MARX TO ENGELS *” 

{[London,] 18 November 1869 

Dear FRrep, 

I am sending you today a parcel by sooxrosr, containing 1. the 
volume of Irish pamphlets* (especially Ensor or some vatve,”) 
2. Social-Demokrat and Volksstaat, 3. 3 cortes for you, Moore and 
Schorlemmer of the Report on the Basle Congress. I don’t know if I 
have already sent it. In this case, the coptes can be given to other 
people. 

Pll look after your commissions.‘ 

The Bee-Hive completely suppressed the report (by Eccarius) on the 
latest session, on the pretext that it had received it too late. The 
real reason was that: 

1. it did not wish to announce that the Generar Councn. would 
open a discussion on the Irish question at its next meeting; 

2. in the report, unfavourable references were made to it (i.e., to 
Mr Potter), about the Lanp ano Lasour Leacus.! The fact is that 
Mr Potter failed glaringly as a candidate for the Commirree of the 
League. 

Last Tuesday‘ I opened the discussion on point 1: the attitude of 
the British Ministry to the Iris amnesty Question. I spoke for asour an 
hour and a quarter, much cheered,“°? and then proposed the 
following resolutions on point No. 1: 

* Resolved, 

that in his reply to the Irish demands for the release of the 
imprisoned Irish patriots—a reply contained in his letter to Mr 
O’Shea etc. etc—Mr Gladstone deliberately insults the Irish 
Nation; 

that he clogs political amnesty with conditions alike degrading to 
the victims of misgovernment and the people they belong to; 

that having, in the teeth of his responsible position, publicly and 
enthusiastically cheered on the American slaveholders’ Rebel- 
lion,*” he now steps in to preach to the Irish people the doctrine 
of passive obedience; 

a See this volume, p. 368.-> G. Ensor, An Inquiry Concerning the Population of 
Nations... and Anti-Union. Ireland as She Ought to Be. - © See the previous letter. - ¢ of 
the General Council on 9 November 1869 - ¢ 16 November 

that his whole proceedings with reference to the Irish Amnesty 
question are the true and genuine offspring of that ‘policy of 
conquest’, by the fiery denunciation of which Mr Gladstone ousted 
his Tory rivals from office; 

that the General Council of the ‘International Working Men’s 
Association’ express their admiration of the spirited, firm and 
highsouled manner in which the Irish people carry on their 
Amnesty movement; 

that these resolutions be communicated to all branches of, and 
working men’s bodies connected with, the ‘International Working 
Men’s Association’ in Europe and America.*? 

Harris (an O’Brien-man) declared to seconp. But the President 
(Lucraft) pointed to the clock (we may only stay until 11); Hence, 
adjourned until next Tuesday. However, Lucraft, Weston, Hales 
etc., In Fact the whole Counci., tentatively declared their agreement 

Milner, another O’Brienite, declared that the language of the 
RESOLUTIONS Was too weak (i.e., not declamatory enough); further- 
more he demands that everything I said in support of the case 
should be included in the resolutions. (A fine kettle of fish!) 

Since the debate will continue on Tuesday, Now THE TIME FoR you to 
tell, rather to write, me anything you might wish to amend or add 
to the resolutions. In the latter case, if you, for example, wish to 
add a paragraph about the amnesties all over Europe, Itaty for 
example, write it at once in resolution form. 

Incient or ast Councu.'s sitting. Mr Holyoake—Bz Every MAN HIS OWN 
Cromwell—appears and, after leaving, has himself proposed by 
Weston. Tentatively declared that he should first take out a card 
as a member of the International Workinc Men's ASSOCIATION, 
otherwise he cannot even be proposed. His aim is simpty to make 
himself important—and to figure as a delegate at the next GENERAL 
Concress. The debate on his admission will be stormy, since he has 
many friends among us and, as an offended intriguant, could play 
some nasty tricks on us. What are your ideas about the tactics to 
be followed? 

Enclosed—screed from Liebknecht,’”” who has also complained 
bitterly in his letter to Borkheim that we do not support him, 
either morally or materially. Rerurn the 2nd enclosed letter from 
Wilhelm, which is addressed to Borkheim. 

470 

aK. Marx, Draft Resolution of the General Council on the Policy of the British 
Government Towards the Irish Prisoners 

A BRANCH ESTABLISHMENT Of the International founded in Dundee, 
ditto—new branch in Boston. (New England.) 

Carbunculosa not yet quite vanquished. 

Salut. 

Your 
K. M. 

Apropos L. Blanc: When Reclus*’! was here he also visited 

L. Blanc and told me after the visit: the little fellow is filling his 
trousers at the mere thought of having to return to France. He 
feels devilish well here as the ‘petit grand homme’* removed from 
danger, and he has—as he frankly told Reclus, lost absolutely all 
confidence in the French.