Rev. Joseph Hughes
Buenos Ayres, 26 February 1821[1]
Reverend Sir.
I have the pleasure of informing you that the two cases containing 100 Portuguese Bibles and 200 Portuguese New Testaments arrived here safely about a fortnight ago. I trust the Lord will open doors for the profitable distribution of these in the Brazils, and that I will have the satisfaction of communicating to you before long, intelligence to this effect. The date is arrived when we may hope almost everything in favour of the cause of the Bible Society. South America is a vast vast field, and the Brazils is the darkest and most inaccessible part of it. That part of our continent where the Spanish language is spoken is, blessed be God, opening every day for the entrance of the Bible.
It gives me most sincere pleasure to learn by your 16th report, that you have printed an edition of Scio's translation of the New Testament. This will be much more acceptable here than the other translation; and I would recommend to you to print only from this translation in future. With equal joy I have learned by your report, that an edition of the whole Bible of Scio's translation is in the press. This is what I have long most earnestly wished for, and repeatedly written to your committee about; and as hope deferred maketh the heart sad, I was grieved in not hearing anything about it. Your report however has turned my sorrow into joy. I beseech you on behalf of South America to send me 200 copies of the Bible the moment they leave the press. In the meantime by the first opportunity send me three or 500 of Scio's New Testament. I am sorry you did not send me some along with the Portuguese Bibles. If the Spanish Bible will be is because the Portuguese one, I think it would be well to bind it in two volumes. At all events, be so good as to bind a few so, and letter them on the back. This will greatly contribute to their sale. I should also be glad if you would cause half of the New Testament's to be lettered for the same reason. May I request you to send me six or ten copies regularly of your monthly extracts? Could you supply me with the same number from 1 January 1821, it would be an additional favour. These will reach me along with my monthly parcels of periodical publications by your sending them to Major George Cowie & Co. 31 Poultry. Please send me a few copies of your 15th report, which I have not yet seen.
I have still some copies of the other translation to hand, but I know that a much readier reception will be given to Scio's version, and the others I shall endeavor to circulate along with them. I am the more anxious to have the number I have mentioned (that of the 500) of this translation in my possession with all convenient speed, as I intend, if the Lord will, to go to Chile soon after the expected time of their arrival, from thence to Peru and probably to Mexico. Shall I have the pleasure of taking with me also some of the Spanish Bibles? The Lord grant that I may.
Please send me a few copies of Scio's Bible (in two volumes) and some of his NTs handsomely bound for presents and also to sell to those who would cheerfully pay a superior price for them. Half a dozen Portuguese Bibles done in the same way would also be acceptable. But I am afraid I am asking too many things. God however is witness that one object only I have in view in all I am asking; and that object is the grand object of the B & F Bible Society. Take the map of the world into your hand, look at South America, and all my requests, as formerly, are granted. The Lord prosper you exceedingly everywhere in all your work!
I remain, Dear Sir, Yours Sincerely in the Lord,
James Thomson.
P.S. Please send 200 of the NTs to Buenos Ayres & 300 to Valparaiso. Mark the cases JBT & and send the invoice to me here, & the ones to Valparaiso, care of Mr. Andrew Blest. JT.
[1] BSA-D1-2-A