Paris 29 of March n. s. [1749]

Dear s^r,

J have receiv'd y^r new favours, and those of Mylord Chesterfield.
The are many good accounts in the annals of Europe as well as in the history of the late insurection in Scotland, tho intermix'd with a great number of errors. J wish j could find in every country such materials from whence my duty is to separate the wheat from the chaff, but all seems to me but chaff in the pamphlets. T'is a great pity that y^r nation is so over-run with such prodigious lumbers of scandals and scurrilities. However one ought to look upon 'em as the bad fruits of a very good tree, call'd liberty. J have been disturb'd these two months, and kept from writing my history, which, j hope, vill be the work of the historiografer of the honest men, rather than that of the historiografer to a King. J think, thruth may be told when it is wisely told, and j know my master loves it. J am neither a flatterer nor a writer of satire. J am confident my candour, and our old friendship will persuade you to help me with all the materials you can find in y^r way. You will do me the greatest favour, if you can send me the relation of admiral Anson's voyage and the ample disquisition about the proper means to civilise the high landers and to improve that country. J don't know the very title of that little book which, they say, is very curious and well writ, but it begins with these words ample disquisition. Pray my dear s^r give orders to one of y^r men to come at it. If you know any thing worth notice concerning the late general war, transactions, maritime expeditions, j intreat you to favour me with 'em. Pray who is that m^r Smith by whose means was rais'd so considerable a summ in the city for the support of the government, and to whom you wrote by the duke's order? Methinks such a good patriot should be mention'd.

If you see mylord Chesterfield, pray, be so kind as to present him with my aknowledgment and respect. J am from the bottom of my heart sensible of y^r tender and usefull remembrance. You do not forget y^r old friends; an j'll be attach'd to you till the last day of my life. Be sure, if j enjoy a better health, ill' cross the sea again in order to see you. T'is a consolation j long after.

Since you govern the posts, you may very easily convey y^r pacquets, and even the largest to m^r de la Reiniére, fermier général et intendant des postes de France, with a direction to me. Farewell dear s^r. My respects to y^r lady, my sincere wishes for y^r son. What is become of y^r brothers?

Y^r affectionate and tender servant

Voltaire