When I heard they were taking down all the Ultima games on Gametap, I downloaded all the included manuals. I hope reposting it isn't illegal or anything...
http://404notfound.googlepages.com/ElectronicArts_UltimaI_UserManual_c2.pdf
Replacement Docs has a copy, too, but the fonts are slightly messed up in that version.
Since you brought up the Ultima Collection, let me suggest a few things to make the experience a little more enjoyable.
Exult is a new engine for running Ultima VII parts 1 and 2, and it's pretty much the best way to play the two games. It includes a few new features as well, such as the Serpent Isle-style paper dolls for Black Gate: http://exult.sourceforge.net/
For Ultima IV, you can get the xu4 engine to run it: http://xu4.sourceforge.net/
Ultima IV also has this graphics update to give it 256-color textures with a few other extra updates: http://www.moongates.com/u4/upgrade/Upgrade.htm
Ultima IV, by the way, has been released as actual freeware (not just "abandonware"). For anybody else reading, you can grab it off the xu4 download page.

It sounds like you bought the Ultima Collection, all the manuals, including quick-reference cards, should be on-disc in several formats.
Good luck with 1-5. 6,7,and 8 were the only ones I ever had the guts to play, but man were they worth it.

I have the Ultima Collection on CD somewhere on the shelf behind me, one of the few titles I purchased at release day.
I've made it through #1and #4 easy enough, but it took ages to get to the end game, forced myself to learn via trial and error. Good times :)
I did attempt a start at #2 early on in this year, lots of frustration, lots of using the manual! Never got too far unfortunately.