Autograph letter from Voltaire to Pierre-Samuel Dupont de Nemour, written to Paris and dated 3 April 1776 [D20043].

Identifiers

CMV:

CMV36747

Shelfmark:

5-240 (VII, f.142), ‘Au chevalier Dupont, à Ferney, 3 avril 1776 (M. 9721)’

Title:

Autograph letter from Voltaire to Pierre-Samuel Dupont de Nemour, written to Paris and dated 3 April 1776 [D20043].

Related record(s):

No related manuscripts found.

Link to Digital Resource:

Link to Archive Catalogue:

OCLC Number:

Reproductions:

The Besterman Collection, Geneva, photocopy

Content

Incipit Diplomatic:

Je conçois bien, Monsieur, que le fruit de l’arbre de la Liberté n’est pas assez mûr pour être mangé par les habitans de Chézeri, et qu’ils auront la consolation d’aller au ciel en mourant de faim dans l’esclavage des moines Bernardins.

Incipit Modernised:

Je conçois bien, Monsieur, que le fruit de l’arbre de la Liberté n’est pas assez mûr pour être mangé par les habitants de Chézeri, et qu’ils auront la consolation d’aller au ciel en mourant de faim dans l’esclavage des moines Bernardins.

Language(s):

In Voltaire’s Hand:

Yes

Brief Summary:

Autograph letter from Voltaire to Pierre-Samuel Dupont de Nemour, written to Paris and dated 3 April 1776.

Detailed Summary:

The writer expresses deep gratitude for the recipient’s kindness and praises their eloquence, patriotism, and potential to combat fanatical oppression. They lament the persistence of contradictions and outdated practices in both the church and legal systems, and they express hope that the recipient will continue their reformist efforts. The writer also reflects on the state of French laws and administration, and ends with appreciation for a recent gift and a wish to witness further progress before their own end.

Genre(s):

Status:

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:

Materiality Keywords:

Decorations:

Additions:

The envelope is endorsed with ‘à Monsieur
Monsieur Le Chevalier Du Pont
etca
à l’hôtel du Controlle général
à Paris’.

Marginalia Keywords:

Inclusions:

History

Date:

3 April 1776

Ownership:

Origin (transcript):

Origin:

Provenance:

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:

OCV Manuscript Reference:

Record created by:

Aušra Bukniute

Record created on:

29 August 2024