8 Southboro Terrace, Carlton Grove.Peckham. S.E. Octr 18th 1871My dear Engels

I enclose you two lettersDie Beilagen sind nicht überliefert. – one from Figgins and the other from Stephenson & Blake, to whom I wrote for the first time on Monday evening. You will see by Figgins note that they reject the offer I made to them in my letter of saturday last. Indeed they ask more than one or two other type Founders with whom I was in communication, such as Caslon, who asked for half cash but no security for the other half. I must now await a reply from Stephenson & Blake. Considering my influence and fair proposals, it is to say the least, very suspicious that the type Founders should be so strict in their terms with me. I know that it is quite usual for them to grant 12 and 18 months accommodation and to my own knowledge dozens of papers in Ireland were started under such circumstances. Type is not consummable consumable as paper and other articles are, and if good, though second hand, will fetch a high price. For example, my materials, including type cases, chases, presses, machine etc would amount to about £ 250. The machine (value about £ 80 or £ 90) if carefully used, would be just as valuable in 18 months as on the days it was purchased and I may say the same of the presses, frames etc. At the end of 12 months the type (in a weekly paper like mine) would be almost as good but would not, of course fetch as high a price as new type. There are two persons in London, who know of my intention to start a paper and I suspect both these persons for communicating with the Founders to my injury. One of them would, I know, willingly pay money to prevent the paper coming out and the other I strongly suspect to be in the pay of the police. Of one thing I am certain, it was either or both of these persons who communicated the “unfavorable information” to Miller & Richards. However I must and will succeed as there was never such a grand opportunity and indeed never such a real necessity for a bold and honest organ. Up to this I have only communicated with five Founders and I daresay there are at least 20 more in London. Surely I must succeed with some of those and directly too. £ 250 to be paid in these 12 months would only be about £ 5 per week and the paper income alone, not to speak of the jobbing, which would be very considerable, would easily enable me to pay that off. It is likely that I will hear from Sheffield tomorrow when I will instantly write you. I suppose you got the benefit of a drenching, going home last night. I did as I lost the last train at Ludgate.

With kindest wishes from my wife & self to you and Mrs Engels.I am My dear EngelsAlways faithfully YoursJ P McDonnell

P.S. I have just received a bundle of papers, of the usual kind, from G. F. Train at Omaha.