Rev A Brandram No. 28
Porto Rico, 17th March 1834.
My Dear Friend,
In a postscript to my last letter I apprised you of my intention, for the second time, of proceeding immediately for this island. In the gracious dealings of God towards me, this second intention was realised, and I arrived here safely on the 21st of last month. ― Before however I enter on our concerns here, I would notice what I forgot to state when writing the postscript above alluded to, namely, that on the 19th ultimo I succeeded in forming a kind of sub-society in St Thomas's, whose object will be to raise subscriptions in aid of the Santa Cruz Society, and to attend to the sale and general circulation of the Scriptures within its own limits. This is the most I could succeed in, and even that with some difficulty. This beginning however may lead to better things at a future day, whilst in the mean time something will be done towards the main object. . ― A sale has been opened also in a public store or shop where the Scriptures are sold in English, Danish, French and Spanish; and of this due notice has been given in the newspaper of the place.
I mentioned to you in a former letter my doubts and fears as to the success we might have in getting the Word of God into circulation in this Island of Porto Rico. These certainly were not allayed but increased by my first contact with the laws and usuages of this place. I had of course to make my first appearance here, as I have to do every where, at the Custom house. In examining my luggage there, which consisted partly of clothes and partly of books, both for personal use and not for sale, I was allowed to take the clothes with me, but the books were interdicted. I rallied the Custom house officers upon the subject, saying that these books were as much for my own use as were my clothes, and begged that I be allowed to take a few or at least two or three for daily use. No, was the reply to all I could say: all books, said they, are interdicted until they shall have been examined by the Ecclesiastical authorities. This, said I to myself, omens bad in regard to my other books, but I must use all measures within lawful reach to accomplish the object of my visit to this Island.
I mentioned to you before that Governor Von Scholten gave me a letter for the Government here. After the rencontre mentioned I went and presented my letter of introduction, and was favourably received. I afterwards made out a representation to get my books for personal use out of the Custom house, and after some delay succeeded. My chief object came next, and where my fears most lay. I made out, as I was directed, a formal representation praying that certain books that I had brought with me for sale might be allowed to be brought out of the Custom house and disposed of in the Island as I might find occasion, and of these I gave a list, and a specimen of each for examination. Various delays occurred in getting the books examined, notwithstanding that the Governor's Secretary urged on the business. At length a decision was given which amounted to a summary prohibition of the books in question, and this decision was founded on the late law of the press published in Spain and which reached this island after my arrival in it. This law though evidently intended to extend the liberty of the press has had in the first instance a contrary effect in regard to our work. The change in question will however ere long in all probability lead to other changes respecting books, and such as shall fully admit the free circulation of the Scriptures without note or comment in Spain and its dependencies.
Although the entrance of the Scriptures into this Island for sale and circulation was adjudged and prohibited by the late law now mentioned, yet it was very plain, as I could perceive through the conversations with the Ecclesiastic entrusted with the examination, that the same result precisely would have taken place though by a different process under the old law.
I have thus made a trial, and under favourable auspices, to bring the Word of God into this Spanish colony, but have been unable to succeed. I endeavoured to get the Governor and his Secretary to help me in this matter, but though they were very friendly in other things, they did not think themselves justified in adventuring their responsibility in the case, but must, they said, let it pass through the usual course in matters of that kind. ― I have however put 9 of our books into circulation, 4 of which were sold and 5 given as presents.
I have lost more time in this visit than I could have wished, but none that I could avoid. The decision above mentioned was communicated to me only on this very day; and having thus finished my business here, I leave the Island by the first conveyance. I must again return to St. Thomas to get a passage from that Island to Hayti, as there is no intercourse between that Island and this. I consulted with myself several times when in St Thomas, whether I should pass by this Island altogether, and would in truth gladly have passed it by had it not been that I considered my duty in this mission forbad me to do so. Your duty is to offer the Scriptures unto all, especially to a place that lies directly in our way as this island does; but when the Scriptures will not be received, the responsibility lies not with the offerers, but with those who reject them. The Lord forgive this island for this rejection of God's holy word and message, and soon may it be led to repentance, and works meet for repentance.
From Hayti I hope soon to have better accounts to give you: worse I cannot. But should Hayti too prove discouraging, Jamaica I trust will make amends for it, and for this Island also. Let us hope, and pray, and labour, and thus shall God be glorified in us both when we succeed and when we do not.
Believe Me Most Truly Yours,
James Thomson.