Engels to R. Hacking, [26 January 1854] (draft)

Transcription with doubtful readings: 15 of the 524 words of the final text (2.9 %) are marked as uncertain ([?]) or illegible ([ilegible]), and each of them is explained in a note. Draft of a letter from Friedrich Engels to R. Hacking, [26 January 1854]; the date is that given for this draft in the list of the MEGA² (III/7), which we have not been able to consult. Manuscript kept at the IISG, Amsterdam (Karl Marx / Friedrich Engels Papers, inv. K 562, images 2-3), transcribed from the digital facsimile by the Escuela de marxismo, 2026 (double reading and collation with the image). Nothing has been completed from other editions. Diplomatic transcription: spelling and punctuation of the manuscript; underlinings in italics; deletions as text; additions above the line or in the margin in their place, with a note; [?] after an uncertain reading, [ilegible] for what cannot be read. Traducción al español

Dr Sir

I am rather a[?] little both¹ surprized & pained to find that Mr S. K.[?] should have appeared should have to you appear to credit your youngest son should have² told[?]³ you matters with concerning me which are totally unfounded.

There has nothing happened between Mr Samuel K.[?]⁴ & me, Since I have known him, which might not have been done or said in your, or any other man's presence. But Mr S. K.[?]⁵, on after⁶ stating things respecting me which he[?]⁷ knows to be unfounded contrary to facts⁸, will pardon me if I has it only to ascribe to himself if now I am called upon to make a few observations.

&[?] so far from⁹ At least not me who sought seeking¹⁰ the acquaintance & society¹¹ of Mr S. K.[?]¹², it was he who sought mine. I had[?] Should you If¹³ proofs should be required¹⁴ proofs, they are at your disposal. I had several reasons simple means[?] of proving this for not courting his intimacy:¹⁵ wishing that too great an intimacy should spring up between him and me. Firstly, there is a difference of age, & consequently of tastes,¹⁶ of rather better than 50[?]¹⁷ yrs[?]¹⁸ between[?]¹⁹ secondly, he appeared to have, what I have not, plenty of spare time on his hands. Thirdly, he appeared to me to be what is called rather „fast" & nobody can say that I ever was or pretended to be²⁰ in that line. Fourthly, on from²¹ several reasons instances²² occasions I had reasons to believe conclude²³ that he was not over scrupulous, in many of his statements,

As to the matter in question, all I know about it, as far as I can recollect, is this: Mr S. K.[?] Some months ago, on being asked²⁴ I told Mr S. K.[?]²⁵ on being asked, who was my tailor, that I was satisfied with him, & that I²⁶ could recommend him. I did not even know that he had ordered any goods there until I learned on on Tuesday last²⁷ Tuesday (last) that Mr S. K.[?] had referred Mr Kean[?] to me, that tailor sent applied to me²⁸ to know who Mr S. K.[?]²⁹ was. I then learned that an order & along with it³⁰ reference had been to me had been given. In told, I [ilegible] reply to that reference, I told my tailor who Mr S. K's[?]³¹ father was. I had not the least How I might have suspected that there was anything so[?] little[?] of a suspicion that there was any clandestine clandestine in all this, I am at a loss to conceive. business in this matter, that I ever[?] told him until I read³² got[?] your note.

On cool reflection, dear Sir, you will, not expect me to enter [ilegible] into a more detailed justification against so silly[?] I hope, regret that in a moment of excitement you ever credited so silly a statement. The charge supposition³³ that a man in my circumstances should go about recruiting customers for a tailor amongst young men who may happen to³⁴ have, as you say, no means whatever of paying their tailors bills – is too ridiculous to be seriously refuted. Were it not for our long business connection & the good understanding hitherto existing between you[?] & me³⁵, were it not for the circumstance that I once on one occasion³⁶ was introduced, by your son, into your family, I should have met it (by a merely) flat denial. It is only owing to these circumstances that I have³⁷ entered into so much of a justification detail³⁸, but it is owing to them also that I must feel[?]³⁹ astonished at your believing such absurdities for a moment. If other explanations should be required, they are at your disposal any Tuesday day⁴⁰ you may be in town.

Your note leaves me hardly any other⁴¹ course than to inform the tailor of what you state respecting Mr S. K's[?]⁴² capability of fulfilling his engagements, as I must decline cannot have anything to do any more my name mixed up any more with this transaction⁴³.