Voltaire updates his “dear old friend” on his condition and what he is doing with his life. He begins by saying “We have both begun to be up in age, where it must be carefully addressed to save the rest of the machine.” He then jokes that “I bet that you are drinking wine and champagne while I am drinking milk.” For the remainder of the letter Voltaire talks about how he is translating a Spanish work, he talks of his commentaries on certain works, and he shares some gossip about mutual friends. Voltaire concludes by asking for forgiveness for not writing in his hand, adding that he is extremely weak.

Voltaire complains about the ‘bad sketch’ that Richelieu made d’Argenson read. He adds that he has included a petition for a Champagne gentleman named de Riaucourt, lieutenant in the batallion of St Dizier, whose father had just died. He writes that the widow and seven children had had a trial in the principality of Joinville and, in order to pay the attorney, they have to sell chickens at market for twenty sous. Voltaire notes that to pay for justice they die of hunger. He concludes by asking d’Argenson to protect him from Richelieu and adds that Emilie du Châtelet sends her compliments.