Letter from Thomas Manning to William Manning from Paris. He is being detained in Paris and is cross as the "old Kitchen tongs", but hoping to be able to go back to Serrant. The weather is very dry and the Seine low. There are few English in Paris "We are exceedingly well off as prisoners... Let us hope there will shortly be a peace". Building works are being carried out in Paris and other parts of the Empire; the Venus de Medicis has arrived. Handwritten, 3 sides. Dated 14th September, 1803

Letter from Thomas Manning to William Manning from Paris. He has not received any letters for 6 months, nor written any except to his father. He gained permission to return to Paris and is one of the few English who have not been made prisoner of war in Verdun. He asks for his father to write as soon as he receives this letter. Handwritten, 1 side. Dated 12th January 1804

Letter from Thomas Manning to William Manning from Paris. He is sending the note by private hand; he still hasn't heard from his father. He is in good health and permitted to remain in Paris. Handwritten, 1 side. Dated 28 February 1804

Letters from Thomas Manning to William Manning (father) and William Manning (brother) on same piece of paper. To his father he writes about finally getting a letter from his father; of cold weather in Paris for April; that he is "perfectly well & unmolested"; that Paris is calm but the trials for high treason will commence soon; not to believe surmises and conjectures in the papers pretending to come from high authority. To his brother he bemoans that he doesn't write; asks how he and his brother Edward are; how the college (Cambridge) is getting on now Dr Davy is Master. He remarks he has opportunity for studying the French character and muses on France and England and impossibility of really comparing places. Handwritten, 3 sides. Date 19th April, 1804

Letter from Thomas Manning to William Manning from Paris. He writes that another autumn has come and he is still in France but he has put to good use, learning not our of books but "out of crawling things called men. - when I have seen the interior of China, I shall be a consummate politician". He is well treated by the Government but is not pleased by Dr James Crawford running away and writing an impertinent letter to the Minister of War - it caused anxiety amongst the Englishmen still in France. The grapes have ripened and are cheap; preparations for the coronation are underway for 18 brumaire (9 November). He asks his father about shooting and jokes that he should ask to go to England to shoot with him but since game is abundant in France he doesn't think that the promise of a leash of partridge would be sufficient to let the Minister of War give him a passport. Handwritten, 3 sides. Dated 27 September 1804

This correspondence covers the time that Manning spent in France, mainly in Paris and at Chateau de Serrant. It holds historical interest because Manning was held in France at the outbreak of the Napoleonic Wars and the letters include both official and personal correspondence dating from that time. They are arranged into 4 Sections:

TM/3/1 Official correspondence and documents TM/3/2 Personal Correspondence TM/3/3 Calling cards and invitations TM/3/4 Diligence information

These are official documents which allow Manning to move around in France during the time of the Napoleonic conflict with England. There are also drafts of letters from Thomas Manning requesting permission to travel in France and to return to England.

Letter from Le Ministre de L'Interieur to Thomas Manning, Hotel de Paris, replying on behalf of the Premier Counsul concerning Manning's letters to him regarding his intention of going to China, dated 6 ventose an 11 (25th February 1803) 1 piece, 2 sides. Also handwritten copy of the letter, 1 piece, 1 side

Notification from État-Major Général, ay Quartier général, à Paris stating on the orders of the Premier Consul that Thomas Manning should leave Paris and go to Serrant. This order replaces any previous orders. Signed by A Junot. Dated 6th { ] an 11, (dated in another hand as 9 September 1803). Printed document with handwritten details. Also has in margins a note from Belville. 1 piece, 1 side

Letter from Girardon, Général de Brigade to Thomas Manning to request that he attends the Ministre de la Guerre on his return to Paris. Handwritten, dated 2 frimaire an 12 (24 November 1803). Handwritten, 1 piece, 1 side