Regarding your book: he feels that this can only come under the heading, judging by the outline you gave him, of a romance woven about a historical episode: the Báb and the events following His Martyr(dom); we do not know enough concrete facts about the relation of the Russian Court, the Russian consul, and what exact part he played in the events of those days to fill a large paragraph! He feels, therefore, that your book should be presented as such a romance, and not in any way as a historical narrative.

There were many factors at work in releasing Bahá’u’lláh from the Síyáh Chál, not the last of which was the intervention of His own sister who presented very valuable gifts to the Sháh himself while she interceded for her Brother’s life. So you see your information—not merely yours, any Bahá’ís at the present time—is far too scanty to permit of a really historical account being written. This does not mean you cannot get your book out as a romance. He certainly would not want you to destroy your manuscript!


Letter of 24 March 1949

24 March 1949

He was also very pleased to see the contact with the Esperantists is being maintained. This friendly cooperation with them, and attendance at their Congresses, is very good, and will no doubt bring the Bahá’í Cause to many of their member’s attention. Also, he hopes, it will lead to many of them becoming Bahá’ís in the future.


Letter of 31 March 1949