From G. E. Smith   10 December 1829

My dear Sir,

Having long since received through M ^r. Baxter of the Physic Garden Oxford a very kind offer from you to supply me with specimens of Mespilus Cotoneaster which offer I appear to have treated with neglect, I looked today through my very poor set of duplicates for a few reasons for acknowledging the kindness, in a form which allows me to introduce myself to you without ceremony. There is little here in this packet excepting Cyperus longus, worthy your notice: the seeds are few indeed: but I have had no leisure to pursue botany during the past season― in the previous one I was still an Invalid― and being besides remiss in drying specimens, my stores are inconsiderable, & have been already much decreased. Yet I may hope to do more, & have the promise of opportunity: & requesting you to consider this, Fasciculus primus, and not, as the form generally runs "a specimen of the work," I beg of you to acquaint me fully of your desiderata, in species to be collected in this country, and to believe me willing to do my best in your service.

Should you ever be able to spare a duplicate of any Cambridge plants, of which I have no one individual, may I name Stratiotis aloides, Papaver Cambricum, Malaxis paludosa? I name the last because you have the happiness to be its new-discoverer, but not with any hope to become possessed of a specimen of so rare & local a plant. I am devotedly fond of Orchideæ, & have specimens of all but the very rarest.― Thus I turn an acknowledgment into a petition, & blush in doing so.

Had I not heard of your kindness to all who love science I should have hesitated longer. But now I am emboldened by your own challenge to commence a welcome duty, and be valued by, my dear Sir, | yours respectfully & gratefully | Gerard E Smith