Letter from Thomas Manning to William Manning from Cambridge in which he writes about his ill health which has prevented him from writing sooner and affects his appetite and spirits. It is a disorder of the heart and arteries but not too serious. His doctor, Dr Davy, advises sea-bathing. He also has a nervous fidgety feeling that makes it difficult to write. However his illness does not prevent him from going to Balls though he moderates his dancing. He received his father's letter by Boston and is obliged to Mr Woodward. Handwritten, 3 sides, dated "Sunday morning"
Letter from Thomas Manning to William Manning from Cambridge. He writes about the end of term and hoping to visit Diss in January. He has been unwell but "5 grains of Dr James' noble powder expelled the enemy". He had been to a dinner to celebrate Dr Cousons [moving]; political speculations show anxiety towards Russia and Prague. Handwritten, 3 sides. Dated by a later hand as December 1800
Letter from Thomas Manning to William Manning from Dover and Boulogne. He writes about waiting for his crossing, visiting Dover Castle, his tedious company. From Boulogne he writes about sorting his baggage, one chap falling in the water; his quarters having a blazing wood fire over which he breakfasts. Handwritten, 4 sides. Dated Monday 4 January, 1802
Letter from Thomas Manning to William Manning from Brennen (Brunnen), Lake Lucerne, Switzerland. He writes to his father of his trip through Switzerland, including Basle, the Rhine falls, Lucerne, Berne travelling by foot, horse and diligence. Handwritten, 3 sides. Dated Brennen Sunday 25 July [1802], Berne Friday morning 30 July [1802]
Letter from Thomas Manning to William Manning from Paris. He writes that another autumn has come and he is still in France but he has put to good use, learning not our of books but "out of crawling things called men. - when I have seen the interior of China, I shall be a consummate politician". He is well treated by the Government but is not pleased by Dr James Crawford running away and writing an impertinent letter to the Minister of War - it caused anxiety amongst the Englishmen still in France. The grapes have ripened and are cheap; preparations for the coronation are underway for 18 brumaire (9 November). He asks his father about shooting and jokes that he should ask to go to England to shoot with him but since game is abundant in France he doesn't think that the promise of a leash of partridge would be sufficient to let the Minister of War give him a passport. Handwritten, 3 sides. Dated 27 September 1804
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 William Manning from Calcutta. He writes of his frustrated attempt to get to Pekin whilst in Canton giving some of the reasons why it could not be accomplished. The suggestion has been made that it tries to go via Tibet and letters have been sent for him and he has other private letters with him. He had a good passage though was without convoy and therefore fearful of being taken in the Bay of Bengal. He has numerous dinner invitations including to Sir William Burroughs. He dined the previous evening with Mr Palmar, the Banker. "Turban on his head, beard over a foot long. all eyes staring at me". He has rented a spacious house on the circular road and justifies it by claiming it is necessary so he stays healthy and can study. There are some missionaries in Calcutta who claim to know something of the Chinese language but they have it wrong which he has tried to explain so that their translations of Confucius are map of mistakes. He is waiting to sail for Madras. Handwritten, 4 sides. Dated 28th April, 1810
Letter from Susan (Susanna) Manning to Thomas Manning. She will send the parcel he has requested to White Horse Fetter lane. She is sorry that he has suffered from the impediments. Her brother William is staying and they all join in prayers for health and safety. Handwritten, 1 piece, 1 side. Dated 15th April 1806
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