Remarkable TLS signed “Bro Malcolm X,” two pages, 8.5 x 11, As–Salaam–Alaikum letterhead, July 13, 1960. Expansive letter addressed to his teacher Elijah Muhammad, in full: “I thank ALLAH for the time He blessed me to be with you last week, and also for the financial help you gave me, which I know you need for yourself. I look upon it as ‘seed-corn,’ which I do not intend to eat, but to plant, so that when you see it again it will have produced a decidedly large ‘increase.’ The only reason I ever accept any money from you is to re-invest it out here in The FIELD for the growth of Islam.Your Radio Broadcast could be gotten into one of these New York stations through our contacts here if I could get a copy of the broadcast. Is it possible for Mr. Stark to make up some copies for me of the complete series (for instance, that has been played in Boston) just as if I’m the radio station…and once they are in my possession we will use the ‘friends’ (contacts) ALLAH has blessed us to make here in New York. We want your program on the air here in Harlem, and we feel that it can be done, even if it takes a bit of ‘maneuvering’ (strategy). Brother ‘B’ says he’ll come anytime it is convenient for you, and now plans to make it next weekend.I’m off to Philadelphia to show my slides tonight which show your followers’ economic progress and spiritual growth from coast to coast. Next Tues, Wed, and Thurs I’ll show it in Springfield, Boston and Hartford. I’m also helping to build up caravans in those cities for the trip to New York on the 31st. I re-established contact with the Nigerian I had met on the plane coming back from Albany. ALLAH really blessed me to thoroughly brainwash several of them, and send them back to Nigeria loaded down with our literature and singing praises about the work you are doing among us here in America. Three of them made it to the Temple Sunday and got a small ‘dose’ of Yacub’s history. These Africans, all are government officials in their country, and will have the largest independent African nation when they get their freedom October 1st. They are all amazed and shocked at your message, work, and accomplishments here among us.I want you to know that I’m not trying to convert any of them, but my main purpose in dealing with them is always to establish good diplomatic relations with those in governmental positions, figuring somewhere done the line they may come in handy. Also, I get pictures of them talking and socializing with your followers here in America, which is good propaganda to use in impressing our ‘prestige-crazy’ dead brothers and sisters….especially since their eyes are turning increasingly towards Africa. Thirdly, I’m praying you will let me represent you and the Lost-found Nation of Islam in Nigeria October 1st, on their Independence Day. All other nations will be represented. I think if I were there, with the contacts and friends I’ve already made, it is highly possible to pull a major propaganda victory.Mr. John Patterson is the only so-called Negro downtown on Wall Street. He’s in the ($) investment business, high finance. His (all Negro) firm owns Harlem’s newest paper, The Citizen–Call, in which Dan Burley has a column. Secretary John can give you further details about him. ALLAH blessed me to make friends with him, and spend two hours at our restaurant here over a dinner with him. (By the way, Burley’s column titled ‘MUHAMMAD HAS ‘EM REALLY WORRIED’ which appeared in the Citizen–Call last week attracted much attention and got good results here in Harlem).Mr. Patterson wants to know what he can do to help us. He is very impressed by what you have already done, and even more impressed by what you plan to do. I’ve approached him not on a religious basis, but on an economic basis he understands better. He’s young, intelligent, open-minded, and seems very race conscious. He’s considered a good business man. I explained your Future Plan to him, and he said it is in his field to set up the proper machinery (system) to raise funds, finance, or get financial backers for such projects. ALLAH has blessed me to sell him on the idea of meeting with you in person. He's a native New Yorker and understands the cold facts of life. He sees the Handwriting on the Wall in Africa. He sees the Black Man coming to the top. And he sees you the only one in America with the VISION to devise a program that will be in keeping with the pace that is being set now all over the earth by Dark Mankind.I have another appointment with him Friday noon at his office, to meet his staff and co-workers. I guess you know me well enough by now to know that I weigh everyone (no matter how good they sound) and then accept that part of what they do or say which can best help us…but still not opening the door to that which can be harmful. I will contact you after Friday to let you know what further developments. Meantime, I may also write Dan Burley and congradulate [sic] him on his column, and encourage him to send in more similar ones to this New York paper. He already has a large following here, and is most effective. I must dash off to Philadelphia.” Malcolm X adds a handwritten postscript to the conclusion: “In fact, I may call Burley and encourage him to keep writing about you in his New York column. It is actually more effective than if you were writing it yourself.” In fine condition.In August 1952, after seven years served for larceny and breaking and entering, Malcolm Little left the Norfolk Prison Colony as Malcolm X, a devout member of the Nation of Islam (NOI) and a committed disciple and pupil of Elijah Muhammad. Malcolm X used his intelligence and an imposing physical presence to rise ambitiously through the ranks of the NOI, recruiting members in great numbers while establishing new temples in Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Georgia. The degree of his passion is readily apparent in this letter, a conduit Malcolm X uses to relay his successes as well as to elect himself as a NOI representative at the upcoming independence ceremony of Nigeria on October 1, 1960, a position he was seemingly unable to procure. Of particular interest is the shrewdness with which Malcolm X spreads the NOI message, especially to a Nigerian man he had met on a recent plane trip: “ALLAH really blessed me to thoroughly brainwash several of them, and send them back to Nigeria loaded down with our literature and singing praises about the work you are doing among us here in America.” A uniquely fascinating glimpse into the inclusive, often manipulative role of Malcolm X during his ascent within the Nation of Islam.Format: TLS