Renouard writes that he has spent four years working to raise a literary and typographical movement to the great man [Voltaire] who, despite some mistakes, will always deserve the respect and recognition of men of letters and true philanthropists. He adds that he will publish 60 octavo volumes of Voltaire’s works that include 180 engravings and portraits, noting that this edition cannot be compared to any previous attempts. He speaks highly of the quality of paper used for the edition, adding that though he was not the manufacturer of it it was created according to his instructions. Renouard also praises the typographic elegance of the work, which he credits to the talents of Georges-Adrien Crapelet. He notes that what makes this edition new is the multitude of corrections made in the text to dates, proper names, and citations, attributing some errors of previous editions to Voltaire’s copyists or secretaries. Renouard cites a series of such errors, referencing a letter from Louis XIV of France, a letter from Henry IV of France, and the correspondence of Frederick II of Prussia. He concludes by asking the recipient to subscribe to a number of copies of his new edition.

Voltaire begins by saying that he is very sensitive to the kindess of Jacob Bouthillier de Beaumont, but that he does not want to abuse it, saying that he will only claim to receive his 6500 livre tournois when it has been paid. He adds that time is short and he will gladly wait. Voltaire concludes by asking to be notified when the bills of exchange have been paid, and apologises for the sheet of paper on which he is writing being cut.

Voltaire asks Luise Dorothea, Herzogin von Sachsen-Gotha-Altenburg to permit him to write to her on such a small piece of paper because he fears that a larger package for ‘him’ passing through Franfurt will give ‘temptations to the curious.’ He therefore says that he takes the liberty of passing through her hands ‘things which are surely not worth the trouble but they may acquire some price when your serene highness has condescended to transmit them in his envelope.’ He calls her both a confidant and a protector and says that she will probably send him the answer, as ‘There are cruel things happening in this world. There are also some fun ones.’ He concludes by noting that all he can say with certainty to ‘V.A.S.’ is that the French have used their money badly.