"Ballad. Written at Macao" This poem is about Spain and hope for Britain and Spain to ever be united. Handwritten, 1 piece, 3 sides See TM/1/2/3 when he writes of composing this piece

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.

Draft letter from Thomas Manning in Macao. Written in Latin Dated 1808

"Extrait de la Menerve Francaise Mac (Macao) 1819" Passage in French about the French army. Handwritten, 1 piece, 1 side

Letter from [Robert Morrison] to Thomas Manning from Macao, China. He is responding to Manning's letter inquiring whether he could purchase some Chinese books for Manning's Parisian friends. He will inquire of the booksellers and send a list and then they can send a money order next season. He mentions that Ball has never written and that the political situation in China remains difficult. His son John is making good progress with Chinese. Signature has been cut from the letter. Dated 11 February 1832. Handwritten 1 piece, 3 sides

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 Canton. He writes that he lives in a most advantageous insulated condition but is making some progress in the languages and has learnt some things only obscurely or not known at all by Europeans. He writes of his time in Macao where they go each summer and he can converse with the French and with English. He is glad he is fluent in French. There are some pleasant English women. It has been discovered that he can sing by notes and therefore has been pressed to take part in concerts. He has sent his luggage to the river ready to embark to go to Cochinchina. Handwritten, 3 sides. Dated 26 February 1808

Two copies of a letter from Thomas Manning to William Manning from Macao. He writes that his expedition to Cochinchina was totally unsuccessful because they hadn't left enough time and also they had come across the survivors of a China Nepal wreck which they rescued (at his insistence) and put down in Turon. He had been with the fleet to the Paracel Islands and seen the wildlife. He is making progress with his study of Chinese. "I have discovered the nature of the tones. I can speak. I can read. I am sure of being able to pursue the study of Chinese books in Europe". He had received a letter from his sister Fanny and one of these copies also has a note to his sister which is subsequently crossed out. Handwritten, 2 pieces, 4 sides, 4 sides. Dated in another hand 18 August, 1808

Letter from Thomas Manning to William Manning from Macao. He writes on 20 June, 1807, that he had travelled to Macao down the river in junks for two people and his companion was George Staunton. Since arriving in Macao he has been absorbed with mathematics and a train of thought concerning equations, so much so that he has not been out and is only stopping to write the letter because he had heard that a boat was leaving for Bombay. The letter continues on 1 July saying he had just received a letter from (Charles) Lamb. He then proceeds with instructions on how best to send letters. Manning finishes with a postscript declaring himself "vext and mortified" because the boat that had brought Lamb's letter had brought many for other Englishmen but not for him. Handwritten, 3 sides. Dated 20 June - 1 July 1807.

Letter from Thomas Manning to William Manning from Macao. He writes that troops have been landed at Macao to protect it from the French but the Chinese have not given their consent. The Chinese and English bully each other but Manning surmises that the Chinese laugh, because the Company will not risk the trade. Nobody can travel to Canton. Manning thinks all the other foreigners are waiting to see the English "worsted", He has received letters from his father and a parcel from his brother, Edward. He has adopted Chinese/Cochinchinese dress. "I wear a long robe, loon drawers, nankin boots & a black fine crepe turban. Vastly comfortable in the hot weather & so becoming with my long beard". Handwritten, 3 sides. Dated 1st Monday [5] in December, 1808