Rev A Brandram No 26
Madrid 10th April 1849
My Dear Friend,
Your precursor letter respecting my movements duly reached me, and put me at once on the move to leave this city quickly, and to be in Lisbon as early as possible; and yesterday when Mr Jackson's letter, containing the Resolution of the Committee on the subject came to hand, my luggage was at some distance on the road to Cadiz, and my seat was taken in the Diligence for that place. The day after tomorrow I start, purposing to sail from Cadiz to Lisbon by the Packet of the 20th instant. I judge that the space between one packet and another, namely ten days, will be sufficient to do what is assigned me in Lisbon, and on one of the first days of May I expect to leave Lisbon, and to be with you, God willing, a week after.
I had, I know not how, some undefined idea that you would wish me to make my movement from this centre to the outside of this country homewards somewhat useful in seeing as much of it as I could. I could not well leave this city much earlier to undertake the journey indicated, and I kept in view that should you not approve the tour proposed there was still time from the first of May for my being in Earl Street at the close of the two years, going home direct through France.
Personally, I am well content to be relieved of the toilsome journey through Asturias and Galicia, and I am gladdened also with the hope of early seeing you all in the land of light, so strikingly contrasted with this land of darkness. May God, according to his former mercies, direct my way to you in safety.
I told you that the Paris case of Books from Bayonne had reached this city, addressed to the Ambassador of the United States, and I also mentioned that they were detained at the Custom House under doubts of delivering them. Finally, the Minister of Finance has determined that they must be confiscated, as being a prohibited article! Still, however, though officially condemned, General Saunders expects, through a private conversation with Mr Mon, that the books will be sent to him, and I have given directions as to their disposal on his getting them.
The order for the four cases for the University is still Spanishly delayed, but if got, it will follow me.
May God be with you all, in your anxious preparations and expectations respecting the Annual Meeting now so near at hand, and may his presence then manifestly and gloriously be with you.
So pray for your poor Foreigner,
James Thomson.