This series contains correspondence between Thomas Manning and his early friends, some of which were lifelong friendships. There are 12 letters from Robert Lloyd (brother of Charles Lloyd, poet); nine copies of letters from Thomas Manning to Charles Lamb, plus two copies of notes and a copy of a letter from Charles Lamb with a further original draft letter from Manning to Lamb

There are 8 letters between Manning and George Leman Tuthill with further later correspondence between Manning and Tuthill's daughter, Laura. There are also 4 letters from W. Baines to Thomas Manning.

The majority of these are later copies of letters written by Thomas Manning to Charles Lamb. The originals are part of the W. Hugh Peal Collection, University of Kentucky

There is one original draft letter from Thomas Manning.

Copy of a letter from Thomas Manning to Charles Lamb from Cambridge. He apologises for his slowness in answering Lamb's letter - he is taken up with preparing a pupil for examination. He hopes to spend time with him in Town in about 5 weeks. He then adds some critique on the title of Lamb's "Tragedy". The Postscript writes that he has added a page of drawings and queer beasts but no record of these is with the copy. Dated 15 December [1799], postmarked 18 December, 1799. The copy is handwritten, 1 piece, 1 side

Letter from Thomas Manning to William Manning from Cambridge. He thanks his father for the offer of sending a turkey (along with cartoon picture of it); he is going to dinner at Dr Davy; he is sorting his skates and asks about whether they are making mince pies. Handwritten, 2 sides. Dated "Cambridge Wednesday" and by another hand as December 1799 or December 1800