Letter from Friedrich Engels to Ernst Dronke in Liverpool, [London,] 19 November 1878: the copy kept by Engels, headed «An E. Dronke» and endorsed on the back. Manuscript preserved at the IISG (Karl Marx / Friedrich Engels Papers, inv. K 191 (lot K 397-404)), transcribed from the digital facsimile by the Escuela de marxismo, 2026 (double reading and collation with the image). Diplomatic transcription: spelling, capitals, abbreviations and punctuation as in the manuscript; underlining rendered as italics; deletions as text where legible, otherwise [ilegible]; interlinear and marginal additions inserted where marked, with a note; [?] after an uncertain reading. Traducción al español
An E. Dronke, 19/11/78.
My dear Dr.
I wrote to you in the beginning of this month to inform you that I had been legally advised that the Policy you deposited with me as security was no security whatever unless assigned to me by Mrs Dronke, & that therefore I had instructed my solicitors to draw up a form accordingly.
On the 10th I informed you that this form had been handed to Mess. Whitley[?]1 & Maddock, solicitors, 6 Water St. L'pool, & requested you to call & examine it.
I have not had a reply from you to either of these communications, & am now informed that up to the 17th at least you had not called at Mess. W. & M.
As none of my letters have been returned to me by the post, I must conclude that they have reached you. However to make matters sure, I have requested Mess. Whitley[?] & M. to have this letter deliv.d at your house. It is needless for me to repeat that unless the above documents are signed & in my hands on the morning of the 23rd inst at latest, I shall decline paying the prem[?]2 then due
Yours truly
F. E.
[On the back, in Engels's hand:] Lond 19 Nov 78 / To E. Dronke / Re assign.t of Policy