8 Southboro Terrace, Carlton GrovePeckham. Monday EveningMy dear Engels

I was disappointed at not seing you on Saturday evening as I wanted to speak with you on a matter of much importance to myself and the good cause. I will now however, communicate as briefly as possible the nature of the service I want you to render me. The printer with whom I made arrangements for the printing of my proposed paper refused to do it, at the eleventh hour on account of the politics which I told him it would preach. I too well knew that this objection would be raised by nearly all the printers to whom I might apply and I therefore resolved to make an effort to get type, machine etc so that I might be the owner of a really independent paper and also realize handsome profits by a General Printing Establishment. To do this, however, there is also trouble. I have had an interview this evening with the representative of Messrs “Reed and Fox” the type Founders and he informed me that to start such a paper as I proposed and to establish a General printing office, it would require about £ 150. worth of type independent of the press. Of course, to purchase such a quantity of type etc is altogether beyond my power at the present time but with a paper at my command and the general business by which I can realize large profits I would be able in 6 months to pay some of the a/c and the entire of it in 12 months.

I propose to do my printing out here so as not to increase my expenses and to take a small publishing office in Fleet Street. There is now no really Irish Republican paper in the field and there is the brightest prospect for mine. However you can easily guess all this. It is usual for the type people to give 6 and 12 months credit but they must of course know something about the person with whom they transact business

I therefore took the liberty of giving you and Mr D J Rearden of 92 Piccadilly as references also James Daly. I did not like to speak of my influence etc but preferred leaving that task to my friends and I know they will do me justice. I said I was known for years to the references as I am undoubtedly to James Daly & Mr Rearden and to you by repute. I offered several other names but he was content with the three. You may not be called upon at all but if you are I leave it in your hands to give me a high character and to assure them that my paper and general business have every prospect of successSiehe Miller & Richard an Engel, 9.9.1871 und Engels an Miller & Richard, 9.9.1871 (Entwurf).. You will understand perfectly that it is merely as a reference I have given you but your good word or Mr Reardens may win success for me in this matter. I did not tell him that I was Secretary for Ireland in the International but you may. I fear that Daly has not yet returned to his office

If you are waited upon it is likely to be to morrow. I expect to get a final answer from them on Wednesday. If successful I will be all right, if not I will not try the matter further

I leave myself, however in your hands.

I hope to meet you tomorrow night at the Council at 7 o’clock as the sub Committee will meet at that hour

With kind wishes from wife & self to you and Mrs Engels and apologizing for this troubleI am always your trulyJ P McDonnell