Rev A Brandram No. 35
Mexico 17th June 1829
My Dear Friend
When I wrote you on the 5th current, and said that I hoped by next packet I should have something decisive pro or con to communicate to you in regard to the edicts, I was not aware that the packet in question would arrive so early. In truth the packet had arrived at Veracruz when I was thus writing to you, and the mail by her reached this city a few hours after my letter was sent off. Time therefore has not been afforded for bringing about the decision referred to. By the packet following this however I hope to have something particular to inform you of regarding the issue of this matter.
The Secretary of State to whom I have referred different times respecting this business continues to use his good offices on our behalf. The business, at as I said before, does not belong to his department, but he is urging on the Minister of Justice in whose hand the decision lies, and inducing him to bring the business to a speedy and favourable termination. I feel particularly obliged, and I am sure you will do so likewise, by this gentleman's attentions to our concerns. He has gone with me to the Minister of Justice, that we might speak to him together about this matter, and on different occasions he has gone to him himself at my request. In short, this individual sincerely desires the removal of these edicts, and the free circulation of the Scriptures in this country, and I trust God has raised him up for the promoting of these important ends. He told me one morning when I called upon him that he was very friendly to the Society, and wished to promote its object in this place, and also to become himself an annual subscriber to it. He accordingly gave me a Spanish doubloon to remit to you for this object, and which I remit accordingly by requesting you to place its value in English money to my account. At the present rate of exchange it comes within a small fraction of three pounds sterling, and with which sum you will please charge me. I must now give you this gentleman's name, to enable you to place it in its proper place among your subscribers. It is Don Lorenzo Zavala, to which you will please prefix as due to him, "His Excellency," and you may had the words "Secretary of State," and of course "Mexico."
Respecting this gentleman I have one thing more to say. I showed him the two small volumes, the one containing Luke & Acts, and the other the Four Select Books, stating that it would be very desirable to get these introduced into the schools, and that I could sell them in quantities for this end at a very low price. I added that the Society very much wished to have their books used in this way, that any quantity could be supplied, and that he has a subscriber to the Society would greatly forward your cause by using his influence in bringing about the object in question. He desired me to address a letter to him upon the subject, stating the contents of the books, the price, &c., and said that he would send a copy of it to the governors of the different states with whom he was acquainted, and that he would recommend purchases to be made for the use of the schools. If this succeed it will truly be a great object gained. I have written the letter accordingly, and may the Lord prosper it.
I remain, My Dear Friend,
Truly Yours,
James Thomson.