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.

This manuscript is an autograph letter in Claude de Loynes d’Autroche’s hand. The MS1 (ii.31–33) is accompanied by the writer’s fable ‘Le Berger, le chien et les loups’. The MS features the 8-stanza epistle ‘De Gex’ that expresses a sullen discontent over the hurdles of indirect taxation afflicting the country. The body of the letter reflects on the recent unsavoury political events unfolding in France, speculatively having something to do with Jean-Frédéric Phélypeaux, Comte de Maurepas.

Voltaire opens by saying that when he asked Marie-Anne de Vichy-Chamrond, marquise Du Deffand to urge her friends to speak to Maurepas, it was not for fear that it would do him harm. He turns to the recent appearance of some scandalous letters, asking if the duchesse du Maine is angry that he put Newton above Descartes, or if the duchesse de Villars will react badly to his treatment of her innate ideas as chimeras. He then turns to the Jansenists, whom he says want him to burn for certain of his theological ideas that he published whilst in London. He adds that his English publisher found him very moderate. He goes on to say that he had thought to leave France forever when he gave Tiriot permission two years ago to print this work, and that he has since changed his mind, adding that it is unfortunate that the letters appear in France when he most wants to stay there. He concludes by saying that he does not know if he will return to France. He asks her to send any letters for him to Paris opposite St Gervais as they will find him, asking that she marks her letter (for example with ‘DD’) so that he can easily identify which letters come from her.

Voltaire writes that he has been accustomed to all misfortunes, but not yet to that of being entirely abandoned by Thiériot. He says that Madame de Bernières, Madame du Deffand, and the Chevalier Desalleurs should come and see him. To do so, they should just ask permission from Mr. Héraut or Mr. de Maurepas.

Voltaire writes that he thought his ‘little works’ would amuse the recipient in their solitude, so he sent them to him on 5 April to Bordeaux to be passed from there to the recipient. Voltaire notes that he has since learned that there have been many cases of ‘infidelity’ in these sorts of shipments and that such parcels are seized at the barge so he adds that he has written to M. Ravenau to ask about this and will report back to the recipient of the letter when he returns to Paris. Voltaire concludes by saying that if he can do the recipient any service through his friendship with de Maurepas, the recipient should only ask him and Voltaire will ensure that he is not forgotten.