MARX TO FERDINAND LASSALLE | 

London, 2 February 1859 
9 Grafton Terrace, Maitland Park, 
Haverstock Hill 

Dear Lassalle, 

The manuscript* went off from here on 26 January; by 31 
January notification had already got back here from Berlin that the 
manuscript had arrived. The parcels company received this 
notification from their correspondent. On the other hand there is 
your letter dated 31 January in which you say the manuscript 
hasn’t arrived. So whatever the circumstances the Prussian govern- 
ment—friend Stieber perhaps—has spent 3 days rummaging 
through” the manuscript. Legally, so far as I am aware, all they 
were empowered to do was ascertain whether the parcel contained 
Brussels lace, other parcels being no concern of theirs. Who is 
going to assure me that some junior official hasn’t amused himself 
by using a page or 2 for spills? 

I presume that, in its own interest, the Prussian government 
hasn’t taken any FALSE steps with my manuscript. Otherwise I should 
see to it that all hell was let loose in the London press (Times, 
etc.). 

a K. Marx, A Contribution to the Critique of Political Economy. - > Marx makes a pun on 
the name Stieber and the verb durchstobern (rummage through). 

I shall write you a proper letter tomorrow or the day after. This is 
simply a business notification, and it’s nearly time for the post. 

Your piece, sy THE By, pleased me enormously. 

My wife sends her kindest regards; now that her cher frére has 
been dismissed,* she believes that manuscripts, at any rate, may 
safely be sent to Berlin. 

Salut. 

Your 
K. Marx 

I may bring out an English version of the first instalments 
straight away. Duncker must put on the title-page: *‘The author 
reserves to himself the right of translation’.*