The marquise writes that she strongly spproves of Voltaire’s plan to destroy the infamous lies of a newspaper with a true story. She adds that if Voltaire could send her a copy she would be greatly obliged to him.

Voltaire talks of ‘l’abbé Desfontaines’ whom Voltaire claims owes him everything. He notes that he saved Desfontaines’ honour and life from Bissêtre and suspended his criminal trial, and that he begged Desfonaines to make it public knowledge that Voltaire had nothing to do with a ‘miserable edition’ that had ‘disfigured’ his work. Instead, Desfontaines published his letter without permission and added to it a number of criticisms. What is crueller, Voltaire writes, is that Mr Rouillé, the owner of the bookshop, has been told that La mort de César is the work of a bad citizen, and that it was published furtively by Voltaire to defy the rules established by the Keeper of Seals. He notes that Asselin’s honesty must lead him to refute such claims, asking him to refute the claims in the newspapers and to write to Mr Rouillé and adding that René Hérault no longer interferes with the bookshop.

Frederick writes that the reports in the Paris gazettes about Voltaire’s ill health and Madame Du Châtelet’s not moving from his bedside made him tremble, adding that Voltaire’s letters to him revealed a man that was sorry of life but that nevertheless still loved him. Frederick then turns to news of the war, writing that it was not his brother that was killed but his cousin Guillaume and adding that a number of good subjects, some of whom were close friends, were also killed. He writes that he will soon encounter new hazards and has seen and spoken a great deal about the Maréchal de Belisle whom he describes as akin to Isaac Newton, at least in matters of war due to his amiability and intelligence with which he honours France. He concludes the letter by wishing for good news from Voltaire, assuring him that no one cares more about him than himself.

Voltaire writes that he will remember the good offices of l’abbé de Laville for all the days of his life. He notes that the newspapers did not seem to have the effect that he had feared and that he was given a flattering letter from Mr. Trevor. He concludes by sending his regards to Madame de Fenelon and writes that he hopes to have the honour of seeing l’abbé de Laville again soon.