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These Papers consist of a single document - a handwritten manuscript with label, 'Notes on China and the Chinese'. This label also reads 'Read 7th April 1847. This is inaccurate - the General Meeting Minutes of the Society record that Sir George Staunton read the paper from the Reverend George Smith at the meeting of the 17th April 1847. The manuscript relates details of geography, politics, education, religion and culture. The manuscript is dated London, April 7th 1847 in the same hand as the creator and 'Read 17 April 1847' in a different hand.

Correspondence and Papers written by Captain Thomas John Newbold between 1842 and 1849. The majority of the correspondence is from Newbold to Richard Clarke, the Secretary of the Royal Asiatic Society. The Papers were mainly sent by Newbold to be read at the Society or published in its Journal.

These Papers were all produced in the compiling of the A Catalogue of the Paintings and Drawings in the Royal Asiatic Society, London. which was published by the Royal Asiatic Society in 1991. The material includes a manuscript proof, correspondence connected to the artworks of the Society, correspondence and lists for compiling the index, and notes and articles which Head collected and collated during his research.

'Instructions of the Chinese Government to the Merchants trading with the Russians'. The document was communicated to Sir George Staunton by James Brogden Esq., M.P. who received it from Russia. Staunton then presented it to the Royal Asiatic Society and it was read at the General Meeting on 20 December 1823. it is listed in the Society's Catalogue of English Manuscripts as IV. No.2 and according to the description on p.64 of the catalogue, the document is:

"Secret Instructions of the Great Empire of China to the Company of Traders of the interior Provinces trading to Kiachta (Kyakhta) with the Russians confirmed by the Emperor on the 5th day of the 3rd moon of the 57th year of his reign...

"This paper (which was given to Sir George Staunton by Mr Brogden, who received it from Russia) contains twenty four regulations for the government of the trade carried on at Kiachta (Kyakhta) between the Russians and Chinese.

"The first rule recommends harmony among the merchants to prevent the foreigners getting the advantage.

"The second directs that each merchant shall communicate the information he received to the head of the company, that general instructions may be issued for the guidance of the whole body.

"The third to eleventh principally contain hints for keeping down the prices of the Russian traders, and enabling the Chinese to sell at higher rates in proportion.

The twelfth to the sixteenth relate to the conduct of the Chinese Merchants in their intercourse with the Russians, and the remainder detail the punishments (generally severe) to be inflicted on those who are guilty of infraction of the preceding ordinances."

With the actual document is a cover sheet with the title and details of its presentation; also a label identifying the document as IV No.2 in the Catalogue of English Manuscripts.