Rev A Brandram No.34
Mexico 5th June 1829
My Dear Friend
Your two welcome letter is dated 19th and 23rd March have come to hand. I observe the resolution of the Sub-committee contained in the former of these regarding the Epistles of Peter, and perceive that it is final. I am sure that the Committee feel a very deep interest in everything respecting this country, and that they would leave nothing undone which could benefit it. I know also from experience their readiness to attend to any little suggestions of their agent here in regard to editions of the Scriptures for this country. If therefore we are not exactly agreed as to the insertion of these two epistles in the little volume in question, I am sure it is from a conviction on the part of the Committee that what was requested upon the subject is not required. In the multitude of counsel there is safety. I am but one, and you are many. In the decision therefore ultimately come to I fully acquiesce, and thus leave the subject, until perhaps I may be able to speak with you face to face.
I feel greatly obliged to the Committee for their kind sympathy with me under present discouragements, and for the confidence they repose in me as to everything being done for their concerns that circumstances will permit. Next to the approbation of God, I desire to be approved of by you, and I trust that the kind assurances you have thus it given me will act as a new stimulus in leading me actively to serve you in this place. You conclude your letter by saying, "Be assured that we will assist you with our prayers." Do so, My Friends, and surely God will hear us sooner or later.
In regard to the edicts I have nothing decisive to announce to you at present, but I have hopes that by next packet I shall be able to give you some information upon the subject in one way or another. I enclose you your account current made up to the 20th of May last. A considerable expense incurred in bringing books from Vera Cruz to this city, and in sending others to Tampico makes the balance in your favour less than otherwise it would be. There are also some outstanding accounts equal perhaps to about 700 dollars, and this sum I hope will stand at your credit in next balance.
I have one subject more to touch upon in this letter, and it is a gratifying one. Dr. Mora with whom you are already acquainted from what I have formerly said of him, wishes to take a more active part in your service. His great desire, as he has a different times expressed himself to me, is to see his countrymen's attention direct and to the Holy Scriptures, in order that they may found thereon all their religious opinions, and that the morals inculcated in the Gospel may become the rule of their life. He has already taken an active part in promoting this object in the public manner I formerly stated to you, and also by privately recommending to his friends to purchase and diligently to use the sacred volume. By so doing he has drawn upon him the unpleasant attention of the bigoted portion of his fellow priests. He purposes however to go on in the course he has begun, and he desires me formally to offer his services to you in every way in which he can be of use in promoting your cause in this country. In short he wishes to act and be considered as your agent, and he offers his service to you gratuitously. Dr. Mora stands high in a literary point of view among his countrymen, and his moral conduct is such as to make him not unworthy of being connected with you. In regard to this latter, he has told me, that besides higher motives, he has endeavored so to act that whatever the less liberal of his countrymen may say of him in regard to the divergence of his opinions from their established routine, they may at least have nothing to say against his moral conduct.
In every point of view I consider the acquisition of this individual to your files as important. Should I continue in this country his aid will be of great service to me in your work, and should I leave it you will still have an agent in Mexico to see after and to forward your concerns. I hope the Committee will at once see the propriety of accepting the offer made by this gentleman, and will write him accordingly. He wishes to have a document from you authorizing him to act as your agent, a request which I trust you will early comply with. You could authorize him to act in conjunction with me whilst I am here, and in case of my absence to do the best he could to promote the circulation of the Scriptures in this country agreeably to the rules of the Society, and for which you could refer him to me, or convey them to him direct.
Since my last letter to you accounts of a favourable nature have come from Guatemala. The civil war there seems to be at an end, and there is a prospect of things returning to their former state. I have therefore some hopes of being able to visit that place before leaving this part of the world. Should I go I cannot set out before the month of October when the dry season commences. In the event of my undertaking a journey to that quarter you will easily see of how much importance it would be to have Dr. Mora authorized as your agent here. I shall inform you by succeeding packets respecting the state of Guatemala as we may receive accounts here upon the subject.
The Robert Fuge arrived at the Veracruz about a fortnight ago, and has brought 3 cases of books you sent me by her.
I remain, My Dear Friend, Very Sincerely Yours,
James Thomson.
P.S. Please say to Mr. Tarn that Mr. Nisbet 21 Berners Street will present him a note from me for £50 dated the 4th instant. J.T.