19April 3, 1904
Lieutenant Stephen L. Morrison, USN
Office of the Secretary of the Navy
Washington, D.C.
United States of America
My dear Stephen,
I must begin my letter with an apology. I realize that it is well over a year, possibly two years, since I last wrote to you. I have been traveling extensively, and I am rarely in the same spot for very long. Your last two letters were forwarded to me by my sister because I no longer have anything to do with my parents, Putilov Metal Works, or my former life. I now devote all of my energies to the revolution. It is truly a full-time life’s work and, for me, there is no turning back. As always, things in Russia turn from bad to worse.
Before I continue, let me congratulate you on your new assignment. An aide to the man who is in charge of
