Thanks Smith for hospitality during visit to Norwich in November. Sends list of queries on genus 'Brownea', for Smith to answer and return.

Sent [John] Davies at Cambridge a bank post bill for £45 of the money collected for [Richard] Relhan's herbarium. Printer of "Linnean Transctions" has no copy to proceed with unless Smith sends his paper on 'Mentha' or Persoon's; current volume about 160 pages; desireable but not necessary for future volumes to be of a similar size.

Asks whether Smith would not prefer to have his note on 'Mentha' printed in "Linnean Transactions" as a separate paper, or with the extracts from the minutes; asks Smith's opinion of his proposed list of books donated to the Library. Subscription for [Richard] Relhan's herbarium is now at £91 10s, including the 3 guineas mentioned in enclosed letter by [John] Symmons [extant]; asks Smith's opinion of the letter; he himself is against applying again to those who have already subscribed.

[Copy of letter from John Symmons to Alexander Macleay, dated Paddington-house, Lonndon, 5 December 1799] After being informed by Revd [John] Davies that the subscription for Relhan's herbarium was lacking £14 of the required £100 he applied to Lord Valentia [George] Annesley and Mr Alderman Hibbert, who have both added an extra guniea each, as he has himself.

His recent visit to Norwich. Stayed with [Dawson] Turner at Yarmouth, Norfolk, noticed that the variety in Mr Downe's garden was much reduced. Saw Mr Reeve and young Mr Reeve at Lowestoft, Suffolk. Also visited Ipswich, Suffolk, and Harwich, Essex. Consulted by Lord Bessborough [Frederick Ponsonby (1758-1844) 3rd Earl of Bessborough] and the Cavendishes as to the "bathing places", recommends Lowestoft and comments on "how tired they grow of all their fine houses!". Enjoyed "The Heir at Law" at the Playhouse but complains of the "scandalous"behaviour in the lobby. Has enjoyed Smith's recommendation of the poet [Albrecht von] Haller [(1708-1777)]. Reminds Smith of their agreement to "keep no letter tally".

Hopes Smith will be able to get the "Flora [Britannica]" out by next spring, as planned. Has been unable to look through the "Greek Botany". Could not find 'Arabis stricta' at St Vincent's Rock, Bristol, but did observe 'Gentiana amarella', 'Geranium sanguineum', and both 'Lichen dioica'. Hopes Smith is able to quash all feuds in the "subscription library". Ireland is currently "perfectly quiet". Confirmed in his suspicions that the "Dutch expedition" would not succeed, "the very idea of forcing a government on a nation is intolerable" [Anglo-Russian invasion of Holland, campaign of 27 August 1799 to 19 November 1799 during the War of the Second Coalition, to promote an uprising by followers of the former stadtholder, William V, against the Batavian government].

The same as JES/COR/3/54.

Replies to Smith's letter of 9 August 1798. Working on long delayed paper [on cattle]. Spent time in Fifeshire, Perthshire, and Roxburghshire last year, found no new acquisitions but saw 'Oenanthe fistulosa', 'Sison inundatum', 'Pilularia globulifera', 'Convallaria polygonatum', 'Euonymus europaeus', 'Utricularia', roots of 'Serapies longifolia', 'Valeriana diocia'.

"Flora Britannica" much anticipated. Recently received specimens from Lady Ashburton, in Devon, of 'Scilla autumnalis', 'Convolvulus soldanella', 'Colyledon umbil.', 'Crithmum maritimum', and species of 'Geranium'. Natural History Society of Edinburgh recovering from late treasurer, Mr Cunningham's, insolvency and loss of their funds; they have committed all funds and secretaryship to himself. His solitary mode of life. Smith's labours on British grasses will be much appreciated. Thanks for specimens from Smith.

Encloses paper for the Linnean Society [on cattle].

Thanks Smith for sending mint plants; if number 11 of the mints is easily procured he would like it to complete the set. Hopes the people of Norwich are raising subscriptions for relief of the poor "at this distressing time", as is happening here; his sister and Mr Dixon have set up a soup shop at Henham selling it at 1d a quart. Encloses plates of his 'Peziza [cuticulosa]' [extant] for Smith to send Persoon, will search for specimens.

Plate of 'Peziza cuticulosa'; description and engraving.

Convinced that the fructification of what they believe is 'Cycas revoluta' is new to England and possibly Europe; did not see it flower but makes observations on its leaves and fruit; Mr Poulter sent Smith half of one of the fruits, will send more of the fruits himself unless Smith visits soon. One of his daughters is painting the fructification. Asks how to transmit the information to Linnean Society as Linnaeus' only says a few words on the 'Cycas' genus. Will pay for a painter to make an image of it if necessary.

Flattered by Smith's intention to visit Farnham, which he can undertake at anytime, though Mr Poulter is visiting next week should Smith wish to promote the botanical purpose of the visit.

Thanks Smith for his recent visit to Farnham and for his observations on 'Cycas [revoluta]' and other plants. Infers that 'Cycas' is dioecious from Bauer's painting of a male plant at Vienna and the lack of the corculum in his seed. Shall put aside a specimen of the seed and frondeal leaf for the Linnean Society, thanks for account from [Carl Peter] Thunberg. Thanks Smith for Cape seeds.

Sending first part of second volume of his "Species plantarum", asks if Smith received the first volume and diploma of Society of Natural Scientists. Was unaware that Smith had named a genus 'Persoonia', in honour of [Christiaan Hendrik] Persoon; he also named a genus after Persoon in his "Species plantarum", proposes alternative 'Marshallia' for his, in honour of L B Marshall of Biberstein. Sending article from "Transactions of the Natural Scientists".

Sending second part of second volume of his edition of "Species plantarum", containing classes 'Dodecandria', 'Icosandria', and 'Polyandria'. Third volume, to follow shortly, will contain 'Didynamia', 'Tetredynamia', and 'Monadelphia'. Discusses various species of 'Carex' still under dispute, including 'Carex montana', 'C. leporina', 'C. canescens', 'C. globularis', 'C. ovalis', 'C. paradoxa', 'C. dioica', 'C. reflexa'.

Promises specimens of 'Chara tomentosa', 'Heracleum augustifolium' and 'Euphorbias platyphyleos' in the future. Thanks Smith for assistance in translation of the synonym in 'Fontinalis minor'. Has added 11 new plants and habitats since "Flora Bedfordiensis" came out: 'Ruscus aculeatus', 'Bryum uniberbe', 'Byrum viridulum', 'Marchantia conica', 'Lichen graniformis', 'Lichen tessellatus', 'Lichen coarctatus', 'Lichen haematomma', 'Lichen cerinus', 'Lichen rimosus', 'Lichen awreus'.

Has had no acknowledgement of the parcel of his books and fungi he sent to [James] Sowerby nor the letter to Smith containing paper on beech tree. Plans to dedicate the second part of his "Mycological observations" to Smith ["Icones et descriptiones fungorum minus cognitorum.."?]. Offers to send fungi for Smith and Sowerby. Has edited [Carl Peter] Thunberg's "Dissertations".

Missed [James] Sowerby's call at Tredrea, although the poor health of his father prevents it from being a station for long journeys. Pleased that Smith is to finish [John] Sibthorp's work on "Flora Graeca". Pleased with progress of "Flora Britannica", wishes that Cornwall had been previously visited and studied, believes some Cornish plants are at least varities of "those considered as English species".

Thanks for specimens of 'Mentha' and copy of Smith's paper on same [see RelatedMaterial below]; discusses classification of 'M. sativa' and 'M. gracilis'.

Invites Smith to dinner on Friday 3 May.

Lists of various amounts of money, in Smith's hand.

Sending copies of his "Lichenographiae Svecicae prodromus" to Linnean Society, in honour of Linnaeus, and to Sir Joseph Banks and [Jonas] Dryander; details of the work, including species named after Smith. Offers to send lichen specimens. [Adam] Afzelius has safely returned to his native country [Sweden].