The letter begins with a poem known as ‘À monsieur le maréchal duc de Richelieu’. The verse is in Collini’s hand. The prose and date line are in Voltaire’s hand.

Other copies of this letter date it to 15 February 1748 instead.

Voltaire notes that his strongest desire was to be naturalised in England, and that the Royal Society, prompted by Folkes, have given him that great honour. He lists the English writes who have influenced him: Shakespeare, Addison, Dryden, and Pope, and adds that he also entered into the ‘temple of philosophy’ where he admired the ‘altar of Newton’. Voltaire states that he was so bold as to introduce Newton into France, but that in doing so he became not only a confessor to his faith but a martyr also. He then turns to press, bemoaning and satirising its restrictions, and noting that the Royal Society has rewarded him for his sufferings. He ends by paying his respect to the brethren of the Royal Society and stating his desire to cross the sea in order to give them his ‘hearty thanks’.

The Royal Society dates the letter to 29 March 1743, however Besterman instead gives the date as 25 November 1743. As Voltaire was elected on 3 November 1743, we have followed Besterman’s dating here.

Voltaire writes that it will be three months before the Crammers are able to provide copies of the Histoire Universelle, adding that he is working on the text as much as his poor health allows, and that as soon as the work is ready for publication he will try his best to fulfil the wishes of the recipient. He concludes by saying that he wishes he could provide the recipient with more solid proof of the true esteem and feelings he has for them.

In the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum’s catalogue entry, the recipient of this letter is given as Jean-Baptiste Rousseau. However, in the textual notes of both D8975 and D6577, Besterman instead suggests that the recipient was M. Durand.

Lord Drumlanrig writes to his uncle of personal news and public affairs, including the Battle of Casteldelfino and his meeting with Voltaire.