Rev A Brandram No. 33
Mexico 2nd May 1829
My Dear Friend
In my last, and in some preceding letters, I stated to you my hopes of getting something done in the translation of the Scriptures into the Mexican language, through means of the Bishop of Puebla. These hopes, I am sorry to inform you, are all vanished. The Bishop of Puebla is in the grave. He died on Sunday last, the 26th of April.
God, who stirred up the individual above mentioned to befriend his cause here, can stir up others, and I trust he will do so. Like the father of the faithful, let us in this, against hope believe in hope. Dark is our way here at present, but light may break in upon us sooner than we are aware. Let us not forget the power of him who said, "let there be light," and there was light.
I stated to you some time ago that soon after the new president should take his seat, I would renew my petition regarding the annulation of the edicts issued against the circulation of the Scriptures. I mentioned at the same time, that a gentleman I was acquainted with and who had always been friendly to the work I am engaged in, was likely to become one of the Secretaries of State.[1] This gentleman now occupies the situation I referred to. I have presented to him my petition, and it has been very favourably received. The business does not belong to his department, but he was so kind as to carry my petition himself to the Secretary of State who is over ecclesiastical affairs, and to recommend the subject to his attention. I have since seen the Minister of ecclesiastical affairs, and as far as I can judge he is likely to prosecute subject and to bring it early to a close in one way or another. I need not inform you what pleasure I shall have in being able (should such be the will of God) to announce to you a favourable issue. Again, let us remember that the hearts of all are in the hand of the Lord, and that he can incline them to whatsoever he will.
Dr. Mora, who is always friendly to our objects, has written Valladolid to make inquiries as to the translation of the Scriptures into the Tarasco language which is spoken very extensively in that State. I told him to ascertain in the first place whether a licence could be procured from the ecclesiastical authorities of that diocese for the printing a part of the New Testament in that language when translated. Dr. Mora is pretty confident that such a licence can be obtained. The Tarasco is reckoned the finest language of all those spoken in that quarter.
You authorize me to procure translations of some part of the Scriptures into the Mexican, Otomí, and Yucatán languages. I suppose I am at liberty to follow the spirit rather than the letter of these instructions. That is, that if I can substitute other languages for these three if circumstances so direct, I shall still I suppose be obeying your instructions. Let me know if I am right in this interpreting what you have said. It is of course to be considered, that in case of such a substitution for one or more of these languages, the language substituted should be of sufficient culture and use to warrant its adoption. Of the Tarasco language three grammars and two dictionaries have been published, besides some works on Christian doctrines and morals.
I now give you some extracts from a letter received within these few days from the house of Watsons & Co., Tampico.
"We have to apologize for having left your last letter so long him answered, but we can assure you that we have not left your interest in our hands neglected. The four cases containing the largest edition of the New Testament have been received, but we have not had an opportunity of forwarding any of them to San Luis Potosí as several muleteers to whom we have offered them have objected to them on account of their weight, but as they are plenty now we expect to get them forwarded in a few days. As we feel interested in the success of your mission to this country it is our intention to take out our commissions and expenses we have been at in kind, and to distribute the works gratis where we consider they are most likely to produce the desired beneficial effects, and with this view we sent six copies of the large New Testaments to the parish priest here the other day in hopes of their being distributed with his sanction and approbation in order to induce greater respect and consideration for them.
We took an opportunity the other day when our mutual friend Mr. Samuel Richardson was a guest with us to visit the school at Pueblo Viejo de Tampico in the state of Vera Cruz, and finding the master very liberally disposed and almost without books for about 130 scholars. We considered that it would meet your approbation and the object of the institution to furnish a supply of proper books, as per this enclosed receipt from Don José Ruiz the head master appointed by the State of Vera Cruz. We have referred him to you for further instructions under the understanding that he is to collect the amount prefixed to his receipt from each of his scholars as can afford to pay for their books, taking into consideration that your instructions to make a deduction in these cases would cover the loss from furnishing those who had not the means of paying the expenses. The school in this town is about finished but no schoolmaster has been appointed yet. We will send you a statement of the books sold here and the sum at your credit in a few days. The Spaniard who assisted us in retailing the books is unfortunately included in the law of expulsion. We understand that it is his intention to give his services gratuitously in aid of the institution. The writer of this, our Mr. Watson, intends about the end of next month (May) to visit the interior, when he will be happy to render his services useful to you in his route through San Luis, Aguas Calientes, and Guadalajara to Mexico."
The books taken for the school as above noticed are, 40 large Bibles, 88 New Testaments and 15 Luke & Acts.
In your letter of the 16th February received by this packet, you mentioned your having just heard of our revolution here, and you beautifully allude to the Lord having hid Baruch and Jeremiah. Yes, My Brother, the Lord hid us and kept us in perfect safety, in these distressing days. On various occasions has the Lord dealt so with me during these ten years past in my wanderings over this continent. I wonder when I think on the events of these years, and I trust that in some measure I adore the Lord for all the gracious way by which he has led me. May he lead me into his heavenly kingdom and glory.
I remain, My Dear Friend, Very Truly Yours,
J. Thomson.
P.S. Please advise Mr. Tarn that the Rev. W Marshall will present him a note for one hundred pounds dated 30 April 1829. J.T.
[1] Zavala became Secretary of the Treasury. (BM)