Item 22: Letter from August von Kotzebue to unknown [in German], 1802 August 30

Item — Box: 4, Folder: 22

Staff Only

Dates

Created: 1802 August 30

Creator

Kotzebue, August von, 1761-1819 (Person)

Disclaimer for Name and Subject Authorities

Some of the name and subject authority tags have been assigned by educated guessing and estimation of persons and subjects by region, age, profession, and familial relationships. They have been thoroughly researched by using primary and secondary sources available digitally, and named in each description, or in some cases linked directly to the person tag.

Access:

All series and subseries within this collection are open for research, with the exception of a few files within the Academia series that are restricted. The Academia series contains financial and sensitive institutional records from Wilkes College, and financial report records from Princeton University that will remain restricted for 80 years upon creation.

Extent

1 items

Language of Materials

From the Collection: English

Additional Description

Type of Material:

Letter

Condition Note:

Poor. Torn in half, Fragile paper.

Measurements:

9 in. x 7 ½ in.

Description:

The letter is authored on August 30, 1802, by German dramatist and writer, August von Kutzebue, to an unknown recipient. Von Kotzebue also worked as a consul, to promote and facilitate commercial and diplomatic relationships, in both Russian and Germany during his life. In the letter, Kotzebue is responding to a defamation of character made by the recipient. He intends to bring them to court and raise an Injury process against them. You can view original front matter and cover imagery of Kotzebue’s texts at Mannheim University Library's digital archive. The webpage is in German, however, the interface makes navigation of Kotzebue’s works accessible regardless of language barriers.

Transcription:

Jena, d.(en) 6. Sbr. (September) 1802

Da Sie mir auch die kleine(?) geforderte Satisfaction(?) versagen, ja nicht einmal ein Wort von der mir angethanen Beledigigung erwähnen, so thut es mir leid, genöthigt zu seyn, einen Injurie Process gegen Sie anzufangen, den Sie selbst nicht — — wollen, obgleich ich unmöglich voraussetzen kann und mag, das Sie, in Ihrer Qualität als Redacteur sich berechtigt glauben könnten, jede —-ntische Äusserung, die man Ihnen mit Nahmensunterschrift zusendet, ohne Verantwortung drucken zu lassen. Der Richter möge entscheiden.

Kotzebue

Translation Attempt: — the 6th, September 1802 [Since you also deny me the small(?) demanded satisfaction(?), yes, you don't even mention a word of the insult done to me, I am sorry to be forced to start an injury process against you, which you yourself did not - — want, although I cannot and would like to presuppose that you, in your quality as an editor, could feel justified in having every —-ntic[fanatic?] statement that is sent to you with your signature printed without responsibility. Let the judge decide]