Letter from Voltaire to Louise Élisabeth Nicole de La Rochefoucauld, dated 26 November 1774 [D19201]
Identifiers
CMV:
CMV36728
Repository:
Shelfmark:
5-240 (VII, f.103-4), ‘‘Mad. la duchesse d’Anville, 26 novembre 1774’ (M. 9232)’
Title:
Letter from Voltaire to Louise Élisabeth Nicole de La Rochefoucauld, dated 26 November 1774 [D19201]
Collection(s):
Related record(s):
No related manuscripts found.
Link to Digital Resource:
Link to Archive Catalogue:
OCLC Number:
Reproductions:
The Besterman Collection, Geneva, photocopy
Content
People:
Incipit Diplomatic:
Madame, J’ai appris par Mr D’Argental l’action généreuse que vous daignez faire, et je n’en ai point été surpris.
Incipit Modernised:
Madame, J’ai appris par Mr D’Argental l’action généreuse que vous daignez faire, et je n’en ai point été surpris.
Language(s):
In Voltaire’s Hand:
No
Brief Summary:
Letter from Voltaire to Louise Élisabeth Nicole de La Rochefoucauld, dated 26 November 1774.
Detailed Summary:
In this letter, the writer expresses admiration and gratitude towards the recipient for their generous efforts in addressing a grave injustice. They condemn the harsh and unjust punishment of two young men based on trivial accusations, noting the absurdity and cruelty of their treatment compared to historical cases of injustice. The writer believes that the recipient’s intervention will bring about a just resolution and is confident that influential figures like Monsieur le Comte de Maurepas will support this noble cause. The letter concludes with a heartfelt plea for the recipient’s continued efforts in the pursuit of humanity and justice. According to T. D. N. Besterman, the foliation is 103.
Keyword(s):
Genre(s):
Status:
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 manuscript carries a few autograph additions.
Marginalia Keywords:
Inclusions:
History
Date:
26 November 1774
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:
125, p. 216
OCV Manuscript Reference:
125, ‘MS1’, p. 216
Record created by:
Record created on: