Charles Augustin Feriol, comte d’Argental complains about the behaviour of the unknown male recipient of the letter. He writes that the recipient’s last letter surprised him and that he felt hurt by his behaviour, noting that he hopes the recipient will not destroy an enduring friendship in a single day and remarking upon his surprise that the recipient could turn so quickly from tenderness to indifference. D’Argental concludes by writing that the cold and dry style the recipient had adopted did not suit either his mind or his heart and he would like an explanation as to his changed behaviour, ending the letter by saying that he will spare the recipient, but what will not spare them is the shame. In his notes on this MS, Theodore Besterman suggested that ‘it would be tempting to identify the “meilleur ami” as Voltaire, but the “quinse ans” makes this impossible.’ The letter is unsigned.

Voltaire discusses Alzire and his tragedies, stating that he has spent a lot of time correcting them before daring to present the publicly. He concludes that a bookseller must be interested in an author who works carefully on their books.

Prault writes that he has deferred replying to Voltaire’s last letter [D8704] because he fell out with the editors of Receuil D1 who wanted to include the libellous piece that Prault wanted to remove to protect Voltaire’s reputation. He claims that the editors wanted this piece printed in other collections and that he protested against this (to no avail). Prault then notes that he visited D’Argental three times, knowing him to be a friend to Voltaire, but that he never found him at home, finding him there on a fourth visit. He begged for D’Argental’s help, he notes, and D’Argental promised to do so. Prault then notes that he visited Malesherbes, explaining to him that he had the rights to Voltaire’s libellous work because he had bought it from his father, and showing Malesherbes his correspondence with Voltaire outlining his commitment to prevent the piece from being published. Malesherbes told him to order the printers not to print the collections, and to see the censor to recommend that he did not approve the documents if they were sent to him.

Prault writes that he has already had the honour of writing to Voltaire about his tragedy, Tancrede. He adds, however, that his letter must not have arrived because he has not had a reply, and that he has asked D’Argental about it and he always says he is awaiting a reply from Voltaire. Prualt then states that a man he does not know had offered him a copy of the tragedy to print and sell, and that an agreement was made. When the copies arrived, Prault writes that he took some to D’Argental, whom he instructed not to give the copies to anyone or else Prault would denounce him. Prault concludes by saying that the copies have been thoroughly checked for errors, and that he hopes Voltaire is happier with this copy than the previous one.

Voltaire begins by saying that since he saw the new edition by Etienne Ledet he is more determined than ever to provide Prault with a copy that will be useful and honourable to him. He adds that Prault can depend on the protection of d’Argenson, and on his own zeal, noting that he would be angry if only foreigners benefitted from his works and if the Paris bookseller whom he esteems the most has only useless offers of service from him. Voltaire then discusses his essay on Molière, before asking if it is true that his epistles and the beginning of his Siècle de Louis XIV have been published. He notes that he would like to be sent copies if this is the case.