The following letter was addressed to M. Albert Thys, managing director of the Societe' Belge du Haut Congo, correcting him on the relationship between the Captain and Messrs. Wadford of Antwerp. It was not until the following April (1890) that Conrad obtained the command he so much desired of a small steamer on the Congo River. Translation of the original letter from French:

" 28th November, 1889.

Dear Sir:

I have just learned from a letter from Mr. Baredemaecker to Messrs. Barr, Moring & Co., that you are under the impression that I have served Mr. Wadford as captain of his ships.

I must apologize if I expressed myself wrongly to you during our interview at Bruxelles. My intention was to inform you that I was in the employ of Mr. Wadford for the moment; I did not even know that he was a ship owner. I beg your kind indulgence for this misunderstanding, due to my lack of experience in expressing myself in French.

As it may be necessary to obtain references about me for the post you have in mind and have promised me, I take the liberty to inform you that I have a commission from the Board of Trade, qualifying me as a commander of sail craft and steamships, for the British Marine, obtained through proper examination at London in 1885.

I am ready to send you copies of said certificate, signed by the captains and ship-owners in whose employ I have worked for more than 15 years in actual service at sea, which is a good testimony of my ability and capacity in said line and of my good behavior in general.

I am also a member, now for four years, of the Society of Captains (Shipmasters' Association, London, 60 Fenchurch St), where my qualifications are also well known.

Mr. G.T.W. Hope, Director of the South
Africa Mercantile Co., a member of the London
Chamber of Commerce, 39 Coleman St., will like-
wise be in a position to give you all in-
formation you may require.

I beg to remain, Dear Sir, your most
obedient servant,

C. Korzeniowski.

Care of: Barr, Moring & Co., 35 Camomile St.
London, E. C.

Translation from French.

Terre de Kazimierowka,

11th April, 1890.

Mr. Albert Thys,
Bruselles.

Mr. Manager:

I have just been advised by my agents that your letter sent to my London address has been re-addressed for Russia, according to my instructions. I thought that I had taken all possible precautions about my correspondence, but unfortunately it seems that this letter has gone astray or possibly is altogether lost.

I have claimed it at the Post Office of the Province, but up to the present writing without any success. I am therefore ignorant of the content of the communication with which you have honored me, but I hope that if it contained a favorable decision as to my candidacy, the regrettable incident of its loss will not prove in any way harmful to me.

As I informed the Secretary of the Company during the interview he was kind enough to grant me on the 5th February I shall be back by the end of April.

I will be then in Bruselles by the 30th of this month, if not before, and without loss of time I will go to the offices of the Societe du Haut Congo, in order to learn what your decision is in regard to my affair.

I have the honor to remain, Mr. Manager, your most obedient servant,

J. C. Korzeniowski.