---
Title: Engels to Ernst Dronke, [London,] 19 November 1878
Description: Engels warns Dronke that the life policy he gave him as security is worthless unless Mrs Dronke assigns it, and that he will not pay the next premium unless the documents are signed.
Author: Friedrich Engels
Date: 1878-11-19
URL: https://marxismo.school/archivo/marx-engels/cartas/originales/1878-11-19%20Engels%20to%20Ernst%20Dronke
---


*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](https://marxismo.school/archivo/marx-engels/cartas/1878-11-19%20Engels%20a%20Ernst%20Dronke)*

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

[^1]: Here and below the ink reads rather «Whitly».

[^2]: Abbreviated: a long p and an m with a stroke.