DRAFT LETTER TO VANDERLIP. 
Moscow. March 17, 1921. 
Mr. Washington B. Vanderlip. 
Dear Sir, 
I thank you for your kind letter of the 14th of this month, and I am very 
pleased to learn of President Harding’s favorable views regarding our 
trade with America *. You know the high value we place on our future 
business relations with the United States. We fully recognize the role played in this regard by your syndicate, as well as the immense importance of your personal efforts. Your new proposals are highly interesting, and I have instructed the Supreme Council of National Economy to report to me at short intervals on the progress of the negotiations. You can be 
certain that we will treat every reasonable suggestion with the utmost 
attention and care. It is in production and trade that our efforts are 
primarily concentrated, and your assistance is of the greatest value to us. 
Should you need to lodge a complaint against any official, please direct your grievance to the relevant People’s Commissar, who will investigate the matter and, if necessary, submit a formal report. I have already ordered a special inquiry into the individual you mention in your letter. 
The Congress of the Communist Party has consumed so much of my time and energy that I am now deeply fatigued and unwell. I would be most grateful if you could kindly excuse me should I be unable to meet with you in person at this time. I will ask Comrade Chicherin to speak with you shortly. 
Wishing you continued success, I remain  
Yours sincerely, V. Ulyanov (Lenin). 
[Translation.] 
To Mr. Washington B. Vanderlip. 
Moscow. March 17, 1921. 
Most esteemed Sir, 
I thank you for your most gracious letter dated the 14th of this month. I am very 
glad to hear that President Harding holds a favorable view of our 
trade with America *. You know the great significance we attach

to our future commercial relations with the United States. We fully
recognize the role your syndicate plays in this regard, as well as the vital importance of your personal endeavors. Your new proposals are exceedingly interesting, and I have requested that the Supreme Council of National Economy
report to me at frequent intervals on the progress of the negotiations. You may rest assured that we will approach every reasonable proposal with the utmost care and attention. Our efforts are focused primarily on production and trade, and your assistance is of paramount importance to us. 
If you should have any complaints concerning officials, I urge you to submit your grievances to the appropriate People’s Commissariat, which will conduct a thorough investigation and, if necessary, report back accordingly. I have already ordered a special inquiry into the individual you refer to in your letter. 
The Congress of the Communist Party has demanded so much of my time and strength that I am now utterly exhausted and ill. I would be most obliged if you could kindly excuse me for not being able to meet with you in person at this time. I will ask Comrade Chicherin to speak with you in the near future. 
Wishing you continued success, I remain  
Your devoted servant, V. Ulyanov (Lenin). 
II. 
638« 
NOTES 
A. 
I. 
RYKOV. 
March 18 [1921] 
I earnestly request that you pay close attention to this matter and immediately order a thorough examination by experts here, and inform me whether it is possible to incorporate into the negotiations with Vanderlip
2. 
, 

g 
Lenin. 
III.