Rev A Brandram - No.23
Mexico 30th June 1828
My Dear Sir,
I have now again the pleasure of writing you from the city. I left Oajaca on the 13th and arrived here on the 25th current. I bless the Lord for his mercies to me on this journey. I set out under discouragements, the roads being infested with robbers, who were attacking passengers in some part of the road almost every day. Two persons with whom I was particularly acquainted were attacked and robbed on the road from this to Puebla a few days before I set out, and notwithstanding that they had with him and escort of four soldiers. Another person with whom I was acquainted was attacked and severely wounded with clean musket shots, and the person traveling with him was killed. During the few days I stayed in Puebla no less than twelve of these robbers were seized and brought into that city, the number still remaining made the roads much the same as before. Nothing but a sense of duty would have led me from home to travel on such a road at that time. But your supply of the Scriptures for me had arrived in this country, and I saw it my duty to put them as early as possible into the hands of the people. Besides, the rainy season was fast advancing, and I was anxious to get my tour over before it commenced, fearing I might thereby be hindered in my traveling, and obliged to deferred to the dry season ensuing. I have now performed this journey, and him safely returned to my home. I praise the Lord for his gracious presence preservation and guidance of me, and I think you will join me in this. My Dear Friends, forget note your traveler in this country when you approach the throne of grace. The interest I hope I have in your prayers, encourages me in your work. I know you wish to animate me all you can, and I thus point out to you the means by which you can do it the most effectually.
I stopped a day at Puebla on my return, to see the Bishop, and to make inquiries about the Mexican translation of the Gospels. I was happy to find the Bishop as friendly to our object as when I last saw him. Various circumstances which he noticed had prevented anything being done in the translation question, but he mentioned to me the names of three persons whom he had entrusted with it. One of them is a professor of the Mexican language in the ecclesiastical seminary of Puebla. I called upon this gentleman, and we had some very agreeable conversation upon the desirableness and utility of this translation. He takes a lively interest in the matter, and from this circumstance, I have good hopes that the work will before long be carried into effect. The chief persons of the two who are to assist him, is the Rector of the parish at some distance from Puebla. The professor said, he would call on the Bishop next day, that this individual might be sent for, and that the translation might be immediately begun.
The Bishop made me a present of a Mexican and Spanish dictionary. For these, amounting to six volumes, I petitioned the Bishop, and he granted my request. As soon as the first chapter of Luke is translated and reviewed the Bishop promises to send it to me by the first post. I believe I hinted in my letter from Jalapa, that a letter from Lord Teignmouth to the Bishop would probably be very acceptable, and might prove greatly useful to your cause. I am still of this opinion, and am now more desirous of this being done than I was before, from what has lately taken place here, and of which I shall presently the speak.
About three months ago there came a supply of Bibles and Testaments of your editions into the hands of a bookseller in this city. When they were sent, and how he came by them I cannot ascertain. I sell the Bibles here at 20 rials which is rather under than above cost expenses, but the bookseller referred to sell them at 18, and has offered a large quantity and 17. The New Testaments are also proportionally cheap. I cannot conjecture how these have come here, unless perhaps the London Merchant's Bible Society, or the Liverpool Bible Society have sent them. They appear to have been entrusted to the captain. Of the vessel who has either given away the whole of them together gratis, or sold them at a very low price. You will see that this interferes with our arrangements here, and really injures the extensive and useful circulation of the Scriptures. Be so good therefore as make particular inquiries of the two societies mentioned, and of any others in the seaport towns likely to have sent these, and please represent to them that what they do in this way does not advance the circulation of the Scriptures here, but hinders it. The result of your inquiries and advice upon this subject to the societies at the sea port towns, I shall be glad to hear from you as early as you can.
In my letter of March last I intimated to you my fears of some steps being taken by the ecclesiastical authorities of the city and diocese, to hinder or prevent circulation Scriptures here. I am sorry to inform you that my fears have now been verified. A few days ago their edict was issued. I enclose you a copy of it, and by the next packet I shall be able to give you some accounts of its effects. This is the circumstance I have alluded to above, as making it very desirable that Lord Teignmouth should write a few lines to the Bishop of Puebla.
I have just now received a note from the house of Robert P Staples & Co. of Vera Cruz, advising me that the shipment has just arrived there from Havre has brought me 1000 Bibles remitted by Prof. Kieffer. They are said to be in two cases but in that state they cannot be brought into the interior. Mr. Kieffer must certainly have supposed that our beasts of burden here are not mules but elephants, from the immensely large cases that he has sent.
Till next month, Farewell. Believe me. –
Very Truly Yours,
James Thomson.