126 

[Manchester, about 22 January 1857] 

Dear Marx, 

Your letter arrived like a bolt from the blue. I had believed that 
everything was going splendidly at last—you in a decent house 
and the whole susiness settled; and now it turns out that 
everything’s in doubt. What damned stingy fellows these Yankees 
are; the people on the Tribune seem to imagine that, having 
squeezed you like a lemon, they must now proceed to squeeze 
another one. But the manner in which they are trying to break 
things off is particularly mean and cowardly. They want to force 
you to take the initiative. Furthermore, ever since Cluss fell so 
strangely silent, we’ve not had one reliable man in the whole of 
America. 

Que faire cependant?* Since the Tribune is definitely intent on 
breaking with you this time, I think the best thing would be to 
establish connections with another New York paper. Might not 
something be arranged with the Herald or the Times?” In your 
place I would at once make a move and keep the chaps on the 
Tribune dangling until everything is arranged. In view of the 
fellows’ shabby behaviour you need only consult your own 
interests and show no consideration for them. If you think that an 
indirect move would be better, let me know. I will gladly carry out 
the negotiations in my name, so that you shan’t be compromised; I 
could write saying I have reason to believe that you don’t get on as 
well as you used to with the Tribune people and that some 
arrangement might perhaps be made, etc., etc. Enfin, anything you 
want, pourvu que quelque chose soit faite‘ 

I wouldn’t put it beyond the Tribune fellows to have stirred up 
trouble with Putnam too. I should write at once to Putnam to clear 
the matter up. One doesn’t even know whether to write the article on 
coastal fortifications or not.‘ At all events it would be advisable to 
keep this source of income open as well. 

I shall send you £5 early in February and for the time being 
you can count on getting this every month. Even if it means my 

a But what’s to be done? - > The New-York Herald and The New-York Times - © In 
short - 4 provided that something is done - ¢ See this volume, p. 81.