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Letter from Thomas Manning to William Manning from White horse fetter Lane (London). He writes that he has been hunting for the Captain of the Thames, East Indian Company boat, on which he will go to Canton. Captain Riches is a Suffolk man and he wonders if he is related to his friend, Mrs Riches. If his father finds that she is, would he ask for a letter of recommendation for him. He has laid in supplies of medicines and will take good care of himself, though he writes his legs are rather swollen after much walking. Handwritten, 3 sides. Dated 21 [April 1806]

Letter from Thomas Manning to William Manning from [Greek] Street, Soho. He writes to tell his father that his passport has to go in the dispatch box to the King; that it probably won't be looked at until Tuesday and may be he should have written to "George Rex" to tell him he was in a hurry. He will travel to France by the Diligence and will write from Calais unless he is asleep as he passes through. Handwritten, 2 sides. Postmarked 1801

Letter from Thomas Manning to William Manning from Newport, Isle of Wight. He writes about surveying land in Hampshire with a friend who is looking to buy; of the journey and stay in the Isle of Wight; and journeying on to Fareham, near Portsmouth. Handwritten, 3 sides. headed Newport, Isle of Wight. Dated by another hand, 6 May 1801, Postmarked May 1801

Letter from Thomas Manning to his brother, Edward Manning from Redbourn, [Hertfordshire]. He writes asking Edward to imagine the house in which he is staying with Mr Lau and describes the house, garden, Mr B with his broad Northamptonshire dialect. Handwritten, 2 sides. dated 13 October 1818

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 Chateau de Serrant. He writes that he is prisoner in Serrant as the order has been sent for him to be detained. But he would rather be detained with his friends than a prisoner in Paris. He states: "Everybody in French detests the war". Handwritten, 2 sides. Dated 7th June, 1803

Letter from Thomas Manning to William Manning from Chateau de Serrant, Loire Valley . He writes about his days at Serrant teaching English to Madame de Serrant and her sister, Caroline, playing billiards with her brother, talking politics with Monsieur de Serrant, playing with the children and sitting by the fire. They have offered for him to stay until the end of the year but he thinks he will only stay for a month or two. His brother William has written of a possible companion in his Asiatic research and Thomas is contemplating engaging a pupil and travelling overland to Petersburgh that winter or early spring. He concludes by writing that he was to escort Lady [Clavering] to Serrant but her husband, Sir James, had deranged the plan they concocted. Handwritten, 3 sides. Dated 22 April, 1803

Letter from Thomas Manning to William Manning from Chateau de Serrant. He writes that he has been given permission to return to Serrant but not to leave the country, suggesting that English men are detained in France so they may not join the military. He will try to leave France, some people are given permission to travel in other parts of the Empire. He mentions a letter from his brother, William, with praise of one of Thomas' friends. Handwritten,3 sides. Dated 21 October, 1803

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

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