London, Wednesday {16 October 1872] 

Dear Lessner, 

Would you please give the enclosed letter* to the Secretary of 
the Federal Council. tomorrow evening. If Hales then insists that it 
is necessary to write to Lisbon direct,’ without going through me, 
it would be best if you were to say no more than this: the matter 
should be dealt with speedily and so the best course to take would 
be to reply to me without delay; if Hales still wanted to discuss 
formalities and personalities, this would only show that he did not 
want any real work to be done, but merely wanted to waste the 
time of the Federal Council, and to sacrifice the interests of the 
Portuguese workers to his personal intrigues. If they demand that 
I should give them the Lisbon address, it would be best to say 
nothing for the time being; it will all work out. 

Your 
F. E.