Rev A. Brandram No. 11
La Guayra, 14th August 1832
My Dear Friend,
Since I wrote you last I have not much to communicate. But you will see by the place from which I write this, that I am so far on my way in the projected course pointed out to you in my last. I left Caracas on the third instant, and have now been here ten days. This is rather longer than the time allotted for this place, but one's movements in these matters must be a good deal regulated by the opportunities that offer of vessels sailing where one wishes to go. That is a vessel sailing to Puerto Cabello tomorrow, and I have taken a passage in it for that place, and you will recollect that Puerto Cabello is another of the places lying in my intended route.
I regret to say that I could effect so small a sale of the Scriptures in Caracas during my stay there, but that regret is somewhat modified by the circumstance noticed in my last, namely, that the fewness of the copies sold was in part owing to a considerable distribution of the Scriptures formerly made in that place.
Here, in La Guayra, my success in sales has too much resembled the case in Caracas. I have however both there and here made arrangements for a continued sale of the sacred volumes; so that time, that does much in all things, may make up for the little and has been done on the present occasion.
I mentioned in my last that I had made representation to the Provincial Deputation of the province of Caracas which is to meet in the beginning of November, in regard to a supply of the Scriptures for the public schools. I stated also that it was my intention to make a similar representation to all the different provinces of this nation. From this town I have been able to forward three of these by convenient channels. These have been sent to the Governors of Barcelona, Cumaná, and the Island of Margarita. I have met with a gentleman here who has some influence in this province, and who is anxious that the representation made may have a favourable issue. He has accordingly promised to support it, and will speak to some of his friends to do the same.
Be so good as say to Mr. Tarn, by way of letter of advice, that I have drawn a Bill for fifty pounds of yesterday's date in favour of Messrs. Powles, Ward, Lord, & Co. Of this place. This sum will be noticed in my next account to him.
We are anxiously looking for the mail boat here from Barbados as it is about due. I shall leave this letter here to be sent you when the boat arrives. I may find some difficulties in forwarding future letters to you during my tour through the interior of this country, but I will do what I can to let you hear of my movements. – The Lord be with you.
James Thomson.