{Manchester,] 16 December 1851 

Dear Marx, 

Herewith a letter from Weydemeyer which reached me at 
midday today. So far, the news is quite good, Heinzen’s paper” 
about to expire and Weydemeyer already in a position to bring 

a Ever - > Deutsche Schnellpost 

out a weekly.’ But the demand to send off an article to him by 
Friday evening is rather too much—particularly under present 
circumstances. And yet this is just the moment when people there 
are pining for arguments and cogent facts about the French 
business, and if one could say something sensational about the 
situation, the success of the enterprise would be assured in the 
very first number. But that’s just the snag, and as usual I shall 
again pass on the difficulty to you and, whatever I may write, it 
will not at any rate be about Krapiilinski’s coup de téte.* You, at any 
rate, can write a diplomatic non-committal-epoch-making article 
for him.*°* What I shall do, I don’t know yet, but shall at any rate 
attempt something or other. I cannot send the Schnapper,” firstly 
because the first chapter is weak, and secondly because I have 
dropped the thing altogether now that History is starting to write 
comic novels—a rather too dangerous form of competition. 
Meanwhile Ill introduce a few more comic scenes into the plot 
and then begin the thing again—but it would be quite unsuitable 
for them over there and in any case Weydemeyer wants stuff with 
our names at the bottom. Write and tell me by return what you 
propose to do; le temps presse, Saturday’s steamer won’t reach New 
York before the, New Year and that’s bad; even worse is the short 
respite still left us. 

Weydemeyer must really keep his fingers out of the American 
pie until he is able to get the local names right. It’s a pity he hasn’t 
the time to orient himself first and learn a little English. The 
‘abolutionists’© would make a splendid tidbit for Heinzen. As for 
Weerth, I shall see him here tomorrow or the day after and find 
out what he can do. Next week, or maybe even on Saturday 
evening, I shall be in London, when we can discuss matters 
further; meanwhile there remains only the question of what is to 
be done for the first number; this cannot be put off, so you must 
write and tell me by return what you propose to do. 

To judge by this letter Weydemeyer certainly appears to be still 
somewhat ‘green’ in regard to business matters; I shall drop him 
such hints on the subject as are necessary. As yet he knows 
nothing whatever about his readers. 

Lupus might also bestir himself and see what he can produce 
for the first number. Weydemeyer will be very hard put to it to 
find material. 

What do you think of the French funds, which yesterday were 

4 impulsive act of Louis Bonaparte (called Krapiilinski after a character in Heine’s 
‘Zwei Ritter’) - > time is short - © Engels refers to a mistake made by Weydemeyer 
when he used this word instead of ‘abolitionists? 

standing at 101.50 c.—1'/y per cent above par—and which, 
better than any venal lies in the press, will pull in a mass of votes 
for Louis Napoleon. He’s even being helped by the excesses of the 
peasantry in the south and central parts of France.* Some did 
undoubtedly occur, nor could anything else be expected of this 
race of barbarians. The fellows don’t give a rap for the 
government, etc., etc., but think only of tearing down the tax 
collector’s or notary’s house, raping his wife and killing the man 
himself if they can lay hands on him. In itself the matter is au 
fond’ of scant significance and serves these gentlemen perfectly 
right, but it drives into Napoleon’s camp everyone who has 
anything to lose. In fact, the invasion of native barbarians, should 
it ever come to pass, promises to be an amusing spectacle, and 
happy are those under whose governance such agreeable events 
take place. The present rise in the funds is assuredly no longer a 
mere government manoeuvre but the expression of the fear— 
translated into confidence in Louis Napoleon—felt by haute 
finance’ of being flayed alive, as depicted in such vivid colours by 
the truthful Constitutionnel. 
Write to me at once, then, about Weydemeyer. 

Your 
F. E.