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'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.

Letter from Captain Thomas John Newbold to Sir George Thomas Staunton in which he writes that he is returning to India after two years in Syria, Palestine and Asia Minor. The fine climate of Syria has improved his health. He intends returning to India through Persia. He sends with the letter copies of inscriptions to be presented to the Royal Asiatic Society. He writes to warn that a parcel of his had been lost last December. He writes of his thoughts on archaeology after the success of Messrs Layard and Botha at Nineveh. Please note that part of this letter is over-written by Newbold - the writing being both horizontally and vertically on the page.

Letter from Geoff Salter, Hampshire County Library, to Raymond Head to enclose information regarding the pictures and articles that were in the house of George Staunton, Leigh Park House, Hampshire, in 1836. He asks whether any in the list match those in the Royal Asiatic Society's Collections. A photocopy of the list is with the letter. The list bears some handwritten annotations of items that are or were in the Society's Collections.

Letter from Susan Sloman to Raymond Head to discuss William Alexander and George Staunton. She sends a copy of an article from The Connoissuer with her letter and suggests a catalogue on William Alexander which might also be helpful. The article is with the letter - "Lord Macartney's audience with the Emperor of China" by Susan Legouix from the Connoissseur, February 1979, pp.122-127.

Letter to the Royal Asiatic Society to deposit the "original Credentials to the Emperor of Japan and the King of Cochinchina; and which are authenticated under the Great Seal of Englan , and the sign manual of King George the Third". These credentials should have been given to the respective officials on the Macartney Embassy in which Sir George Leonard Staunton was involved. The letter is incomplete and sent by a son (presumably Sir George Staunton), dated January 18th 1836. Handwritten, 1 piece 2 sides. Donation is recorded in the Donations Register under 6th February,1836.

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.