Karl Marx to Ferdinand Lassalle in Berlin
London, Thursday, 5 May 1859

15 May 1859.
9 Grafton terrace, Maitlandpark,
Haverstockhill. London.

Dear Lassalle,

From the enclosed letter, dated April 12, which I beg you to return to me, you will see that there is a very essential difference between the conditions your cousin Friedländer offered me and the conditions you originally communicated to me. Nevertheless I accepted in a reply by return of post. I merely remarked: 1) That I could not pay the expenses for the telegrams; a matter which, by the way, was self-understood and had been anticipated in your letter.

2) That I would find it desirable (without, however, making this a conditio sine qua) if arrangements were made so that I could draw on a banker here for the articles sent off, etc., as is done in the case of the Tribune.

Since then I have received no answer, which surprises me. In case the editors have thought better of it, decency required them to inform me of this. You know that I in no way thrust myself forward in this matter. But, having once taken it on, I took some preparatory steps with English newspapers, etc., and I should not exactly like to be compromised with these people and other acquaintances to whom I communicated the affair for business reasons. That I for my part have not yet sent any article is natural, since no definite engagement has as yet been concluded.

The elections here unfortunately have not turned out toryist enough. In the latter case, by and by a revolutionary movement would have begun here. Palmerston’s return to the Foreign Ministry may now, after some shuffling, be regarded as certain, and Russia will thus once more directly guide English politics.

Salut
D
KMI