Veracruz, 22nd August 1842

Rev A Brandram -- No.123

Veracruz, 22nd August 1842

My Dear Friend,

I have the pleasure of saying that I am safely arrived in this place. We cast anchor after a rather longish but pleasant passage of 25 days. Thus far hath the Lord brought me, in my present undertaking, in answer to your prayers: and O may he most graciously conduct me onwards and onwards in this mission, and prosper your work in my hands. I ever look for your prayers for the same.

I have seen a Bookseller here, and have arranged with him to sell Bibles and Testaments on commission.

I leave Veracruz this evening late on my way to Mexico and from that place shall seize the earliest opportunity of writing you.

            I am, My Dear Friend,

                        Very Truly Yours,

                                    James Thomson.

Mexico City, 7th September 1842

Rev A Brandram - No 124

Mexico 7th September 1842

My dear Friend,

I left Veracruz on the 22nd ultimo as I mentioned to you in my last which was written on that day. In Jalapa I stopped a day, and one day also in Puebla, in both of which places I made arrangements with Booksellers for the sale of our books when they arrive.

On the 29th of August I arrived in this large and fine city in the midst of many thoughts of things past and present. I feel thankful for my safe arrival here; and there is more than common-place in this expres­sion, for dangers of different kinds have been passed through. The city of Veracruz, never very healthy, is in the summer season very bad, owing to the disease called the Black Vomit,[1] which then prevails, and cuts off great numbers, and most frequently with very little warning. Those arriving there from the sea, or from the high lands here, are most subject to it. I was kept in safety there in the midst of the pestilence, as I had been on two former occasions in the summers of 1827 and 1830. Escaping Veracruz, on the way to this city, one gets immediately into another peril, of a different kind, but probably worse. The whole road is infested more or less with robbers and murderers. The evil to be encountered in this case may best be seen perhaps by stating that not less than 19 of these banditti have been caught, tried, and executed, within the last three months. Nor has this severity, though so recent, rendered the road safe, as we were obliged to have an escort of soldiers on several parts, where the danger is greatest. You see, then, that I have good reason to say that I feel thankful for my safe arrival in this city; and I mention these things the more, that any among you who feel an interest in your poor traveller, and pray for him, may give thanks likewise with me to the Great Preserver; and, further, that they may be reminded afresh of the need I have of their continual prayers, considering the nature of the country I am in, and of the other similar countries I have to travel through in your service.

In my letter to you of the 30th June last, when ordering Books for this place, I said that I would take some with me from New York, to meet immediate demands. These, however, were not brought, owing to an oversight that was made in their not being entered at the Customs House in time. This is of no great consequence perhaps, but it makes me look the more anxiously for the supply you are sending me from London. In Puebla I saw in a Bookseller's five of your Bibles of those printed in Barcelona, which came there in the normal course of business from that city along with other Spanish books. These were the first I have seen of your Barcelona edition. They look well, and the binding is good, but I could not help observing the blankness of the backs, they are so very plain.  If you could at least letter the backs, it would be a great improvement, and would give them an advantage here. A little more than lettering would be still better.

I can find no trace of the 250 copies of the Gospel by Luke in the Mexican dialect which you printed in London. The only thing I can learn is, that Dr Mora showed one of the books to a friend here. Pray, to whom, when, and by what conveyance did you send them? I write to Dr Mora in Paris by this mail, to inquire of him concerning this and other Bible concerns in which we laboured together. I do not wish however this to supercede the notice which I now request from you, nor from the one requested from Mr Jackson in my letter No 120.

You will recollect the edict that was issued in this metropolitan diocese, in 1829, against the buying, selling, reading, or retaining in possession any of your Bibles, and of the difficulties at the Custom House, which arose out of this. Our bookseller informs me, that in consequence of this edict, and some urgency in carrying it into effect, several of our Books were demanded and given up at the confessional. He also, however, gives me the pleasing information, that since the appointment of the present Arch­bishop no urgency has been used on the subject in the confessional; our Books, therefore, have now freer course than they had when I left, and for some time after. This is a gratifying change in advance. The Bibles and Testaments have been on open public sale uninterruptedly all along. How many have been sold since the last arrangement of accounts, I have not yet ascertained, but expect to do so soon. I am sorry to say that our Bookseller, who is a very worthy man, failed from misfortunes some months ago, a circumstance which will of course cause some loss.

The several thousands of copies of your Bibles and Testaments, which were brought into circulation here during your agency in 1827—1830, have produced, we may well say, both a direct good, and an indirect one. The direct one, of course, was these thousands of copies of the word of God coming into many hands, in a country destitute of it, and we may well suppose not without good effects, though we may not know them. The indirect one was a stir created about the Bible, both among those who were friendly to our books, and those who were not. Those against the circulation of the Scriptures without notes, were anxious to bring in a Bible containing the notes; and those friendly to us cheerfully joined them, glad thus to see the Scriptures come into more general use. The consequence was, that a Bookseller ordered an edition of Torres Amat's Bible, which was printed in 17 small volumes, in 18mo, and was sold here at 25 dollars. About 1000 copies of this have been sold. The work is still selling well, and the price is now somewhat reduced.

But this is not all of the effects of your former sales here; there is something better, something that manifests a considerable interest in the Scriptures, and does real honour to this country. A new and improved version of the entire Bible has been published here since I left in 1830. This is accompanied by the Latin of the Vulgate, together with a Harmony of the Four Gospels, prefaces to all the books, analyses, expositions, plates, maps, and dissertations. The whole amounts to 25 volumes in Spanish quarto, (which is about equal to our royal octavo), and a folio volume of maps and plates. This is altogether, as you see, an extensive work, and its publication certainly does great credit to Mexico. It is the first Bible printed here, or in any part of Spanish America, and therefore truly forms an era of a most important kind in regard to these countries. It was published by subscription in 1831, 32, and 33, at 132 dollars each copy, in boards, and there were upwards of 700 subscribers, thus involving a capital in this Bible work of about 100,000 dollars. This was certainly an unex­pected and great undertaking in this country, and under all its circum­stances. The enterprising publisher has much of the merit of the case, and his name deserves to be recorded, which is Mariano Galvan Ribera.

But there is another party which has also great merit in this work, namely, the priests of Mexico, by whom the translation was made: there were about eight of them engaged in it. This whole work is taken from the French of Vence, of which it is a translation. If you have not this French work of Vence in your library, it would be well to have it, and I hope some one of your Committee, or many friends, will present you with a copy of it.

Of this new Spanish version of the Scriptures, I have read through the Gospel  by St. Matthew, and consider it a greatly improved version, and much superior to Scio or Torres Amat. The text is in many parts interlarded with expositions, but they are printed so as to be quite distinct from the text, which is rendered with about the same freedom as our authorized version. The style of the Spanish in this work is modern, easy, and dignified, and more acceptable to general readers than the two versions above named.

One thing particularly distinguishes this translation over the other two, namely, that though it is, in one sense, formally a translation of the Vul­gate, yet there is a constant reference in it to the originals in Hebrew and Greek, and all the variations of these from the Vulgate are noticed, and also frequently adopted.

Among the many valuable dissertations contained in this work, amount­ing in all to upwards of 300, there are two on the Vulgate. In these its inferiority to the originals is distinctly set forth. The object of the Council of Trent, it is stated, was to declare its authenticity among Latin versions on the one hand, and as containing nothing contrary to the faith and sound morals on the other, and not to say that it was free from errors, or preferable to the Hebrew and Greek, with which it was not compared at all, in the decree on the subject. In these two dissertations, errors in the Vulgate are not only admitted, but shown forth freely.

I have thus dwelt at some length on this subject, because of the pre­sent and prospective bearings it has on the general circulation of the Scrip­tures, both in Mexico and Spanish America generally, and also in Spain itself. Already the Bible stands on vantage ground through it in the eyes of this people, and this same advantage will, I doubt not, increase. This Bible, from its size and price, can of course come into the hands of but a few, whilst a desire will be stirred up in many to possess it, and these will avail themselves of your cheaper book. It was your labours here, unquestionably, that led to the publication of this extensive, interesting, and useful work, and in return the greater circulation of your Bibles will be much increased by it. Had you not sent the Scriptures here, and dis­tributed them so fully, this work would not have appeared, and neither would Torres Amat's version have been so much circulated in this country; and as you have brought in these, so will they increase your circulation, and leave you in possession of the main field; just as with us in England, the Bibles without note or comment vastly surpass, in numbers, those with them; and all work together for the general knowledge of the word of God.

I am making inquiries whether it is possible to get an edition of the New Testament printed here, of this version; I mean, of course, the text only. If this could be done with ecclesiastical sanction, formal or tacit, it would at once authorize, I may say, the general circulation of the Scriptures in the country, without notes, which would be a step gained of very great importance. Such a book, from its better language than the other two, would probably become an acceptable school-book. If the govern­ment here should interest itself in the matter in favour of the schools, it would be of much consequence. Would you authorize me to make arrange­ments for such an edition? And would you give a reduction in price for the schools, should the government be friendly and anxious on the subject, in such a way as you favoured the French government and schools? And further, would you aid in putting this New Testament into the hands of the military of this country, should it be desired, as you aided the Prussians? Be kind enough to let me know your resolves on these points as early as convenient.

            I remain, Yours Truly,

                        James Thomson.

P.S.  Have the goodness to let me know what Books in Spanish American Indian languages I put in the Library in 1825, or what others beside you may have in it of these tongues, and otherwise obtained.

Also please say how many copies of the New Testament altogether were bought from your stock by the French Minister of Public Instruction, at what dates, and at what price. Likewise how many Bibles and Testaments were distributed among the Prussian soldiers, when, and how much of the cost you bore. I recollect something of these matters, but wish to have these exact before me, and official.

Address your letters for me: "Messrs Dickson, Gordon & Co., Mexico" - and put in the left hand corner, - "For the Rev. &c"

[1] Note--yellow fever. (BM)

Mexico City, 24th January 1843

Rev A Brandram  No.128

Mexico 24th January 1843

My Dear Friend,

Since my last to you I have received Mr. Jackson's note and Invoice of Books dated the 24th September. This sheet came into my hands on the 4th instant, and by next post I wrote to Veracruz regarding the disposal of the books, directing that one case should be put into a Bookseller's hands in that place, with whom I spoke on the subject when there. Two cases are to be sent here, and two to lie till further advice.

Our Packet of this month has brought no English letters, and consequently I have none from you, or others in your quarter. She waited at St. Thomas's two days, we understand, for the Packet from England, and then judging it improper to wait longer, came off though without the English mail.

I am not yet able to write you of success in regard to one branch of our operations here, and that certainly not the least, I mean the getting the New Testament into the schools. Still I have hopes of success, and still also I have fears. Our Government here is, you may be sure, busily enough engaged in political affairs, and so as to have a good enough excuse in one sense for neglecting private matters, and such mine I suppose is counted. However I have taken a new tack now, and him sailing on a new course, and have hopes of gaining our port sooner and better than by the former one. Not many days after I sent my Representation to the Government an Ordinance was published on the subject of General Elementary Education over the country, and the whole management of this important concern was entrusted to the Lancasterian Society of this city. The Society mentioned is very much like that of the B & F School Society, or the National School Society with you. This institution is established on a very good footing here, and all the warm friends of general instruction are connected with it, and their measures are very active, and their progress is considerable. The Government lends the Society all its aid, and most cordially. This Body has the arrangements in its hands as to all books to be used in the schools. Through acquaintances connected with this Establishment, I have been made a member of the same, and have a seat and a vote at all their meetings. I have presented my Representation to the body, and it has been very favourably received. We have however still to run the Ecclesiastical Gauntlet, as the law has established that all books on religion to be printed and used in the country must have a previous Ecclesiastical Permit. The Members of the Education Society mentioned intend to use their wisest and best efforts in order to get the necessary license for the use of the New Testament in their schools. In case of success they will gladly avail themselves of your friendly aid, under orders will be thousands upon thousands when once the door is open: – and Oh may God open this door, and widely and effectually, that his own word of truth and life may come as a flood of light into all the schools of this populous country, and then also in directly, and in due time effectually, into every house and family. I feel, as you may be sure, deeply anxious on the subject, and pray without ceasing concerning it. And further, as an object of increased interest in this matter, and as formerly noticed to you, – our success here will be success to us likewise, I may say, over all Spanish America. I do hope that you and all with you have been helping us, and constantly both in your closets and families, and in your hearts if not with your lips elsewhere also. Our hand work is mechanical, our prayers are spiritual, and mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds.

I have had a favourable reply to my letter to the Bishop of Oaxaca. By next post I write to the Bishop of Sonora, having obtained an introduction to him from one of the active members of our Lancasterian Society who is a particular friend of the Bishop's. The same individual kindly helped me by an additional recommendation to the Bishop of Yucatán.

I have in two or three of my letters since I arrived here on the present occasion given you some favourable statements as to a general interest in this country in regard to the holy Scriptures, and an increased diffusion of them in different forms, versions, and editions. I close this letter with an additional note on this subject. The late Archbishop of this city when he left this on return to Spain bought some 200 copies of Torres Amat's version (in nine volumes), and sent them as presents to his late clergy all over this diocese. All this will bring the Scriptures into more notice, and eventually lead to the more general use of your unnoted and cheap Bibles.

Let us hope then and pray, and pray and hope, trusting in God who reigneth and ruleth all, and everywhere, through our Lord Jesus Christ.

            I remain, My Dear Friend,

                        Very Truly Yours,

                                    James Thomson.

Mexico City, 25th May 1843

Rev A Brandram:  No.132

Mexico, 25th May 1843

My Dear Friend,

Towards the close of my last letter I said I was preparing to leave this city for Veracruz and the Havannah. I had accordingly my things packed up a few days after sending off my letter in order to go before me by the muleteers to Veracruz. But about the time for sending them off we received accounts from Yucatán of such a nature as to lead me to delay sending on my luggage, believing that the changes going on there would enable me to go direct from Veracruz to that place instead of going by way of the Havannah. I therefore delayed in this city till another packet in order to hear for the accounts from Yucatán. Things that are not yet quite clear, but we are daily in expectation of something of a decided nature. If some favourable adjustment of matters do not take place in Yucatán, I will have to go from the Havannah to Belize, and from thence to Guatemala. Could I have liberty of disposing of books by the way, I would go by land, although it is a very long horseback journey of some 1200 miles. But my chief obstacle in this case is the fear, or rather perhaps the certainty of having my Books detained in the Customs Houses on the way as they have been in this city. I am in some perplexity as to what is best to be done, but hope I may be guided to what is most advantageous.

I shall write to the Havannah to have my letters that may arrive there the beginning of next month sent on here. It will be best I think for you to continue sending my letters to the Havannah, under cover to the British Consul there, until I otherwise direct. From thence they can be forwarded to me either here, or to Belize and Guatemala as my movements may require, and I will accordingly so arrange with the British Consul in the note I am about to write him.

I am glad, under other circumstances of darkness and discourage­ment, to have once more something to say about the general circulation and use of the Scriptures here, though not directly through our hands. There is a supply daily expected in this city, of 1,500 copies of Torres Amat's second edition; and these will be sold at a considerable reduc­tion in price—a circumstance which will carry them more rapidly into circulation. They are the remnant of a large edition published in Paris. I have no doubt but you will all personally, if not officially, rejoice in this additional diffusion of the Scriptures in this place. And you may do this, too, officially, as you have been the means of bringing on here the desire for the Holy Scriptures; and, furthermore, you may do it officially, inasmuch as all this circulation of these larger and annotated Bibles will, as formerly hinted, most assuredly bring round a greater diffusion of your more simple and cheaper volumes. The booksellers gladdened my heart the other day, by telling me that there is a decided favour in the public mind in regard to the Scriptures, which was not formerly the case. Irreligious books were then in favour; but now the scale is turned—and, I may say, you have turned it.

Another favourable circumstance I may mention, and one of no small account: it respects the instruction of the Indians. Measures are now being taken by the Government Education Board here, for setting up schools among the Indians generally, for teaching them to read in their own native tongues, similar to the plan adopted in the Gaelic schools in the north of Scotland. Those produced happy effects, and so I trust will these native schools in this land. Thus extensively, you see, is the way preparing for versions of the Scriptures into the Indian tongues.

I hope you had a noble day at Exeter Hall in your annual congregation. I shall anxiously look for a confirmation of this hope, through your communications. I, I suppose your utmost post on the West, prayed for you on that occasion, and many did so no doubt far in the East, and many and more between. May the Lord other direct and prosper you, for his own glory, the good of his church, and the good of the world.

We have again been disappointed in the arrival of our packet, and her bringing no English mail.

            I am ever, My Dear friend,

                        Truly Yours,

                                    James Thomson

Mexico City, 23rd June 1843

Rev A Brandram  No.133

Mexico 23rd June 1843

My Dear Friend,

Our last packet brought your letter of the 29th April, and a duplicate of the one sent by the preceding packet. What a dismal accident is that of the Solway, with the loss of so many lives! This event makes me afresh give thanks to God for the gracious preservations he has vouchsafed to me in many voyages: and Oh may his gracious hand be upon me until I see your face again and my native land in peace, a blessing I may say, I hope for more than expect, when I cast my eyes on the long course that lies before me: but I will also cast them upwards and hope for the best as it is my duty to do so.

Your last letter mentions Home for me, perhaps before long. This is rather a temptation, and a pretty strong one too, for one who left home, or somewhat equivalent to it, on the present occasion, lowing as he went, like the kine that conveyed the ark, and because his half was left behind.[1] But Home is not so near for me; and though I cannot much rejoice in this personally perhaps, yet as your servant, and the messenger of the churches, to circulate the word of God, in this country and over the vast field lying in the vista, I will rejoice. This present period is probably our darkest day in regard to this mission, for clouds have gathered and thickened upon us hitherto. But the sky is opening, and brighter spots may now be seen in it, and more brightness, I trust, will follow, and we shall yet have great reason, I humbly hope, to rejoice and thank God concerning this mission.

Our main difficulty has been the shutting of the Custom House in this city against us, but the Custom House in Veracruz is still open, and such also is the case, I believe, in all the ports of this country. The stoppage in the Custom House here is owing to the Edict that was issued against our Books in this diocese in 1828. But I consider it an illegal act on the part of the Collector of the Customs to detain our Books, and when there is a more liberal system in action here, things will be otherwise, and the law will then be seen and acted upon, I doubt not, as I view it. But marked intolerance is the rule at present. Our new constitution which was finished and sworn to a few days ago is more illiberal in the article on religion than any of its predecessors. But this constitution is only preparatory to another which we are promised before long. This next may be better than this present. Let us hope for the best, and ever pray for the same.

In the meantime, and as I mentioned to you in my last letter, the word of God is esteemed here and sought after. This circumstance which was mentioned to me by our Bookseller who has good reason to know it, has been confirmed to me in subsequent conversations, and in a most decided manner. An occurrence also which has taken place since I conveyed to you that notice has strengthened this opinion. In the bankrupt stock of Mr Galvan there were some 2000 copies of the Four Books. These have been selling though slowly for some time. At length, and from a desire to get the stock sold off early, the price was lowered, and they were hawked about the streets. I observed frequently persons going about with them, and I observed others who had bought copies and were reading them. I made inquiry as to the extent of the sales, and was most agreeably surprised to learn that more than a thousand copies had been sold in a month. You will see by this circumstance a confirmation of our Bookseller's view in regard to the word of God being in esteem and sought after; and you will see it same time how openly and how freely the word of God sold in the public streets of this large city in spite of Custom House stoppages and diocesan edicts. Another statement of our Bookseller I must mention, and that is, that the cheaper we can sell our books the more extensive will be our sale. This looks like a mere truism, but it has a particular application to us here at the present time, for in consequence of our troubles and revolutions means and money are scanty with us compared to former times in Mexico.

Viewing all these things as bearing on our case, and anxious to know what should be done for the furtherance of our cause, I had especially inquired of the Bookseller what kinds of our books, and how many copies he might be able to sell for us, say in twelve months. He gave his view clearly as follows. Of the 8vo Testament he could sell, he says, 2000 copies, say at five rials each, but if at four they would sell with a certainty. Of the 12mo Testament also 2000 copies, say at three rials, but sure if at two and a half. As to the 32mo edition, he says the type is much too small for acceptance here, and it is not saleable. – What, I inquired, do you say about our Bible? He replied I could sell 2000 copies of but also in a year, if it were complete, that is, having the Apocrypha. Does not the want of notes also prevent the sale, I said, and would do so even where the Bible is complete. He said, No, for there are a great many who wish to have a small book with all the Scriptures in it, for the convenience of ready reference and reading instead of going to their 20 volume editions in their libraries, besides many others who cannot afford to buy these voluminous editions. Our Bibles are in considerable disrepute, he says, from their incompleteness. In a subsequent conversation, I said could we not force, as it were, our Bibles into sale by selling them at a very low price, say the large Bibles at a dollar each? Perhaps, he said, and probably something could be done in that way. How many copies should I order them for a twelve month's sale at this price? Let us say 500 he said, at first, and then perhaps we may require more before that time is elapsed. This is the large Bible, and not the small one, for of it too the type is much under the proper size. And in regard to the small Testament, I said (the 32mo), could you not sell it at a rial? He said, perhaps it would sell at that price, and we agreed to try 500.

In view of these statements and prospects I would request you to send us the kinds and quantities above named, and Invoices in Spanish money at the prices stated, putting the four and two and a half for the Testaments and not the five and three. I have made arrangements with a gentleman here who takes much interest in our cause, to see the Books safely conveyed from Veracruz into the hands of our Bookseller. The cases to be consigned to Messrs. Manning Mackintosh & Co. Veracruz, to be at the disposal of this gentleman, and enclosing to them a letter for him containing invoice etc. His address is  "Al Licenciado D. Domingo Saviñon, Mexico." Please to see number proper document is obtained from the Mexican consul in the place where they are shipped, and enclosed to Manning Mackintosh Co. Who require it for obtaining the books, nor can they obtain them without it.

You see in what I have said above, that there is a reasonable prospect of circulating 5000 copies of the Scriptures here in the course of 12 months. This is the opening and brighter spot in the heavens to which I referred. Further, we may say, that there will be an annual sale in this country of 5000 copies, and most probably more. This brightens our heavens again, you will perceive. Therefore notwithstanding all the clouds that thus far have enveloped us in this present mission let us thank God for the prospects now referred to, and take courage. Be so good thing as to send out these 5000 with the least delay possible. From Guatemala, I may say, I can superintend the distribution, as we have a regular post weekly between the two places. I mention this because of an observation in your last letter indicating your discouragements from past experience as to sending out books to any place where you have not individuals personally known to you to see after their distribution. Do not let this impression, or any other circumstance, hinder you from sending out these preliminary 5000. I will do my best to get them into circulation by sale as above stated, my friend Mr. Saviñon will do the same, and so will the Bookseller. This last noticed individual is a liberal and enlightened man, and as such feels an interest in the diffusion of the Scriptures among his countrymen. He has also another motive to induce him to give us his full cooperation, and that is self interest. I have arranged with him to sell our books at 12½% commission. This rate, though in one sense high, I consider fair, and also wise in us to give as under all the circumstances of this country, a country where money lent on the best commercial security yields 9%, and goes on increasing according to circumstances up to three or months, or 36% per annum.

I would now before I go farther, make an observation about the sale of our books generally in the further prosecution of this mission through those countries where more or less of the same condition of things will come before us from at the similarity of the countries to each other. I refer to the selling of our books cheap. Let us well keep in mind our Bookseller's truism, that the cheaper the more and the surer sale, and down to a certainty of sales and extensively. I know you give me full discretion, but I would like you to say whether you fully allow me to force our books into sale and use by disposing of them at any price, or even no price as circumstances may direct.

When in this country in 1827-30 I sold the Scriptures at the full cost value of the books, and several thousands were thus put into circulation. The full cost I conceive to be a rule when we can attain unto it, but another rule is also before us, and that is, that sales must be effected if at all possible. Again our third and last rule, I may say, is, that if we cannot force sales at even the lowest prices, we are to force circulation at the gospel price – nothing – wherever we can do it with the prospect of the books being read. These I understand to be your golden rules.

Permit me to say a word about the binding of the books for this market. Forced as we now are from a change of circumstances here to sell very cheap, I think the books should all be in the cheapest leather binding, that is, I believe, sheep. Yet neatness should be consulted along with cheapness. The backs of your Bibles are very dark and plain. The Americans in their cheapest sheep bindings always letter the back, and put a few transverse gold strokes on it. This is, I think, a good plan, and perhaps you might imitate it without disadvantage, to please us Americans.

It may be worthwhile to state here perhaps, that in your future prints of the Scriptures in Spanish, it would be well, as I should think, not to print on a type smaller than the Bourgeois, which I believe is the letter with which your 8vo Spanish Bible is printed, or say the Brevier for the New Testament. The same remark will apply probably to all countries, not reading countries. Please give me a note of all the Spanish Scriptures you have on hand, with their sizes and costs. Pray how is it that you can afford an English Testament, say your Brevier, at eight pence, and charge one shilling and sixpence for Spanish one of about the same size? I know that there is a duty on the paper in the one case and not in the other, and some difference too in the cost of printing, but not after the plates are made. Still the difference seems much.

I come now to speak of my movements. I am still, as you see, in this city. In my last I said I was in some perplexity as to what was best for me to do. Yucatán since then is somewhat cleared up as to its warfare state, and hopes are entertained that peace may be some established there. About one half of our Mexican force was obliged to surrender at discretion, or nearly so, and capitulated to leave the country, which was done. And the other day I perceived by the newspapers the other half has entered into an agreement to embark and return home also, making a virtue of necessity, as I suppose. Yucatán will thus be left free of all hostile forces, and be at liberty to enter into friendly relations or union with Mexico according to the terms they can both agree on. Yucatán of course has thus triumphed, agreeable to the prediction of your humble prophet. This to us, I may well say, is a great point gained, as Yucatán has established Religious Liberty by its constitution, from which here at present we are so very far. That just right however established there will no doubt have great influence in our obtaining it here and perhaps before long.

But Yucatán during the wet or summer season is very unhealthy, being greatly subject to the devouring disease of Veracruz called the Black Vomit; and this season I understand it is particularly bad, probably increased by encamped armies but it is also worse than usual this year in Veracruz. My Mexican friends here who have been in that Peninsula all advise me and strongly not to think of going there until the unhealthy season is over. The country is not yet fully open as to its war or rather peace state, I will therefore wait another month at all events to see whether hostilities will then be fully over, and to consider further what is my duty in regard to the climate.

My letters, as noticed in my last, you will please continue to send to our consul at the Havannah, Mr. Crawford. I had a very friendly note from this gentleman by the last packet enclosing your letters to him for me. I shall communicate with him from time to time as to the places to which my letters are to be forwarded, whether to this city, to Yucatán, or Guatemala. On the other hand I will arrange with Mr. Hitchin for repaying to Mr. Crawford the postage is he is obliged to prepay for me from the Havannah.

In your letter of the 29th April you say in reference to my movements and difficulties, "Every obstacle you have met with in Mexico you will meet with in the whole line of country through which you have purpose to pass." In reply to this, I would say, that I do not by any means expect that this will be the case. The shutting of the Custom House in this city, and other hinderances here also are owing mainly to the edict issued in this city and diocese in 1828, as already stated. And edict of the same kind also was issued, I understand, in Oaxaca and Guadalaxara. There are ten dioceses in this country, and only in these three have edicts been issued, so that the other seven, for ought I know, are open, and of a certainty I know that Puebla is, at least for Veracruz which is in the diocese, and which is ruled by the most illiberal, according to common report, of all our Bishops . Neither in Guatemala, nor in any part of the continent of South America has there been any edict published against our books, as far as I am aware. So far therefore from meeting with the same difficulties in every place in the line of my intended route, I do not again even once expect to meet with the same. I would fear such obstacles in Oaxaca, which is a principal objection to my going by land to Guatemala. Our way therefore you see, and our prospects are much better than you have been led to suppose. In Guatemala I expect to circulate a considerable number of copies of the Scriptures. ...

(Final section of letter missing from archives.)

[1] Note (BM): 1 Samuel 6.10-12.

Veracruz, 17th/24th October 1843

Rev A Brandram  No.137

Veracruz, Mexico, 17th October 1843

My Dear Friend,

Agreeable to intimations in my last, I left the city of Mexico on the 4th instant, and on the 7th arrived in this place. My Yucatan friends were here before me. I had left them in Mexico about a week before our intended starting together in company, and crossed our lake to pay a visit to Tescoco, but on my return I found to my surprise that my friends were off. I anxiously made inquiry into the cause, and learned that they were ordered to leave Mexico for Veracruz in 48 hours by our present Emperor, against whose perfect rule it seems some things had appeared in a Yucatan periodical which had reached this quarter, and brought, it was said, by the Commissioners who returned for instructions. I hastened after my friends, lest by the same said mandate and personage they should have been shipped off for Yucatan before their luggage arrived. I was glad however to find them here on my coming; and now we are all waiting for a vessel, for it seems the Commissioners must now hire one, instead of being conveyed in a government steamer as before, our chief, being highly displeased, will not give them a steamer, although there are three now in this port, and doing nothing but pulling at their anchors.

The Packet arrived here yesterday, but unfortunately my letters have gone on to Mexico. They may however returned before we can sale, and I shall therefore leave this letter unfinished till I see, until I can say something definite as to our voyage.

Veracruz, 24 October 1843.

My letters returned from Mexico yesterday, and in one sense fortunately I have been detained here till they came. Yours of  the 31st August is among them. I observe your doubts about the number of Books ordered, and I find I have anticipated it in some measure in the letter No.134, by saying the 5000 might be sent by halves rather than altogether. As to my sanguineness, you must rather say the Bookseller's, for it is his view rather than my own I have given, and in fact I have detailed to you our conversation in my letter; and believing he knew better than I these buy–and–sell–book matters, I was willing to follow his suggestions as I have done. But I shall apprise him of your "misgivings," and bid him try by a quick sale to demonstrate to you their groundlessness, and to find which you yourselves, I am sure, will be well pleased. The supply for Guatemala is my own arrangement, and is grounded on the former, and some other circumstances. I may have overshot in the case, but I wish to over rather than undershoot, as I should feel sorry to be unable to meet all the openings that peradventure may occur there, and should much rather some were sent home again than that there should be too few.

Since I wrote on the 17th as above I have met with an American Gentleman who lives in the State of Tabasco, and close on the borders of Chiapa, Yucatan, and Guatemala respectively. This is a sort of a central and an interesting spot, and into which I may say the Bible has not yet come. This gentleman offers his services to help us in the circulation of the Scriptures. I gave him one of the two cases I have here, and leave myself only one for Yucatan. I wish I had more on hand. I have sold the books to him, leaving him as a merchant to do his best with them.

In the month of May last I had a communication from an Englishman of the name of William Boord living not far from this city at a place called Paso de Obejas, intimating that there were some openings there for the Scriptures. I sent him forthwith some Books of the small size by the Diligence, and afterwards gave him an order for several copies at the Bookseller's here, and begging him to advise me when these copies were disposed of, intimating to him at the same time our desire to effect sales rather than to give gifts. I have not heard from him from that date till now, and on my coming down here learn that he had not applied for the copies ordered till recently. I do not know that I should have mention these things to you a tall had I not seen here in the Consul's hands a case of  Books from you to him.

Probably my correspondence may be less regular for some time than hitherto, on account of the difficulties and irregularities of sending letters from Yucatan for the Packet.

            I remain, Very Truly Yours,

                                                James Thomson.

Barcelona, 1st July 1848

Rev A Brandram No.21

Barcelona 1st July 1848

My Dear Friend,

Your letter of the 20th ultimo came into my hands yesterday, and Mr. Jackson's of the 3rd and 8th are also with me, the former containing the Letter of Credit. I can well understand how Mr. Hitchin might overlook a little affair of mine in the midst of the many money and other heavy duties which lie upon him. My quarter's account goes with this, and though I have but little on hand on Travelling Account, yet having brought some money of my own in case of necessity, I shall do very well till I get to Toulouse, where, in the Bank, I shall of course lack for nothing either of money or credit.

I observed in your Resolution of the 19th your purpose of abstaining from sending books to the South of Marocco till you see how the North works, and I bow to your better judgment.

You observe the attentions of our friend who furnished me with 29 letters of introduction, and inquire if there is any way in which you could express your sense of obligation for his kindness. During the hot summer months he and his family live on the sea coast close by San Sebastian, and he has given me a very kind and earnest invitation to pass a few days with him at his house when I am in that quarter. If you would send the Spanish octavo Bible, rather superiorly bound, like the one I gave to Esportero say, I would present it to him for the reading of his family, as a remembrancer and a token of gratitude. This Bible could be sent with the Books to Bayonne. Please add also a Spanish Testament in 8vo bound in the same manner.

The arrangements noticed in Mr. Jackson's two letters regarding the Books for Toulouse and Bayonne will do very well. I would observe that as far as Bayonne is concerned, if there are vessels direct from England to that Port, the cases you may send for that place should be so sent instead of to Bordeaux. I think I noticed this before in a note to Mr. Knolleke desiring him to mention it to you.

A word now in regard to my journey thus far. I started on the 7th June, as indicated to you in my letter of the 5th. One of my two objects in going to Valencia on my way to this place was, that on the whole it was the easiest and safest way, and as cheap, the land journey being much shorter, and there being a Steamer from Valencia to Barcelona. The other reason I had was, that the more places I can visit the more knowledge of persons and things of the country I obtain, all of which may, and I hope will, be turned to account in times coming. With this same view I made a station of two days at Albacete, somewhat more than halfway from Madrid to Valencia. This is a central point where many roads meet, and the passing and re-passing in all directions is very great. It is reckoned that about 120 wagons, carts, and carriages of all descriptions pass the night there on their routes, and some 800 horses. This would be a fine place for a colport who might visit the various Inns where the parties lodge connected with these vehicles and horses. Also there is an immense eight day fair in September, second only to Seville in all Spain. This fair should also be visited if times are propitious, just as I visited San Juan de los Lagos in Mexico and sold there several hundred copies of our Books.

Valencia is a large city with a densely peopled neighbourhood. It is situated in the best watered, best cultivated, and most fertile plain in all this country, perhaps its equal is not in Europe, or the world. It is like the Valley of Damascus, and is a copy of it in its irrigation arrangements, and made by the same parties, the men of the East, who for centuries held in dominion this quarter and all Spain.[1]

I found in some of the Booksellers in Valencia a Bible or two of our publication. The smaller one they were selling at 2½ dollars, and the larger at 5. None of them however would venture to take a supply at low prices, on account of the want of sales. Many, they said, were sold formerly, but latterly very few and chiefly because of the stir raised against them by the Priests.

The language universally spoken in Valencia by all classes, the highest as well as the lowest, is a dialect called lemosin, which seems to differ as much from the Spanish as the Portuguese dose. I enclose you a specimen of it. Though all speak this dialect, it is very little read, and there are only a few books in it. Most understand Spanish. The Priests never preach in this dialect, except once a year, when two sermons are of necessity delivered in it, according to a statute on the subject. It might become an object some day to have one of the Gospels at least put into this dialect, to be used by a Bible Reader say, when such a person can be employed in this country. He would be more listened to in reading this than Spanish. The whole Bible was translated into this dialect in Spanish Bible days of past times, but all has been lost except one solitary leaf.

To each of two gentlemen who showed me particular attentions, I presented one of the little New Testaments, with special recommendations for their individual and family use. I follow these little distributions with prayer.

In Barcelona I have seen our friend Mr. Prat, the translator of the Catalan version and Mr. Bergnes, the printer of that and the other Scriptures published here. Mr. Bergnes has some copies of the Testament, and I am arranging with him about getting them into use. Both our friends are very willing to serve us. But the present time is one of extreme delicacy for any movements, on this spot especially, for Englishmen. This is owing partly to the diplomatic circumstances of the two countries. Added to this there is always a suspicion of Englishmen in this city, for it would seem they think every Englishman visiting this place comes with no other view, and has no other business here but to destroy their manufacturing establishments. These two things, together with the general and constant ones all over this country, discourage our hopes. Let us pray the more that God would hasten his kingdom here. There is a considerable number of French Protestants in the city, but they do not assemble together in any way to worship.

The Catalan dialect is spoken here, and over the whole Principality as it is called, by all classes high and low, and the most are unable to speak Spanish. Sermons are very generally delivered in it, and not long ago this was universal. I have seen a Latin and Catalan grammar, as the Latin was formerly studied in the colleges through this dialect. It is harsh, and displeases the untutored ear much more than the limosin of Valencia. There is some difference between the languages spoken on the sea coast and in the interior parts of the country. The latter is considered the purer. Your version is in the former, but those who speak it are the more numerous body.

Please to address me at Toulouse, till further notice.

                        Yours Very Truly,

                                    James Thomson.

[1] Thomson also visited the grave of Scío en Valencia: "It gave the writer of this article no little satisfaction to stand beside the tomb of Scio, in Valencia, in 1848, and to contemplate the good done in his life-time by the dead there lying, in having given to his countrymen the Holy Word of God in their own tongue." Spain, Its Position and Evangeliza­tion, also Protestant Religious Liberty Abroad, the Conduct of British Envoys, Interesting Mission in Portugal and its Dangers, with Notices of the Empire of Morocco. London: Partridge and Oakey, 1853: 15.