Rev A Brandram No.10
Cadiz 22nd December 1847
My Dear Friend,
Two days ago, when forwarding my letter of the 15th hastily, by the Oriental Steamer which touched at Gibraltar on her way home, I wrote you a very brief note. I mentioned my regret at the non-arrival of the Books I had requested in my letter to Mr. Hitchin of the 10th November, and had begged that they might be sent early. My surprise at their not coming is increased by my receiving no word about them whatever, nor have I any other notification of the letter mentioned having arrived. My letter I judged, would be in London, in the usual course on the 24th or 25th of November and thus there was time, if not for the books to be sent by the Packet of the 27th at least that I might hear by that Packet something about them. At all events, the Packet of the 3rd or of the 7th December might have brought the books, or a letter. But neither books nor letter came, and to my great disappointment regarding the books, as I shall presently explain.
I cannot imagine that my letter to Mr.Hitchin did not reach in safety, but least any mishap has befallen it, I here copy it.
"Gibraltar 10th November 1847.
My Dear Sir,
I write to advise a Bill drawn this day on my Travelling Account, for Fifty Pounds, in favour of Messrs. Robert Weir & Co. of this place, at Thirty days sight.
The case of Arabic Bibles arrived here on the 4th instant, the same day on which I reached this. I am sorry to observe that there are no Spanish Jewish New Testaments.
Mr. Brandram's letter of the 2nd came to hand yesterday, and this morning I wrote to Madrid respecting the notice to the Spanish consul in London.
Please say to Mr. Brandram, that I could wish sent here, and as early as can be, 50 Spanish Bibles 8vo, 50 ditto 12mo, 100 Spanish New Testaments 12mo and 100 ditto 32mo in the usual bindings, all lettered. These to be put up in four cases, each having the same quantities of different kinds, as nearly as can be.
I have learned here that you do not favour our Gibraltar friends with the Reporter. Please to send three copies, to Rev. Thomas Dove, Rev. William Strachan, and W. G. Bracebridge Esq.
I am about to start for Tangier, and this letter I leave to be forwarded by the first packet.
Letters will be in time for me here on my return, if sent by the next mail after this arrives.
I should like much to know, and early, the exact cost to the Society of the Spanish N.T. 12mo and the printing, paper, and binding separately if it can be given.
Believe me, Yours Truly,
James Thomson.
P.S. Please to send me, and to this place, two dozen penny P.O. heads, one dozen twopenny ones, and half a dozen 10d. ones, if there are such. 1/- ones will not suit."
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The Books in question which I had wished to be sent to Gibraltar, I intended to bring from thence to Cadiz, as I have two friends here, through whom I confidently expected I should get them landed safely. One of these friends is a Chief Officer in the Custom House, and the other is a person of more power still to serve me, namely, the head political authority of the city and district. Having this expectation, and much needing the Books, and under all the difficulties we have of entering them into the country, I cannot tell you how much I am grieved at their not coming. My regret is, of course, increased by the impossibility now of remedying the misfortune. But I would say, let the Books still be sent, and to Gibraltar, as they are there needed, or soon will be so.
Perhaps you will be kind enough to let me hear from you early as to how this matter stands. Write to Madrid, as Mrs. Thomson will receive and forward your letter to the place in which I may be when it comes, and which she always knows. In this notice regarding the mode of sending letters, you will please keep in mind at all times during my travelling in Spain.
I turn now to a pleasanter subject. In Mr. Hitchin's letter you will see that I have said, – "This morning I wrote to Madrid respecting the notice to the Spanish Consul in London." In your letter of the 2nd November you mentioned the steps you have taken in regard to the Royal Licence obtained to send six cases of books direct to Madrid, and I admired the wisdom with which you managed all. I wondered at your disappointment, and could not well account for it, as I had been assured that all required in the case had been done, and that the way was plain for the books to come. I was given to understand that one of the measures necessary was that of advising the Spanish Consul in London regarding the matter, and I was told that this was to be done on the 12th. When about to do it however, I suppose, they found out that it was not necessary nor customary to do so, but only to apprise the authorities at the port of entrance.
On my arrival in this city I found a letter awaiting me at the post office from the Under Secretary of the Hacienda, or Finance, to whom I had written as above stated to Mr. Hitchin, informing him of what you had told me. I was longer in Africa than I had at all expected, God having opened a door there, which I trust will not shut, but open wider and wider, and become great and effectual. My delay there hindered my getting the letter in reply sent by the Secretary earlier, as I had requested it to be sent to Cadiz, where before long I expected to be.
I now forward that letter to you, that you may see how things stand. You can, it seems, obtain the proper certificate from the Spanish Consul without such communication, as we supposed, being sent to him. But should any hesitancy arise in the case, this letter being shown him will remove all obstacles. And please to keep the letter in your own possession, that it may serve on a future similar occasion, which may occur, and soon, and frequently.
In shipping the cases it will be necessary to desire the Broker specially to inform the Consignee in Santander, that the notice of the Royal Order is in the hands of the Intendente, as you will see by the letter enclosed.
The Set of Versions for Mr. La Serna and the University of Madrid, which have not been called for, as Mr. Jackson informs me by a note in your said letter of 2nd November, will suit nicely as a ground for requesting another Royal Order, and under cover of it we can get some more Bibles and Testaments into the country, and to the capital. I shall see about this when I reach Madrid.
I remain, My Dear Friend,
Yours Very Truly,
James Thomson.