Buenos Aires, 11th May 1819

Revd. John Owen

10 Earl Street

Blackfriars

London

Buenos Ayres 11th May 1819

Revd. Sir

            I  wrote you on the 13th February, and hope my letter has come safely into your hands. Lest however any accident have befallen it I repeat my request for 200 Spanish New Testaments, 10 French and an equal number of Portuguese, German, and Italian; also four or five French Bibles with as many in Portuguese, Italian, and German. Such is the amount of what I requested in the above mentioned letter, and which I hope to circulate to advantage. Since writing you my expectations regarding their circulation have not been damped but encouraged, and if you have not sent off the above when this arrives you will favour me by adding 100 or 200 more Spanish Testaments. I would not wish however that the adding of these should be the means of delaying the other. Please address them to me to the care of "Messrs. John L Darby & Co. Buenos Ayres". Be so good as add on a few English Bibles.

            I took occasion to mention to you the Spanish translation of the Bible by Scio. I have now read all the New Testament, and upon the whole like it well. The language is preferable to that of the Society's edition, being agreeable to present use or very nearly so, whilst several words and phrases in the Society's translation are obsolete. Where the Vulgate differs from the original the Greek is given in the notes with a Spanish translation. I submit to the Society (knowing their desire to improve their translation,) whether it would be better to take Scio and make some alterations on it, or to improve the translation they have already printed from, by means of Scio's. Regarding the Old Testament I cannot say much, as I have yet read but little of it. It is likely to possess the advantages of the New, and perhaps fewer of its disadvantages. There is, I believe, no other Spanish translation of this part of the Bible which merits any attention. The question then is, shall this translation now be printed and many thousands of the present generation benefited by it? – Or, shall none be printed till a better translation appear at risk of many years' delay?

            On speaking with one of your Committee when in London about printing the Old Testament in Spanish, he said there was some difficulty of doing this without giving offence to the Catholics, by leaving out the Apocrypha. Touching this I have conversed with a priest here, and his opinion is, that it would be acceptable even without the Apocrypha. He also thinks it would not hurt the circulation of that much though Scio's text were corrected where the Vulgate differs from the original. I understand Mr. Bagster is going to print Scio's translation in his Polyglot. Perhaps it would be less expensive both to him and to the Bible Society were they to unite together in making the corrections above referred to.

            So scarce is the above-mentioned translation here that I have not yet been able to procure a copy of the whole for my own use. None are to be found in the Bookseller's shops. Two copies of the New Testament I have met with, each in two volumes folio, containing also the text of the Vulgate. For one of them the bookseller asked 17 dollars, and for the other 20. – There are a few copies of parts of the New Testament to be met with in the shops: the Gospels by one translator, that the Epistles by another, the Acts of the Apostles by a third, &c. There is also a translation of the Psalms with the Latin in the same page. These parts sell for about two dollars each.

            I formerly hinted to you and that it might not be disadvantageous to present your Reports, and some of your translations to the Public Library here. This perhaps may not be the mind of the Committee. Should it not, please let me know what the cost of your translations would amount to.

I shall be glad to hear from you regarding these matters if your valuable time will permit.

            With much respect

                        I am Rev. Sir

                                    Your Most Obt. Sert.

                                                            James Thomson.

Quito, 24th November 1824

Rev A Brandram

Quito, 24th November, 1824. [1]

 Dear Sir,

 My last letter to you was written from this place, and dated the 8th  current, the day after my arrival. I then stated to you what had occurred to me from Riobamba until my arrival in this city. I shall now, therefore, proceed to give you an account of the reception your cause has met with in Quito

 When I set out from Guaranda on my way to Riobamba, I left four boxes of New Testaments behind me, partly because I was going out of the straight road for Quito, and partly because mules could not readily be had to carry them. These boxes I left in the hands of my good friend  the Governor, who kindly undertook to forward them direct to this city. Upon my arrival here, I found that these boxes had not arrived, although there was more than sufficient time. I waited for them with some impatience, especially as I had disposed of the contents of those I had brought with me, so that there remained  none in my hands for sale in this place. During this delay of the New Testaments I had many inquiries for them, as it had got abroad that I had brought with me a good supply for this city. At length a part arrived, when I learned that the delay was owing to the owner of the mules.  I gave notice publicly of the sale, as I had done in other places, and in a short time all  were sold, amounting to 137 copies.  After these were all gone, the inquiries after them continued, and I had to put off the inquirers, with telling them that there were two more boxes expected every minute. Day passed on after day without the arrival of these, until I was beginning a second time to think them lost.

 Yesterday  afternoon, however, they safely arrived, and as soon as they were opened 80 copies were paid for and carried off by a highly respected clergyman. Fifty of these were for the use of the schools here, and were purchased on account of the government, agreeably to an order given to that effect some days previous to their arrival. Twenty-five of the 80 were purchased at the request of the  Provincial of the Convent of St. Francis, for the  express purpose of putting a copy into the hands of each friar in the convent.  I noticed in my last the triumph of our cause in the convent of St. Dominic, in Latacunga, and it affords me no small pleasure to be able to record what I may call a triumph of a similar kind, as just mentioned, regarding the Franciscans in this city. To which I may add, that the respected clergyman I before referred to, has orders from, I believe, all the con­vents to purchase one, two, or more Bibles for them on the  moment of their arrival. The  remaining five of the above mentioned eighty were for par­ticular friends.

 I have noticed to you, in my preceding letters, the desire manifested in the places I have passed
through, for the whole Bible. This desire has also been manifested in Quito, and in a strong degree. In order to increase this desire, rather than supply the wants of these places, I have written to Guaya­quil, directing the 50 Bibles which I formerly ordered from Lima to that place, to be sent to these parts, in due proportions; only ten or twelve of these will come to this place, and these are already bespoken. I have also ordered to be sent to the different towns mentioned in my former letters, a considerable number of copies of the small New Testament, and of the Books of Psalms, Proverbs, &c.; the proportion for Quito is 200 of the former, and 200 of the latter; these I expect will meet with a very favourable reception, and will fall short of the demand for them. I have thus, you see, distributed the whole of the supply sent me as mentioned in your last letter, yet this supply, so distributed, will prove inadequate to the wants and the demands of these quarters.

 To meet this demand, we must have recourse to your second edition of the Bible, of which you have advised me, and of which I expect a good supply is already on the way to Lima, in that city, and also in Guayaquil, I have given the necessary directions for sending proper quantities to each place. The city of Quito is large, and contains upwards of 50,000 inhabitants. It is also surrounded by a populous country, of which it is the capital and the centre. On this account I have ordered to it 500 copies of the whole Bible, with a request to our correspondent in Guayaquil to remit 500 more, if the wants of the latter place will admit of it. I have mentioned to you the names of different per­sons who offered to manage your concerns in some of the places I have passed through, and I am happy in having it in my power to say, that you have found a warm friend and an agent here in the Marquis of San José, a gentleman of the first respectability in this city, on account of his personal character, and on account of his large possessions in this quarter.

 From this gentleman I have received every friendly attention during my stay under his hospitable roof. He allowed me to sell the New Testaments in his own house, and encouraged his friends to purchase them. In consequence of his readiness to take the charge of the Society's con­cerns here, I have ordered the supplies for Quito, already mentioned, to be forwarded directly to him. You will also please consider him as your correspondent for this quarter, and can address to him accordingly. His address is "Sr. Manuel de Larrea, Marqués de San José, Quito." I spoke to this gentleman, also, regarding the formation of a Bible Society for the district of Quito, whose seat should be in that city. Into this matter he entered fully and cheerfully, and promised to do everything in his power to commence and to carry for­ward such an establishment, as soon as a suitable opportunity should offer for doing so. I spoke also to the Marchioness regarding a Female Bible Society, and had the pleasure of being assured by her, that nothing should be wanting on her part to set such a Society on foot. I have thus endeavoured to place things in such a state as to induce the hope that the concerns of the Bible Society will not be neglected here, but carried forward in a prosperous manner.

 I should have mentioned also, that several gentlemen, with whom I con­versed about the circulation of the Scriptures, and about a Bible Society, much approved of both, and expressed their readiness to lend their aid in these matters. I trust these favourable circum­stances, which form an encouraging commencement in this interesting and populous district, will be followed by results truly beneficial to all the inhabitants here, and gratifying to the members of the British and Foreign Bible Society.

 There is a circumstance indirectly, or rather I should say directly, connected with our main object, which I should not omit to state to you. I carried with me two copies of the late Bishop of London’s Evidences of Christianity, in Spanish. These I bought in Lima about the time I set off, in the expectation of their doing some good in the course of the journey. I showed this work to the Marquis, who immediately bought it. This he eagerly read, and was highly gratified with its contents. I could have sold the other copy frequently, but refused to sell it, as I intend to carry it farther on, and to dispose of it in some other place. The Marquis lent his copy to several of his friends, who were also much gratified with perusing it. From less to more, the interest in this work was carried, till it was resolved to print an edition of it in Quito by subscription, and this subscription is to be solely among the ladies. This, you see, is a feeling very friendly to the cause of religion, and of the Bible Society.

 I suppose I need not to tell you, that a work on the evidences of the Christian religion is not a little wanted in many parts in this country, as there are many who are verging towards, or are already gone into, deism. On this account, as well as on others, it behoves the friends of Christianity to bestir themselves in behalf of South America. The present is a very interesting and also a very critical period for this country. Much, very much, may be done at present, through prudent and zealous means, to instruct and confirm the wavering, and even perhaps to bring back those who have aposta­tized from the faith. If these measures were con­nected with means of instruction, as far as can be done, regarding the true principles and practices of Christianity, as taught in the Holy Scriptures, a very plentiful harvest, through the blessing of God, might be reaped. If it should please the Lord to spare me, and to enable me to reach my native land, I trust I shall find many ready to lend their aid towards such a sacred object.

 I stated in one of my letters from Lima some time ago the printing of the Apocrypha, that though it could not be done by the funds of the Society, yet that some bookseller friend of the Bible cause might print it, in order to its being sold with the Bible. I mentioned also at the same time that no loss would be incurred in doing this. I am now bold to speak more positively as to the matter from comments I have met with in the sale of the Scriptures. From the great demand there is for the Bible, I am certain that no loss would be incurred in printing an Apocrypha. On the contrary a profit, if wished might come from this undertaking. It is probable that the arguments I formerly made to this matter may not have been sufficient to produce an edition of the Apocrypha. If so I trust what has now been stated in connection with the accounts formerly given of the desire for the Bible, will lead, in one way or another to the accomplishing of this matter. What a pity it would be to check in any manner zeal and interest at present felt here by anything which we have it in our power to prevent.

 I come now to speak upon the subject which I would much rather decline, but which duty calls me to lay before you, I come in short to blame the Society, and the cause of complaint is this. A considerable number of the copies of the New Testaments sent me in the Spanish language have a sheet or half a sheet in French. This has been the means of placing me repeatedly in very awkward circumstances. After selling a copy for a Spanish New Testament, it has been brought back on account of this defect. The first time this occurred was in Ambato, and it did not surprise me that such an accident should have happened with one copy among so many. In Latacunga two or three were observed with a similar defect. Upon examining the rest of in my possession, I found the number of copies in this situation considerable. I was hence under the necessity of the noticing this circumstance to the purchasers and in some cases of giving an allowance accordingly. It is only in the Paris edition that I have observed this defect. I hope this matter will be well looked into in what copies you may send in future. It is a matter for which the Bible Society is responsible, and no saving should be thought of which may incur the risk of such an oversight in the binding of the volumes which issue from its stores. You will easily perceive that the evil does not stop with the copies I referred to, as an equal number of French New Testaments must of necessity be interleaved with Spanish. I know you will forgive the freedom of these remarks. We are all engaged in the same holy cause and have only one desire, namely, that the word of God may have free course and be glorified. Let us therefore ....., and in love stir up each other, that nothing arise which would hinder or retard this blessed ...... which the Lord has graciously called us to labour.

 26th  November, 1824.

 I have now disposed of 300 copies of the New Testament in this city. May the Lord follow with his abundant blessing this seed which has been sown, and cause it to bring forth a hundred fold. Today I set off for Popayan, and trust that He who has preserved me thus far, will con­tinue to me his blessing to that place, and thence onwards. I shall endeavour to drop a few seeds as I go along, and pray that these may fall into good ground.

                         I remain,

                                    Very respectfully & sincerely Yours,

                                                            James Thomson.

 [1] BSA-D1-2A. Also in James Thomson. Letters on the Moral and Religious State of South America. (London: James Nisbet, 1827), pp. 223-230.

Mexico City, 13th October 1827

The Rev A Brandram  No.9

Mexico 13th October 1827

My Dear Sir,

On the 22nd of last month I wrote you at some length respecting the state of our concerns here. Everything you would perceive was favourable, with the exception perhaps of the attack we had from an unknown hand through the public papers. I have said perhaps, because it is very probable, that this same attack will in directly come out in our favour, by making the Bibles more known and more sought after.

About ten days ago we had another attack in the same newspaper and from another hand. In the first attack we were gently handled, if we compare it with the length and strong language of the second. In this we had a whole column devoted to our case, and all the powers civil and ecclesiastic were conjured to stand up against you, not to try you, but to condemn you. Our friend Salazar, the priest whom I mentioned so particularly in my last, and who had offered to defend our cause by writing an article in reply to the first attack made upon us, fell sick when the promised article was due and has continued so since. The boldness of this second attack seemed to demand a reply, and without delay, if we had anything to say in our own defense. In the want therefore of a better respondent I took up my own pen, and gave our opponent a column in reply to the one he had favoured us with four days before. The result of this reply has not yet appeared so far as our antagonist is concerned, as he lives I understand in the interior and a distance of five days journey from the city. It is not unlikely that when the proper time is elapsed we shall have a rejoinder, and I regret that I shall be absent at the time it is likely to appear, as it may be necessary to attend to it, to answer some questions that may be proposed, or to correct any mistakes into which the writer may fall, upon the subject between us. The cause of my absence is that I set out immediately on my intended journey. Till my return, I shall recommend our cause in regard to the attack that may be made upon it, to our friend Salazar, who I believe is sincere in his proffered friendship. Dr. Mora also will stand by us, as a member of the Society.

The proper season for traveling in this country is just commencing though not officially set in. I go first to Querétaro, and shall probably remain there a week, as it is a large city, the capital of the state of the same name, and has a considerable population around it. From capital I go Guanajuato, also large city and the capital of the state. My next stage will be San Luis Potosí, a place under the same circumstances as the two preceding, and otherwise of considerable importance from it being the emporium of all the commerce passing through the port of Tampico. At least a week's stay will be required at that place just mentioned, to effect sales, and to make arrangements for a depository of the Scriptures there for supplying the populous country of which it is the commercial key. I shall afterwards direct my course to Zacatecas, and when there shall be able to decide on the propriety or not to extending my tour to Durango and places beyond it. On my return I visit Guadalajara, and Valladolid places of considerable note from their population and otherwise. This is the outline of my intended journey. I set out with a great deal of anxiety on the one hand, and with good hopes on the other. The Lord who protected me and prospered me in my former wanderings will not now I trust forsake me, but will hold me up with his right hand and make my way prosperous in his holy cause. I trust I may have something to write to you respecting this journey which made gladden your hearts, and fill your mouth with thanksgivings unto him whose counsel and blessing can alone give success, and to whom all the glory is due. Whilst we labour in the Lord's cause, let us not forget to be unceasing and earnest in our prayers, and when the answer to our supplication arrives, let us all join together in the sweet chorus, "Not unto us O Lord, not unto us O Lord, but unto thy name be all the glory."

Of yesterday's date I have drawn upon your treasurer for £200 in favour of Richard Hodgson & Sons for value received of R P Staples & Co., exchange at  44 pence per dollar. Of this sum you can charge to my account the salary due me, and the rest may be placed to the account of expenses on the Bibles and Testaments sent here. The whole amount of charges, are the two last supplies, including duties, commission, warehouse rent, carriage, &c.  is about £400, of which I have cleared off one half by the sales effected here. My letter of credit was for £200, but you will see from what I have stated that it ought to have been for at least double that sum. By means  however of the happy reception the Scriptures have met with here all things have been kept straight. Your credit should perhaps be extended, for it is a little awkward that the agent of so great a house as yours should be obliged to add to the credit given him, that of his own little name for one half of the sum charged to him on your account.

In my last I requested you, at your convenience, to replace some volumes consisting of versions of the Scriptures which I had parted with to Mr. Salazar. To this you may now add the Serampore version of the Chinese Bible of which I have made a present to our friend Dr. Mora. This latter gentleman is very anxious to purchase a collection of your oriental versions, and Mr. Salazar wishes to add to those he has already obtained. I should think it advisable that you send me three or four sets of all the versions you have published both eastern and western, as these might be bought for libraries and by private collectors, and might contribute to the advancement of your cause here. Please to send with these 20 German and 20 French Bibles with the same number of New Testaments.

            I remain,

                         Most Truly Yours,

                                     J. Thomson.

P.S. About an hour after finishing my letter I had a visit from our friend Salazar, who is now so far recovered as to go out. He brought with him the article in our defense already referred to. It is very well written, and will I hope tend to undo the prejudice which unhappily still exists in the minds of many in this country in regard to the reading of the Scriptures. Just while we were conversing a newspaper was brought in with a fresh article against us from the hand of our first opponent, who lives in the city. This is intended as a reply to the article written in your defense. I am glad to see by it that the opposition to the reading of the Scriptures has so little defensible ground to rest upon. Mr. Salazar read it over, and considers that it will be very easy to reply to it, and indeed his own article will meet nearly all the objections put forward. We are now you see truly coming in contact with the Apocrypha question, but our cause is good, and of God, and will prevail. Pray for me, that I may be what our Saviour enjoins: "wise as a serpent and harmless as a dove."

                                                                        James Thomson.