The widow Burdet states that on the night of the seventh to the eighth of January 1761, she finds herself very unhappy because of the sins committed in her house. She asks God for forgiveness for all of her sins and promises to do penance if he deigns to preserve her life. She declares before God that the hatred of Curé Ancian comes from the fact that he wanted to sin with her for about two years. She claims that he reproached her for her aversion to him and that on 6 December, while drinking in her house, he told her that he no longer wanted to put the straw too close to the fire. She conludes by saying that this is the real case of his sin and commends herself to God.

The widow Burdet notes that since Mr. Voltaire has done her the favor of helping her with her work, she begs him to be so kind as to pass the mémoire on to a lawyer in due course.

The statement notes that when questioned yesterday about wounds he received to his head, François Collet, a watchmaker’s boy from Sacony, dared not answer for fear as several people had given him the obligation to pay legal costs if he complained about Ancian. Being poor and upset by his injuries which have prevented him from earning a living, he remained silent but later realised the importance of speaking up. As such, he declares that Decroze was murdered in his presence. He says that on 27 December he saw Ancian at the house of the widow Burdet. The following day, having had dinner with her, Ancian entered the house at 10:30pm with several other men, all of whom were armed with large sticks that had been reinforced at the end, one of which had been reinforced by and iron point. These men beat the diners over the head with the sticks. He begs pardon for not having made the confesstion sooner.

The statement notes that when questioned yesterday about wounds he received to his head, François Collet, a watchmaker’s boy from Sacony, dared not answer for fear as several people had given him the obligation to pay legal costs if he complained about Ancian. Being poor and upset by his injuries which have prevented him from earning a living, he remained silent but later realised the importance of speaking up. As such, he declares that Decroze was murdered in his presence. He says that on 27 December he saw Ancian at the house of the widow Burdet. The following day, having had dinner with her, Ancian entered the house at 10:30pm with several other men, all of whom were armed with large sticks that had been reinforced at the end, one of which had been reinforced by and iron point. These men beat the diners over the head with the sticks. He begs pardon for not having made the confesstion sooner.

Marie-Louise Denis opens by saying that she has been required by the Widow Burdet to declare whether or not she has ever heard speak of any noise or quarrel coming from her house before 28 December 1760, the date on which Ancian came to the house at 10:30pm to strike her and kill Decroze. Denis declares that she had not before this date heard any brawls or scandals related to the household.

Gabriel Guet declares in the presence of Mr Bacquiat, Claude-Louis Vuaillet, Jean-Louis Wagnière, Pierre Auvernay, and Abraham Landry that he was beaten approximately five years ago by Ancian without provocation. He notes that he was beaten with sticks in the courtyard of the house of the Madame de la Maison Neuve in Collex. He claims that his mother was also beaten on the arm on this occassion, and was also attacked on another occassion by Ancian seven years previously.

Gabriel Guet declares in the presence of Mr Bacquiat, Claude-Louis Vuaillet, Jean-Louis Wagnière, Pierre Auvernay, and Abraham Landry that he was beaten approximately five years ago by Ancian without provocation. He notes that he was beaten with sticks in the courtyard of the house of the Madame de la Maison Neuve in Collex. He claims that his mother was also beaten on the arm on this occassion, and was also attacked on another occassion by Ancian seven years previously.

Françoise Tarrou claims that they were bruised with sticks in the cemetery of Collex, by the former parish priest, Ancian,; six years ago on Easter Day. Ancian is also said to have seized Louis Gard by his hair at the same time.

Cabanis sends a report on the state in which he found Josephe Decroze on 31 December 1760. He notes that he found Decroze in bed, feverish and sluggish, with three considerable wounds to the head and several other wounds to his bones. Cabanis adds that the patient complained of severe pains and has not improved for bloodlettings. He goes on to say that he ordered the necessary remedies, but that the patient appeared to him to be in a great state of danger. Cabanis warned the parents of their son’s critical condition and offers to provide Voltaire with further details should the injuries prove fatal.

The statement was prepared by Voltaire for Vernet to sign. The statement notes that Vernet disapproves of an anonymous brochure titled Guerre Littéraire, copies of which were seized by the Messieurs les Scorlarques. It is added that he is especially very angry to see his name featured in the brochure in several places. The statement concludes with a declaration that the brochure is false as he has never had the slightest problem with Voltaire, his neighbour, for whom he has the greatest respects, and from whom he has received only politeness.