There are 52 letters mostly written by Thomas to his father. They include letters from when Thomas was at Cambridge, in France, in London, and in Canton, Macao and Kolkata.
Letter from H Robinson, Kendal to Rev William Manning, Diss, Norfolk. He writes of his own illness and recovery and thanks William Manning for the pleasant time he and his niece spent with the Manning family. He has heard via Mr Lloyd that Thomas Manning is now recovered and that he may visit Westmorland that summer. However he has heard that Thomas has plans to travel again, this time to Russia and then on to China. He hopes that Thomas Manning's studies and publications will detain him at home this year. Robinson asks that if Manning publishes by subscription that his name be put to him when William Manning writes to his son. William Manning (son) he writes has finished college and is occupied in altering a house and laying out a garden. Madam Susan and [Miss Phoney] he understands have been in town this spring and hoped they enjoyed Sir Chappelow's house. he writes that when he visited Mrs Manning looked nearly as well as she did in 1796, only more lame. He writes of his own family's health. The rest of the letter is taken with his views of the political situation, both the conflict with France and Napoleon's power and the Roman Catholic Irish problem. He asks to be remembered to Mr B Wiseman. Dated 31 May 1805. Handwritten, 1 piece, 4 sides
Letter from Wiliam Manning to Master (Thomas) Manning. Thomas had gone reluctantly to Yarmouth for the sea-bathing. His father is answering a letter in which Thomas seemed to have expressed that he was not happy. William Manning writes about Thomas' brother visiting the "Ladies at Rollersby Hall", about a fishing trip, the thunder and rain of the last few days, various visitors, of Mr. [Laurents] returning to start school but for Thomas not to worry, his father would send his brother next week or after and in the meantime to enjoy his leisure and not worry about his books - he was far enough ahead. Handwritten letter, 3 sides, dated Diss, July 20, 1785
These letters range from a criticism of Manning';s mathematical work to a family friend writing to William Manning regarding his concern of Thomas Manning's plan to visit China. Of particular note is a draft letter from Manning to Joseph Banks outlining the route of his Chinese studies and plans to travel to China.
Manning Thomas 1772-1840 First Englishman in Lhasa, Tibet