Voltaire opens the letter by saying that he sends Bordes a war. He adds that the Archevêque d’Auch, Jean-François de Chatillard de Montillet-Grenaud, will be unhappy, but that an archbishop should not make a mandate for defamatory libel. Voltaire ends by asking Bordes to share any news he receives.

Voltaire begins by saying that he is afraid of making himself ridiculous because of memoirs, but that he is reassured of the public good by two words given to him in writing by Davenel. He goes on to say that he mistook Jorri’s printing house for that of Josse because of Davenal’s poor spelling. Josse, he continues, is a Jansenist printer and a determined rascal. He therefore asks Feydeau de Marville to be able to maintain these individuals when his orders have provided for their safety. Voltaire next discusses Bienvenu’s innocence, stating that a boy of Lormel, a ‘little rascal’ has raised false claims to divert suspicions from his master. He then writes of La Mazuel who insists that she did not know who sold her the copies of a work. He concedes that this may be true, adding that what is certain is that she is miserable and worthy of pity if she and her husband has not printed the works of Desforges. Voltaire suggests that a visit be paid to the man who was denounced by Phélizot, recommends the Abbé Desforges and reports that a new libel was sold the previous day at the palace on the subject of the academy. Feydeau de Marville has added notes to the letter detailing arrests and searches to be made at booksellers and printers, and stating that Maurepas is opposed to the release of the widow Bienvenu.

Voltaire begins by saying that his greatest pain is to receive no news from Thiériot, adding that several of his friends are talking to the Chancellor and everyone serves him [Voltaire] except for Thiériot. Voltaire adds that he does not even know whether or not Thiériot sent a copy of the libel, which Voltaire claims is more against Thiériot than himself, to the prince.

Voltaire notes that he does not know why Mr. Marquis du Châtelet wanted to write to Thiériot (a reference to D1762) and Mr. de la Popliniere. He adds that such a letter was not necessary, but Monsieur and Madame du Châtelet are such lively and respectable friends, that they prefer to do too much than too little. He also makes reference to a letter from Madame de Berniere (D1759), noting that everyone did their duty. He argues that his friendship with Thiériot assures him that Thiériot’s letter will supersede all of the aforementioned correspondence, but concedes that it is 15 January and he is yet to hear from him.

Voltaire then provides Thiériot with the opening lines of a letter he received from Charles Porée on 4 January 1739 [D1741]. In these lines, Porée remarks that he would not forgive himself if he had been cowardly enough and treacherous enough to ever betray in public or in particular the feelings of respect, esteem and friendship that he has for Voltaire.

Voltaire ends the letter by saying that this is how friends behave, adding that he is sure Thiériot’s heart does not need an example and that he looks forward to hearing from him.

The collection includes a copy of a letter from Voltaire to Albrecht von Haller, baron Haller dated 13 February 1759. In the letter, Voltaire sends a certificate [wanting] to introduce Grasset who wishes for recipient’s protection. He then discusses a text printed at Lausanne which represents an abominable libel against the Moors, religion etc. He adds that he thinks recipient should refuse a protection to such a rascal, noting that the author of the libel is a man named Verlecke or Leveche, formerly teacher of M. Constant, and is minister of a village near Lausanne

Voltaire writes of a concerning matter that require expeditious justice. He notes that 2,000 defamatory libels against ministers, the Marquise du Châtelet, and other respectable persons have been printed under the title of his alleged works. Voltaire adds that if he was not sick, he would have spoken to Mr de Marville already as he is in a position to tell him the names of the booksellers, the number of associate, the number of copies they have left, and their store. He asks Maurepas to take action, and ends with his best wishes for the new year.

Jean Frédéric Phélypeaux, comte de Maurepas writes that he is sending a letter that he has just received from Voltaire, which contains a matter about which Maurepas believes he should consult with Feydeau. He adds that Voltaire talks about libellous writings, noting that he knows enough of Voltaire’s sensitivity to criticism and his fear of pamphlets to suspect that these libels concern Voltaire more than any writer, and that Voltaire will want them suppressed. He asks Feydeau to return Voltaire’s letter to him.

This is a libellous account of life at the Prussian court that insults Frederick II of Prussia. It was variably attributed to La Beaumelle and Voltaire.

In the letter, Voltaire writes that it has been three or four years since he last cried and he had hoped his old eyes no longer knew the weakness but, after Marie Louise Denis left him last, he wept as he was mourning her departure and her stay. Voltaire adds that the atrocity of what Denis has suffered is what upsets him, and questions whether a Lady of Paris (Denis), travelling with a passport of Frederick II, King of Prussia, could really have been dragged into the streets of Frankfurt by soldiers, and taken to prison without any trial, maid, or servants when her only crime was to travel two hundred leagues to convey a dying uncle to the Eaux de Plombières. He notes that is is sad for Frederick II to have not yet repaired the indignity committed in his name. Voltaire then turns to his own misfortune, saying that he had been arrested by Frederick II in order for him to get back his book of poems that he had left to Voltaire as a pledge of his goodness and a reward for Voltaire’s care. He notes that he would have returned the volume if he had been asked and that it was not worth having an old man imprisoned for. He bemoans Frederick II’s actions, writing of the many years of cordiality and friendship they had shared, and wondering how Frederick II can repair the damage done to Denis. Voltaire writes that he has sent back letters here for Madame Denis, noting that one from Madame de Fontaine was not consoling as it referred to Voltaire as Prussian, a claim he adamantly denies. He then acknowledges that some letters written against him have been erroneously circulated under Frederick II’s name, adding that Frederick II would not have written such letters as he is too aware of how to write properly given that he is King. He ends the letter by stating his wish to die in Denis’ arms, ignored by men and especially kings.

Prault introduces himself as the son of a man who has printed some of Voltaire’s work, claiming that he has now established a business separate from his father, after his father gave him all of Voltaire’s writings that he had. Prault claims that he is ready to publish a volume titled Receuil D1 which would contain various historical pieces by Voltaire. He writes that he sent a copy of the Receuil to the printers without reading it and, before sending it out into the public, thought to check a copy. He found a libellous work that he has attached for Voltaire to view, stating he is happy to cut this out to save Voltaire’s reputation. He concludes by saying that Voltaire should not worry about this work getting out into the public as he will burn every copy to protect him.