VOLTAIRE (François-Marie Arouet, dit). Autograph letter sign - Lot 197

VOLTAIRE (François-Marie Arouet, dit). Autograph letter signed "V" [to Claude-Philippe Fyot de LaMarche]. LesDélices [in Geneva], "16juillet" [1762]. 3pp. in-4; small marginal splits. "J'ay reçu, mon respectable magistrat, le mémoire que vous avez bien voulu me confier. I have no doubt that your arbitrators will render what is due to a father and benefactor. It seems to me that between father and son, summum jus, summa injuria, you have both taken the side of conciliation. I would be very surprised if this affair did not end with Mrvotre fils submitting to your wishes and you and he coming to an amicable agreement. It seems to me that the restitution of the fruits of the year 1761, the price of the cutting of the woods, belong to you. I don't know if your son has anything to reclaim from his maternal estate. Your memoir does not clarify this difficulty, and no doubt you will not allow this source of proceedings to remain, which could one day trouble your family. The other subjects of discussion are of little importance, and must be left to your generosity and the noble and respectful resignation of Mrvotre fils. I flatter myself that your arrangement will soon be made, since it is in the hands of the most enlightened and honest arbiters. I can foresee that your son, who has no cash to give you, will suffer delays. Why can't I come now with money in hand between father and son! Cash is the first arbitrator. Perhaps I'll be happy enough in September to come and offer you my services. I don't despair; it would be the height of happiness for me to be able to prove to you in the last days of my life how much I respect and love you. Your medals are beautifully engraved, the legends simple and noble, the institution useful and worthy of you. I thank you tenderly for this monument to your heart and mind []. I flatter myself that you still have with you Madame la Marquise de Paumi [Suzanne-Marguerite Fyot de LaMarche, wife of the Marquis de Paulmy, Antoine-René de Voyer d'Argenson, son of another of Voltaire's fellow students at the Lycée Louis-le-Grand, René-Louis de Voyer d'Argenson]. It must give you as much consolation as you have experienced grief. I share both, from the bottom of my heart. I beg you to count on my respect, my zeal and my inviolable friendship..." A lifelong friend of Voltaire, the Marquis de LaMarche (1694-1768) had been his fellow student at the Lycée Louis-le-Grand alongside the d'Argenson brothers.