Letter from J Elphinstone to Thomas Manning. Manning had recommended Abel Yen and his dictionary. He wishes Manning will for his trip to Cochinchina (Vietnam). Undated [1808] Handwritten, 1 piece, 1 side

These 4 letters concern Abel Yen's service to Manning and the use of his dictionary.

• Letter from Abel Yen to Thomas Manning after his recommendation by Elphinstone. He mentions Elphinstone and Ball and the dictionary in his possession. Undated, handwritten in Latin, 1 piece, 1 side
• Note from Abel Yen to Thomas Manning to accompany his dictionary. Undated, handwritten in Latin, 1 piece, 1 side
• Letter from Abel Yen to Thomas Manning. He mentions a letter from Ball. Undated. Handwritten in Latin, 1 piece, 1 side
• Letter from Abel Yen to Thomas Manning. Undated, Handwritten in Latin, 1 piece, 1 side.

Note from Manning to Mr Larkins to request the use of his China Dictionary and reply from Larkins to Manning. Undated, handwritten, 1 piece, 2 sides

These are a mixture of personal and official letters from Manning's return to England in 1817 until his death. Highlights include correspondence with the East India Company concerning possible employment of the Chinese men that Manning had brought back with him, letters regarding spying in the Napoleonic Wars and letters of introduction for Manning's time in Italy

These letters concern the possible employment of the two Chinese men who had come to England with Thomas Manning, and ask for help with the cost of Manning's expenses regarding these gentlemen. These date from 1817-1818.

Draft letter from Thomas Manning to the Directors of the East India Company concerning the Chinese man he has brought with him and whether the East India Company would have reason to employ him. Written From Dr Tuthill's, 13 Soho Square, the letter's postscript has the words "stupid letter" in Manning's hand. Dated 1817. Handwritten, 1 piece, 3 sides

Letter from Thomas Manning to the Chairman and Deputy Chairman of the Honorable Court of Directors of the East India Company asking for help with defraying the costs of 2 Chinese men he has brought from Canton - one, a literary Chinese, to help with his studies; the other, a native of the province of Honan, who speaks the language with the greatest purity, as a servant but also he thought would be of use to East India Company men at the College preparing to go to the factory at Canton. He estimates that the costs he will incur are £1000. Undated [1818], Handwritten, 1 piece, 3 sides

Letter from Joseph Dart, Secretary at East India Company, to Thomas Manning. This letter informs him that the Court will not undertake to defray any expenses Manning has incurred in bringing the Chinese men to England and that they have no need of them at the College. Dated 8th January 1818. Handwritten, 1 piece, 2 sides

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

Stanislas Aignan Julien (13 April 1797 – 14 February 1873) was a French sinologist who served as the Chair of Chinese at the Collège de France for over 40 years and was one of the most academically respected sinologists in French history. This correspondence is mainly concerned with Thomas Manning trying to source Chinese books for Julien.