Autograph letter from Voltaire to Pierre-Samuel Dupont de Nemour, written to Paris and dated 3 April 1776 [D20043].
Identifiers
CMV:
CMV36747
Repository:
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].
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:
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:
In this letter, Voltaire expresses deep gratitude for the recipient’s kindness and praises his eloquence, patriotism, and potential to challenge fanatical oppression. He laments the persistence of contradictions and outdated practices in both church and legal systems, and hopes the recipient will continue his reform efforts. The writer also reflects on shortcomings in French law and administration.
Keyword(s):
Genre(s):
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:
vol.127, p.78–79
OCV Manuscript Reference:
vol.127, ‘MS2’, p.79
Record created by:
Record created on: