The Rev A Brandram No.7
Mexico 27th July 1827
My Dear Sir,
By the last packet I wrote you a few lines hurriedly, as but a few minutes were allowed me between the receiving of your communications and the closing of the mail. I have now more time to write, and shall therefore be more particular in informing you of the state of your concerns here. In the last I said that our concerns were going on well but that caution would be necessary. A month's more experience enables me to confirm this opinion, and to add, that my hopes of success in the circulation of the Scriptures here, are strengthened. I mentioned to you that the 300 Bibles, and the 1000 New Testaments sent here some time ago to the house of R P Staples & Co. were in my possession, and that they were on sale. I have now the pleasure of saying that the whole of the Bibles are sold, and at a price equal to the original cost and all expenses. Of the New Testaments 380 have been sold on the same terms. Of the above, 50 Bibles and 50 New Testaments have been sent to Puebla, a city three days journey from this, and containing about 80,000 inhabitants. These I expect will prepare the way for more ample supply on a future occasion. A decided preference has been given by the buyers to the Bibles and New Testaments in 8vo. This circumstance will guide you in the size of Bibles you may send in future. I hope that our demands upon your stores will be great, and that you will not letter yourselves run short in the editions mentioned. After the 8vo the size preferred is the New Testament in 32mo and Bagster's edition is generally neglected whilst any of the others remain on hand.
You will doubtless expect me to say something to you about the Apocrypha, or rather the want of it in your Bibles here. I shall therefore mentioned to you what has occurred up to this date, and hope that nothing worse will occur for the future. I have been told that the bookseller who purchased the first supplies sent here would have also purchased the supply last sent had the Bible contained the Apocrypha, but finding they did not he refused to buy them. During the sale of the Bibles by retail very little has been said about the want of the Apocryphal books. Two or three persons have observed that they could not find the Maccabees in the Bibles, and I think this is all that has been said upon the subject. Thus you see that less discouragement has been met with upon this not a matter than might have been expected. I do hope that nothing more serious will occur in our future operations, and that the word of God in its pure state will make its way rapidly throughout the various districts of this populous country.
The ample supplies you have sent me by the Hambletonian have not yet reached the city, but I expect them in a week or ten days. The cause of the delay was the heavy rains in Veracruz at the time they arrived which prevented them from being sent off for some time, and besides at this season of the year at least three weeks are required for loaded mules to come from Veracruz to Mexico. I not unfrequently contemplate the novel and truly interesting spectacle afforded at the present time on the road referred to. Surely it is a new thing in this land, and surely it is gratifying, to see twenty-four mules loaded with Bibles and Testaments making their way up the mountains and through the woods to the interior of this country. But pleasing as is this spectacle, I hope something more pleasing still will soon be afforded. To be a messenger of good tidings to you will always be gratifying to me in this country.
My plan of operations for visiting the interior provinces continues the same as when I left you. I will not however be able to leave this city before the end of September. The present is the rainy season here and it will not end till that time. The time I spend in the city is not I hope lost to our cause but the contrary. The acquaintances I may form here will greatly facilitate my progress in the interior. I intend first to visit the large towns to the North West, and I shall be guided by the circumstances that may occur as to the length of my journey. I trust the Lord will preserve me in life and in health until I shall have gone over the greater part of Mexico and Guatemala. Might I ask you again to pray for me? The work in which I am engaged requires strength the body and strength of mind, and these I trust will be given to me through the prayers of the committee and of others who feel an interest in the Redeemer's cause in this remote quarter of the world.
The Bibles and Testaments you have already sent will I expect the all expended before a further supply reach me. I should therefore advise you to send me by the first vessel from London after this reaches you, 1000 large Bibles, and 1000 large Testaments. Please send these to the house of R P Staples & Co., Veracruz, to be at my disposal there. A considerable difficulty was found in getting the Bibles last arrived through the Custom House on account of the quantity in each case not being mentioned in the invoice. Have the goodness to rectify this in all succeeding shipments. Let the invoice mentioned the quantity in each case according to the mark and number. A copy of this invoice should be sent to R P Staples & Co., Veracruz, and another to me here. The former will facilitate the passing of the books through the Custom House, and the latter will enable me to send some cases direct to the interior provinces without incurring the expense of bringing them first to this city, and then sending them to the interior.
I observe that the Bibles do not express in the title page the place where they are printed. Please rectify this in future editions. The name London will do them no harm, and the want of the name of some place looks like concealment, and induces suspicion.
I have thus given you a statement of your affairs here up to this time, and surely we have great reason to bless the Lord for his goodness to us thus far. Let us hope and pray and labour in his cause not doubting of happy results.
I remain, Most Truly Yours, J. Thomson.
P.S. Mr. Cockle will much oblige me by sending me by the first opportunity four copies of Arrowsmith's map of Guatemala published 13 January 1826. These are for a friend who has been useful to me. Let them did be put in canvas and case, so cut as to make 20 pieces. If these come in one of the cases, let the invoice mention which. Send me also Matthias' Greek Grammar, half bound.