The collection contains a mix of manuscript and print items, some of which are in the hand of Prosper Marchand (1678-1756).

Voltaire begins by discussing the work of Alexis Clairaut in the context of Leibniz, Émilie du Châtelet, and Sir Isaac Newton. He concludes by mentioning his prior corresponsance with Clairaut [D8455]. The copyist states that the recipient of the letter is ‘Mr. de Varennes, Receveur des Tailles de Montargin’. Besterman, however, instead notes that the recipient is Philibert Charles Marie Varenne de Fénille.

The author states that they enclose a letter for the recipient to pass on to Jacques-Joseph-Marie Decroix on their behalf. They add that they letter concerns Decroix’s good friend Voltaire.

The verse is against Voltaire and discusses his age, anger, and fears. The author, said to be Dorat, concludes that they pity Voltaire. The verse was quoted in a letter from Marie Anne de Vichy-Chamrond, marquise Du Deffand [née de Vichy] to Horace Walpole dated 15 December 1768.

The author of the document notes that they removed these papers from among the waste papers left at the Chateau de Ferney where tey were called in April 1780 by the father-in-law of the Marquis de Villette, who then became the owner of the property, taking control of the chateau and all of the furniture and effects which were assigned to an Englishman (Mr. Pigott) as tenant. The author adds that they will try to get hold of another little brochure that they saw in Pregay with the certificate and declaration attached. They note that this brochure contained some of Voltaire’s correspondence.