Thanks for Smith's letter of 20 December [1824], they had heard alarming reports of Smith's health. He has accepted the post of Colonial Secretary in New South Wales, [Australia], intends to embark at the end of April; conflicted about the posting but was offered the post in a "very handsome and flattering manner". Suggests [Robert] Brown to replace him as Linnean Society Secretary, though Smith will have to convince him to accept, otherwise suggests [Edward] Barnard. Recommends that [David] Don [(1799-1841), botanist] be removed [as Society Clerk], his "pride and self conceit are really intolerable".

Thanks Smith for writing to [Robert] Brown [about his taking post of Linnean Society Secretary]; disappointed Smith has not remarked on his decision to leave for New South Wales, [Australia], at the end of April, more hurt after the Bishop [of Carlisle, Samuel Goodenough] repeated several times that it would be "far beneath" Brown to take such a position. Three vacancies on FMLS list.

Thanks for Smith's "very kind letter" [of 27 January 1825]. Pays tribute to their 31 years of friendship, during which they have been "intimately known to each other without any misunderstanding or coolness". Forwards delayed letter for Smith from [George] Hibbert [see RelatedMaterial below, requested Smith's recommendation for curator of a botanic garden in Jamaica]; suggests David Don [(1799-1841), botanist] for the post as a means for the Linnean Society to be rid of him.

Thanks Smith for "high compliment" paid to him by Linnean Society [in proposing a portrait be taken of him], only regrets it comes so soon after the subscription for Smith's bust, which raised £190, proud to be the proposer of it. Uncertain what has happened about nomination of [James] Bicheno to succeed him [as Society Secretary].

Efforts to relocate Smith's missing trunk, hopes he has received it by now. Sorry to hear that Smith suffered a cold so bad on his way to Bristol that he had to be bled; hopes he will recover with use of James' Powders and usual precautions.

Thanks for turkey. Compliments Smith on new part of "Flora Graeca" especially 'Dianthi' ['Dianthus'?]. [Samuel Goodenough] and himself agree with Smith on [Robert] Brown, who is making up his mind on an unspecified subject. Asks after Smith's "intersting "Flora"". Received letter from [Alexander von] Humboldt who is working on his "Geography of Plants" and complains of [Aimé] Bonpland having taken specimens. Has just obtained first part of a "Flora of Brazil".

Invites Smith to visit Boyton, Captain King, [Robert] Brown, and the two Dons are also to visit. Has appointment for assistant to Dr [Nathaniel] Wallich, a salary of £530 per annum. Offers to show Miss [Etheldred] Benett's [(1775-1845), fossil collector and geologist, Lambert's sister was married to her brother John] collection of fossils, the most scientfically arranged in the country, to Mr Reeve. Has acquired [James] Bruce's [(1730-1794) Scottish traveller] collection of 300 natural history drawings from Abyssinia direct from Kinnaird, Scotland, describes dealings with the family. In postscript tells Smith he has been raising plants from Egypt. Sir Richard Hoare has been staying. Believes that the whole of Regent's Park is to be turned into a "national botanical garden", has been asked to take an active part in it.

Introduces [William Henry Fox] Talbot of Lacock Abbey, [Wiltshire], nephew of [Henry Petty-Fitzmaurice, 3rd] Marquess of Lansdowne [(1780-1863)]. Asks Smith's progress on third volume of the "Flora". Mentions again his acquisition of natural history drawings of [James] Bruce [(1730-1794) Scottish traveller], which "prove him to be a very different person than the world has thought him".

[Smith has annotated] "expect to reach Boyton Oct. 5 in the even.".

Queries on 'Thea' for his dissertation on same: asks why Linnaeus' named two species, 'Thea bohea' and 'T. viridis', asks that Smith consult Linnaean specimens.

[Smith has noted his reply of 12 February 1825] Relates his findings following examination of Linnaeus' specimens; confusion caused by the Chinese sending specimens of species of 'Thea' and 'Camelliae' to Europe under guise of different teas; has never been able to find any specific difference between 'T. bohea' and 'T. viridis'.

Sorry that [Robert] Brown has declined Secretaryship of the Linnean Society, as he would have "done so much honour to the Society"; [James] Bicheno is willing to accept the post if offered; [Edward] Barnard also expressed an interest, but majority of Council favours Bicheno. Departure of [Alexander] Macleay a "great loss" for the Society but the colony [New South Wales] will benefit, as "such a man is much wanted there"; [Joseph] Sabine has been called out on his proposed portait of Macleay.

He has moved to Hale End, [Essex], invites Smith to stay when next in London.

Thanks for Christmas turkey. Will ask [James] Bicheno what Smith said respecting Turner's explusion. Requested further information from [William] Borrer on 'Salix tetrapla' Walker. Wished to proposes Mertens as FMLS but afraid to in consequence of Dawson Turner's "slander", will attempt again next year.

Expects Smith will have trouble with cryptogamia; thinks the public expects Smith to give the whole vegetable kingdom ["English Flora"].

Invites Smith to them at Hale End, [Essex].

Attended funeral of Thomas [Forster, his brother]. [James] Bicheno suffering from temporary ailment which prevented his seeing Smith at Hale End. Sending mourning rings.

Enclosing Dr [Robert Kaye] Greville's Highland mosses for Smith in his Norwich parcel. Encloses specimen of 'Hypnum trifarium' gathered on a Highland excursion; observations on its habitat. Hopes to make another excursion this summer.

Thanks for third volume of "English Botany" although so engrossed with Indian plants unsure when he will focus on British plants again. Will send a copy of his commentary on the eighth part of the "Hortus Malabaricus", is making progress with copying the ninth part and writing the tenth, envisages the whole being completed in another year. Sends a copy of his "Indian Genealogies" for Smith's friend. Explains why he has used Latin instead of English botanical terms in his commentary. Outraged by the "monstrous innovations and unnecessary slang" lately introduced into the Linnaean language and the improper manner in which new names are being manufactured. Will soon see [William James] Hooker in Glasgow.

On instruction of Legislature of Jamaica encloses copies of a Report of the House of Assembly and Resolution of the House on establishment of a botanic garden in Jamaica [extant]. Investigations to be carried out on how the soil of the island will support new vegetable cultivation or further of indigo, tobacco, and mulberry; lists skills required of curator of the garden, requests Smith's opinions.

Manuscript copies encloses copy of report of the House of Assembly, 14 December 1824, and resolution of the House Assembly, 16 December 1824, on establishment of a botanic garden.

Asks if Smith concurs with [William Jackson] Hooker on appointment of [James] MacFadyen [(1800-1850), physician and botanist] as curator of the Botanic Garden in Jamaica, as the Legislature wishes him to appoint someone recommended by Smith.

Received Smith's letter of 8 January [1825]. Introduces his young friend, Howard Ryland, bearer of this letter. He and Mrs Yates would be happy to receive the Smiths as their guests. Mrs Yates is copying the account of Dr [Samuel] Parr's [(1747-1825), schoolmaster] funeral for Smith, it has appeared in some of the newspapers. Encloses sprig of a greenhouse plant they bought as a 'Linum' [Smith annotation: "'Linum arboreum'"]; observations. News of Birmingham friends: Comptons, Galtons, and Corries.

Specimen of 'Linum', wrapped.

Has requested that two copies of his recently printed catalogue of heaths at Woburn Abbey, [Bedfordshire], be sent for Smith and the Linnean Society ["Hortus Ericaeus Woburnensis"]. Intends to establish a Salicetum [collection of willows], for which he will use Smith's "valuable work" on 'Salix'. His gardener, [George] Sinclair, has left his service to set himself up as a nursery gardener.

Received Smith's letter of 28 [March 1825]; sorry to hear he has been suffering from a rheumatic complaint in his eyes. Pleased Smith is satisfied with the willows he has so far gathered for his Salicetum; has not yet acquired 'Salix glauca'. Going to London at the end of the month but will be in London before Smith leaves, and hopes he will prevail on Smith to come and see the willows in full leaf, though fears there will be errors in the names. His health better than it has been for some time past, though has suffered from severity of the protracted winter.

Mortified that Smith has not yet received his catalogue of Heaths. Gratified by Lady Morley's [Frances Morley (d 1857), 2nd wife of 1st Earl of Morley] favourable opinion of the book. Anxious to begin his collection of 'Salix' at Woburn Abbey, Bedfordshire, and would value Smith's assistance. Has [William Jackson] Hooker's "Flora Scotica" but not acquainted with work of Seringne [?]. Hopes to see Smith the next time he is in London.