Rev A Brandram No.139
Merida, Yucatan, 3rd January 1844
My Dear Friend,
In my last letter, dated the 1st December, I mentioned my arrival in this city, and that the Books had come to hand, and were about to be exposed to sale. I looked with interest and anxiety to the reception they might meet with, from the people generally on the one hand, and on the other from the clergy, and more especially the Bishop. I stated in my last the favourable manner in which I was received by the Bishop. This however did not by any means relieve me of my anxiety as to the manner in which he would act as to the circulation of our books, remembering how adverse the Archbishop of Mexico was on this point, whilst at the same time I always received from him the kindliest personal treatment and attentions. The time for testing the point in question came. The Bishop was asked by some persons who had bought copies whether they might keep and use them, to which he replied in the affirmative. This relieved my anxiety, and turned it into joy and gratitude, and I give thanks to God and praise, for this important influence in our favour.
In conversing with the Bishop respecting our Books, he inquired particularly whether the Bibles contained all the books of the Old Testament. I told him what books of his list were there, and which were not. He next inquired why we did not print the whole, to which I replied by stating the different nature of these omitted the books from the rest, and the rules of the Society which prevented the publication. He went to his library, brought out the Council of Trent, and read the article there on the subject, whilst I took the liberty of commenting on it, alleging that this decree in no way altered the previous state of the question, and the relative value of the two classes of books, the Council saying that the various books in that list should be held as they had always been held by the church. Now, I said, the church always made a difference between these books, and that this difference we made, and printed only those always esteemed canonical, and not the others. I subsequently gave him my little tract on the subject, in which the matter in dispute is handled more fully. When he had read this, he expressed himself satisfied with it as an open and honest statement of the point in question. He regretted, he said, that these books were not given with the rest, as it would have made our Bibles more suitable for this country. Still, he continued, what the Society has published, all of it is the word of God, and it will prove very useful among us. The want of the notes was hardly at all adverted to by the Bishop, at which I was both surprised and gratified. I made him a present of one of the 8vo Bibles, and was pleased on several subsequent visits to find it lying on the broad arm of his chair before him as if in frequent use. Several inquiries were made by him as to the nature of our Society, and its operations, and he seemed much pleased with the vast amount of copies published, and in so many various languages.
I have mentioned above the favourable impression made by the little tract I wrote and printed in Mexico. Another circumstance of this kind came particularly before me. A Priest of considerable standing here came to our place of sale, and bought six New Testaments. But he could not be persuaded to take a Bible, as he had heard much, he said, about their erroneousness in the want of books, and parts here and there, Protestant alterations, etc. The gentleman selling our books put into his hands the little tract, and begged him to read over it, as he would there see how the matter stood. He took it home, and on returning next day he expressed himself satisfied about the Bibles, and bought two. I have heard several other encouraging statements made on the perusal of this tract; and the gentleman who sells our books says he intends to get it printed in the newspapers here, as he believes it will be the means of doing away with false impressions about our books, and thus greatly promote their sale. I bless God that the object I had in view in writing this tract has been so much accomplished. I always thought there was a duty lying on us to make such statements as are their made in regard to the Bibles published by the Society. I am glad to find my view confirmed in the good results of this tract, and believe the same good effects would be produced by issuing something of this kind for the use of Roman Catholics in other countries.
In consequence of the favour of the Bishop, and other circumstances our books are now disposed of, and a fresh, and pretty large supply is wanted to meet the demands that may be expected from the general interest manifested to possess our volumes. But before I state how many and what different kinds we want I would mention a circumstance which has an important bearing on our work here. One of my fellow passengers from Veracruz to this country has a shop in the city. From the conversation I had with him during our voyage I thought he would be a proper person to dispose of our books by sale in his shop. He kindly acceded to my request to this effect when mentioned to him.
During the sale, and in our many interviews, he has shown much interest in the circulation of the Scriptures. This led me to make a more general request to him, namely, that he would become our agent and general sales man for all this country. This also he acceded to, and not only without hesitation, but also by expressing himself gratified and honoured to be the instrument in this manner of diffusing in his native country the Holy Scriptures, which he believes will prove a great blessing to it. All this he would do gratis and cheerfully. His name is Don Vicente Calero. This I consider a subject of thanksgiving unto God in regard to our work in this country, and I am sure you will view it in the same light. In fact the finding of such persons and arranging with them for a continued issue of our books, I consider to be one grand object of my visitation of these countries at the present time.
I have consulted with this gentleman as to the quantity of books, the kinds, and bindings, which he thinks most suitable in making up the list for a new supply. He has furnished me with a note for 1850 copies, and I shall copy the same for you, remarking that I have fixed the prices of several volumes as you see them. Be so good as put these prices in Spanish money as here. The rest of the Invoice may be in English as this gentleman understands our language. The usual entry in your Invoices of expense of cases, shipping, etc. would be better omitted, so that the sum arising from the several items may be that exactly for which he has to give account. The cases to be marked V.C.M.V., and shipped to the Havana, to Don Agustín Bolívar, the agent of our friend, with a letter begging him to forward them by the earliest opportunity to Sisal, along with the enclosed Invoice and letter from Mr. Calero. Mr. Bolívar should also be apprised of the contents and value of the shipment. The cases to wait about 200 lbs.; and it is especially requested that each case may contain about equal proportions of the several kinds, with a full statement on the Invoice of the contents of each case, as to number, kinds, and bindings. Due attention to this will enable our friend to send one case here and another there over the country along with an exact Invoice of the same without opening them. Here follows the List: –
dol rials
300 Spanish Bibles, 8vo Calf extra, gilt edges 2 4 each
125 do do Coloured calf 2 0
50 do do Plain Binding 1 6
50 do 12mo Calf extra, gilt edges 2 0
25 do do Coloured calf 1 4
300 Spanish New Testaments, 8vo Calf extra, gilt edges 1 2
100 do do do Coloured calf 1 0
300 do do 12mo Calf extra, gilt edges 1 0
100 do do do Coloured calf - 6
300 do do do Common binding - 4
100 do do 32mo Calf extra, gilt edges - 6
100 do do do Coloured calf - 4
1850
This you see is a good and very encouraging order, and I may add, that it is made in reference to sales for six months, and which time our friend thinks he shall be able to dispose of the whole. But though it should take twice that time to circulate them, still the case is a pleasing one, and especially on new ground as this country is to our operations. I hope you will not take qualms about this order, and two-fifth it, as you did with the last two orders I sent.
You will observe that a good proportion of the books are in superior bindings. But the whole is arranged by our friend according to the better knowledge he has than we of the tastes and capabilities of his countrymen. I should be glad therefore if it could be made out exactly as he has arranged it. The prices I have put down will cover the original cost, and perhaps at some little charges. These I have disposed of here were sold at rather high prices, as I had but few. I have cleared the invoice prices with about 60 dollars more, besides making presents of three large Bibles and some Testaments.
From the consideration that our friend Mr. Calero is to give his services gratis, I would suggest the propriety of making him a present of an English 4to Bible in superior binding.
I send you a newspaper with an advertisement of our books, written by D.Vicente Calero, in which you will see expressions of good feeling towards you.
Soon after the Commissioners of Yucatán arrived here from Mexico, they were sent back again new powers to treat about peace and privileges. They have been successful this time, and a treaty was signed in Mexico on the 14th ultimo. Today this treaty has arrived here, and we are all rejoicing in peace and goodly prospects.
I am sorry to say that I have received no letters from England, since my last, nor since my arrival in Yucatán. I fear they may has been lost between the Havana and this place.
I remain, My Dear Friend, Yours Very Truly,
James Thomson.