BRACERS Record Detail for 63356
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This letter is addressed to "Dear Sir". Although it is on letterhead it must be a holograph copy (from memory), or a draft of what was sent.
BR wrote to Constance Malleson, telling her about the invitation—who sent it and what the occasion was: an invitation "to meet the Polish delegation to the meeting of the International Association of Democratic Lawyers." He copied the letter for her as part of document .200853, record 19847. Although the substance of the letter is the same, many of the words are changed.
BR TO POLISH EMBASSY, 27 FEB. 1948
BRACERS 63356. ALS(C). McMaster
Proofread by K. Blackwell
<letterhead>
27 Dorset House
Gloucester Place
N.W.1.
27.2.48
Dear Sir1
I am somewhat puzzled by an invitation you have been so kind as to send me “to meet the Polish Delegation to the Meeting of the International Association of Democratic Lawyers”. As democracy is illegal in your country, and the leading democrats have been exiled, imprisoned, or liquidated, I presume that the Polish delegates I am invited to meet have been released from jail for the occasion. If, however, you mean by “democracy” a military dictatorship imposed by a minority, then I am not a “democrat”, and should be out of place at your reception.
Yours faithfully
Russell.
