Letter from Voltaire to Charles-Henri d’Estaing, written from château de Ferney and dated 8 September 1769 [D15879]
Identifiers
CMV:
CMV36744
Repository:
Shelfmark:
5-240 (VII, f.139), ‘A M. le comte d’Estaing, Ferney, 8 septembre 1769 (M. 6489)’
Title:
Letter from Voltaire to Charles-Henri d’Estaing, written from château de Ferney and dated 8 September 1769 [D15879]
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:
Mr, La lettre dont vous m’honorez, et les instructions qui l’accompagnent m’inspirent autant de regrets que de reconnaissance.
Incipit Modernised:
Mr, La lettre dont vous m’honorez, et les instructions qui l’accompagnent m’inspirent autant de regrets que de reconnaissance.
Language(s):
In Voltaire’s Hand:
Partly
Brief Summary:
Letter from Voltaire to Charles-Henri d’Estaing, written from château de Ferney and dated 8 September 1769.
Detailed Summary:
The writer expresses both regret and gratitude for the letter and instructions received, acknowledging that earlier access to these documents would have allowed for a more timely recognition of the recipient’s achievements. They reflect on the complexities of historical events, particularly the issues surrounding the siege of Pondicherry and the subsequent trial of General Lally, and express a belief that earlier intervention in the Brazilian campaign might have yielded better results for France. Despite their own age and health limitations, the writer pledges to diligently use any future opportunities to address the issues raised, and requests the recipient’s opinion on the trial and the conduct during the siege.
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Physical Description
Material(s):
Extent:
1 f.
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:
8 September 1769
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:
119, p. 220–221
OCV Manuscript Reference:
119, ‘MS1’, p. 221
Record created by:
Record created on: