MARX TO PIERRE-JOSEPH PROUDHON * 

Brussels, 5 May 1846 

My dear Proudhon, 

I have frequently had it in mind to write to you since my 
departure from Paris, but circumstances beyond my contro] have 
hitherto prevented me from doing so. Please believe me when I 
say that my silence was attributable solely to a great deal of work, 
the troubles attendant upon a change of domicile,” etc. 

And now let us proceed in medias res‘—jointly with two friends 
of mine, Frederick Engels and Philippe Gigot (both of whom are 
in Brussels), I have made arrangements with the German 
communists and socialists for a constant interchange of letters 
which will be devoted to discussing scientific questions, and to 
keeping an eye on popular writings, and the socialist propaganda 

aL. Borne, Urtheil tiber H. Heine. Ungedruckte Stellen aus den Pariser Briefen (the book 
contained passages from B6rne’s letters to Jeannette Wohl with attacks on 
Heine). - > Heinrich Heine tiber Ludwig Borne. Hamburg, 1840 (Marx’s review has not 
been found). - © to the matter in hand 

that can be carried on in Germany by this means.*' The chief aim 
of our correspondence, however, will be to put the German 
socialists in touch with the French and English socialists; to keep 
foreigners constantly informed of the socialist movements that 
occur in Germany and to inform the Germans in Germany of the 
progress of socialism in France and England. In this way 
differences of opinion can be brought to light and an exchange of 
ideas and impartial criticism can take place. It will be a step made 
by the social movement in its literary manifestation to rid itself of 
the barriers of nationality. And when the moment for action 
comes, it will clearly be much to everyone’s advantage to be 
acquainted with the state of affairs abroad as well as at home. 

Our correspondence will embrace not only the communists in 
Germany, but also the German socialists in Paris and London.” 
Our relations with England have already been established. So far 
as France is concerned, we all of us believe that we could find no 
better correspondent than yourself. As you know, the English and 
Germans have hitherto estimated you more highly than have your 
“own compatriots. 

So it is, you see, simply a question of establishing a regular 
correspondence and ensuring that it has the means to keep abreast 
of the social movement in the different countries, and to acquire a 
rich and varied interest, such as could never be achieved by the 
work of one single person. 

Should you be willing to accede to our proposal, the postage on 
letters sent to you as also on those that you send us will be 
defrayed here, collections made in Germany being intended to 
cover the cost of correspondence. 

The address you will write to in this country is that of Mr 
Philippe Gigot, 8 rue de Bodenbroek. It is also he who will sign 
the letters from Brussels. 

I need hardly add that the correspondence as a whole will call 
for the utmost secrecy on your part; our friends in Germany must 
act with the greatest circumspection if they are not to compromise 
themselves. 

Let us have an early reply and rest assured of the sincere 
friendship of 

Yours most sincerely 
Karl Marx 

P.S. I must now denounce to you Mr Grtin of Paris. The man is 
nothing more than a literary swindler, a species of charlatan, who 
seeks to traffic in modern ideas. He tries to conceal his ignorance 

with pompous and arrogant phrases but all he does is make 
himself ridiculous with his gibberish. Moreover this man _ is 
dangerous. He abuses the connection he has built up, thanks to his 
impertinence, with authors of renown in order to create a pedestal 
for himself and compromise them in the eyes of the German 
public. In his book on ‘French socialists’* he has the audacity to 
describe himself as tutor (Privatdozent, a German academic title) to 
Proudhon, claims to have revealed to him the important axioms of 
German science and makes fun of his writings. Beware of this 
‘parasite. Later on I may perhaps have something more to say 
about this individual. 

[From Gigot] 

It is with pleasure that I take advantage of the opportunity offered by this letter 
to assure you how glad I am to enter into relations with a man as distinguished as 
yourself. Meanwhile, believe me, 

Yours most sincerely 

Philippe Gigot 
[From Engels] 

For my part, I can only hope, Mr Proudhon, that you will 
approve of the scheme we have just put to you and that you will 
be kind enough not to deny us your cooperation. Assuring you of 
the deep respect your writings have inspired in me, I remain, 

Yours very sincerely 
Frederick Engels