[pratt (London, 29 August 1871] 

Sir, 

On my return from Brighton” I found your note d.d. August 
24. The next meeting of the General Council takes place to-day, 
but consequent upon a resolution passed on Tuesday last,’ there 
will during the continuance of the courts-martial in France 
no visitors be any longer admissible. This strict measure had 
been rendered necessary by the intrusion of French police 
agents. 

I have the honour to inclose a subscription list for the French 
refugees. Their numbers (they are now 80-90) [are] increasing 
daily (there are now about 80 [in] number)” while our funds are 
quite exhausted. Their case is truly deplorable. The best thing 
would be, if possible, to form a separate committee charged to 
find employment for those men whose great majority consists of 
skilled workmen and artists. 

I have the honour, Sir, to be 

Yours sincerely, 
Karl Marx