The manuscript is an autograph letter featuring a décima written in honour of the priest Jeannot. Praising Voltaire’s literary prowess throughout the letter, Kansquer mentions his travels in Europe and Vernay and expresses his hope to have the good fortune of eventually seeing Voltaire in person. The author includes a poetic portrait of a good parish priest Jeannot who had recently passed away, procuring a funeral oration from Cambry de Kansquer.

Pöllnitz discusses his preparations for a meeting with Lieutenant General Prince Christian August von Anhalt-Zerbst, Prince August Wilhelm von Braunschweig-Bevern and Prince August Wilhelm von Preußen on 21st June. He then provides details of the funeral procession to be held for the late King Friedrich Wilhelm I of Prussia.

A detailed account of Voltaire’s final moments, his death, and his funeral, including a description of the manner in which his body was emblamed and dressed and how his body was transported.

In the letter dated 24 April 1775, Thomas writes that the ‘patriarch of Ferney’ [Voltaire] speaks at ease about envy, noting that ‘it is Apollo who speaks on the body of the serpent Pithon struck down at his feet. But the teeth of the monster are terrible, and not everyone has the arrows of the god. I wish you one of the arrows from his quiver. It is up to you to irritate the monster and to defeat him.’
In the letter dated 7 July 1775, Thomas writes that he was astonished to see his private letters printed in the Mercure as they are not suitable for the public eye. He quips that ‘Mr de Voltaire alone can have this right; all that escapes from his pen, can interest, and his praises become titles.’
In the letter dated 14 July 1778, Thomas deplores the circumstances of Voltaire’s funeral, and the prohibition of publicity and theatrical representation that followed his death.
In the letter dated 6 February 1779, he discusses the eulogy of Voltaire proposed by the academy, arguing that it must ‘awaken all the talents’ because ‘in celebrating him, one must speak his language, and verses worthy of him are the most beautiful homage.’