Comrade Dzerzhinsky! The bearer Sidorenko was my personal secretary for several days. I was fully satisfied with him. He was dismissed for one incident when, in a drunken state, he shouted, as I was told, that he was "Lenin's secretary."

Sidorenko tells me that he has deeply repented. And I personally am inclined to fully believe him; he is a young fellow, in my opinion, a very good one. One must be lenient toward youth.

G. K. ORDZHONIKIDZE. 15 MARCH 1918

On the basis of all these facts, judge for yourself, depending on what position you intend him for.

Yours, Lenin

Published for the first time, from the manuscript.