I arrive from the countryside where I have just spent two days, and on my arrival I at last found the manuscript of the translation of your works, done by Monsieur Lesqui (the Premonstratensian), which he had mislaid for such a long time, and for which I had been harassing him a great deal, especially for the last fortnight or so. Consequently, you may rely upon it that I will start to work on the translation as of today, and will by no means leave it until I have finished it to the best of my ability, whether I am more or less able to take advantage of what has already been done, or whether I have to begin everything afresh. With this intention in mind, I have taken a young man to write at my dictation, in order to make the task go so much more quickly, and I will have my work delivered to you, letter by letter, as I make progress.

It seems to me that you have experienced far more difficulties than it was reasonable to foresee in your efforts to have my Little Code published accurately in French in London, and for my part, I have discovered that it would have been easier for me than [I] had hoped to have it published in France, clandestinely it is true, but what of it? So if the same difficulties continue to subsist where you are, I beg you to send me back my manuscript at the first opportunity (for I have kept no copy of it at all), and it will be published for me secretly in Paris.

I have the honor of enclosing for you the new volume of the Citizen’s Ephemerides, which is called the third issue of the sixth year, because the authors let themselves fall too far behind not to blush at naming the “March” volume that volume that they are putting out at the end of September or the beginning of October; although this delay comes not from any fault of theirs, but rather from the annoyances that they experienced at the hands of our government, which as a rule is far from accommodating.

Mademoiselle Biheron has not only attended to Madame Stevenson’s commission, but she has also conferred about it with the persons who are the most knowledgeable and have the most excellent taste; thus I hope that the commission will be well carried out, although deviating a little from the original terms of the commissioner; Mademoiselle Biheron is nonetheless very glad to inform her of it. She asks me to assure you of her compliments, and of the gratitude that she will always feel for your kindnesses.

My wife, who often dissuades me from every other kind of work that I would like to undertake, is, and always will be, the first to spur me on to that work which could give you pleasure, and contribute to spreading your glory. She asks me to present you with a thousand regards on her behalf. I have the honor to be, with an inviolable attachment, Monsieur and dear friend, your very humble and very obedient servant