The work was written in the mid-eighteenth century to celebrate the life and works of Voltaire.

The manuscript is signed original in Marie François L’Huillier d’Orville de Marigny’s hand. According to T. D. N. Besterman, the folios are numbered 402-403. In the letter, the author politely expresses his discontent and upset over Voltaire’s lack of communication, opting to blame the inefficient postal service of the day rather than Voltaire’s intentional disinterest. Throughout the letter, the correspondent recounts his travels, the times of ill health, and the war of 1744, incessantly praising the virtues of friendship. Marigny ends the letter expressing his gratitude for the portrait gifted to him by Voltaire in 1751, bearing an inscription ‘Amico De Marigny, amicus of Voltaire’. Additionally, the author adds his ode to the portrait – the 8-line verse, with the rhyme scheme ABAB CDCD.

The letter seems to have originally accompanied a ‘tabatière’ sent on the orders of the queen, containing two portraits of unidentified subjects. Jordan asks that in return for the portraits, Voltaire send him one of his tragedies titled Zulime. He then thanks Voltaire for a ring that he had sent him and adds that he will wear it forever. He concludes by asking Voltaire where he is living. In the catalogue entry for this letter in McGill University Library, this letter has been misattributed to Voltaire.