Rev A Brandram No 63
Kingston, Jamaica 9th Sep, 1837
My Dear Friend,
I am once again, as you see, on British Ground, or on ground shadowed by the British Sceptre; and never before did I return to it, after an absence in Foreign Lands, with so much gladness, and with so lively a sense of the National Advantages of our Favoured Country, which God, in his signal goodness has conferred upon us over all the nations, and not least over Spain.
–Two days after finishing my letter to you in Santiago de Cuba, I went to the Custom house to despatch some routine business. There, to my astonishment, I was told by the Collector that he had orders from the Governor to detain me. I told him that I was greatly surprised with such a statement, as the Governor had given me a passport, and fully understood that I was to leave the Island by the first opportunity of a vessel for Jamaica. The Collector read the letter a second time, and again stated as the import of it, that he was ordered to prevent my sailing, and we observed that his letter was dated a day later than my passport, and hence of course his order for my detention cancelled mine for going. Upon this I went direct to the Governor, and not without fear that I should be forthwith detained by him, and that my papers would be sent for to my lodgings and examined by the government. The Governor, on my telling him what had occurred at the Custom house, denied that there was any such order given by him for my detention; and forthwith he gave me a new passport, and of a date that cancelled the collector’s order, as his had before cancelled my leave to go. I carried this to the Collector without delay. He read it, shrugged his shoulders, and signed it. Thus was the door open to me again.
–The vessel did not sail for a couple of days after this, and just before leaving, I called on the Collector to understand from him a little more of this odd order which he showed me two days previously. He seemed however disposed to eat up the letter and the matter altogether, whether from directions given him or not I cannot tell, but the whole of this affair appeared to me very mysterious.
–I gathered from the Collector’s conversation, the strong impression made on his mind, and on the minds of others, that your society was, in truth a part and portion of the Antislavery Society and further, that your main objects in circulating the Bible, was to lead the people to rebel and destroy the whites, and thus to accomplish the object, which they imagine the British government has, of making an end of Cuba as a Spanish Colony. Hence their suspicions of me, and all their investigations. –At length I embarked, and glad enough. But I could not venture to rejoice more than half until I got beyond the Fort Guns at the mouth of the harbour. At ten o’clock at night we reached the wide ocean, whose ample protecting expanse seemed to me above common grand and delightful. Then I rejoiced in good earnest, and thanked God for my deliverance.
On the 24th. Of August I arrived safely in Kingston, after a passage of three days, in which we had delightful weather, and this was the more grateful, it being the middle of the hurricane season. On my arrival I found several letters from you, whose contents were very gratifying to me I assure you; and that part was not least so, you may believe, where you kindly mention the kindly notice made in your Report of your unworthy, and, as he hopes to be, very obedient servant. I suppose you have now thrust my ear through with an awl to your Earl Street door, and fairly made me your bondsman unredeemable. Thus it is, that whilst all the world, black and white, is becoming free, I am entering and entered into bondage, but it is the bondage of Christ, and of his Word, and his church.
I have carefully read what you say in your letter about Mr. Watts, and shall endeavour to attend fully to your suggestions regarding him. You say nothing of him in your letter of the 28th. July which came yesterday to hand. But I had a letter from Mr. Watts himself on the 4th. instant, dated in Carthagena on the 24th. ultimo, the very day I returned. He states that he arrived there on the 15th. of August, that he intended to occupy the first six weeks in Carthagena and the interior parts of that province, and afterwards to start for his general tour of New Granada. I shall write him by the first opportunity, and in about a week hence intend to sail on a visit to that place and Santa Marta. In addition to seeing Mr. Watts, I purpose paying a formal visit to the Bishops of these two places, having lately learned, and in the Havannah, that these bishops are the two gentlemen, then heads of colleges, who so much befriended us, and helped in the formation of a Bible Society in Bogotá in the beginning of 1825. I hope I shall find that their sentiments are not altered in regards to the circulation of the Scriptures.
I expect to return to Jamaica about the end of October. On my return I have a wish. Shall I express it to you? I have a desire to obtain a furlough from you of a few months, say three or four. There are I believe certain understood regulations in favour of all officers on foreign service in this matter, and with Missionaries also, as one may gather, in addition to other quarters, from what you have printed among your speeches near the bottom of page 486, where Mr. Williams says he hoped to return to his native country “some five, seven or ten years hence”. My furlough I would propose to spend in the high and cool mountain climates of this Island, which would probably contribute to my health and strength after the continued heats of these six years past. I would not wholly neglect your work during that time, but I want a greater degree and extent of leisure than I could have without your formally granting me such a furlough. –At the close of the furlough, I would propose, if the Lord will, to set out for Mexico.
Your letters are arrived of the 23rd. March, 15th. April, 12th. and 31st. May, 30th. June, and 28th. July. Also Mr Hitchin’s of 1st. May, and Mr. Jackson’s of the 15th. June. The case of Reports has come to hand.
Believe me, My Dear Friend, Very Truly Yours,
James Thomson .