Voltaire thanks de Crassier for the partridges and asks him to do him the honour of coming to Ferney to eat them with him. He adds that the household will work hard to finish the Château so that they might receive de Crassier there. Voltaire concludes the letter by noting that he had, at first, only thought to invite six gentlemen who were done an injustice, but adds that since he has the honour of knowing de Crassier it is him that he will serve.

In this letter, the writer conveys admiration for Monsieur’s extensive and intricate work in astronomy, particularly in the study of comets and their interactions with planetary bodies. They contrast Monsieur’s impressive achievements with their own less successful attempts at scientific and literary pursuits, expressing frustration at past injustices and current trivialities in the literary world. Despite these challenges, the writer finds solace in practical work on their estate, highlighting a preference for the tangible results of agriculture over the often unrewarding efforts in literature. The letter concludes with a respectful acknowledgment of Monsieur’s contributions and a personal reflection on the rewards of practical endeavour over intellectual ambition. According to T. D. N. Besterman, ‘Caussy, p. 33, is mistaken when he says that MS1 is dated ’27 avril 1759”.

In this letter, the writer expresses admiration and gratitude towards the recipient for their generous efforts in addressing a grave injustice. They condemn the harsh and unjust punishment of two young men based on trivial accusations, noting the absurdity and cruelty of their treatment compared to historical cases of injustice. The writer believes that the recipient’s intervention will bring about a just resolution and is confident that influential figures like Monsieur le Comte de Maurepas will support this noble cause. The letter concludes with a heartfelt plea for the recipient’s continued efforts in the pursuit of humanity and justice. According to T. D. N. Besterman, the foliation is 103.

Voltaire discusses Molière and Shakespeare. Voltaire writes that everything that de Champfort has written about Molière is worthy of him and the fine century in which he lived. He notes that de Champfort has rightly shown the injustices that were shown towards this ‘philosopher of the theatre’ and that de Champfort has skilfully passed over the obstinancy with which a débauché refused to bury a wise man. He adds that Archbishop Chamvalon dies soon after Molière and was buried pompously to the sound of bells and with beautiful ceremonies but that Louis XIV had great difficulty in preventing Molière’s body being thrown in the garbage. He notes that there was a comparable English scenario a hundred years before whereby the English constructed a magnificent monument in Stratford to Shakespeare, who Voltaire denigrates as being incomparable to Molière in both art and manners. He says that games in honour of Shakespeare have just been established in England and celebrated with extreme magnificence, with there being tables to seat a thousand people. Voltaire complains that genius is not encouraged in France with such profusion, noting that those that have sought to enlighten France have been greeted with persecution. He makes brief mention of Martin Fréron and Pierre Corneille before thanking de Champfort for sending him his work and concluding that it deserved the prize it had won. The letter is addressed to Mr. Renard, bookseller at the palace, for him to give to de Champfort.

Voltaire writes that the cardinal owes his fortune to letters. He notes that the cardinal’s reflection of the dedication to the academy is very fair, but asks the cardinal to consider that the academy, rather than wanting Voltaire to soften the picture of injustices suffered by Peter, would instead want him to charge it. Voltaire asks if he might send the cardinal his comments on the pain parts but worries about how the cardinal would send these comments back to him as they are considerable and lengthy to transcribe. A photographic or contact reproduction of the MS is available in the Besterman Collection, Geneva.