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.

Toulose, 27th July 1848

Rev A Brandram No.22

Toulouse 27th July 1848

My Dear Friend,

Last night I arrived safely in this place, having been longer in reaching it than I expected. The cause is as follows. In Barcelona I found it was a considerable number of French Protestants, and of Swiss Protestants speaking French, say 80 of the former, and 40 of the latter. I found this out through a letter I brought from London for one of them, from his sister, the same person for whose passage to New Orleans to join her husband several individuals of the Committee kindly contributed. I endeavoured to make myself acquainted personally with these to some extent, which detained me in Barcelona beyond my first intention. These Protestants are without any Pastor, and are of course in rather a low spiritual condition. Nevertheless some of them have life, and are spiritually minded. I tried to influence these people to use the means within their reach to favour the Spaniards of their acquaintance with the Holy Scriptures, and was glad to find some of them well disposed towards us.

The next stop was how to get a supply of Scriptures into their hands to meet this purpose. There are steamboats which ply regularly between Barcelona and Marseille every week. Now though the same prohibitions which have hindered us elsewhere in getting the Scriptures into Spain are also in action there, yet as I have never had any books of my luggage questioned in entering and travelling through Spain, I conceived it might be easy with one passenger and another to get a few copies sent from Marseille from week to week as they might be wanted. This induced me to take Marseille in my route instead of going by Gerona and Perpignan as I had at first intended. In the meantime I found that Mr. Bergnes had on hand some Spanish Bibles and some Catalan Testaments.

Some of these were put forthwith into the hands of the parties I had selected to aid in our work, and a circumstance occurred before I left which encouraged me, and led me to believe that this arrangement would prove serviceable. On calling on one of these friends just before starting, I found a Spaniard in the house, on his feet to go, and with the Bible under his arm. Learning my connexion with the Book he had got, he sat down again, and we talked for half an hour. He is a very intelligent man, and given to reading. He promised to peruse the Bible carefully, and expressed himself very thankful for having obtained it. We talked to him of its gospel contents, and begged him to speak to his countrymen about this Book, which he said he would do. In this way, and in a very gradual manner, copies of the Scriptures may be put into the hands of not a few, and under the most favourable circumstances.

In Marseille I spoke with two Protestant Pastors there, and with some others, in regard to the arrangements above indicated, and gave them the addresses of the parties who were to receive the books. They promised to be on the look out; and as Testaments in Spanish are immediately wanted, I begged that a few of these might be first sent, and some such I was glad to find at hand in Mr. Pressencé Bible depot in that place.

As one good action requires another, and as we are all to help each other as Brethren, I promised to my friends in Barcelona to speak on their behalf, that a Pastor might be sent. This I did in Marseille, and more fully in Nîmes, the centre of French Protestantism, and on the direct road from Marseille to Toulouse. I also there spoke of my plan of sending copies of the Scriptures with passengers for Barcelona, and by way of Cette, as a steam boat has lately been running between these two places. This same arrangement also led me to visit Cette which is not out of the way to Toulouse. There I found a most excellent spiritual man, and entrusted him with our concerns in the way mentioned, and to which, he said, he would gladly attend. From Marseille to Montpellier and Cette, through Nîmes, I found a Railroad opened only a few months ago, and from Cette to Toulouse I came by a canal (du Midi) which is of older construction.

Though late, I could not help calling on the Courtois last night at nine o'clock. I was, as you may suppose, delighted with them. They told me they had a case for me from Paris, and today I am to dine with them when we shall have the means of further conversations.

After sending off my last letter, it occurred to me that I had made a mistake in considering the resolution of the 19th June as applying to my re-application for Mogador, instead of the 25 Bagster's Hebrew Bible, and five Hebrew and English Bibles for Tangier, as requested in my letter of 5th June. You kindly say, "It is a delay not a refusal." I purposed to notice this oversight of mine in my next, namely in this letter, but I am doubly induced to do so by a letter I have found here from Tangier. In writing to our Jew friend on the same day I wrote you (5th June) I indicated to him that these 25 and 5 would be sent him. Will you allow me therefore to say, that I am compromised in this matter, and to beg anew that the Books may be sent at my risk, if not yours, as I shall willingly and cover all losses on them rather than they should not be sent after what I have written concerning them. I must not forget to count better with my host nest time. I should like them sent for haste by the Oriental Steamer which leaves Southampton on the 3rd August if it can be then ready, or by the Gibraltar Steamer which leaves the same place on the 7th.

In the Jew's letter now received he repeats his particular request for these Books, and once and again begs that they may be sent as quickly as possible. His letter is dated the 22nd June, at which time he had not received mine of the 5th June. I hardly wonder at this delay, knowing as I do by bought experience what a nonsuch Post Office we have at Gibraltar. I have been more than once nearly resolved to write to St. Martin's le Grand concerning this inland P.O. The Packet office is quite different. I hope the letter would come to hand very soon afterwards. Our friend was withholding sales, because I had mentioned 2/-as the cost of the volumes, but merely as a mark above which he was not to go, whilst I gave him leave to sell them at any price which would secure an extensive sale with the least loss possible. Not having received my letter, he thought I had not received his previous one, and most of this is a repetition of what he then said by way of a duplicate. But for this hesitation he could, he says, have sold all the Books. My letter of 5th June would clear him of all difficulties.

            Address till next to Toulouse.

                        Yours Truly,

                                    James Thomson.

Zaragoza, 29th August 1848

Rev A Brandram No 23

Zaragoza 29th August 1848

My Dear Friend,

I am safely arrived in this place, after passing, since I wrote you, the dangerous roads of the Pyrenees, travelling through rebellious Catalonia, escaping robbers that were the other day in this neighbourhood, and the dangers besides of a different kind. With all my heart I give thanks to God for these preservations, as I still continue to do for similar preservations in other countries in former times. Would that the fruits of righteousness were in me as abundantly as have been and are God's merciful dealings with me in all my wanderings.

But I must take you back to Toulouse. I stated in my last that I had just seen our good friends the Courtois. Freres they are among themselves as a company and domestically, and Brethren beloved of all who know them. I got much information from them as to their own operations in the South of France, and regarding their opportunities of operating on the boundaries of Spain. I was advised by them to visit Montauban where a society was in project bearing wholly on Spain I went accordingly, and found that such an object was in view, but that the Revolution had so dried up all their sources and resources that it was impossible for them to proceed until better pecuniary times should dawn upon them. Still my going there was opportune. I found that M. Emilien Frossard who has for some time been Director of the Theological Seminary of that place, was about leaving, and was going to Bagneres de Bigorre, Hautes Pyrénées, on the borders of Spain, to open a mission station there, to gather together the few scattered Protestants, to feed them, and bring others into the same fold. I had much conversation with him as to Spain, and he says he is most ready to work on this country, by making excursions into it from time to time to circulate the Scriptures, and do otherwise what is possible and practicable.

I met at Montauban with M. de Félice, the Author of the valuable little volume entitled "La Voix du Colporteur Biblique".  You do not know perhaps to what friend you are indebted for this important aid in your Bible work. Mr. Robert Haldane left a few small legacies to different Institutions in that quarter for the circulation of the Scriptures under certain regulations. The parties finding full supplies of the Scriptures otherwise within their reach, thought the Bible work would be more forwarded by a terse essay on the subject, and hence they put their legacies together, and with the consent of the Executors, offered a prize for such a work. La Voix du Colporteur Biblique obtained the preference, and was accordingly published. Montauban was to me personally a place of considerable interest. My early missionary thoughts are connected with that place. Mr. Haldane had wished me to go out to him there, and for good while, in view of this, my daily readings of the Scriptures, and aloud, I well recollect, were in the French Tongue. He found however difficulties which hindered what he had in view, and the plan was given up. This circumstance, though it did not originate my missionary intentions, greatly strengthened them: and immediately on that door being shut, I directed my attention to those far distant countries, to which God afterwards guided me, and in which his protecting hand was so wonderously upon me through many years in the midst of various perils.

I proceeded to the South. At Foix I met with M. Gaubert the Protestant Pasteur, a worthy young man, who may some day prove serviceable to your cause in Spain, from residing near its borders. As far as Ax I was conducted by the Stage, and there had to betake myself to my former mode of travelling on horse or mule back. The ascent of the Pyrenees on the French side is gradual and easy. On passing the top of the roads are steep and rugged. I came to Andorra. This little Republic, if not from its size, yet from its age and some other circumstances, is venerable. It has governed itself independent of both Spain and France, for more than 1000 years. The Mohammedans reached this high spot in the Pyrenees, and gained possession of it, as they had done of all Spain. It was the last place they gained, and the first they lost, their reign here was only of 12 years duration.

I have more than once thought that God has purposed to crown our efforts in Spain with much success, if not soon, late. I have thought so because Satan is so anxious to thwart us in every project, and at every point. I met with him at Andorra, and had almost said in propia persona. Who should be there at that very moment, but the Bishop. And this was not an annual, biennial or triennial visitation. He had not been there before for nineteen years. I had scarcely intimated that I had copies of the Scriptures, when the Priest of the place came to me very angry with a message from the Bishop threatening me if I should dispose in any way off a single copy, and intimating how easy it would be to get up a mob about me which would make me move quicker than I could wish. I need hardly say that under such circumstances I could do nothing. One copy of the New Testament I gave it to the Schoolmaster who expressed a particular wish to have one. My disappointment you may be sure, was great. I could only move onwards, and with the fear and uncertainty of the Bishop being before me, as I was going to his capital and through his diocese. One copy of the New Testament I gave to a kind stranger friend in St. Julian still in Andorra, and arrived in Urgel. I had not been long there when I learned that accusations were launched against me by the Bishop for having prohibited Books. The gentleman of the Inn came to me half breathless telling me of what he had heard, and urging me if I had such books immediately to take them out, and he would put them away, concealed among his own things. The Books were taken out and so put away, leaving two or three which is a proper part of my own luggage I might safely carry. I had brought only a few of the Books with me, having sent back the rest to Ax, and forwarded to M. Frossard as stock for him to begin with. To have brought on the whole after what took place would have been both useless and dangerous.

After this all was lull till about nine o'clock at night. Then up came the gentleman of the Inn again and said he understood I should without delay be arrested, and advised me if I felt any danger to flee. I said, No, I would not flee. He went out saying the Alguacil would be with me immediately. In fact he was below in the house all the while this gentleman was with me, and he had sent him up to prepare me, and to give me an opportunity of escaping. He came in forthwith, and told me he came with orders to take me to the Police Office, but urged me, if I were afraid, to flee. No, I said, I won't flee, I'll go with you. I arranged myself the best way I could in the view of passing the night, and perhaps some days in the Police Office, or some worse place. Notwithstanding however all this fear I got off easily, as the Police Officer said he only wished that I should present myself, and show my Passport, which having done I got off, and returned home thankful for my preservation thus far. Something bearing on this escape you will find further on.

Next day just as I had gone out, I met the gentleman of the Inn, and one of the head Custom House guard, and learned from them that this officer was come to search my luggage. We went all three into my room together. Before any operations began, the officer went out of the room to light his cigar. Now, said the gentleman of the Inn, if you have any more books you fear, take them out that I may put them away with the rest. The officer will be back immediately, and no doubt he has gone out purposely to give you an opportunity to remove them. The two or three I had left were accordingly taken out and put away. Then in came the officer, and made a most minute and thorough search of everything, and such as I had never met with before. He went off, and the gentleman of the Inn, who had been present all the while, went off with him, and returning to me he said the officer was gone to report, but he did not know what he thought as to what he had seen.

All these things were enough to make me desirous of leaving Urgel with as little delay as possible, and I got away that same afternoon, and proceeded out of town six miles. I could not venture however to take the books with me as I was informed that most likely I should be searched again on going out of town. I directed therefore that they should be forwarded to me to Lerida. The threatened  second search did not take place, and I was well pleased to escape it, and to get safe away.

When I told the gentleman of the Inn, on the first fright what Books I had, namely, Bibles and New Testaments, and I showed him one of the latter: – O, said he, these are not prohibited Books. I have one just the same. He went and got it, and it was a copy of the very same Paris edition. He would have it that these Books were not prohibited, and thought therefore that it was unnecessary to conceal them. I replied that these were what they called prohibited Books. He expressed himself much dissatisfied that such Books should be considered as prohibited. I found him very friendly, as you may see from what I have said of him above, and also found him very favourable to the use of the Scriptures. I therefore gave him one of the small Bibles, on the condition that he would carefully read it, which he said he would do, and with interest, for he had wished much to have one. Before leaving, I inquired if he had any friends who had a sincere desire to peruse the Bible. He said he had, and he counted them, and up to the number of six. My injunction again was, and the condition of the gift, that the Books should be attentively read, and throughout. He was sure that these friends would do so, he said, and with deep interest. Thus seven Bibles were disposed off, and I recommended that if the parties reading them should feel themselves benefited, they might charge their consciences with giving what they thought their price to the poor. Who knows what these seven mustard seeds may produce, and soon, as it would seem, in favourable ground. Much was said by this gentleman against the Priests for prohibiting this sacred book, and it was plainly stated, that they feared it as speaking against their own evil ways.

I should not forget to say that one of my 29 letters was for a Colonel in this place, and who was actually in command of the Garrison during the illness of the Governor. On my being summoned and carried to the Police Office, I sent a hasty verbal message to this gentleman, to say what had taken place, and to beg he would have the goodness without delay, to meet me at the Police Office. I was scarcely there when he came, and told the officer that I had been recommended to him from Madrid by a Member of the Cortes. I experienced benefit from this no doubt, and perhaps great benefit and deliverance. On our leaving the Office he went to the house of the Prefect to speak in my favour. To this kindly and influential aid I was indebted probably, under Providence, for my further safety in that place, and my unsearched exit. The Lord reward him, and the many who have befriended me in all my movements.

I should further say before leaving, that the different parties I met with and who knew the case in hand, all sympathized with me, and styled the Bishop and those with him mala gente (bad people) for their opposition. There is no doubt a broad and large ground and field of operation for us among the Spaniards when Ecclesiastical Opposition shall cease to be sustained by Political Power. The Lord hasten that time.

The gentleman of the Inn, as I have designated him is a Lawyer, and son of the widow lady who keeps the Inn, and is living in the same house.

My journey through the remaining Pyrenees was rougher and more dangerous than any of the parts of these mountains I had previously passed through, and it was rendered doubly fatiguing, as well as more dangerous, by my being obliged to ride on a pack saddle without stirrups. You will wonder that I should ride so, but there was a reason for it. All Catalonia being in an insurrectionary state is under military command alone, and within the last three months a severe, perhaps necessary order has been issued in respect to saddles and horses. Had I rode on a saddle, and fallen in with the Carlists, a very likely circumstance, and they had carried off the saddle, as most certainly they would, though they might have let us escape, we should have been fined in 4,000 rials, that is £40, and had a horse been taken, the punishment is banishment to the Philippine Islands, the Spanish Botany Bay. During most of this journey we were in constant risk of meeting with these insurgents. In one town where we slept they were seen that night. My muleteer has a sister there married to a secret Carlist, and she came and told him that they were in town and are urged our not starting off until full daylight. Further, 500 of them were seen in the neighborhood of Lerida through which we passed not more than a week before, and at a town on this side of it is a good way, all came round us on our entering with breathless interest to inquire if we had met or heard of any, as they had been alarmed that morning with accounts of their being near.

Thus, My Dear Friend, through all these risks I have been preserved, and have reached this city in full safety. You know I always count upon your prayers, and God is the hearer of prayer.

I here, on my journey, pause and hesitate. Your letter of the 8th instant reached me in St. Julian. You say, "We sometimes have our misgivings as to any tangible results from your wanderings." To this you add, in your usual kind manner, that you are sure I would do more if I could. I thank you all for your kindly confidence. It is indeed a grief to me that I can do so little. I do not wonder that your misgivings. Reasoning on them, and before the affair at Urgel occurred, I resolved that on reaching this city I should stop, as having made one round, so to speak, and being now in a certain sense, in the neighbourhood of Madrid, and from this should I proceed I shall be again removing further and further from it. I resolved to stop short here, and go to Madrid, in order to give you time and opportunity to reconsider my movements, and to say, Proceed, or not, as you judge best. This letter will reach you on Committee day, as I understand by Post Office inquiries, and you will please to consider the matter early, and report to me soon, that in case of proceeding I may lose as little as possible of the proper season of the year for travelling.

There were three reasons which induced me to propose to you a journey this summer. First: because in Madrid I could do nothing, and I was unwilling to be inactive. Second: our dear friend Mr. Usoz has always wished I should see as much as I well could of Spain, for further if not immediate advantage. Thirdly: because my moving through Spain, and talking as I could, if not acting, is one of the things specially mentioned in Mr. Hull's letter, and for the fulfillment of which I came to this country. For myself personally, if not officially, it would have been much more agreeable and comfortable to remain in Madrid. It is always rather a self-denial to me than a pleasure to start on a journey, and there are many fatigues and dangers connected with travelling in Spain. For all these privations and risks I am prepared, and ready to go anywhere, and continuously, over this country. But the cui bono is to be considered, and I leave this now again in your hands to form a decision. I do not think that no good has been done, but still it may not be worth the costs. Bayonne, and places adjacent, could be visited on my returning home, as they are in the way. You have not sent the Books thither I understand.

Should you decree my remaining for the present in Madrid, there will then be a second question immediately after to be taken up, namely, how long I should continue there. I go now, in addition to the object mentioned, to see how the wind blows there, and whether there are any veerings indicating the wind more favourable to us, for our Bible vessel, which is not Man-of-War, but of Peace. With a law removing all restrictions as to the introduction, printing, and circulation of the Scriptures, I consider Spain would be a fine field for us, and the more the clergy, rendered innoxious, were opposed to us, perhaps all the better. They have lost their prestige in Spain, and I cannot think they will ever regain it. What prospects are there, you will ask, of such a law, leaving Spain legally free to us? Our only chance apparently is in a change in the Government party. But this is an anomalous country, and such a law may even be made by the present party. Ysturiz is of this party, and perhaps there is no individual in Spain more friendly to Religious Liberty than he is, and he is a man of energy, and will act without fear. He has been Prime Minister, and may be so again. I expect to see him in Madrid, when the subject will be touched upon. – As to the other, and naturally more hopeful party, a considerable chasm, if I may so speak, is being placed between them and Power by the rigorous and continuous measures taken against them. One of these, a Member of the Cortes, was my fellow traveller into this city, and in giving me his own views, and the intentions of his party when Power comes into their hands, I was more encouraged than by the sentiments of any other of the party that I have met with. They are much better than my friend La Serna's, who by the way is living retired in Estremadura in a voluntary banishment to avoid an involuntary one.

Many thanks for relieving me in my compromise with my Jew friend in Tangier.

Your letter of the 25th July was also received. How pleasing to read of openings in Italy and Vienna. May you soon have to tell our friends there and elsewhere, that Spain also, the last door, is open and wide. All things are possible with God. "All nations whom thou hast made shall come and worship before thee, O Lord, and shall glorify thy name."

Praying for you all, and begging anew the prayers of you all for poor Spain, and for your poor servant.

            I remain,

                        Very Truly Yours,

                                    James Thomson.

Madrid, 13th March 1849

Rev A Brandram  No.25

Madrid 13th March 1849

My Dear Friend,

An unusual space of time has elapsed between my last letter and this, and not intentionally, but from circumstances. These circumstances had been two in number; and first, because I had not much to write about, and secondly, because I delayed, waiting one occurrence after another, in order to combine the more at once, and our delays and hinderances have been quite in Spanish style. I am glad of your rallying letter of the 26th ultimo, in which you kindly say, that it appears an age since I wrote you. I am glad also that I have just anticipated this by a letter on the way, in which I say to Mr Hitchin, and desire him to inform you of the same, that I would write you this day. I am further glad to have erred for once on the right side, having erred so often on the left, in writing too much.

Now then for what I have to say about this wilderness. But please first to remember that it is a wilderness, and one of the characteristics of such a place is, that there is no way nor road in it. Your wilderness traveller therefore, as might be expected, is often at a loss which way to move or turn so as to get onwards. He thinks he sees opening enough to get along in one direction, and on attempting it, finds he cannot get through; and after losing much time has to turn back, and try to press on in another direction. This attempt perhaps turns out no better than the other, and so on and etcetera. This is really a true description rather than a figure of my operations here. Nevertheless, I sow, as I can, a few seeds in these various scramblings, and somebody may perhaps gather the fruit when the wilderness is more passable than it is at present.

The few books I dared to keep and hide away at Urgel, were to be sent after me to Lerida, but they did not arrive before my leaving that place. On reaching Madrid I corresponded about them, and after many delays, I received them in a case addressed to a friendly Bookseller in the city. Just then, a sort of colporteur came before me, in the shape of a poor Italian, wanting work and means. The books were all sold, and you will see an item of debit upon the subject, and one of credit, in my last Account to Mr. Hitchin.

After the loss of letters through the Carlists, and other long delays, I got a few Bibles from Barcelona. These also have been sold. I have had likewise a letter from the same place, from one of the French Protestants whom I engaged to circulate some books for us, saying he had been able to do a little in the way. I tried to get the Paris case at Bayonne brought here through General Saunders, but he was rather loth to enter on the business, owing to some unpleasant hinderances he had met with in bringing some books of his own, and also from new and stricter regulations as to Ambassadors' privileges.

In the mean time, I got leave to bring a case from Bayonne to the address of the French Ambassador, M. Lesseps, with whom I have got acquainted. This case consisted of the miscellaneous books sent from London, and a few Bibles.

The receiving of this through M. Lesseps, led the way to a fresh application to General Saunders, and the case was ordered, and has arrived here. But, as I mentioned in a former letter, Satan meets us at every turn, and the books are still in the Custom House, the authorities demurring and delaying in delivering them, because they are Bibles and Testaments. I doubt not however but we shall finally obtain them. There are in the case 50 Bibles, and 100 Testaments. I have an offer for all the 50 Bibles at once from a Bookseller.

In the case through M. Lesseps, came your present, the beautifully bound Bible and Testament, for the man of 29 letters. They were very gratefully received, and he has encouraged me to expect, that he will be able to aid me in getting books from Bayonne to San Sebastian, in the neighbourhood of which latter place he resides in the summer season, and where I am invited to spend some days when I am in that quarter.

My next attempt at getting along in our wilderness was an effort to obtain our six packed-up cases in London. I laid the affair before Mr. Ysturiz, who has always shown me kindness, and I had tolerable hopes that I should succeed through him in getting these long looked for cases into this country and city. But Satan found out what we were doing, and discomfited us, through exciting a sort of coldness or jealousy between this friend and Narvaez, connected with our present political circumstances.

Turned back here, I looked out for another opening among our brakes and thickets, and thought I saw one. I applied to the Rector of the University to procure an order for the coming of the sets of versions you have voted for that establishment, with leave to bring two cases of books for myself at the same time. That order is applied for, and is daily expected. I may mention, that our friend La Serna has been prevented from applying himself for such an order through the Government, on account of his being on the wrong side in politics at the present juncture. But it was he who introduced me to the Rector.

In this manner, I trust, we shall obtain to the six cases. And as to the other four, I count upon your efforts through the new Ambassador when he comes, which I would hope will be soon.

On a former occasion I mentioned to you are Hebrew Professor here as a Bible and Biblical Priest, and stated that I had read his translation of the Psalms, and thought highly of it. He has just finished a valuable Hebrew and Spanish Grammar in two volumes, which is nearly through the press. On this work being off his hands he began in good earnest to translate Genesis, intending to go through the Pentateuch, and the whole of the Old Testament, should life, health, and other circumstances favour the same. Would it be within your line of duty to encourage him? I should think it might, and in the following way. By stating, that, should his version be approved of by you, through competent judges, you would give him so much for the right of printing the text of it to any extent you might choose. I think you would be doing right in making such an offer, and perhaps some such encouragement is necessary to make him persevere. Under such an arrangement we should have considerable influence in modulating any passages which might not be altogether as we could wish that. It seems very desirable in every way to encourage such labours in this country. Mr.Usoz and he might combine, the one to produce a new and improved version of the Old Testament, and the other of the New.

A considerable time would elapse before such a version could appear. In the meantime Mr. Usoz and myself have had much conversation about the propriety and advantages of printing the Version of  Valera, revised so far merely as the modernizing of some of his words. Mr.Usoz strongly recommends this, and makes encouraging offers to aid in the costs of the work. He will himself make the revision required, and he will bear a good portion of the expense of printing. I have therefore to question, on his part, to state to me early what would be the cost of Plates for a Spanish Bible in Minion 24mo like your English Bible of that type and size. Also, what would be the expense of Paper, and likewise of Printing, each 1000 copies of the same. When he has ascertained these items, he will state how much he will offer in aid of the undertaking. Please to state likewise the cost of plain binding lettered of this Bible, in one volume, in two, three, and five respectively.

I have given more attention to the subject of late than formerly, and I agree with Mr Usoz in his wishes for the printing of this Protestant version, with the slight verbal alteration it requires. At present no version printed by you is, generally speaking, allowed to circulate here, and Usoz says, that probably Valera's version would even now get as good a circulation as Scio's. But further: we do expect that God will bruise Satan under our feet shortly in this country in his efforts to impede the spread of the Holy Scriptures. In some way or other the country will surely open before long for God's blessed Word; and when that desired time is come, it is our duty to be all ready to profit by it. In this way also you would meet the opposition about Romanist versions. There can be no harm, at all events, in your sending us the estimates I have indicated, and on learning the extent of our friends pecuniary aid you can further judge in the matter.

I now state to you what has been passing in my thoughts for some time as to my movements. I was purposing to lay before you, which I now do, the plan of leaving the city on the first of May, and going to San Sebastian and Bayonne, to do thereabouts what could be done in getting the Scriptures brought into Spain, and circulated in it. I then projected going at once through France to England should you wish it, but preferred going through the provinces of Asturias and Galicia, and on to Vigo, where I could get the Packet for England or elsewhere. Your proposition, now fully before me by your letter of the 5th yesterday received, of my going to Lisbon will correspond well with this visit to Vigo. But I could go also direct to Lisbon from this through Badajoz. You will please to consider these two routes, and say which I should take. It is desirable, I think, that I should go to Bayonne, and see about things there. I might afterwards go through the two provinces mentioned, or not, as might be judged best. I could get by a Havre steamer from San Sebastian to Lisbon.

Have you full liberty to print the Bible in Portugal, and also to circulate it? I should like to know exactly how things are on these two points. You mentioned the sending me some sheets of errata. It would save a good deal of postage, if these were sent to Bayonne, instead of Madrid, as the lightest letter to this costs 2/2d. If therefore you to judge that I should go to that place, you could send your packet there, either to the "Poste Restante", or to the care of Mr. Pedezert.

I will now give you copies of two letters I have received from the muleteer who conducted me from Urgel to Lerida. They form good specimens of no inconsiderable portion of the peasantry of this country, and show us a sort of good ground for the sowing of our seed when we can get it amply from your barns. These letters also show some little results of my movements in the lines indicated by Mr. Hull. I would hope similar results have taken place, in other persons and places. And more and better no doubt might have been produced, by more and better workings on my part. I feel both ashamed and encouraged by these letters, and pray that God may fit me for every good word and work, with all persons, and in all places. The muleteer in question cultivates a small portion of ground of his own, and acts the muleteer at his more leisurely periods to eke out means. The good many so live in this country in all the provinces, though in some more than others. This portion may be considered as the superior stratum of the Spanish peasantry. – I might just add here, that I gave away a good many tracts on this last journey, and in all cases they were well received, and some of them were carefully read in my presence. In all these the Scriptures are taught and recommended. – Here follow the two letters referred to: –

"Agramunt 31st October 1848. – Dear Sir, I have received your esteemed letter, and have had much pleasure in learning that you are in good health. We are glad that you have us in remembrance, and my wife and I have frequently talked about you. I have got one book from Barcelona, and two from Lerida. We have spoken with some friends here about your country. They have said such things of it as I will not mention to you; but from what I learned in conversations with you, I showed them their mistakes, and overcame them. Several persons wished to obtain the books, but only one has said he would buy one, and as he is a friend of mine I gave him a book. Many have a desire to read them, and so much so, that one of mine is seldom in the house, but is lent out, and goes from one friend's house to another, and all say it is very good. It is customary here, that when anyone has a good book, it moves from house to house, so that many books are thus lost. You may rest assured that I will do all I can to serve them. If I can in any way be of use to you, you have only to write, and I shall immediately attend your requests, and if you should pass from Madrid to Barcelona, it will be a great satisfaction to me to see you. Since I got these books I read them every evening when I am at home, and never tire reading them till I get sleepy, and have to go to bed. I have not written to you sooner, as we are now working our lands, and sowing our seed, and as we have had no rain, the labour has been very hard. Please to excuse all the errors in this letter, as you well know my business is not that of a scribe. Kind remembrances from my wife and others in our house. Believe that I am your friend, and desirous of serving you. – Jayme Bonet."

"Agramunt 20th January 1849. – My dear Sir, with very great pleasure I received your kind and acceptable letter dated the 21st December. It has given me much satisfaction, as informing me of your welfare, and because of the valuable counsels you give me in it, which I doubt not are most true, and proceeding from the bottom of your heart. I feel grateful for the providential occasion of meeting with you, and of profiting by the estimable qualities you possess. In truth I cannot find words sufficient lay to express my thankfulness. – Every day I receive more pleasure in reading the books you had the goodness to favour me with, and my friends here feel the same satisfaction. We have had by them some of our ideas much cleared up which were before confused, and this is another favour I owe to your friendship.

In consequence of what you wrote me, wishing that I should purchase and sell some of your books, I sent to Barcelona, and got some of each kind at the prices you mention, and I shall see if they will find purchasers. In case they do, I shall send for more books, and of all I can sell you shall be informed. I give the books of the prices I have paid for them.

We have had rains in this quarter, but not in sufficient quantity to satisfy the fields. God will supply what is lacking.

You can come here whenever you will, and lodge with us in this house, which is open to receive you. You may be sure of being received if not with the attention which you deserve, at least with kindness and true cordiality. My wife and family are quite well, and join with me in wishing you all prosperity. Jayme Bonet."

Prosperity to you, my dear friend, to all your colleagues, and to your Society, is wished and prayed for by –

                        James Thomson.