Thanks for letter and parcel of 13 October 1796, which was delayed by the ship being caught in ice for the winter. Thanks for New Holland [Australia] 'Myrtoides'. Thanks for "morsel" of the original Linnaean specimen of 'Bryum viridulum', believes it is 'Hypnum bryoides', and that Linnaeus also took a variety of 'Bryum trancatulum' for 'Bryum viridulum', other additional errors, concludes that they should not rely on any Linnaean specimens of the 'Musci' and resort to Dillenius instead, as Linnaeus did. Comments on the 'Bryum' specimens he sent with his last letter. Thanks for Smith's observations of 'Lichen pellitus'. Thanks for specimen of 'Hypnum smithii'. Shall present Smith's paper on new genus 'Westringia' to [Swedish] Academy [of Sciences]. Praises [James] Sowerby's "English Fungi". Hopes some of his works on West Indian plants will soon be appearing in Germany.

'Flora Pyrenaica' ready for publication; asks Smith to assist in procuring subscribers.

No summary available.

His practice too busy to allow him to visit London. Hopes Smith's "Flora Britannica" will prevent publication of "crude and indigested compilations of others", and pleased to hear of Smith's "Proteacea", "florula of New Holland [Australia] plants", and ["Tracts relating to Natural History"]. Would have liked to visit Smith in Norwich to compare his one thousand shell collection with Linnaeus'. [Thomas] Rackett has purchased [Emanuel Mendes] da Costa's plates [(1717-1791) English naturalist] and plans a new impression [of unnamed work but presumably "The British Conchology"]. Relieved to hear of L'Héritier's safety but disappointed he has not finished his works. Requests remaining numbers of L'Héritier's "Pertumn", "Gerania" ["Geraniologia"], and "Plantae Rariores" ["Sertum Anglicum"], and [Antonio] Cavanilles' "picture volumes" ["Icones et descriptiones plantarum"?].

Received Smith's last letter of 16 August from L'Abbé Correa. Awaiting arrival of copies of Smith's "Tour of the Continent" and "Lectures on Botany", has ordered his work on the "Insects of Georgia" and [George Leonard] Staunton's book, has already read passages on Madeira, Prague and Rio de Janeiro. [Carlo Antonio Ludovico] Bellardi pursuing his botanical work with a passion. Hopes Smith will visit Portugal one winter.

Hopes Smith's move to Norwich is successful. [Jonas] Dryander opposes [Richard] Salisbury's plan to publish "the heaths" with new names that are expressive of their differences ['Species of 'Erica'', "Linnean Transactions"]. Royal Society news: Prince William of Gloucester [and Edinburgh (1743-1805)] was proposed and a paper on the freezing of quicksilver with nitrous acid was read. Asks to be remembered to [John] Pitchford. Smith's turkey "excellent".

Visited by [Charles] Sutton, who showed him 'Orobanche purpurea', a new species, and 'Orobanche ramosa'. Asks Smith to getting specimens of these as well as 'Robanche major' which grows in cornfields on 'Diadelphous' plants. Introduced Sir Thomas Frankland to the Linnean Society.

Thinks [Richard] Salisbury's nonemclature "improper not to say ridiculous" and sorry that he has persisted and even printed "his errors". [Jonas] Dryander and Salisbury are in dispute over the issue [renaming heath plants with new names based on differences between them] ['Species of 'Erica'', "Linnean Transactions"]. Smith correct the corolla of 'Agrostis littoralis', he has corresponded with [William] Withering on the issue it but believes he printed before Smith's observations were known, blames [Carl Peter] Thunberg for "this curious superficial daubing". Discussion of 'Carduus': after comparison of sessiles and calyx had already decided that [William] Curtis' 'Carduus tenuiflorus' was not 'Carduus pycnocephalus', nor does he think it 'Carduus australis' of [Linnaeus the younger's] "Supp[lementum]"; reassures Smith that he can trust him with his "difficulties".

Struggling with 'Potamogeton', particularly 'P. serratum', 'P. gramineum' (Smith's 'P. pectinatum'), [William] Hudson's 'P. pectinatum', and 'P. setaceum'; believes the latter three may be varieties of the same plant, has examined Sir Joseph Banks' specimens. Asks if 'P. serratum' is a species and whether 'P. setaceum' is a variety of 'P. pusillum'. Eager to hear when ["Linnean Transactions"] is printing; thinks [James] Sowerby has failed in his drawing of 'Fucus haliformis' [for Goodenough and Thomas Woodward's paper 'Observations on the British Fucus']. Jokes about an invasion by the French.

Sends copy of his account of the late "Embassy to China", with a folio volume of plates relating to it. The Linnean Society and all Smith's London acquaintance regret his absence, "tho' it is natural for you to prefer living in the Bosom of your Relations, in Norwich, [Norfolk]".

He has little botanical news, his lectures taking up too much of his time. His "Flora Britannica" and also a "Florula" of New Holland are going on well. Believes [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert has provided Pulteney with a sketch of his 'Proteacea', overseen by Sir Joseph Banks and [Jonas] Dryander: order of 'Rutacea' numerous and difficult; 'Dicandria Papilionacea' most troublesome of all; 'Pultenaea' stands firm. He has been "addicted" to butterflies recently; in a few days a "splendid" work on "the rarer lepidopterous insects of Georgia" is to appear, including new plants not figured in "Hortus Kewensis".

Invites Pulteney to Norfolk to see the Linnaean shells, reassures him that none "strayed" whilst they were being organised. About to publish a volume of miscellaneous natural history papers. [Adam] Afzelius and [Archibald] Menzies are preparing accounts of their travels. Staying here till 25 May.

Arrived safely at Hafod and gives details of his journey from Gloucestershire, including visit to Gloucester cathedral, overnight stay at Abergavenny, and Welsh hospitality. His patient, Mariamne Johnes, "looks more healthy than last year"; the "projection of her back is rounder, not sharp" with no appearance of any matter making its way out as feared, and the machine has "done wonders" and though its maker, Jones, has managed her well he is a drunkard. Mr Tait, an architect, is staying.

[Letter incomplete: text missing, presumed destroyed]

Thanks for turkeys. [Jonas] Dryander is working on the botanic part of the "catalogue" ["Hortus Kewensis"], they have arrived at 'Diadelphia' in [Adam] Afzelius' plants.

Double geraniums given to Lady Banks by Lady Charlotte Murray [(1754–1808), sister of 4th Duke of Atholl], and discussion of who to credit the discovery to, to the best advantage of the "study of botany". Compliments Mrs Smith on turkeys.

Thanks Mrs Smith for turkeys. [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert "delighted" with 'Lambertia', named by Smith in his honour. Unable to confirm or disprove Smith's opinion on the fruits of 'B[anksia] pyriformis' and ['brebeinum'].

Cannot find any of the 'Bromus' he suspects is 'B. squarrosus' but encloses coloured drawing made by his sister [extant]. Encloses the grass [not extant] he previously mentioned to Smith, small sketch in ink illustrating a point about its growing, it differs from 'Poa rigida', [William] Curtis is growing it from a root from foot of St Vincent's Rock, [near Bristol].

Coloured drawing of plant [Smith has annotated: "'Bromus secalinus' JES"].

Thanks for Smith's letter of 20 January [1797]; pleased to hear of Smith's successful move from Hammersmith, [Middlesex], to Norwich, [Norfolk]. Had a letter from [Samuel] Goodenough expressing his regret at Smith's removal from London and fears of it being injurious to the Linnean Society; he himself fears Smith's "uninterrupted literary leisure" at Norwich will prevent his visits to London being as frequent as the wellbeing of the Society requires. Plans for their visit to the Smiths in Norwich.

Glad to hear of hopes of favourable outcome for [Mariamne] Johnes' lameness. There is no "greater plague than the fancied discoveries of young botanists", in reference to "minute" specimens sent by Dawson Turner of several marine plants. Writer in the "Gentleman's Magazine" for December [1796] has proposed arranging 'Fucus' with the zoophytes; in response states that 'Fucus' are "really & truly vegetables, producing seeds", and [John] Stackhouse is currently engaged in experiment of raising the larger sort from seed, and expects to succeed.

Glad Smith likes [William] Withering's new edition [of "An arrangement of British plants"]; Withering is indebted to Smith and others for the improvements; Withering's "true spirit of candour". Surprised by Smith's objection to the alteration of the system; had idea that Smith entirely approved [Carl Peter] Thunberg's system and that he intended to adopt it for his "Flora [Britannica]". Curious to see [Archibald] Menzies', not [Adam] Afzelius', 'Fucus' specimens, one appears similar to his 'Ulva decorticata'.

Plans to visit Smith in Norwich on 3 July [1797]. Directions for copies of "Linnean Transactions" vol 3. Criticises comment made by [Samuel] Goodenough in preface to their paper on 'Fucus', printed in that volume. Wished he could have attended the anniversary meeting at the Crown & Anchor. Hopes to see [Thomas] Velley at Norwich, even though he is a "botanical bore". Encloses certificate nominating [Dawson] Turner as FLS.

They will arrive in Norwich on 17 [July 1797], notwithstanding any further obstacles. Thanks for account of 'Saxifraga', which [William] Withering requested him to enquire about, who wanted to know where [William] Hudson's 'S. caespitosa' was from. Thanks for 'Scirpus multicaulis', though as yet does not see it as being truly a 'Salisburia'. Many errors in printing of his and [Samuel] Goodenough's paper on 'Fucus' in "Linnean Transactions", blames Goodenough. Hopes to meet [Thomas] Velley when they come to Norwich.

Encloses certificate proposing Lord St John as FLS. Received visit from [Thomas] Velley; discussed his and [Samuel] Goodenough's joint paper on 'Fucus'. Praises second fasciculus of [John] Stackhouse's ["Nereis Britannica"], but criticises his plan to form several genera based on microscopic observations, as Hedwig did with mosses, as being too "minute & intricate for general observers"; his own proposed criteria for separating 'Fucus' genera. Chases up copies of his and Goodenough's paper and [James] Sowerby's "Fungi".

Replies to Smith's letter of 2 October [1797]. Account of Mrs Manning's [Woodward's mother-in-law] suspected severe inflammation of the lungs, which she overcame at age of 73. He has suffered attack of gout in his right hand. At Smith's request examined all his specimens of 'Bromus' and finds that a "ciliated" "inner value" appears in the "coarse, rough" species, but not 'B. giganteus', observations on this; also examined his 'Festuca' specimens for same; observations.

Sorry for "sad account" of Mariamne Johnes, hopes Smith's attendance on her will not incovenience him too much.

Thanks for Smith's letter of 4 November [1797]; pleased by account of favourable turn in [Mariamne] Johnes condition; recommends book just published in Paris detailing similar cases, "Observations sur la nature et sur le traitment du Rachitisme, pur M. Poral". Steady recovery of Mrs Manning [Woodward's mother-in-law], in spite of her old age.

Reexamined all his 'Bromus' specimens and found that 'B. erectus' is ciliated; notes on this. [John] Stackhouse has a new 'Medusa' for Smith, and a nondescript bird with description for Linnean Society [see RelatedMaterial below]. Glad Oxford has a professor "more liberal minded" than [John] Sibthorp; "mysteries & secrets in scientific matters never answer any other purpose than to hurt the character of the person who deals in them". Thinks the 'Tordglium maximum' and 'T. officinale' must be erroneous, knowing that the habitats given for them are the same place.