Buenos Aires, 26th July, 1820.[1]
I have got the information contained in your letters, and the printed sheet translated into Spanish, and have presented it to the Magistrates, who have ordered it to be printed in the Buenos Aires Gazette.
I am happy to say the same favourable disposition towards our objects, continues to prevail in this place; and that from Monte Video I have lately received encouraging accounts, which, I hope, will lead to a commencement in that place. I went there about three months ago, to see what could be done. It so happened that General Lecor, the Portuguese Governor, to whom I had letters of introduction, was absent at Maldonado, with the two principal Magistrates. I explained my objects to the chief clergyman, a liberal man, and a particular friend of the Governor's. He promised to do all he could towards promoting our system of education on the Governor's return; and I some weeks ago received from him a copy of a letter, which the Magistrates addressed to him upon the subject, and of which I subjoin a translation.
Monte Video, 20th May, 1820
"Sir,— We have read with peculiar pleasure and attention the memorial which you had the goodness to send us, relative to the system of instruction established in Europe by Lancaster. We have the honour of communicating, that it has met with our particular esteem; and that in consequence, we have resolved to adopt the said system in this city, as soon as Mr. Thomson can come here from Buenos Aires, to commence it. Please communicate this to him, and express our sincere thanks to him for his zeal towards the youth of this province. May God preserve you many years.".
(Signed) Juan Duran Juan Correa, Juan F Giro, Lorenzo Peron, Manuel Vedal.
[1] James Thomson. Letters on the Moral and Religious State of South America (London: James Nisbet, 1827), pp.3-5; Sixteenth Report of the British and Foreign School Society (1823), p.125.