The manuscript comprises a draft of a “lettre en vers,” adorned with two poems framing the main body of the letter. While the poetry, adhering to the customary style of the 18th century, extends compliments and praise to the recipient, the letter’s substance delves into Voltaire’s work Siècle de Louis XIV (1751) and the tumultuous events unfolding in Paris, spurred by Joseph Omer Joly de Fleury. It also references D2632, an autograph letter from Frederick II, king of Prussia (the Great), to Voltaire (François Marie Arouet), penned from Potsdam on Tuesday, 7 August 1742. Moreover, in MS1, Voltaire inadvertently omitted a verb in a sentence, which should have read ‘Je vais pendant les trois ou 4 jours que je.’

Voltaire begins by saying that he read de Missy’s last letter with great pleasure, as did Émilie du Châtelet, about whom de Missy had composed a poem in the said letter (see D2539). Voltaire, in turn, composes a verse in honour of de Missy. He concludes by saying that he will spend two or three months in France before returning to Brussels where Émilie du Châtelet’s great trial will keep him for at least two years. He adds that he will put off until that time any further discussion of literature and an Enligh universal history. He begs de Missy to continue his friendship for Voltaire, adding that he was touchd by his last letter.

The letter is interspersed with poetry. De Missy writes that after reading Voltaire’s last letter four times, he had begun to reply only to realise that Voltaire had left Brussels for three months without telling him where he could write to him. He goes on to discuss devotion and religion, which he notes Voltaire calls less human than nature, arguing that nature is intended to make us know, love, and imitate the humanity of God. He writes that he thought it was superstition that Voltaire contested, and that he was doing what the devotees do by stripping religion of superstition. De Missy goes on to say that he will make a confession of faith that would not scandalise Voltaire, but that may annoy him, and that perhaps there is more sin in annoying one’s neighbour than in scandalising them. He then discusses the books Voltaire had asked him for, saying he had found German editions of the books of Wotton and Pancirolle but not English ones as Voltaire had requested. He then asks for details about Voltaire’s new tragey (likely Mahomet) which he has been told is very beautiful. He asks if the play has been printed and, if so, where it can be found. De Missy then turns to his own health and that of Voltaire, entreating him to work without tiring himself.

Voltaire opens the letter by saying a small trip has prevented him from replying to de Missy’ last letter (D2659) sooner. He writes that he has just learned that Mahomet has been printed in Paris under the name of Brussels and that this addition is not only incorrect but made from an inaccurate copy that was stolen from him. He therefore states that he is in need of a real copy that is printed and would be delighted to send a copy to de Missy to this end. He says there will be some delay, however, as his copy of the work is in Paris. In response to de Missy’s request for order to give the bookseller, Voltaire writes only that he prints Mahomet and his other works correctly. He asks de Missy to recommend a bookseller who sells l’histoire universelle and to have the sheets from the Babylonian captivity to the last sent to one Jean de Cleves, a banker in Brussels, who will pay for them. He ends by saying that he is in a country that is very unphilosophical as the people speak only of cavalry and fodder.

Voltaire writes that he is concerned for de Missy’s health as he has sent him two packages, one from Brussels [D2684] and another from Paris [D2691], but has heard no news from de Missy. He asks de Missy to write to him at St Honoré.