Writing to his brother, Lamennais discusses the revue for which he wanted to write an article outlining his new theory of spiritual power, though he acknowledges that the said revue does not work. He goes on to discuss a contribution by Louis de Bonald and an article by Antoine Eugène Genoud concerning Voltaire, Helvétius, and Rousseau that could not be published and would therefore need to be replaced.

Voltaire encourages the recipient to read a letter from Turgot, Contrôleur général des Finances to Louis XVI concerning the 30,000 pounds that had been set as the price for the Pays de Gex’s future immunity from taxation. Voltaire notes that Turgot’s letter shows he fought bitterly for this figure to be reduced and expresses his annoyance that the recipient did not keep him informed of their own negotiations over this price, negotiations Voltaire felt had jeopardised his own attempts to reduce the sum. He then turns to salt, a commodity that had been proposed as an alternative to taxation, stating that this idea had never come to fruition.

Voltaire writes that Marin has informed him of the service the recipient is willing to render to President Hénaut, to himself, and above all to the truth, adding that for this they owe the recipient their foremost attention. He adds that the recipient is interested in this matter, and that he shall be the recipient’s agent.