The text notes that Quintus Curtius made Alexander the Great write a letter to Darius. In the letter, it was remarked that the world cannot endure two suns or two masters and Voltaire questions whether this was actually written by Alexander or not. He quotes Don Japhet of Armenia, the fool of Charles V, before questioning Titus Livius’ habit of attributing speeches to his heroes. Voltaire adds that he would harangue Livius and tell him that if he wants to write history he should tell only the truth. In the conclusion of the passage, Voltaire discusses Thalestris, queen of the Amazons who met with Alexander on the banks of the Tanais and asked him to give her a child.

The variants in this draft were introduced in the Kehl edition.

Voltaire asked Hersch to purchase bonds on his behalf. Voltaire gave Hersch notes to do so and in return Hersh deposited jewellery with Voltaire for security. Finding a more favourable deal elsewhere, however, Voltaire withdrew from the deal and Hersch was subsequently arrested. In this document, Hersch presents his side of the story, stating that Voltaire had been spreading lies and seducing the public with misinformation.

The writer recalls previous correspondence with the recipient regarding a work on the Italian language and informs them of a recent publication in Amsterdam that has misrepresented his letters, particularly one dated January 24, 1761. This publication contains serious distortions, including defamatory remarks about a respected general and falsified excerpts from the writer’s original letter. The writer requests the recipient’s assistance in affirming the inaccuracies and falsehoods in this publication, highlighting the potential harm to both his own reputation and that of the general. He expresses his deep gratitude for any support in clarifying these issues and maintaining the truth.

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.

Marie-Anne de Vichy-Chamrond, marquise Du Deffand begins the letter by stating that she will respect Voltaire as a king. She then turns to her poor health, noting that she has taken infusions of linden, chamomile, and white broth. She adds that old age would be bearable is she had someone to talk to, but that it seems to her that all men are madmen or beasts. The Marquise then questions whether or not she is both of those things, noting that she tells herself that she is like those who have Jaundice and see everything yellow. She then turns to her acquaintances, writing that she sees D’Alembert often and, like Voltaire, finds him very witty. She also adds that the president is well, that his taste for the world is not weakening, and that he is much sought after because he is very friendly despite becoming deaf. She advises Voltaire to address his letters and stories to Étienne François de Choiseul, assuring him that by doing so they will reach her. The Marquise concludes by discussing her current displeasure with reading, remarking that boredom overcomes her for what little good reasoning and truth is contained within a book is all too often drowned in a jumble of eloquence and academic style, inclining her more towards the Bibliothèque bleue.

Marie-Anne de Vichy-Chamrond, marquise Du Deffand begins the letter by stating that she has neither Voltaire’s erudition, nor his clarity, but that her opinions are nevertheless in line with his. She then discusses shared public opinions, and states that if common prejudices were taken from people, they would have nothing left. The Marquise then turns to the question of faith, and states that faith is firmly believing in what you do not understand. She notes that for Voltaire the search for truth is a universal medicine, as it is for her, but that they differ in that Voltaire believes he has found it and she believes it cannot be found. Speaking of modern philosophers, the Marquise remarks that they have never been less philosophical or tolerant men who would crush all who do not bow before them. She concludes by turning to her correspondence with Voltaire, saying that his letters honour her infinitely but that she does not have the vanity to make them a trophy. She notes that she had once read a letter, which was then memorised and printed without her consent and so now keeps her letters from Voltaire private. She additionally remarks on the letter Voltaire sent to the president, which she says he was very happy with.

Porteus discusses Edward Gibbons’ The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire (London, 1776-1789), noting that it would have deserved great praise if last two chapters were omitted or ‘rendered more comfortable to Truth’ with regards their representation of the progress of Christianity. He states that the chapters are ‘unfair & indecent & will do great harm’ because Gibbons ‘has adopted the grave Irony of Hume & Voltaire on such subjects and is not inferior to his masters’.