Thanks for Macleay's "kind letters" but has "very little time to write in reply" as the "Herculean labour" of his "English Flora" demands all his daylight and most of his evening time; current progress and publication plans.

Laments "most truly" Macleay intention to resign Linnean Society Secretaryship, suggests [Joseph] Sabine, Macleay's son, or [Robert] Brown as successor, asks Macleay's opinion. Will try to write a paper for Linnean Society for March. Thanks Macleay for suggestion of a bust of him, "should esteem the honour greater than being made a Baronet at the solicitation of the Soc[iet]y". Opinion on proposed index to "Linnean Transactions". Requests most recent "Linnean", "Horticultural", and "Philosophical Transactions". Proposes Dr [Christian Friedrich] Schwaegrichen [(1775-1853), zoologist] of Leipzig for FMLS vacancy. Respecting Society finances, proposes charging a guinea for each volume of "Linnean Transactions".

Approves of course of treatment for Macleay's ill daughter. He had "much illness" last year but is now "very well". Lectured at Birmingham, [Warwickshire], for a month "with good success, & hope [he has] "sown good seed"".

Received Macleay's letter of 22 January [1823], pleased to hear of Miss Macleay's recovery. If the Linnean Society cannot afford to publish "Linnean Transactions" then they ought to either refrain, publish on some other plan, or sell their stock at a cheap rate to booksellers abroad or at home. [Francis] Hamilton's papers on "Hortus Malabaricus" are "extremely valuable to real botanists", but if they extend too far they must be delayed, anxious not to "disgust" Hamilton. The "Horticultural Society Transactions" "form a valuable mass of inform[atio]n & entertainment".

As Macleay has said nothing of his successor [as Society Secretary] hopes this means he is relenting in his intention to resign. Believes a voluntary contribution to the Society [to improve funds] would be "nominal" and feels it is his duty to "resist for others". Thanks Macleay for hint respecting Master of Westminster's [Edmund Goodenough [(1785-1845)] copy of "Flora Britannica" but finds his "own materials & observations best - do not think me a growing a coxcomb for this". Has finished one volume [of "English flora"] and hopes to have another finished by the time he comes to London.

Cannot conceive that anything written for the Linnean Society by [Joseph] Sabine can require his revision. Had hoped to be in London for 15 April but this will now be 1 May in order for him to finish second volume of his "[English] Flora" and to correct sheets of the first. Received "melancholy letter" from Bishop of Carlisle [Samuel Goodenough]; hopes he is better, "great pressure of his work" prevents him from writing to his friends.

Has read [Joseph] Sabine's paper and concurs with him in everything, except for minor changes to specific names. Sorry he gave Macleay "such a kettle of fish", had hoped it would be better. Hopes to be in London on 6 May [1823] but very unwell at present, being threatened with a pulmonary irritation and "a bad state of bowels". Macleay to "throw the Cornish paper aside if not quite worthy to appear".

Too unwell with influenza to come to London for 6 May [1823], finds it "mortifying" after having been so well over the winter. Hopes to attend Linnean Society anniversary meeting, will stay at [Thomas] Forster's in Clapton, [Middlesex], so as to prepare for the London air, and only the Society will bring him to London this spring, as he must decline visits, sights, and lecturing. Just informed that [Antoine] Gouan of Montpellier, [France], has died. Afraid Bishop of Carlisle [Samuel Goodenough] is ill, he wrote a "very melancholy" letter on death of his granddaughter.