Letter from Karl Marx to George Julian Harney, in Boston, written in London on 21 January 1871. The whereabouts of the original are unknown; MEGAdigital gives the text from a copy (RGASPI, Moscow). Text of the copy of the letter (RGASPI), MEGAdigital (MEGA² III/18, letter no. 27), Berlin-Brandenburgische Akademie der Wissenschaften, CC BY-SA 4.0, without the editors’ apparatus. Traducción al español

London, 21 January 1871

1 Maitland Park Road,

Haverstock Hill, N.W.

Dear Harney,

I want for the second volume of my Criticism of Political Economy documents on the disposal of public lands in the United States since the beginning of the Civil War. Mr S. Meyer, a friend of mine at New York, has advised me to address myself to Mr Wilson, Commissioner of the General Land Office, Washington. As I am not at all acquainted with the form in which this ought to be done, I address myself to you. Perhaps, you will act as my negotiator.

In spring, there will be offered a second edition in Germany of the first volume of my work. A Russian translation at St Petersburg has been stopped by the Moscovite police, a French edition at Paris by the war. An “homme de lettres” at New York proposed me preparing an English translation for the United States but I declined the offer since he seemed to me not a competent man for the task.

By our International Council we have stirred the English working class and provoked numerous demonstrations in favour of the French Republic and against the policy of unctuous Gladstone, who has become a servile tool in the hands of the granddaughter of George III and the mother-in-law of “Fritz”. Unfortunately, some of the leading workmen—like Mr Mottershead, an old Chartist and a member of our Council—have been bought up by the Peace Society. They can do no harm at London but they do in the provinces.

The Trades' Councils at Manchester and Birmingham have lately become active agents of the General Council of the “International”. At London I regret saying, most of the workmen's representatives use their position in our council only as a means of furthering their own petty personal aims. To get into the House of Commons by hook or by crook, is their ultima Thule, and they like nothing better than rubbing elbows with the lords and M. P.'s by whom they are petted and demoralised.

The state of things in Germany you may judge from my letter to The Daily News which I enclose.

Mrs Marx and F. Engels send you their best compliments. Salut et fraternité.

Yours

Karl Marx