Letter from Voltaire to Étienne-François de Choiseul, dated 9 January 1767 [D13823]
Identifiers
CMV:
CMV36721
Repository:
Shelfmark:
5-240 (VII, f.92-3), ‘9 janvier 1767, à M. le duc de Choiseul, sur le cordon de troupes (M. 6662)’
Title:
Letter from Voltaire to Étienne-François de Choiseul, dated 9 January 1767 [D13823]
Collection(s):
Related record(s):
No related manuscripts found.
Link to Digital Resource:
Link to Archive Catalogue:
OCLC Number:
Reproductions:
The Besterman Collection, Geneva
Content
People:
Incipit Diplomatic:
Mon héros, mon protecteur, C’est pour le coup que vous êtes mon Colonel.
Incipit Modernised:
Mon héros, mon protecteur, C’est pour le coup que vous êtes mon Colonel.
Language(s):
In Voltaire’s Hand:
Partly
Brief Summary:
Letter from Voltaire to Étienne-François de Choiseul, dated 9 January 1767.
Detailed Summary:
In this letter, the writer, addressing their protector and hero, expresses frustration and desperation over the severe impact of the Colonel’s actions. They describe how the Colonel’s ambition has led to a dire shortage of resources for them in Ferney, while the Genevans remain unaffected. The writer implores for relief, citing a lack of basic necessities and asking for a passport to access provisions in Geneva or Switzerland. They conclude with a plea for justice and compassion from the Colonel.
Keyword(s):
Genre(s):
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Physical Description
Material(s):
Extent:
2 ff.
Format:
Dimensions:
Hands:
2
Watermark:
Countermark:
Binding:
The manuscript is bound with other documents in contemporary red morocco.
Additional Comments:
Materiality Keywords:
Decorations:
Additions:
The mansucript carries a few autograph additions in Voltaire’s hand and is endorsed by Wagnière ‘à Mgr le Duc De Choiseul sur le cordon de troupes autour de Geneve’.
Marginalia Keywords:
Inclusions:
History
Date:
9 January 1767
Ownership:
After Voltaire’s death, the MS passed into the ownership of Catherine II and remained in the imperial and then national collection thereafter.
Origin (transcript):
Origin:
Provenance:
This MS was probably taken to St Petersburg by Wagnière in the summer of 1779 along with the rest of Voltaire’s library.
Bibliography
Bibliography:
Fernand Caussy, Inventaire des manuscrits de la bibliothèque de Voltaire conservée à la bibliothèque impériale publique de Saint-Pétersbourg (Geneva, Slatkine reprints, 1970)
OCV Reference:
115, p. 234–235
OCV Manuscript Reference:
115, ‘MS2’, p. 235
Record created by:
Record created on: