Rev A Brandram No.37
Mexico 25 August 1829
My Dear Friend
You will naturally look in this letter for a decided answer respecting the edicts. Political affairs however have so completely occupied the Government of late as to leave almost no time for other objects. In my last I told you that the matter was in the hands of the Council of Government, but in consequence of the state of the country the council was broken up by the assembling of Congress, and at the very time when a decision was to be pronounced in our case. From this circumstance the matter was referred back to the minister, and he has been so busy in Government affairs as not to find time for our business. Things however in our case look well. The minister has told me that the law is on my side, and that he will decide in my favour in the course of eight days.
I am sorry to inform you that this country has lately been invaded by a Spanish army for the purpose again of reducing it to a state of servitude bodily and mental.[1] The army that has arrived amounts to 4,000 men; 6,000 more it is said are soon expected from the Havana; and besides, an expedition of 10,000 is talked of from Spain. This last reinforcement is I think very doubtful, and you of course will hear of sailing before we know anything certain upon the subject. 10,000 men however are sufficient to do a great deal of hurt to the country in its present distracted and reduced state, though certainly not to subdue it. We must wait the result of this matter with patience and resignation, looking up to him who has promised to bless the nations and make his name glorious in them. He will do so, whatever plans men may form to hinder the light from spreading. The Lord reigneth, let the earth be glad.
I am truly gratified to learn of the prosperity of the Society during the past year. It has been my prayer, as I am sure it is of you all, that the Lord would unite his people in this great and good work. The Lord is answering our prayers as is evident by the progress made in the year past. May he who has done such things for you, bless you still more in the ensuing and succeeding years until the word of God is in the hands of all in their native tongues.
It is delightful to hear of the openings for the Scriptures in the East. Surely the attention of the Society is specially directed by the provision of God to that quarter. Many parts of Europe & America, notwithstanding their professions of Christianity, oppose the circulation of the Scriptures , whilst heathen Asia cries, come over & help us. You will no doubt attend to this cry, limiting your exertions only by your means, and the demands of other places nearer home. It may be that the ready reception of the Scriptures among heathen nations will provoke Catholic Europe & America to emulation. I wish it may be so, at all events your duty as a Society is clear, to operate as extensively as you can on the great eastern population to which the Spirit so evidently directs you at the present time. I shall anxiously look for your report to trace in it your extensive operations and success.
I remain, My Dear Sir,
Very Truly Yours,
James Thomson.
[1] Spanish troops landed near Tampico from Cuba on July 29, 1829 to 'reconquer' Mexico. The battle of Puerto Viejo--September 10,11--ended that. (BM)