Letter from Thomas Manning to William Manning from Canton. He writes about the letters that he received. He has earned some money translating Company edicts but is glad not to be employed by them but is willing to let them aid his pursuits. He then writes his opinions of the war between France and Spain, and England's involvement, and about the capturing of the Danish fleet. The English fleet has been expelled from Macao, it was a tense time with firing on both sides. He gives a listed assessment of the situation. His beard is now a foot long. Handwritten, 4 sides. Dated 1 March 1809

Letter from Thomas Manning to William Manning from Canton - "in my own rooms at the English factory given me this morning". He arrived in Canton the previous day and George Staunton had said that an American ship was to leave Canton the next day; hence the letter. He had been called upon to give medical help to a Chinese servant with a cut elbow, followed by dinner at the Company table - roast beef, potatoes and vegetables recalling ideas of old England. He is tired and the next day will breakfast with Mr Barry, a merchant, for whom Mr Crabtree had given Manning a letter of introduction. They arrived by open boat - with some worries about pirates but had arrived in Canton safely. He writes about the weather and concludes with a note to say the servant is much improved so Manning has proved he is of some use already. Handwritten, 4 sides. Dated 14 January 1807

Letter from Thomas Manning to his brother, William Manning. He writes to introduce Mr Berry who will bring the letter and with whom Thomas enjoyed hospitality in Canton. Mr Berry will be able to tell William whether Thomas is off to Cochinchina. Handwritten, 1 side. Dated 23 February 1808

Letter from Thomas Manning to William Manning from Canton. "All our attention has been absorbed for these last two months by a Contestation between the Supercargoes & the Mandarins respecting delivering up a man for having killed a Chinese. With this letter he encloses an account of the affair. This has stopped them leaving for Macao. He had been to a lavish entertainment by one of the Chinese security merchants which he describes. He is happy and writes that there is much to be learnt in Canton but the Europeans do not learn it because they do not know the language. "We are as babies under nurses" Manning writes of the Europeans and their inability to communicate or look after themselves. "I have no patience with this blustering and huffing in India & licking the dust here". There is a postscript concerning Edward Sheen, the "mock culprit" and concerning the receipt of a letter from his father. With this letter are a letter from J Crabtree to William Manning writing that he is enclosing Thomas' account of the affray at Canton and also asking that Mr Young will now organise sending his letters to China as Crabtree is going to America. There are 2 accounts of the fight between the English crew of the Neptune and the Chinese on 24 February 1807. Hand written, 4 pieces, each 4,4,1 and 4 sides. Letter dated 22 April 1807, postscript 28 April 1807, Accounts dated 16th April 1807, Crabtree letter dated 25 February 1808

Letter from Thomas Manning to William Manning from Canton. He writes that he lives in a most advantageous insulated condition but is making some progress in the languages and has learnt some things only obscurely or not known at all by Europeans. He writes of his time in Macao where they go each summer and he can converse with the French and with English. He is glad he is fluent in French. There are some pleasant English women. It has been discovered that he can sing by notes and therefore has been pressed to take part in concerts. He has sent his luggage to the river ready to embark to go to Cochinchina. Handwritten, 3 sides. Dated 26 February 1808

Letter from Thomas Manning to his sister, [Susanna] from Canton. He writes of receiving letters from other family members and the length of time they have taken to reach him. He writes of his aborted plans to go to Cochinchina. He is pleased with his progress in Chinese having a Chinese scholar to teach him. He hopes when he returns to England to inspire some young men to return to China to complete what he has started. The king of Siam has arrived in Canton and he hopes to dine with him and see if he can join his retinue. He writes about the Spanish conflict and says he has written some songs which when sung at table were prodigiously applauded. Handwritten, 3 sides. Dated 29 September 1809 See TM/9/8/12 for one ballad

Letter from Thomas Manning to William Manning from Canton. He has finally received a letter from his father along with one from his brother, Edward, and another from Crabtree. However much of the letter is taken up with complaining about not receiving letters and trying to explain how best to send Mail to him. He writes that he was downhearted at Christmas but joined in the festivities at New Year. He is sending Mr Woodward "some curious seeds by the Sealeby Castle under the care of G. Staunton". He is sending his father some "supernaculum tea for the rectory". It is directed to Mr Lamb who will pay the duty and then Edward can pay him. Handwritten, 4 sides. Dated 6 January 1808

Letter from Thomas Manning to William Manning from Canton. He writes that the recall of the fleet that was despatched means he can write again with news that he thinks his father and friends at Diss will find gripping. After the fleet had sailed the Chinese had changed their demands regarding Edward Sheen but a boat was despatched to the fleet which returned. The Chinese then changed their demands and there are hopes it can be amicably settled. Manning had been to dinner at a retired Chinese merchant's house with Mandarins, English, Chinese merchants, Mr Chalmers the Swedish chief, some other Swedes and Danes and the Spanish chief. He tried so many new dishes - bird's nest soup with soy, deer's sinews & biche de mer - that they upset his stomach and he has had to dine on roast beef, mutton & chicken & boiled potatoes ever since. He praises Macao, 80-100 miles to south of Canton. Handwritten, 3 sides. Dated 7 May, 1807

These 4 letters concern Abel Yen's service to Manning and the use of his dictionary.

• Letter from Abel Yen to Thomas Manning after his recommendation by Elphinstone. He mentions Elphinstone and Ball and the dictionary in his possession. Undated, handwritten in Latin, 1 piece, 1 side
• Note from Abel Yen to Thomas Manning to accompany his dictionary. Undated, handwritten in Latin, 1 piece, 1 side
• Letter from Abel Yen to Thomas Manning. He mentions a letter from Ball. Undated. Handwritten in Latin, 1 piece, 1 side
• Letter from Abel Yen to Thomas Manning. Undated, Handwritten in Latin, 1 piece, 1 side.