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Letter from Thomas Manning to William Manning from Chateau de Serrant. He writes that he has been given permission to return to Serrant but not to leave the country, suggesting that English men are detained in France so they may not join the military. He will try to leave France, some people are given permission to travel in other parts of the Empire. He mentions a letter from his brother, William, with praise of one of Thomas' friends. Handwritten,3 sides. Dated 21 October, 1803

Letter from Thomas Manning to William Manning from Chateau de Serrant, Loire Valley . He writes about his days at Serrant teaching English to Madame de Serrant and her sister, Caroline, playing billiards with her brother, talking politics with Monsieur de Serrant, playing with the children and sitting by the fire. They have offered for him to stay until the end of the year but he thinks he will only stay for a month or two. His brother William has written of a possible companion in his Asiatic research and Thomas is contemplating engaging a pupil and travelling overland to Petersburgh that winter or early spring. He concludes by writing that he was to escort Lady [Clavering] to Serrant but her husband, Sir James, had deranged the plan they concocted. Handwritten, 3 sides. Dated 22 April, 1803

Letter from Thomas Manning to William Manning from Chateau de Serrant. He writes that he is prisoner in Serrant as the order has been sent for him to be detained. But he would rather be detained with his friends than a prisoner in Paris. He states: "Everybody in French detests the war". Handwritten, 2 sides. Dated 7th June, 1803

Letter from Thomas Manning to William Manning from Dover and Boulogne. He writes about waiting for his crossing, visiting Dover Castle, his tedious company. From Boulogne he writes about sorting his baggage, one chap falling in the water; his quarters having a blazing wood fire over which he breakfasts. Handwritten, 4 sides. Dated Monday 4 January, 1802

Letter from Thomas Manning to his brother, Edward Manning from Redbourn, [Hertfordshire]. He writes asking Edward to imagine the house in which he is staying with Mr Lau and describes the house, garden, Mr B with his broad Northamptonshire dialect. Handwritten, 2 sides. dated 13 October 1818

Letter from Thomas Manning to William Manning from Newport, Isle of Wight. He writes about surveying land in Hampshire with a friend who is looking to buy; of the journey and stay in the Isle of Wight; and journeying on to Fareham, near Portsmouth. Handwritten, 3 sides. headed Newport, Isle of Wight. Dated by another hand, 6 May 1801, Postmarked May 1801

Letter from Thomas Manning to William Manning from [Greek] Street, Soho. He writes to tell his father that his passport has to go in the dispatch box to the King; that it probably won't be looked at until Tuesday and may be he should have written to "George Rex" to tell him he was in a hurry. He will travel to France by the Diligence and will write from Calais unless he is asleep as he passes through. Handwritten, 2 sides. Postmarked 1801

Letter from Thomas Manning to William Manning from White horse fetter Lane (London). He writes that he has been hunting for the Captain of the Thames, East Indian Company boat, on which he will go to Canton. Captain Riches is a Suffolk man and he wonders if he is related to his friend, Mrs Riches. If his father finds that she is, would he ask for a letter of recommendation for him. He has laid in supplies of medicines and will take good care of himself, though he writes his legs are rather swollen after much walking. Handwritten, 3 sides. Dated 21 [April 1806]

Letter from Thomas Manning to William Manning from Tavestock Hotel (London). He writes he is about to leave for Portsmouth and has settled everything to his satisfaction. He is worried they will lose their passage and not arrive in Canton till winter. He is indebted to Mr Crabtree for his assistance, beyond the usual kindness of intimate friends. He asks his father to tell his sister, Fanny, that he has not forgotten anything. He finishes "I am exceedingly well, but not calm". Handwritten, 2 sides. Postmarked 7 May 1806

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