The letter is incomplete as the beginning is missing. Voltaire writes that, while waiting for the Berlin package, there is a little joke with which d’Arnaud can feast on with Frederick II of Prussia; he ran very unfaithful copies. Voltaire asks for d’Arnaud’s opinion on this matter and adds that he should learn news from Catilina, a tragedy Voltaire would publish in 1752. He concludes by saying that he still has no news of the English packet, and adds that he awaits with impatience Frederick II of Prussia. In a postscript, Voltaire states that he will be in Cirey for the entirety of January and would be glad if d’Arnaud could write to him.

Voltaire asked Hersch to purchase bonds on his behalf. Voltaire gave Hersch notes to do so and in return Hersh deposited jewellery with Voltaire for security. Finding a more favourable deal elsewhere, however, Voltaire withdrew from the deal and Hersch was subsequently arrested. In this document, Hersch presents his side of the story, stating that Voltaire had been spreading lies and seducing the public with misinformation.

Bürden sends Goethe some of his theatrical works, which he hopes might be of use for the Weimar Theater. He notes that he was requested by Iffland to make a translation of Voltaire’s Alzire, but that he was not happy with it when it was performed in Berlin. This, he suggests, is why Goethe is receiving a new reworking from him. He then references Rousseau’s “small piece of intrigue”, which he says deserves Germanisation.

Frederick remarks upon how busy he is, claiming that many matters require his attention at present. He goes on to note that he will no longer be shocked after what he has witnessed during this monstrous century, writing that his books from Berlin are his only consolation. Frederick then mentions the works he has been reading, notably Charles Batteux’s Les Beaux-arts réduites à un même principe (1746), before discussing a series of literary figures including Nicolas Boileau, Virgil, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Jean Racine, Homer, Pierre Corneille, Joseph de La Grange Chancel, Claude-Prosper Jolyot de Crébillon, and Voltaire.

In the mémoire, Voltaire claims that his Histoire Universelle has been disfigured by Jean Néaulme in Berlin and Duchesne in Paris. He notes that it is not his fault if there have been unworthy popes, bad princes, and bad bishops, and neither is it his fault that people at court are ignorant. He asks the recipient to get rid of the existing copies of the work if possible, and asks to make public the purity of his conduct before the King, adding that he is threatened with an outburst from the Archibishop of Paris.

Voltaire begins by saying that whilst they await the paquet from Berlin, he is sending the recipient a small funny thing with which to treat Frederic II of Prussia, adding that very unfaithful copies of it have been circulated. He instructs Baculard d’Arnaud to give him his thoughts on the trifle, and give him news of his tragedy Catiline. He ends by bidding farewell to Baculard d’Arnaud and noting that he will be in Cirey for all of January. In an addition to the copy of this letter used for the Besterman edition (BNF, MS f.fr. 12941, p.305), Voltaire also notes that he knowns nothing more of the paquet from England and awaits with impatience news of Frederic II, ending his letter with the line: ‘vous serez bien aimable de m’ecrire’.

Voltaire opens the letter by saying that he is writing to Richelieu on behalf of Louis-Antoine de La Porte, noting that he hopes to see de La Porte soon in Berlin so that he may be shown around the beautiful cellars. He adds that he is very happy to see a Frenchman rule the domains of the King of Prussia and that he is especially delighted that it is de La Porte. Marie-Louis Denis [née Mignot] [née Mignot] then writes that she always sends him her letters to Mr. Cartier and asks that he give her news as much as he can. She notes that herself and Voltaire lead a ‘very sweet’ life in their ‘lovely retreat’ and that they wish him all kinds of prosperity. She adds that she hopes they will meet in Paris as she relies on his friendship.

The document gives Voltaire the power to receive arrears owed to him in France.

Voltaire writes that he received Rolt’s letter yesterday, despite it being dated December, detailing two mistakes which meant that the book that accompanied the letter had not reached Voltaire for some time. He adds that he had read Rolt’s ‘curious history’ with great pleasure, noting that he is a good patriot and a faithful historian. He ends by saying that he hopes Rolt has received due praise in England for the work.