Autograph letter signed from Voltaire to M. de La Préverie, written from Paris and dated 16 November 1733.
Detailed Summary:
Voltaire writes that he has read La Préverie’s letter dated 12 September and that he would have saved him 1400 livres if he has wanted to have the delegation served on the farmer. He adds that perhaps there would still be time. He remarks that it is an obligation passed to the Châtelet de Paris and that perhaps this debt will be considered as a debt of the priory. Furthermore, he claims, perhaps the purchaser owes money to Father MaKarty. Voltaire claims that MaKarty has a father who is well off, lives in Nantes, and works as a doctor or a surgeon in the town, adding that he knows this man is old and that one could make a seizure at his death. Voltaire then states that the recipient is on the spot and must take charge of the affair because it was upon his word that Voltaire loaned money to this wretched individual with so much good faith. He adds that it may be possible to intimidate the buyer and that he can write about it to the ministers, particularly Cardinal de Fleury.
There are remnants of red wax at the top and bottom of both folios and a tear in the lower right-hand corner of f.2v. There is also an area of damage at the top of the central fold line. The letter is mounted on a tab in an 8vo volume.
Passed at the Lajarriette sale in Paris on 15 November 1860 (p.344, no.2914); the Dubrunfaut sale in Paris on 22 December 1884 (p.5, no.2); the Charavay sale in Paris on 25 January 1901 (p.26, no.129); and the Lucien Graux sale in Paris on 11 December 1958 (no.34). Sold at auction by Osenat, 9-11, rue Royale, 77300 Fontainebleau (Lot 102) for €1950.