The Mahatma has telegraphed to offer an option. The nature of the option is not clear, but reading the letter carefully it seems to be a choice between filing a lawsuit and publishing an article which would reveal to the public the true nature of the slanderer.
Received Allahabad, about December, 1881.
If my advice is sought and asked, then first of all the real and true situation has to be defined. My "Arhat" vows are pronounced, and I can neither seek revenge nor help others to obtain it. I can help her with cash only when I know that not a mace, not a fraction of a tael will be spent upon any unholy purpose: and revenge is unholy. But we have defence and she has a right to it. Defence and full vindication she must have, and that is why I telegraphed to offer option before proceeding to file a suit. Demand retraction and threaten with a law suit she has a right; and she can also institute proceedings — for he will retract. For that reason have I laid a stress upon the necessity of an article touching upon no other subject but that of the alleged "debt." This alone will prove sufficient to frighten the traducer for it will reveal him before the public as a "slanderer" and show to himself that he was in the wrong box. The mistake is due to the very illegible and ugly handwriting of Macauliffe (a calligrapher and scribe of my kind) who sent in the information to Statesman. This was a lucky mistake for on that may be built the whole vindication if you act wisely. But the most has to be made of it now — or you will lose the opportunity. So, if you condescend once more to take my advice — since you have opened the first shot in Pioneer, seek out the accounts in Theosophist and on that data and the Tuesday article write for her a nice pungent letter signed with her name and Olcott's. This can be published first in the Pioneer or, if you object to it, in some other paper — but at all events they will have to print it in the form of a circular letter and send it to every paper in the land. Demand retraction in it from Statesman and threaten with law suit. If you do that I promise success.
The Odessa Old Lady86 — the Nadyejda — is quite anxious for your autograph — that of "a great and celebrated writer"; she says she was very undisposed to part with your letter to the General but had to send you a proof of her own identity. Tell her I — the "Khosyayin"87 (her niece's Khosyayin she called me as I went to see her thrice) gossiped the thing to you advising you to write to her, furnishing her thus with your autograph — also send back through H.P.B. her portraits as soon as shown to your lady, for she at Odessa is very anxious to have them back especially the young face.... That's her, as I knew her first "the lovely maiden."
I'm a little busy just now — but will furnish you with explanatory appendix as soon as at leisure — say in two three days. The "Illustrious" will look to all that needs watching. What about Mr. Hume's superb address? Can't you have it ready for your January Number? Ditto your editorial answer to Spiritualist's editorial. Hope you'll not accuse me of any desire to sit upon you — nor will you view my humble request in any other light than the true one. My object is twofold — to develop your metaphysical intuitions and help the journal by infusing into it a few drops of real literary good blood. Your three articles are certainly praiseworthy, the points well taken and as far as I can judge — calculated to arrest the attention of every scholar and metaphysician especially the 1st. Later on you will learn more about creation.
Meanwhile I have to create my dinner — you would scarcely like it — I'm afraid.
M.
Your young friend the Disinherited is on his legs again. Would you really care for his writing to you? In such case, better ventilate in Pioneer the question as to the advisability of coming to terms with China in regard to the establishment of a regular postal service between Prayag and Shigatse.
Letter No. 35 (ML-41) Rec. December 1881
This letter further concerns the Mahatma M.' s suggestion that Sinnett draft a circular letter to be signed by H.P.B. and Olcott. Olcott, who had been in Ceylon, arrived in Bombay on December 19. H.P.B. and Olcott were to have copies made of this circular letter and sent to all the different newspapers.
Received about February, 1882.
I believe verily I am unfit to express my ideas clearly in your language. I never thought of giving any importance to the circular letter — I had asked you to draft for them — appearing in the Pioneer, or ever meant to imply that it should so appear. I had asked you to compose it for them, send your drafted copy to Bombay and make them issue it as a circular letter; which, once out, and on its round in India might be copied in your journal as other papers would be sure to copy it. Her letter B.G.88 was foolish, childish and silly. I have overlooked it. But you must not so labour under the impression that it will undo all the good yours has done. There are a few sensitive persons on whose nerves it will jar, but the rest will never appreciate its true spirit; nor is it in any way libellous — only vulgar and foolish. I will force her to stop.
At the same time I must say she suffers acutely and I am unable to help her, for all this is effect from causes which cannot be undone — occultism in theosophy. She has now to either conquer or die. When the hour comes she will be taken back to Tibet. Do not blame the poor woman, blame me. She is but a "shell" at times and I, often careless in watching her. If the laugh is not turned on the Statesman the ball will be caught up by other papers and flung at her again.
Do not feel despondent. Courage my good friend and remember you are working off by helping her your own law of retribution, for more than one cruel fling she receives is due to K.H.'s friendship for you, for his using her as the means of communication. But — Courage.
I saw the lawyer's papers and perceive he is averse to taking up the case. But for the little he is needed for, he will do. No law suit will help — but publicity in the matter of vindication as much as in the question of accusation — 10,000 circular letters sent throughout to prove accusations false.
Yours till the morrow.
M.
Letter No. 36 (ML-36) Rec. January 1882
This letter was received by Sinnett before the Mahatma K.H. returned from his retreat.
Sinnett had written to H.P.B. about initiating some people into the TS — whether in Allahabad or Simla is not clear — probably the latter, since the group there had been newly organized. In her reply (LBS p. 10) she says: "What can I say about initiating the Fellows immediately? Of course you ought to initiate them and send their applications to me, not to Olcott, for I represent him now here. . . . As soon as I see the Boss I will ask his permission. . . ."
Received about January, 1882.