From Charles-Ferdinard Reinwald   13 November 1869

Dear Sir

I duely received your letter of Nov. 10^th. and am happy to accept fully your proposal to publish a new french translation of your celebrated work, “On the Origin of Species,” after the 5^th. english edition with some unpublished corrections, you intend to insert.¹

I therefore write this day to Col. Moulinié to begin the translation which I should be glad to have revised by M. Carl Vogt.² In case M. Vogt should not be ready for the purpose; I would try, under your consentment, to engage another french naturalist for it.

The letter you had the kindness to write to me, will be sufficient to prove the right for a new translation, and I approve entirely your reasons not to compose with Mlle Royer or her editors for it.³ If it is however in my power to avoid to both of them a loss of money or of unsold copies, you may rely on my best intentions to do it.

I should be obliged to you if you would sent a copy of the 5^th. edition to Col. Moulinié, and have the goodness to forward my little note to Mess. Murray, in order to get 2 copies of the same edition, which shall be paid by one of my friends in London. I will try to deposit these copies here at the Ministère de l Intérieur, in order to secure copyright, not according the international treaty with England, but according our french law of copyright.⁴

Any other arrangement you could have to propose, as for a number of french copies, or other charges for the right of translation, shall meet my best exertions to deal honestly and fairly with the celebrated author of the book in question.

I am happy, dear Sir, to be honoured with your confidence in the present occassion and beg to believe me | Dear Sir | your most obedient Servant | C Reinwald

To Charles Darwin, E^sq | Down. Beckenham. Kent | Angleterre