IN ZALT-BOMMEL 

London, 29 November 1864 
1 Modena Villas, Maitland Park, 
Haverstock Hill 

Dear Uncle, 

I hope that you are in the best of health despite the abominable 
weather. All is well here. Except that, to the great alarm of the 
whole family, I had a most malignant carbuncle below the left 
breast at the beginning of this month, which kept me in great pain 
for 2-3 weeks. Other than that, everything has been going well. 

a Henrietta Marx (died 30 November 1863) - > See this volume, pp. 40-42. 

The trade crisis, which I predicted to you long before its actual 
arrival,* has by this time long since lost its edge, although its 
consequences in the manufacturing districts proper are still very 
considerable. On the other hand, I believe a political crisis is to be 
expected in the spring or early summer. Bonaparte has again 
reached the point where he will have to make war again if he is to 
raise a loan. The Venetian business is being kept open (I am 
acquainted with some of the agents there) so that it can provide a 
point of contact if need be. It is possible that Bonaparte will 
again find a way out, and then he will keep the peace (for he is no 
real Napoleon), but that is rather improbable. 

The enclosed printed ‘Address’ is written by myself. The 
matter hangs together like this: in September the Parisian workers 
sent a delegation to the London workers to demonstrate support 
for Poland. On that occasion, an international Workers’ Commit- 
tee was formed. The matter is not without importance because 1. 
in London the same people are at the head who organised the 
gigantic reception for Garibaldi and, by their monster meeting 
with Bright in St James’s Hall, prevented war with the United States.” 
In a word, these are the real workers’ leaders in London, with one 
or two exceptions all workers themselves. 2. On the Parisian side, 
Mr Tolain (ouvrier himself, as well) et Co. are at the head, i.e., the 
same people who were prevented by a mere intrigue on the part 
of Garnier-Pagés, Carnot, etc., from entering the Corps législatif 
at the last elections in Paris as representatives of the workers 
there,* and 3. on the Italian side, it has been joined by the 
representatives of the 4-500 Italian workers’ clubs which held their 
general congress in Naples some weeks ago,” an event which even 
The Times considered important enough to merit a few dozen 
lines in the paper.* 

Courtesy toward the French and the Italians, who always require 
florid language, has obliged me to include a few superfluous turns 
of phrase in the preamble to the ‘Rules’,” though not in the 
‘Address’.” 

A few days ago I received a letter from America from my friend 
Weydemeyer, Colonel in the regiment stationed at St Louis 
(Missouri). Amongst other things, he writes—and these are his 
exact words: 

4 Marx to Lion Philips, 17 August 1864 (present edition, Vol. 41). - © ‘Inaugural 
Address of the Working Men’s International Association’. - © worker - ¢ The Times, 
No. 25021, 4 November 1864. - © K. Marx, ‘Provisional Rules of the Association’. 

‘We are regrettably being detained here at St Louis, since, in view of the many 
“conservative” elements here, a military force is a continuing necessity to prevent a 
break-out and the possible release of the numerous Southern prisoners.... The 
whole campaign in Virginia is a BLUNDER, which has cost us innumerable men. But 
for all that, the South will not be able to hold out much longer: it has sent its last 
man into battle and has no fresh army to call upon. The present invasion of 
Missouri, like the incursions into Tennessee, has only the character of a RAID, a 
foray: there can be no thought of a lasting re-occupation of districts that have been 
lost.’ 

When you reflect, my dear Uncle, how at the time of Lincoln’s 
election 3'/2 years ago it was only a matter of making no further 
concessions to the slave-owners, whereas now the avowed aim, 
which has in part already been realised, is the abolition of slavery, 
one has to admit that never has such a gigantic revolution 
occurred with such rapidity. It will have a highly beneficial 
influence on the whole world. 

At a public merrinc this week the fellow-member of our race 
Benjamin Disraeli has again made a dreadful laughing-stock of 
himself by assuming the mantle of guardian angel of the nicu 
cuurcn © and church RATES, repudiating criticism in religious affairs.” 
He furnishes the best evidence of how a great talent unaccom- 
panied by conviction creates rogues, albeit gold-braided and ‘ricut 
HONORABLE Ones. 

Those jackasses in Germany have again made a_ proper 
laughing-stock of themselves over the Miller affair, with 
ex-parson Kinkel at their head. 

With kindest regards from the whole family to you and from me 
to Jettchen, Dr, Fritz‘ et Co. 

Ever your faithful nephew 
K. M.