Included in the collection is: XVII, 13. Woodmason, James. to Benjamin Franklin, 1780 January 4. A.L.S. 2p. London. Has shipped the paper; M. Beaumarchais’s agent, M. Le Tailleir, returns to England in three weeks and will take charge to any letters; he has purchased Baskerville type for Voltaire’s works. Superiority of English over foreign papers. Talk concerning peace very confident.

In this letter Frederick talks about how he lives in a province where people value the physical (such as cultivating fields, building houses, and having children) above the metaphysical. Later in the letter he discusses the fact that the “sparks of religious hatred” which were present before the war are now extinct and tolerance wins in the thought of the people. Finally, Frederick mentions that Voltaire’s works are in the hands of everyone; thereis no portion of society where his name is not known or where his reputation does not shine.

In this letter, Frederick talks of his own faith being “lukewarm”, and cites that as the reason why he is able to tolerate the faiths of all others. He also discusses and expands upon his belief that “superstition is a weakness of the human spirit”.