Has arrived safely but owing to the confusion of the colony they do not have anywhere to dry plants or write observations, so prevented from collecting, which is disappointing. Has sent some bulbs and seeds, including 'Hamanthus mulliflorus' and 'Amaryllis ornata'. Happy to have [François] Borone as his travel companion. Requests to be sent [Joseph] Ga[e]rtner's "de Seminibus", Schreber's "Genera Plantarum", and the "Vegetable Kingdom" of Gmelin's System. If not for the efforts of John Clarkson [abolitionist and 1st Governor of Free Town] he would have tired of Sierra Leone. Comments on the effort Clarkson will have to make to achieve his "laudable intentions". Cannot send [Thomas] Marsham any insects for the same reasons he has not been able to collect plants.

Conditions for collecting still unfavourable and is doubtful of sending any dried plants this year. Has sent two large tubs of living plants, including many which are new or rare in Europe. [François] Borone and himself have both recovered from fevers. Unhappy to have not received any letters from their friends in London and elsewhere.

A house is being erected for use of Afzelius and [François] Borone, Smith should shortly expect something to be sent with every vessel sailing from Free Town. Condemnation of Gmelin and his knowledge of natural history.

Thanks for books. Sending a box of living plants and seeds. Praises Governor [John] Clarkson, who is returning to England, for his kindness to himself and [François] Borone in finding them "proper habitation". Will send dry plants, fruits, seeds and insects on the next sailing vessel for Smith and other friends.

Thanks Smith for the introduction to botany. Trying to collect all of Smith's works. Asks whether there will be new editions of the Principal Works of Linnaeus, especially the "Systema Vegetabilium". Comments on the uncertain publication of [William] Curtis' lectures, which would have been useful for students, and the deficiencies of [James] Lee's "Introduction to Botany" [(1715-1795) nurseryman]. Seeks London edition of Smith's translation of Linnaeus's dissertation on the sexes of plants. Complains that Smith's "last number" [probably "English Botany"] should have been described how 'Ligusticum' differs from the many plants to which it bears a general resemblance.

Sends two dissertations: [Linnaeus'] "Reflections on the Study of Nature", the other is not named. Happy to hear that a new edition of Linnaeus' "Systema Vegetabilium" is to be published. Thanks for the copy of the "inaugural dissertation". Remarks that Botany is making little progress in Dublin, the only person well informed is [Walter] Wade who is giving lectures but is entirely self-taught. Parliamentary aid for establishing a Botanic Garden has been granted but progress is very slow.

First part of 'Icones' published; criticism of Ortega.

Invites request for desiderata; about to begin a new exploration.

Species of 'Cistus' and other plants observed.

Returned from eight months tour in Valencia; acknowledges books and specimens.

New plants discovered; 'Encelia'; sends specimens.

Thanks for election as FMLS, praises Smith's "Introductory Discourse" although expected to see a mention of General Compte [Luigi Ferdinando] de Marsigli [(1658-1730)], founder of the Academy of Bologna. Has commissioned his friend Scassi to acquire all the new medical publications whilst he is London. [L'Abbé Gregoire] Fontana is translating Smith's "Discourse" into Italian.

Smith's additional remarks on his "Introductory Discourse" came too late to be included in [L'Abbé Gregoire] Fontana's translation of it. Introduces Dr Valli in advance, who is walking from Pavia to London. Description of [Luigi] Galvani's discoveries in animal electricity [(1737-1798), Italian physician]. Appreciation of Smith's biography of [Giovanni Antonio] Scopoli and its exposure of the slander surrounding Scopoli.

Introduces himself. Discovered 'Convallaria verticillata' on recent tour of the Highlands, the first time it has been found in Scotland; observations.

Received Smith's letter of 22 October [1792]. Comments on 'Convallaria verticillata' as being indigenous; sends specimens of the 'inculata' and 'alarise' submersed. Smith's information on 'Pyrola uniflora' new to him. Has found no further new Scottish plants but has found rare 'Astragalus uralensis', 'Orobus sylvaticus', 'Anagallis tenella', and 'Trientalis europaea', habitats detailed, which justify Smith's expectations of 'Linnaea borealis' being found.

Edinburgh Natural History Society continues to "flourish"; for some time "chemical pursuits" have engrossed the medical students, so a chemical paper is now also discussed weekly. News of Charles Stewart.

[Notes in pencil on recto of second folio on plants]

Arrangements for payment for numbers of "English botany".

Sending two specimens of 'Trifolium'; plants.

Sending parcel containing plants missing from certain dissertations, including 'Cliffortia', and money from the sale of some publications. This summer worked on classes 8-13 of the Cape [of Good Hope] flora; as some of less familiar may be Linnaean plants, sending specimens of 'Gnidia radiata', 'Passerina ericoides', 'Bergia capensis', and 'Milium capense'; possible that 'P. ericoides' and 'Lachnaea conglomerata' are the same plant; observations.

Sends his "Appendix ad Floram Pedemontanam". Thanks Smith for the "Linnean Transactions" sent to himself and [Rodrigo] de Sousa [Coutinho]. Academy of Sciences looking forward to receiving works from Smith.

Account for books, etc.