MANNING GOES TO CALCUTTA.
"For my part I take a deep interest in the fate of this very amiable young man, both on account of his mild character and the energies of his mind, and I shall feel infinite obligation to you, Sir, and to the Court, if my application has any effect in deciding them to grant the favour he solicits."
Thus strongly recommended, Thomas Manning went out to China in one of the Company's ships, in 1806, and took up his abode in the English factory at Canton. Auber mentions that, in February, 1808, Manning made a trip from Canton to Cochin China. Charles Lamb continued to correspond with his "old adventuring friend, who had gone to wander among the Tartars," during the time of Manning's residence at Canton, which lasted from 1807 to 1810.
The Select Committee at Canton addressed a letter to Lord Minto, the Governor-General of India, dated 19th February, 1810, in which they introduced Mr. Manning, who was about to proceed to Calcutta, and who had been permitted to reside in the Company's factory, at Canton, during the previous three years. "The object of this gentleman's visit to China," they said, "has been to qualify himself, by studying the Chinese language and customs, to explore the country. In these pursuits he has made considerable progress, but finding his ultimate views impracticable from this quarter, he proceeds to Calcutta, and will personally explain his future plans. As we consider Mr. Manning eminently qualified for the task he has undertaken, we anxiously hope your lordship will not consider it improper to afford Mr. Manning every practicable assistance in the prosecution of his plans, and this we beg to solicit in his behalf."
Accordingly, Mr. Manning proceeded to Calcutta, and the
This letter is preserved among the records of the India Office. It is printed in full, together with the reply of the Court of Directors granting the permission sought for, in ' China : an Outline of its Government, Laws, &c.,' by Peter Auber. (London, 1834.) Mr. Auber mentions Manning as one of many doctors who applied to go to China in 1806, through Sir Joseph Banks, with a view to exploring the
interior.
