The manuscript is an autograph letter written in the hand of an anonymous author. It recounts Jean-Jacques Rousseau’s conclusion of his retreat in Geneva, undertaken in response to a perceived conspiracy orchestrated by David Hume. The letter describes Rousseau’s correspondence with various chancellors, from whom he seeks guidance and protection, as well as a letter sent from Dover to Mr. Louvray requesting permission to relocate to a free country.

MS1 is endorsed ‘Copie’, which is consistent with its appearance. However, the presence of a conjugate address suggests that the letter was originally directed to another recipient, and that this copy was instead sent to Voltaire. In line 7 of MS1, a word appears to be missing: ‘semaines’, following ‘Quelques’.