James Miller, BFSS
Santiago de Chile, 26th February 1822[1]
Dear Sir,
A few days ago I received a notification from you informing me, that at a general meeting of the British and Foreign School Society held on 17 May 1821, I was elected an honorary member of that benevolent institution. I beg you to seize the earliest opportunity to express to the society my deep sense of the honour they have thus conferred upon me.
At this great distance from my native land, it affords me much satisfaction to find my feeble efforts in the cause of education so highly appreciated by those who have for years employed their benevolent thoughts, and their benevolent exertions, in the noble work of universal instruction.
I trust I shall never cease to use my best endeavour to promote so holy a cause – the cause of God and of humanity. I have resolved in the name and strength of the Almighty, in whom I trust through Christ Jesus, I have resolved to spend that life which he gave, so long as he shall please to continue it, in this great and good work in South America. I am firmly persuaded of the evils of ignorance, and I am fairly persuaded of the blessing of knowledge.
The general education of the poor classes of our brethren of mankind is a noble object. I would be ashamed to spend one word in proving its experience and utility. That heart must be wrongly strung, which has one doubt upon the subject. What precept plainer than that of doing to others what we wish done to ourselves? What duty plainer without any precept at all? Have we received some instruction, and do we feel the benefits arising from it? And shall we deny to others the happiness we enjoy, having it in our power to confer it? Shame upon the man who can do so!
The education then off all the poor classes we ought by all means to pursue, and we should do so indirectly as well as directly. By directly I mean by promoting the education of the higher classes of society to the greatest extent possible. And indeed the education of the poor is only one branch of a more general subject. The great object is, the communication of knowledge to all mankind. Now I think this may be done to a much greater extent than has ever yet been done. I think also, it may be done with more wisdom and with happier effects on individuals and on society, than we have yet seen. The more the higher classes are instructed, and rightly instructed, the more will lower classes seek after knowledge. The more education is carried forward to the utmost, the more desirable will education appear. And what is desirable will be sought after, and in this case may in a great measure be obtained. Every day am I more confirmed in the beauty and force of that maxim, "knowledge is power."
With these views, I purpose to promote as far as I am able, the education of the higher classes in this country. A noble thirst for knowledge has begun in South America, and it will continue I trust until every South American drink freely at the fountain of knowledge.
More than six months have now elapsed since I came to Chile. Every encouragement has here been given, and I have no doubt of our schools going forward in this place in a gratifying manner. About a month ago, the Calcutta arrived at Valparaiso, bringing the 5000 slates commissioned by Mr. Irisarri. We are thus well supplied with the necessary article.
Since I came to this side of the Andes, Lima has been torn from the hands of Ignorance and has fallen into the hands of the promoters of liberty and knowledge. In writing to Mr. Allen from Buenos Ayres in October 1819, in regard to the extension of education in this continent, I said: "we have a vast field before us, should the different parts of Spanish America open as we approach them, and I trust He who can open them, will do it."
What was then more my wish that my expectation, now has indeed taken place, and both my expectation and my wishes have been more than fulfilled. The Lord Almighty in whose hands are the hearts of all, has dealt most graciously with me. He has made "darkness light before me, and crooked things straight."
You already know, that I was invited to come to Chile, and here, as I have said, my expectations have been exceeded. Since my arrival here Lima has become approachable; nor is that all; I am already invited to go there. About 10 days ago I received a particular invitation from General San Martin to go to Peru as soon as I conveniently could, and that nothing should be wanting on his part towards the promotion of my objects.
From what I had learned of San Martin's sentiments in regard to general improvement, I had resolved on visiting Lima so soon as my engagements here would permit, confidently relying on his support and encouragement. You may however easily suppose I was not a little pleased to see this first step taken by him, as it greatly increases my hopes and prospects in the promoting of our objects in that far famed country. Education I am sure will be to it, a mine more productive of true riches than Potosi, and all the other gold and silver mountains it possesses. I leave the schools here under the immediate charge of Mr. Eaton, whom you know. I leave them also in the hands of a most praiseworthy gentleman of the country who takes a deep interest in this object and who makes the instruction of youth the amusement of his declining days. I might almost literally say, he is always to be found in one or other of our schools. I would my voice was strong enough to proclaim to the world, the name of my highly esteemed friend, Don Manuel Salas. You will see by my last letter that our school society has been formed under the favourable auspices. The Director of the Republic of Chile is our patron, and his first minister of State is our President. All these things being so arranged, I purpose leaving this place for Lima about a month hence. May he who has so graciously dealt with me hitherto be with me; and may he enable me to glorify his adorable and ever blessed name.
I remain,
Dear Sir
Your very Obedient Servant
James Thomson
P.S. The 2000 slates you shipped for me in June last have just arrived at Valparaiso. These I shall take with me to Lima. JT
[1] Letter in BFSS Archives, Brunel University, London.