Laments [James] Currie [(1756-1805), physician and author] and Clarke, who both died shortly after Smith left Liverpool. Remarks on positive change in character of his son, James, following his return to Allerton after long absence [training under Samuel Taylor of Norfolk, farmer]. Thanks for Smith's letter of observations and specimens; convinced his system will withstand criticism but has struggled to write dissertation on it.
Has learnt via [William Fitt] Drake that after receiving a "very violent" letter from [Richard] Salisbury, Smith has terminated all further intercourse; [Roscoe] glad Salisbury has shown himself publically, thus making the split justifiable and proper.
Reports on unexpected docking of "The Investigator" at Liverpool on way to Plymouth, and encounter with the two naturalists [Robert] Brown and [Ferdinand] Bauer [(1760-1826), botanical artist]; their collections could not be opened or seen but informed they found only one Scitamineae, an 'Alpinia'. Smith has a start on them with "Exotic botany".
Postscript on left-hand side of verso of first folio: returns "valuable specimen" of the "Arur. Cardamom", keeping the other specimens for present.