Voltaire thanks the recipient for acquainting him with a letter that he wrote to Frederick II of Prussia. He states that it has been two years since he wrote to Frederick, and adds that as their relationship caused much comment it is not unreasonable to assume that the letter is from him. Voltaire notes that everyone in Geneva has advised him to repudiate the letter in the public papers. He asks the recipient to allow him to send him a letter on this matter that he sent to the Duke of Grafton. He concludes by musing on the English press, noting that the liberty of the press is extended a little too far.

Renouard writes that he has spent four years working to raise a literary and typographical movement to the great man [Voltaire] who, despite some mistakes, will always deserve the respect and recognition of men of letters and true philanthropists. He adds that he will publish 60 octavo volumes of Voltaire’s works that include 180 engravings and portraits, noting that this edition cannot be compared to any previous attempts. He speaks highly of the quality of paper used for the edition, adding that though he was not the manufacturer of it it was created according to his instructions. Renouard also praises the typographic elegance of the work, which he credits to the talents of Georges-Adrien Crapelet. He notes that what makes this edition new is the multitude of corrections made in the text to dates, proper names, and citations, attributing some errors of previous editions to Voltaire’s copyists or secretaries. Renouard cites a series of such errors, referencing a letter from Louis XIV of France, a letter from Henry IV of France, and the correspondence of Frederick II of Prussia. He concludes by asking the recipient to subscribe to a number of copies of his new edition.

The text notes that Quintus Curtius made Alexander the Great write a letter to Darius. In the letter, it was remarked that the world cannot endure two suns or two masters and Voltaire questions whether this was actually written by Alexander or not. He quotes Don Japhet of Armenia, the fool of Charles V, before questioning Titus Livius’ habit of attributing speeches to his heroes. Voltaire adds that he would harangue Livius and tell him that if he wants to write history he should tell only the truth. In the conclusion of the passage, Voltaire discusses Thalestris, queen of the Amazons who met with Alexander on the banks of the Tanais and asked him to give her a child.

The variants in this draft were introduced in the Kehl edition.

Voltaire begins by saying that he begs the dear correspondent to post all of the little pocket pistols. He adds that it seems that we do not always pull our powder from the sparrows and that we sometimes frighten the vultures.

Voltaire writes that he entrusts Fabry with the attached letter that the son of Mr. Sedillot son sent him under the envelope of Mr. the controlleur général. He adds that if there is something he must do, he is at Fabry’s command.

König begins with a discussion of his translation of the Figure de la Terre by Maupertuis which had recently been published, adding that he is surprised that the largest critique of the work should come from Maupertuis. He then mentions a letter that he had received from Voltaire in which Voltaire wrote that he had left King Solomon [Frederick II of Prussia] because he loved the Queen of Sheba [Émilie du Châtelet]. König ends the letter by critiquing Émilie du Châtelet’s Institutions de Physique which had been published in the preceding year.

The marquise Du Châtelet begins by saying that she awaits news from Voltaire and that the wait causes her anxiety as she fears that his letters have been intercepted. She then discusses her suspicion that there is a plot to seperate herself and Voltaire, and asks d’Argental for his assistance and guidance on the matter.

The marquise Du Châtelet reports that Voltaire is unwell with a fever and so she consequently did not show him d’Argental’s letter as the news of Rousseau’s return and Desfontaine’s public criticism would upset him too much. She then turns to Lamare, remarking on his attitude towards Voltaire, and adding that she wished his L’Envieux would not be published. She enquires as to whether or not L’Envieux has yet been presented to the actors and asks d’Argental to use his influence to seize the original manuscript from Lamare. Du Châtelet then turns to the correcting of Voltaire’s epistles including L’homme and Le plaisir, which she notes will be sent to Prault. She concludes by deploring the Dutch printers who have threatened Voltaire with public criticism and asks d’Argental to intervene on his behalf.

Du Châtelet comments that Panpan is taking precedence over her today before offering to pay the marquis de Saint-Lambert a visit. She enquires as to whether or not Voltaire had visited him, and concludes by noting that she has only just received his letter.

The letter relates to family affairs. Nathaniel tells his mother that his sister Louisa is content and pleased to attend a dance school, and that he has learned to swim. He mentions his uncles, and notes that he wishes his older sister, Elizabeth, would write to him. A list of Voltaire’s works has been added to the verso of the letter, presumably in his mother’s hand.