Engels to J. H. Johnson, Son & Ellis, [London, 15 November 1889]

Letter (draft, undated and unsigned) from Friedrich Engels to the firm J. H. Johnson, Son & Ellis, [London, 15 November 1889]; the date is that of the editors of the MEW. Written on the back of the firm's letter of 7 November 1889. Manuscript preserved at the IISG (Karl Marx / Friedrich Engels Papers, inv. K 598), transcribed from the digital facsimile by the Escuela de marxismo, 2026 (two independent readings and collation with the image). Written in English. Diplomatic transcription: spelling, capitals and punctuation as in the manuscript; deletions as text where they can be read, otherwise [ilegible]; interlinear additions inserted where marked, with a note; [?] after an uncertain reading; [ilegible] for an illegible word. Spanish translation

Dear Sirs

I have received & considered your letter of the 7 inst.

It strikes me as rather peculiar that you expect me to treat your enquiries as "confidential", but never offer to extend the same treatment to my reply. Of course I cannot undertake such onesided engagements.

If I understand you rightly, I am to report to you and eventually name the author of,¹ any reports² expressions I may have heard on board, from passengers, or officers, or sailors, [ilegible] as far as they may have been disparaging[?] to the off[?] as far as they may have been disrespectful towards the circulating Pumps of the C. of N York[?]. Such communications, if any, were certainly[?] could only be³ made to me in the confidence expectation⁴ that I would treat them after the manner of gentlemen, & not bring their authors into difficulties even supposed they had used an unguarded word or two. To act otherwise, would in my opinion be to turn[?] common informer, [ilegible] unless I misinterpret what seems to me[?] the clear meaning of your proposal, that is what it amounts to, & a strange[?] in that case⁵ it is of a naiveté equalled only by its refreshing coolness.

Anyhow, to set your minds at rest, I will tell you that I don't recollect that anybody in my presence, cast the slightest slur upon the immaculate circulating pumps which you have the honour to⁶ represent, & that I neither know nor care who made them.

I will[?] not condescend to ask you to treat this letter as confidential. A perusal of this correspondence by a Continental or American lawyer or man of business might lead to some valuable hints as to the manner of conducting similar inquiries.