Rev A Brandram - No.120
New York, 30th June 1842.
My Dear Friend,
I am still in this city, because no mail steamer arrived since my last, nor has any sailing vessel left this port, during the same period, for Mexico. The derangement in the courses of the West India Mail Steamers leaves us with little hope of any of them being here for some time; but there is a sailing vessel likely to leave this for Veracruz in ten days or a fortnight, and with this vessel I purpose going unless a steamer should offer earlier.
Your expected letter, dated the 31st ultimo, came into my hands on the 20th instant. I observe what you say in reference to translations of the Scriptures into the native tongues of Spanish America, in reply to my notice on the subject in my letter No 70, and I shall endeavour to act according to your suggestions. You intimate that there are no supplies of Scriptures lying at present in any part of Mexico. As I would therefore have no copies for distribution on first arriving in that country, I shall take a small supply from this place to meet any early demands that may offer. The supply I would request from you, and to be sent out by the earliest vessel for Veracruz, is 100 Spanish Bibles 8vo, 50 ditto 12mo, 200 Scio's Testaments 12mo, 200 ditto 32mo, and 100 ditto 8vo. To these please add French Bibles of the beautiful thin 18mo lately (1841) published by the French and Foreign Bible Society, of Ostervald's version. Also add 10 English Bibles, Pearl 8vo M.R. and 10 Pearl 24mo both of them, and also French Bibles, bound in coloured calf with gilt edges. Also 5 Crown 4to English Bibles, and 5 Small Pica 8vo M.R. both bound in coloured calf extra. The cases containing these books should not way above 250 pounds, as they have to be moved through the country on mules. Into each case of the Spanish Books it would be well to put about an equal portion of the different sorts, so that in sending the case to any place the various kinds may be duly contained in it. – These cases to be consigned to John Gifford Esq., British Consul, Veracruz.
I do not recollect at present what happened in regard to the Books obstructed in the Custom House in Mexico when I left that city, and would be glad if Mr. Jackson could inform me, as the knowledge of this may be of considerable service.
You say I will return to Mexico with mingled feelings. I do, my Brother, and some of these feelings you can enter into, and some of them perhaps you cannot well know. I beg earnestly your earnest prayers, under strong impressions of my great need of them, in the journeyings apply in prospect before me.
I remain, Affectionately Yours,
James Thomson.