedMatieral below].

Numbered observations on parcel of plants sent by Davall via Mr Mandrot in May, received June 1791: 'Turritis hirsuta' HL, 'Plantago', 'Cerinthe major', 'Cerinthe perennis' Davall, 'Thesium alpinum' HL, 'Bupleurum angulosum' HL, 'Laserpitium silaifolium', 'Dianthus', 'Arenaria liniflora', 'Potentilla caulescens' HL, 'Anemone fragifera' Jacquin, 'Ranunculus thora', 'Ranunculus pamassifolius' HL, 'Ranunculus alpestris', 'Ajuga genevensis', 'Ajuga alpina', 'Pedicularis sylvatica' HL, 'Antirrhinum arvense' HL, 'Hypericum tetragynum', 'Geranium pusillum', Geranium rotundifolium', 'Geranium molle', 'Crepis tectorum' HL, 'Ophrys cordata', 'Satyrium repens', 'Carex pauciflora' Lightfoot, 'Clutia pulchella', 'Chrysocoma coma-aurea' HL, 'Bidens pilosa', 'Coreopris leucantha' HL, 'Gentiana', 'Asplenium trichomanes', 'fastigiatus', '[Lichen] tiliaceus' Hoffmann and Smith, '[Lichen] saxatilis', '[Lichen] centrifugus', '[Lichen] aeruginosus', '[Lichen] fagineus', '[Lichen] subfucus' HL, '[Lichen] horizontalis', '[Lichen] chrysoleucus' Smith, and '[Lichen] encaustus' Smith.

Compliments them both on their ability to search for plants. Comments on box of lichens sent by Davall. Pleased to hear account of Davall's happy family life. [Edward] Forster disappointed that Davall has not written. "Flora Lapponica" has gone to press with fifty-five new species added to the flora. Hopes Davall will entrust [Jacob] Wyttenbach with correction of the Latin for his work. After consultation with [William] Hudson and [James] Dickson gives numbered remarks on box of lichens. Can only send Davall a few plants in return, including 'Arenaria saxatilis', but Davall should request [Dominique] Villars' 'A. saxatilis' for the true 'A. laricifolia'. Sends present of "two tinkling balls [...] of the very newest mode" for Davall's baby daughter. 'Nymphaea nelumbo' in flower at Bulstrode, [Buckinghamshire, home of Duke of Portland] for the first time in Europe, it is a new genus to be called 'Portlandia' and the old renamed 'Catesbaea'.

Would have replied to Pulteney's letter of 24 May [1791] sooner had the enclosed "Linnean Transactions" vol 1 arrived earlier. "Quite out of patience" with waiting for L'Héritier's recent publications; offers to send Pulteney's sketches to him. Discussion of recent publications, including by Allioni, Cavanilles, Hedwig, Schreber, and Labillardière.