Rev A Brandram
16 Harpur Street
16th February 1850
My Dear Friend,
You will well recollect, I dare say, that while I was in Mexico in the service of the Society, I was greatly aided by Dr. Mora, one of the Professors in the University there, and a man of high standing in literature and as a public writer. On my leaving that country I left all the Bibles I had in his hands from the confidence I had in him grounded on previous experience. The greater quantity of these Bibles were under arrest in the Custom House. On a favourable change in the Government, Dr. Mora through his influence with the party in power, succeeded in liberating these Books; and through his arrangements also they were duly exposed to sale, and in due time were sold off. Remittances of money proceeding from these sales were made by Dr. Mora, and proper accounts were received. A debit to the Society however of nearly 800 dollars remained unsettled, and has remained so for several years.
Dr. Mora is at present Ambassador from Mexico resident at this Court. Some weeks ago, on his arrival from Paris, I saw him, and on that occasion he made special mention of the account outstanding with the Society, and showed great anxiety to have it settled. He gave me his explanations as to the delay that had occurred in the case. Through the political changes in Mexico he was obliged precipitately to leave the country. The person he had entrusted with his property and business, including the affairs of the Society, died, and his estate was found insolvent, and no satisfactory statement could be got. Again, another person, and a Bible friend, who had taken a share in the distribution of the Scriptures, he also died, and so the business was left in a still more unsatisfactory state. These were the causes which prevented the settlement in question.
Dr. Mora, as before said, showed much desire to have the account settled, being unwilling, he said, that the Bible Society with its noble objects should suffer any loss. He desired me to get the account as it stood. I did so, and he has paid it off, amounting to the sum of £147:18:9, which last week I handed over to Mr. Hitchin.
Whatever doubts were in any degree entertained in regard to Dr. Mora on account of this delay should be considered as most satisfactorily met by this ready payment of the sum in question. He overlooked in the case a sum of 200 dollars, not improbably paid by his agent for the purpose of effecting a translation of a portion of the Scriptures into the Ancient Mexican tongue. On the whole, I believe he has suffered pecuniary loss through his transactions with the Society, in addition to his gratuitous and very efficient services. Some acknowledgment of these services would seem to be due to Dr. Mora by the Society at the conclusion of his help in our cause. A Spanish Bible bound like that given to Espartero would be acceptable to him.
Before I conclude I would state, that I believe Dr. Mora has himself profited by the Bible. Its contents were often in Mexico the subject of our conversation, and I consider him acquainted with its great leading doctrines on which our salvation hangs. He is at present in a poor state of health. When I first met with him the other week he said he believed he was approaching the grave. But, he added, I shall not die a Catholic. He then referred to his views on the doctrines of grace, as he had formerly stated them to me, and as feeling more than ever confirmed in them. On seeing me, he expressed himself greatly satisfied on two points, one was in regard to the settlement of the account with the Society, and the other was in the view of our conversing from time to time together upon the subjects of salvation.
If Dr. Mora's health permit, he purposes to pay a visit to the Committee, and I doubt not but his visit will be very kindly received.
I am glad of being able to present this satisfactory view of our friend's integrity, and services, and views. Let us pray together for his health and salvation.
I remain,
My Dear Friend
Yours Very Truly,
James Thomson.