Lima, 28th January,1823.[1]
A good while has elapsed since I mentioned to you any particulars of my affairs in reference to the schools. During this time, however, I have more than once thrown out hints, signifying that matters went on but slowly. I had too much reason for these complaints. The truth is, I was once and again on the point of leaving this place. My affairs here have been such, since my arrival, that I may truly say, my hopes and prospects in South America never were so high, and never were so low as they have been, at different times, in Lima. I formerly stated to you the very favourable reception I met with from San Martin, and from the first Secretary of State, Monteagudo. Both of these left this place a good while ago, although under different circumstances. To me their loss was severely felt. I never mentioned a wish to San Martin, or to Monteagudo, that was not granted, and granted immediately in the most obliging manner.
After their going away, I scarcely mentioned anything I wished done that was not refused. I should not, perhaps, say refused, for I was not actually denied; I was told that the things I stated would be done, but these promises were never fulfilled. Had I been plainly refused, there is every probability that I should have left this place long ago. After experiencing a number of delays, and when my little stock of patience was all gone, I asked for my passport. The same individual, however, who had so often put me off with fair promises, contrived to put off my passport also, and kept me waiting days together, with every thing nailed up for my departure. It was then agreed on between us, that since the school plan we had in view could not be carried into effect from want of funds, I should stop three or four weeks to instruct some individuals in the Lancasterian system. About twelve came, in consequence of this, to my lodgings once a day, for the instructions referred to. At the close of the time mentioned, these individuals were much pleased with the new plan, and some of them represented the matter to the minister, who gladly entered into it, and it was agreed that I should stop, and that what was wanting should be granted. I did think him for this time sincere, and I believe he was so; but I was again subjected to be put off from week to week, until I found that I was circumstanced exactly as before.
I petitioned anew for my passport, and in the meantime wrote a letter to the Congress, detailing all that had happened from the time of my arrival in Lima, and concluded by stating, that 1 intended to leave this place by the first vessel that sailed, but that I would return or send some person instructed in the plan of the schools, if a desire should be expressed by the Congress to that effect. The result of this communication was far beyond my expectation. Upon my letter being read, a great deal of interest was taken in this matter, and it was unanimously agreed to that the school should be commenced as soon as possible. An order was accordingly issued, that everything I wanted to set it agoing should be immediately granted. When I wrote to the Congress, I had little thought that they would be disposed to carry this object forward at the time, having not long before resolved to use the utmost economy with the public money, and to carry nothing forward that was not of an urgent nature. This resolution was very necessary from the low state of the public funds, owing to their limited resources, and the great expenses of the war.
In consequence of the decree of the Congress in our favour, I at once gave up thoughts of leaving this place, and we have been since that time getting on as fast as can be expected. There is another circumstance of considerable importance, which has arisen out of this. The person who brought together those twelve individuals to be instructed in the system, as above mentioned, is a very respectable clergyman. [2]This gentleman has interested himself much in the matter, and has been named by the Congress to take an active part in all the arrangements necessary until a School Society be formed. I have had much intercourse with this individual, and have good reason to esteem him highly. We go hand in hand in our affairs most comfortably. As this gentleman's name is now connected with the schools, and being a clergyman, many prejudices are thereby removed. This is a matter of no little importance, as there was a strong idea, (whether well or ill founded, I cannot tell,) that the late Secretary, of whom I spoke, was atheistical in his views. Perhaps his atheism consisted in his making free with the convents and other church affairs. However that may be, my being favoured by him probably excited some prejudices, in addition to those arising from my being a Protestant. The counteracting influence, therefore, of my connexion with my present clerical friend will, I have no doubt, be greatly advantageous.
When I add to this, that it is through this respectable individual that I expect the New Testament to be introduced into the schools, of which I formerly wrote, you will see that I have great cause for thanksgiving for the circumstances in which we now stand; and I am even inclined to believe, from what I have seen, that our present encouraging prospects have not been too dearly purchased by all the harassing delays that we have experienced. We are very short sighted in all things, and can seldom tell what string of circumstances may end most favourably. Hence it is that we are often joyous, when we have not much real cause for being so; and on the other hand, we are often sad, when everything is going on in the most prosperous manner. How consoling is the thought, that we are permitted to cast all our cares upon God; upon him who knows the end from the beginning, and in whose hands, sooner or later, everything must turn out well.
I think I have perceived, during the time I have been in this place, a greater desire to study the English language than I have met with in any other part of South America. I have uniformly encouraged this desire as much as possible, being fully persuaded that the knowledge of our language, and of the excellent works it contains, will contribute in no inconsiderable degree to the progress of this country in every point of view. Want of books suitable for beginners in this language has formed a considerable obstacle, as well as the want of suitable teachers. In order to remove these difficulties to a certain degree, and to carry forward this useful object, I some time ago set to work to prepare, in Spanish, a grammar of the English language. This is now finished, and nearly all printed. I have at the same time been getting ready a small book, consisting of extracts from various authors in our language, for something of this kind was equally necessary. This little work is also pretty far advanced in the printing.[3] In the next place, in order to carry this object into immediate effect, I lately published my intention of giving instructions in the English language, and I now have twenty-three studying it with me, two of whom are members of Congress.
Accounts have reached us, that on the 19th November last, a severe earthquake was experienced in Chile. The first shock was felt about 11 o'clock at night, and was preceded by a frightful noise. During the night, and for several succeeding days, a number of shocks were felt, less destructive, I believe, but sufficiently alarming. We have not yet had full information as to the extent of country over which these shocks have been experienced, but from what reports have reached us, it seems to have extended over the greater part of Chile. The greatest damage, we understand, has been done in Valparaiso. In that place several houses have been thrown down, and all the churches have been severely injured. Accounts say that more than two hundred people have perished in Valparaiso alone. Many are the blessings which Providence has poured out on Chile, and one would almost think that earthquakes have been added, by way of giving to it its due proportion of evil.
The same may be said of this country, which has suffered still more from this cause than Chile has done. We do not know the moment we may be visited in this city, by one of these dreadful calamities which have laid Lima nearly in ruins at different times. To remind us of our danger, as it were, we are visited by small shocks from time to time; a month rarely elapses without one, and about a week ago we had two in one day. One would naturally think that the being continually exposed to these catastrophes would be productive of some happy moral effects upon the inhabitants of this place. I am sorry to say there are no appearances of these good results. If a comparison were to be instituted between the people of this place, and those of other parts of South America, in regard to morals, I am afraid Lima would appear in the back ground. The most imminent danger, the most signal judgments, seem somehow or other to be productive of nothing but momentary effects on mankind. Wherever this danger or these judgments are, there the words of Jesus are verified; "If they believe not Moses and the prophets, neither would they be persuaded though one should arise from the dead." I question much if we should, in one sense, find fault with this disposition of mankind; or shall I say rather with this arrangement of Providence. It points out to us, I think, how much happier and more solid effects may be produced by the wielding of the word of God, than by wielding the mountains, and casting them into the sea. The word of God is a fire, and is a hammer, and nothing shall be able to stand before it; everything that opposeth shall be reduced into ashes or into dust; and these shall be blown away by the winds, to be seen no more forever.
[1] James Thomson. Letters on the Moral and Religious State of South America. (London: James Nisbet, 1827), pp. 70-76.
[2] P. José Francisco Navarrete.
[3] Both the grammar and the extracts were, in fact, published in the same volume: Epitome de Gramática Inglesa. Lima: J.A. López, 1823. (BM)