Voltaire writes that it is right for him to take an interest in the poor inhabitants of Ferney despite not being their Lord as he has been unable to sign the contract with Monsieur De Boisy until now. He notes that Monsieur l’Intendant de Bourgogne, Monsieur le Président de Brosses, and a few other magistrates have done him the honour of informing him that they will do everything in their power to soften the ‘vexation’ that these poor people feel. Conversely, Sieur Nicot, prosecutor at Gex, has sent word to the Communers of Ferney that the curé de Moëns, their persecutor, has claimed that he will prosecute them to the limit. Voltaire adds that he has proof of this claim in the form of a letter. He begs Fabry to inform the Intendant that he shares his functions and sentiments, asking him to point out three things. First, that it is strange that a priest should ask the poor for £1500 of expenses for an annuity of thirty pounds. Second, that the Communers of Ferney have pleaded under the name of the poor and, under Roman laws recognised in Burgundy, are entitled to act in forma pauperum. Third, that the priest of Moëns has made the voyage to Dijon and Mâcon for other trials and that it is not fair that he should have counted in the expenses for the poor of Ferney all of the journeys he took to make others unhappy. Voltaire then turns to a second matter. He writes that a Genevan named Monsieur Mallet, a vassal of Ferney spoiled the high road for a length of arounf four hundred fathoms when building his house and has not restored this road. Voltaire adds that day by day the road is becoming more impracticable and he asks Fabry if he thinks that Mallet should contribute a considerable part to the necessary reparation of the road and offers to pay the workers on the road a small sallary. Voltaire repeats that he undertakes these cares even though Ferney does not belong to him, as he only has the promise of sale and the authorisation of the whole family of Monsieur de Budée to do whatever he sees fit in the land. He then discusses the various reasons for the delay, including the uncertain claims of neighbouring lords.