Seven Autograph Letters Signed and the unsigned first part of an eighth letter, all to his second son Charles John Manning (1799-1880); also a manuscript transcription of a memorial tablet to him.

The collection is lightly aged and in good condition. Letter One (12mo, 3 pp), Oxford, 1 November 1827, signed 'W: M.': Begins by saying that he will be pleased to join Charles 'in the Lodging you propose or any other more to your mind - I had not fixed upon any plan, but thought once of being at Ellis's Hotel - (the Colonial Club House, St. James St.) Your proposal, however, I like much better.' He will 'much prefer being in the Regent Street on late Nights in the Ho. of Commons [Manning was also a Member of Parliament], as I found Wimpole St. rather too far last winter.' Thanks him for the information about Mrs Lennox, apologises for his inattention to 'Mr. Connant's request'. Thanks him for sending Lord Rendlesham's game to two persons. Letter Two (12mo, 3 pp), ' Hill', 11 November 1827, signed 'W: M.' Charles 'did not appear to have heard of the Grand Signior': 'it is fortunate however that the Company escaped so well - & I am very thankful for Maria's escape'. Manning has 'seen the Duke of Wellington since Church who has given me many particulars of the engagement with the Turkish Fleet'. Discusses plans for a visit London. 'The Duke was very gracious & invited me to dinner tomorrow to meet a large party but we had made our arrangements & I was obliged to decline'. Letter Three (12mo, 1 p), 4 February 1830, signed 'W: M'. Discusses 'an accommodation to Nurse Pring to have permission to remain in New Bank Buildings & to give up her Lodging at Woolwich': 'I cannot offer her board WAges but she may partake of anything left from our Table'. Letter Four (12mo, 3 pp), Combe Bank, 20 July 1831, signed 'W: Manning'. He does not 'feel inclined to risk a Letter of so much importance to Sir Richard Jackson who may have left Scotland before it gets there'. Instructs Charles to make a purchase for Miss Elizabeth Hughes. 'As John has sent me all the Letters for Signature I shall perhaps not go up tomorrow but Henry will do so & he will take this Letter'. Charles will 'receive from Henry one of the printed particulars from Mr Christie'. Letter Five (12mo, 2 pp), Combe Bank, 21 July 1831, signed 'W: Manning'. Giving instructions for banking transactions. Letter Six (12mo, 1 p), 4 October [no year, but c. 1833], Upper Gower Street [to which Manning moved following his bankruptcy in 1831], signed 'W: M-'. Small hole caused by breaking of wafer resulting in loss to one word. Discussing his wife's age as stated on an insurance policy. Letter Seven (12mo, 1 p), 'Bank 12 o'Clock', signed 'W: M'. Marked 'private'. He has just learnt 'that Mr: Turnor has left his Widow £3000 a Year, & to Edmunda [the wife of Manning's eldest son Frederick] £1000 a year for her Life - ample provision perhaps £30,000 to each of his younger Children'. The transcription of Manning's memorial tablet is on one side of a 4to leaf of laid paper watermarked 1834. Good, with one 3 cm closed tear. Docketed in bottom left-hand corner 'Tablet erected in Sundridge Church | Febry 1836.' Praises Manning's 'meekness, purity, benevolence and unwearied endeavours for the welfare and happiness of all around him', which 'will be long remembered by an extensive circle of grateful friends, but chiefly by his own Family, who deeply feeling their bereavement, desire to record by this Tablet, their reverential and pious affection for the best of Fathers -'. This supports Cardinal Manning's evaluation of his father's character, on which doubt has been cast by the author of his entry in the Oxford DNB.