Did not see description of 'Herniaria glabra' in "English Botany" otherwise would not have sent his paper on it to the Linnean Society, has asked [Thomas] Woodward to procure it for his opinion. Advances in his microscopic investigation into the fructification of 'Fucus': believes it possible to construct a generic character incorporating most of 'Fucus' that will be analogous to Linnaeus' sexual system, except for the "vapour", which is substituted for pollen. Explains his method, wishes others could make similar investigations in different locations and describes [Thomas] Velley's contributions. Observations on '[Fucus] bifurcatus'. Relationship of his book ["Nereis Britannica"] with reviewers and the public, [William] Withering has recommended it to [Carl Peter] Thunberg. Asks if Smith has any specimens of or information on 'Fucus natans' as it was described in "Tour of the Continent", does not believe Linnaeus' claim that it is the "most common vegetable in the world". Would like to compare 'Fucus selaginoides' with 'Fucus tamariscifolius'.

Thanks for observations on the plants he sent Smith. Thanks for plants sent by Smith and Sir George Staunton last July, New Holland [Australia] plants sent for Staunton, and second volume of "Linnean Transactions". Sends his "Statistical Account" of the parish of Luss [from Sir John Sinclair's "The statistical account of Scotland" (1796) vol 17 pp.238-271]. Currently editing a Gaelic translation of the New Testament.

Received Smith's letter of 16 December, unfortunate timing as [Pierre Marie Auguste] Broussonet might then have travelled on the "Boston". Abbé Correa's [José Corrêa de Serra] friendship with Broussonet has caused him to be superseded in the previously promised position of public librarian, amongst other "mortifications". The emigrant Dukes of Luxembourg and Coigny took umbrage with Broussonet and applied to "the Council" to have him sent away. Explains that Portugal is under a "weak, irresolute though arbitrary" Prince [John (1767-1826) regent of Maria I, later João VI] surrounded by a "corrupt, ignorant, bigoted, intriguing court", laments confinement of Duke de Lafoens [John de Braganza, uncle of Maria I] who may have imposed some order. Is sure Mr Walpole would undertake Sir Joseph Banks recommendation in protecting Broussonet and obtaining leave for him to stay as long as convenient. However, knowing the the inconvenience he has caused Correa, Broussonet has resolved to leave for Gibraltar immediately, carrying a letter to Mr Pinto, the secretary of state; another from Mr Walpole, with his letter to General Rainsford, and the admiralty order. Anxious to hear of him, observes that "once a man's affairs get into a wrong train, it is often so difficult to set them right again". Ordered Smith's "Tour" as soon as he heard of it.

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Due to a "hellish plot" instigated by the Inquisitor General has been obliged to leave Portugal. [Pierre Marie Auguste] Broussonet will inform Smith of what he saw of it. In his haste to leave did not acquire the necessary passport to enter England and asks for assistance from Smith and Sir Joseph Banks. He cannot apply to the Portuguese Ambassador to England, the Chevalier Almeyda, as he is a relative of the Inquisitor General, which also prevents him for choosing England for his asylum. Reminds Smith that he once did a similar deed for their common friend Broussonet in Lisbon. Informs Smith that his ship is the "Sloop Mary" captained by Anthony Roskruge although it is currently held at Penzance by the government's embargo on all ships coming from abroad. Has taken the pseudonym Joseph Porto. Laments his situation, comparing it to happier times as described in Smith's "Tour of the Continent".

Hopes Smith received his previous letter written from Penzance, Cornwall. The embargo detaining ships at Penzance has been lifted and they are now at Deal, expecting to reach London in three days.

Sends his compliments to Smith's family, looking forward to seeing Smith when he is next in London. Positive about the [unstated] news from Portugal.

Comments on Smith's class name 'Kuamos' ["Cyamus" transliterated from Greek alphabet, appropriated in English as "legumen"], its use by ancient botanists and how they distinguished 'Cyamus agyptius', which is '[Cyamus] nelumbo', from 'Cyamus hellenicus', which is "the common bean". Conjectures that the Ancient Greeks used it in a similar way to the English word "bean" and compares this with other languages and cultures including the Ancient Egyptians. Discusses the etymology of the Greek words and approves of the name. Botanical publication news: [Carl Peter] Thunberg's "Monographia of the Hermannia" and [Thomas] Velley and [John] Stackhouse's works on 'Fucus', critiques them for their obscure and vague physiological sections, which has inspired him to write his own memoir on the fecundation of submersed plants. At [James] Lee's with [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert experimented with success on the phenomenon of the irritable flowers of 'Verbascum', asks Smith to do the same at Norwich, gives instructions. Observed the same behaviour in Portugal with 'Verbascum thapsi', 'Verbascum sinuatum' and 'Verbascum blattaria', intends to write a paper on it for the Linnean Society. Bower is about to publish the "Digitales". [Archibald] Menzies has written to Sir Joseph [Banks] from Valparaiso, Chile, and is returning to England in a few months. Wishes to become acquainted with [Casper von] Voght after reading his "benevolent" pamphlet.

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Regret at Smith's departure. Found a butterfly she thinks the "great tortoiseshell butterfly", will try to send a specimen. Found a curious bright yellow fungus in the stove house, will send specimen with letter.

Thanks for Smith's letter and plant. She has been ill with the mumps. Pleased Smith thought the beetle she found in her father's room and sent curious, she does not want it returned and not disappointed it proved common. Sends coloured drawing of a lichen [extant] by Mr Trossavelli after failing to remove it from the stone. Encloses dried specimen of a fern she has found [extant]. Demands that Mr Edwards write and inform them whether he intends to visit.

Specimen of fern, wrapper annotated by Smith "'[Polypodium] cristatum'", and by Johnes, detailing the location it was found.

Note by Thomas Johnes [on separate folio] that he read the letter before it was sent.

Drawing of lichen [Smith has annotated on reverse: "'L. geographicus'"]

Thanks for Smith's letter and his intention to send a box of insects. Sends dried flower of the unknown plant from Constantinople her mother showed Smith in the hothouse [extant]. Dr [James] Anderson is visiting and sends his compliments.

Specimen, wrapped annotated by Johnes.

Received Smith's letter. Weather is cold and stormy. Has sent with her father to London Smith's microscope and a small box of insects. Dr [James] Anderson has found a "very pretty spot" for her flower garden.

Note pasted onto recto of second folio apparently sent separately: also sending with her father the great tortoiseshell butterfly mentioned in earlier letter, a curious beetle, and a "very pretty" insect found in broom tree. Her mother asks Smith to send some of the moss which they make "fireworks of in the playhouse as Sir Joseph Banks says there is some here".

Cold and wet weather has prevented her botanising. Glad Smith safely received microscope and box of insects. Congratulates Smith on his approaching marriage and looks forward to showing his wife [Pleasance Smith] the "romantic beauties of this place". Dr [James] Anderson now well but her father still in London.

Thanks for Smith's letter. Their new gardener from Scotland, Mr Todd, has arrived, he was previously at the Edinburgh Botanical Garden and he knows Smith by name. Dr [James] Anderson is working on her flower garden. Received letter from her aunt, Charlotte, who complains of the heat but is happy and pleased with Mrs Kindersley [probably with Smith's cousins, the Kindersleys, in India]. Her father still in London.

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Thanks for extracted papers from "Linnean Transactions" and New Holland plants [Australia], immediately translated Smith's remarks on 'Sprengelia', it and the drawing to be published by the [Swedish] Academey [of Sciences]. Praises Smith's "Tour of the Continent". Smith's "Tentamen botanicum de filicum ..." is edifying and has thought the same as Smith in some instances in separation of 'Asplenium nodosum' from 'Asplenium'; 'Lindsaea' Dryand from 'Adianthum'; moving of 'Osmunda peltata' and 'Asplenium cicutarium' to their places; division of 'Trichomanis' into two with name 'Darea' being reinstated. Intends to keep Smith's name 'Hymenophyllum' for his "Flora Indiae", may leave out 'Schizaea'. Asks where Smith has placed 'Polypodium reticulatum' Linn and 'Meniscium' Schreb. Discussion of multiple species of 'Lichen'. Requests two copies of Smith's "New Holland Botany".

Large parcel for Smith, including: West Indies plants, mostly those mentioned in his "Prodromus"; six parts of the "Acta Holm" of the [Swedish] Academy [of Sciences], the first part includes Smith's paper on 'Sprengelia', plus a silver jetton, and the new lichens described in the transactions; and 'Lichen deustus' and 'Lichen polyrrhizos' for Smith's opinion. Believes they should only search for the lichens of Dillenius, even Linnaeus considered lichens to be the "crux botanicorum". Has heard that the New Holland [Australia] colony is progressing well, asks if Smith has received the lichens, ferns, mosses and algae he sent from there.