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 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 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 to Thomas Manning from Roberts, Resident of the Select Committee at Canton. He writes he has received his seven letters. He is not sure whether he will see Manning before he leaves China but offers to help in any way during Manning's absence from China. Undated [1810], handwritten, 1 piece, 1 side

Letter from Thomas Manning in Canton to "Domine", Chao Sien Seng. He writes about returning to Canton after having been in India and Lhasa. Handwritten in Latin, dated 28 December, 1814, 1 piece, 1 side

Four notes from J.W. Roberts to Thomas Manning concerning items for translation by Manning. Undated. Handwritten, each of 1 piece, 1 side, 1 side, 2 sides, 2 sides.

Note to Manning from [W Pearson] asking for him to vaccinate some children. Undated. Handwritten, 1 piece, 1 side

Letter from Thomas Manning to William Manning from on board the Pellen headed from Canton to Bengal. He promises to write more fully but is quite well and in a good way. Handwritten in pencil, 2 sides. Undated but postmarked London 18 Jul, 1810

Thomas Manning lived in Asia from 1807-1817, mainly in Canton and Macao. But he also tried to reach the interior of China via Tibet. The correspondence covers this period and is of both official and personal nature.

Letter to Thomas Manning from the Mr and Misses Wilkins. The father and three daughters each write in turn expressing their joy at receiving Manning's letter and their concerns for his health, wealth and happiness. One mention a parcel arriving from Canton and wonders whether these are the pencils that Manning had mentioned in his letter (see TM/5/4). Handwritten, dated Newnham, 12 April 1808. 1 Piece, 3 sides