Letter from Voltaire to Étienne-François de Choiseul, written from Ferney and dated 7 September 1770 [D16635]
Identifiers
CMV:
CMV36722
Repository:
Shelfmark:
5-240 (VII, f.94), ‘A M. le duc de Choiseul, à Ferney, 7 septembre 1770 (M. 8019)’
Title:
Letter from Voltaire to Étienne-François de Choiseul, written from Ferney and dated 7 September 1770 [D16635]
Collection(s):
Related record(s):
No related manuscripts found.
Link to Archive Catalogue:
Link to Digital Resource:
OCLC Number:
Reproductions:
The Besterman Collection, Geneva, photocopy
Content
People:
Incipit Diplomatic:
Nôtre bienfaicteur, Vous savez probablement que le Roi de Prusse a été sur nôtre marché, et qu’il fait venir dixhuit familles d’horlogers de Genêve.
Incipit Modernised:
Notre bienfaiteur, Vous savez probablement que le Roi de Prusse a été sur notre marché, et qu’il fait venir dix-huit familles d’horlogers de Genève.
Language(s):
In Voltaire’s Hand:
No
Brief Summary:
Letter from Voltaire to Étienne-François de Choiseul, written from château de Ferney and dated 7 September 1770.
Detailed Summary:
The writer reports that the King of Prussia is inviting eighteen families of watchmakers from Geneva to relocate, offering them free accommodation and apprenticeships. The writer laments that these families, mostly of French origin, are leaving their homeland but expresses hope that their new colony will prosper. They also express scepticism about rumours of a recent naval battle and describe a visit from serfs under the clergy of St Claude, who are reportedly mistreated. The letter concludes with the writer—an ailing hermit—expressing deep gratitude and respect towards the recipient.
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Physical Description
Material(s):
Extent:
1 f.
Format:
Dimensions:
Hands:
1
Watermark:
Countermark:
Binding:
The manuscript is bound with other documents in contemporary red morocco.
Additional Comments:
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History
Date:
7 September 1770
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:
vol.120, p.434–435
OCV Manuscript Reference:
vol.120, ‘MS1’, p.435
Record created by:
Record created on: