Note to Lev Kamenev and Remarks on Vladimir Adoratsky's Letter, April 10, 1922

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Comrade Kamenev:

This is from Comrade Adoratsky. See him and help him.

Yours,

Lenin

Dear Vladimir Ilyich:

... I should very much like to carry on and complete the initial plan, namely, to compile X a collection of “Selected Letters of Marx and Engels on Questions of Theory and Politics”. I am now much more confident, because I have gained greater mastery of the subject....

I should like to see you and discuss some of Vladimir Viktorovich Adoratsky my doubts. If this is possible, call me. I am always at the Central Archives, 8 Vagankovsky, telephones 1–78–38 or 1–75–86.

It would be well if you wrote me a paper or something, have written saying that I have been authorised to do this work, and that I should be given assistance at the Socialist Academy in my studies there. If I were able to devote 4 hours or so to the work at the Socialist Academy every morning, I could have everything ready for the printer’s within a couple of months. I do not quite understand what means assigning “the concern” about the letters # Sometimes it also pays to do this! to Comrade Kamenev. If it means giving me a shove now and then to keep me from forgetting # about them, that is not necessary—I remember it very well. If it means assistance, consultation and help—that would be really fine. I should be very glad to be able to consult with someone. X I’m afraid I can’t. X But I should like to have your final review and sanction...

I have a general outline of the plan of this book, and I should like to make a final arrangement. The publication is to be in chronological XX Quite right! order. Some letters, for instance, the one to An- XX nenkov—in full, others—only in extracts.

The material to be selected on theory: philosophy, economic theory, the theory of history, the revolution, the class struggle, historical remarks; on politics: the proletariat and other classes, the labour movement in the various countries, assessment of political leaders, petty-bourgeois democracy.

Am I to confine myself to theory and politics, And so do I. (Lenin) or devote some space to letters shedding light on Marx’s life, and being of interest for a biography? I think this is not necessary.

There is to be an introductory article dealing To make the under- standable, they must have notes. briefly with all the questions and indicating the }_et|;_ers most important parts of the letters relating to them.