Comrade Alsky!

It is necessary to monitor carefully the expenditure of the gold reserve.

Is it not possible to do the following:
instruct [someone] to compile a table.

On Hand
Of which earmarked (=approved for disbursement)
On Hand free from assignment
Gold Reserve as of 7. XI. 1917
7. XI. 1918
" " 1919
7. XI. 20
1. I. 21
1. VII. 21
or 1. IX (7. IX) 21

In a word, the table should display with complete clarity both the sum of expenditures and the free balance on hand (as of such-and-such a date).

Let us compile the table so that the horizontal columns continue (current statistics) on a monthly basis. This mobile table, regularly supplemented, should be maintained
by you, in the People's Commissariat of Finance.

Send me a copy of it by 1. IX. 1921, and then send weekly additions
(current expenditures).

The grand total must include all gold without any exemptions whatsoever.

I ask you to report when you will be able to send it.

Chairman of the Council of People's Commissars V. Ulyanov (Lenin)

# Perhaps it will be necessary to add here 2-3 vertical columns: already sent out of Russia, i.e., paid out. Also, perhaps — refused payment or reduced, etc.

#

Written 5 September 1921

Published for the first time from the manuscript