Rev A Brandram No 74
New York, 26 November 1838
My Dear Friend,
The day before yesterday – the 24th instant – at dusk I arrived safely in this city. It was the Saturday night when we arrived, and that evening and the following day afforded us fit and gracious opportunities for giving thanks and praise to our God and Father, again and again, for his merciful goodness in bringing us safely from Jamaica to this city, and for all his past mercies and benefit in our various voyages and journeys. And among all our thanksgivings, we give thanks to God, that we have your prayers, the prayers of all the Committee and friends of the Bible Society, the prayers of many dear Christian brethren, and the whole Church of God offered up continually on our behalf. This is a great consolation to us, I assure you, in all our voyages, journeys, labours, and dangers. As it is fit, we pray and give thanks to God for you all in return; and more especially at such seasons as this, on closing a portion of our journeyings on Saturday night, and meditating on the same on the Lord's day that follows in order. – We say to you, and to all, pray for us more and more; and we promise on our part to pray continually for you.
From the middle of September we held ourselves in readiness to leave Jamaica. But just at that time, and for some time onwards, there was an unusual hiatus in the running of vessels from thence to the United States. We wished to sail direct for New York; but fearing further delay we seized the first opportunity that presented itself of a vessel for any part of this country. Accordingly we took our passage in a vessel to Baltimore, being the first one that offered.
We sailed from Port Royal at daylight on Monday morning, the 28th of October. We had a hard and long beat, with some bad weather, before we got past the east end of Cuba. After that we had a pleasant run through the small islands in the quarter northward. Soon after, however, our crew began to fall sick, and there came on a heavy gale of wind, which lasted three days; during which we were under very unpleasant circumstances—with a lee shore, this storm, and only one man before the mast able to work; besides which, the cook and the mate were also seized. By God's merciful hand upon us we weathered the Bahamas; on accomplishing which, the captain judged it wise to make for the most reachable port; and, accordingly, we put into Charleston, in South Carolina, in distress. Here our sick men were sent to the hospital, and others taken in their places. The delay this occasioned, and our being further hindered by the weather and other circumstances from leaving Charleston for a few days, induced us, with our northern journey before us, and so late in the season, to make our way onward as quickly as possible. We left the vessel, therefore, and took our passage in a steam-boat for Baltimore, and thence, through Philadelphia, we came to this city, where we arrived on the day above noticed. Here we stop, of necessity, a few days, to furnish ourselves with northern winter clothing, and to make full inquiry about the political state of the Canadas, previous to our setting out for Montreal, according to our original intention; or for Nova Scotia, should the two provinces above named be in such agitation as might hinder Bible Society work.
I write this letter to forward it by the first opportunity, that you may be apprised of my arrival in this quarter. My further arrangements and movements will be communicated to you as they occur, by the many facilities of vessels to England from this part.
Your letter of the 28 September, and Mr. Jackson's, I have received at the American Bible Society House; and our good friends there offered to serve us in any way they can in our communications. All my letters you will please forward there as before arranged.
I remain, My dear Friend, again and a new,
Affectionately Yours,
James Thomson.
Postscript, 4th December 1838
I have been detained here till today in the objects above stated, and also waiting for the arrival of a vessel from Kingston having most of my luggage on board. This vessel has now arrived, and today we expect to set out for Montreal.
I advise on a Bill drawn on the 28th in favour of Joseph Hyde for Fifty Pounds, to be placed to my private account:- also another Bill of the same amount for this day, in favour of Goodline and Co. to be charged to my Travelling Account. J.T.