Rousseau writes to Frederick on July 11, 1762, describing how he had been driven from France, from Geneva, and from Bern; and seeking Frederick's protection.

He also mentions that he had criticized Frederick in the past and would continue to be critical of Frederick in the future, stating however: "Your Majesty may dispose of me as you like.

Frederick, still in the middle of the Seven Years' War, now writes to the local governor of Neuchatel, Marischal Keith, who is a mutual friend of theirs:

    We must succor this poor unfortunate. His only offense is to have strange opinions which he thinks are good ones. I will send a hundred crowns, from which you will be kind enough to give him as much as he needs. I think he will accept them in kind more readily than in cash. If we were not at war, if we were not ruined, I would build him a hermitage with a garden, where he could live as I believe our first fathers did...I think poor Rousseau has missed his vocation; he was obviously born to be a famous anchorite, a desert father, celebrated for his austerities and flagellations...I conclude that the morals of your savage are as pure as his mind is illogical.

Rousseau, touched by the help he received from Frederick, will states that from then onward he took a keen interest in Frederick's activities.

As the Seven Years' War is about to end, Rousseau writes to Frederick again, thanking him for the help received and urging him to put an end to military activities and to endeavor to keep his subjects happy instead.

Frederick makes no known reply, but comments to Keith that Rousseau has given him a "scolding".