Cadiz, 27th December 1847

Rev A Brandram  No.11

Cadiz 27th December 1847

My Dear Friend,

I now forward by the Packet the two cushions of which I spoke to you in my letter from Tangier. May yourself and Colleague ever enjoy much comfort as you sit on them, and do the work of the Society, and of God: and when at times the humble bestower comes into your minds, lift up a thought to God for him in all his wanderings, with thankful remembrances for preservations and mercies heretofore received.

I mentioned to you in my letter of the 15th instant, that I had found some Rabbinical Spanish Testaments unexpectedly in Gibraltar, and had forwarded them to Tangier and Tetuan, with some Hebrew and Arabic Bibles. In the morning of the day on which I left Gibraltar, the Jew, the supercargo before noticed to you, called to take charge of the two cases, and to have them put on board of his vessel, in which he would take them freight free. I showed him one of these Testaments that I had in reserve and on looking into it, we found the language was not Spanish, but some other. This was the thicker of the two sizes, of which all were except two, and these were packed up. Perhaps these thinner, but broader and longer volumes are different, and may be Spanish. The Jew was to examine, and retain these two if Spanish, and send the others back to the depot. Be so good as have these two different sizes and shapes of New Testament in the rabbinical character looked into, and apprise me on the subject.

I should not have omitted to mention in my last Gibraltar letter, that in the house of Mr. and Mrs. Dove, I enjoyed a most gratifying hospitality. Gibraltar has been to me, from their kindnesses, and from comforts enjoyed, combined with spiritual fellowship, and oasis among the desert lands of my travels in Spain and Barbary. The Lord reward them, and the many who have shown me kindnesses in many places. May we all meet in that one place, which only is a truly happy place, in the house of our Father in heaven.

The subject of the Jews, in their past and present states, and their prospective one, has much occupied my thoughts, and not unnaturally, since I found them in such numbers in Barbary, and had extensive conversations with them.

The words contained in Hebrews II.3,4, are very solemn. "How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him, God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with diverse miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will." This passage applies no doubt especially to the Jews in Jerusalem in the times of the Apostles. Their circumstances and privileges were remarkable, and there could be no escape to those who neglected to profit by them. Their sin in this case was truly the sin against the Holy Ghost. But the Jews of the present day are not so favoured as were the Jews of that time and place. They have never heard Jesus speak, nor have they heard those who delivered what they with their own ears learned from him, nor have the gifts of the Holy Ghost been seen by them. True, they might, if they would, have all these advantages, in a secondary sense, and just as we have them, that is, as they are found detailed at length in the New Testament. But that book they will not look into, and why, because they view it as we do the Koran, or the Socialists' irreligious and immoral book. Our efforts therefore should be turned, and be most specially directed, to the smoothing of the way to their access to, and use of the New Testament code. A serious Jew could not well be uninterested in the perusal of this volume, for in truth it is, as we might say, Jewish throughout. Nor could he, we should imagine, be unaffected in observing in it, and contrary to all his previous ideas, the constant reverence and respect shown in all its parts to their own Scriptures, as divine, and of all authority, and of the highest value. He would see, that under these impressions of their sacredness and importance, they are continually quoted and illustrated, and everything taken from them which Christians hold concerning the Messiah, and as personated in Jesus of Nazareth. I have said, that a serious Jew, that is one without guile and seeking truth, could not be unaffected by the reading of this volume. I might perhaps venture to say more, he could hardly but be conducted thereby to the Christian's faith. Let us therefore by all and every means, facilitate to the Jew the reading of this book. Greatly, I conceive would this be done by the printing of the Three Books I mentioned from the entire volume. It would be much easier to gain the attention of a Jew to this small portion than to the whole. It might prove a sort of entering wedge, and in it he would find the cream of all the code, and what most would suit his case. In the Gospel the Jews would find the Lord Jesus a very different personage from what they had supposed, and they would see how he reverenced and handled the Scriptures. In the Acts they would observe how their own nation was distinguished in having the message always first delivered to them, and that when they were addressed, it was always by opening up the Scriptures to them, and declaring nothing but what Moses himself, and all the Prophets testified. In the Hebrews they would perceive a chain of lengthened, close, and deep reasoning on the words of Scripture, and proving powerfully all that Christians hold. – But for all the same reasons already brought forward, I would also, by all means, have each of these three Books published separately, for still more attracting and initiating the Jews in respect to our Blessed Book of the New Testament. And also, and farther, I would have copies of the several books of the New Testament to contain, besides the Hebrew, in which I have supposed them all to be published, a translation into the vernacular language of the Jews in the several countries in which they reside and printed on the opposite page.

In the following four ways than I would have the Jews accommodated. First, by having printed for them in a volume by themselves, in the Hebrew tongue, one of the Gospels, say Luke, the Acts of the Apostles, and the Epistle to the Hebrews. Secondly, I would have each of these three bound up separately. Thirdly, I would have to accompany those portions in the Hebrew language, a translation on the opposite page in the vernacular language of the various nations into which the Jews are found. And fourthly and lastly, I would still give them, as is now done, the whole New Testament, and I would also have it with a translation annexed.

In reasoning with the Jews in Barbary, I was surprised at the ease and readiness with which they set aside, and otherwise applied, the several passages which our Lord and the Apostles bring forward from the Old Testament, and apply to the Messiahship of Jesus. The 16th Psalm for instance. That applied to David himself, they said. We know that it is otherwise. But how do we know this? Not by our own sagacity in discerning the meaning and force of that ancient, great, and deep prophecy, but because we have it explained to us by men whom we believe and know to have been divinely inspired, and all of which we read in our own precious Testament. On these occasions, I was forcibly and frequently reminded of the Eunuch's pertinent question, "Of whom speaketh the prophet?" Oh the value immense of our Blessed Testament, which sets all these inquiries at rest! How are we privileged indeed in having this holy volume of light! As I wrote from Tetuan, I look up, I clasp and press to my bosom, and I prize and peruse this precious volume, since I had these interviews, in a way I never did before; and if the Jews shall not be benefited by my visit to Barbary, I hope at least that I myself shall. Well did our Lord say, "Blessed are the eyes which see the things that ye see." Oh then let us hasten to show to the Jews the Blessed Things which we see, as contained in the New Testament, and by all the facilities and attractions indicated, and by all others we can devise.

And there are others which we can devise, and I have in a former letter noticed them. But I now return to them more particularly. What I am now to speak of has reference only to the Old Testament, but it is a means and a way by which the Jews may be stirred up to make inquiry about the Christian's addition to the Scriptures. This is to be done, by making their own Scriptures more common, familiar, and general among them, in the synagogue, and in the house. I observed in the synagogues I visited in Barbary, as before noticed to you, that many of the people had books. Both the Law and the Prophets are read, but the greatest attention is evidently given to the Law, and no doubt rightfully. One portion of the Scriptures is read one day, and another another, but of the Law, I believe, some portion every day. What then would accommodate the Jews, would be the binding of the entire Bible in such portions as could easily be carried by them at every time they go to the synagogue, which is, as before noticed, three times every day. I have recommended the dividing the Bible into four volumes for this purpose, which are the four natural and common divisions the Jews have in their Hebrew Bible.

But the dividing of the Bible into such portions, for convenience should be still further extended, at least as regards the Law. The Pentateuch consists of Five Books. It is desirable for the ends and reasons stated, that each of these Five Books should be printed and bound up separately, and in the neatest and cheapest manner.

In the Parcel I now send, you will find Five Small Volumes. These contain the Pentateuch, with each several book bound up in a volume. I bought them and Gibraltar, and gave three shillings of our money for them. I asked the Jew from whom I bought these books, if he wished to procure a good supply of the Scriptures at a low price. Oh, he said, you cannot in London print them so cheap as we get them. You do not know all that London can do, I replied, and perhaps I am better acquainted with our powers there than you may be. Well then, said he, I would take 500 copies of the Pentateuch in this form and style, if I could now get them, and would give for them one and sixpence a copy.

The indication here given is worthy of our closest attention, and of being fully followed up. In this form and way, no doubt, we could circulate, and by sale at a fair price for us, a considerable quantity of this portion of the Scriptures; and everything we can do to make any one part to be read, will have great influence in promoting the reading of the whole. The specimen, you will see, is a poor thing, in the way of paper, printing, and binding; and the Jew's observation as to our inabilities in London, is true perhaps in one sense, but a different one. I do not know really that we would now manage in London to produce paper printing and binding so miserable us these are. But all this is in our favour. Let us apply our nice and cheap paper, our beautiful printing, and elegant yet cheap binding, to these books, and we shall thereby not only gain the sales and prices indicated, but a much larger sale, and even better prices, if we wished for them, at all events a price about suitable to the cost.

But I would therefore beg leave to recommend, and very earnestly, is, that an edition of the Pentateuch be forthwith got up without delay, and with each of the Five Books so printed, as to be done separately. The type of the specimen is, I think, the same in size as Duncan's, and would suit well, whilst the smaller one would not. The page in it appears too long for its width. The common octodecimo size, I should think the best in every way, as this form would give a thicker volume than the specimen, which looks too thin for the length and breadth, and it would do so still more were it bound closely as we do. Nor would the volume in the 18mo be too thick with a vernacular version combined with it. This then is the size, in my judgment, in which you should prepare this work. The paper may be the common this paper you use, and the bindings various, say the common neat stamped cloth, and the roan, some gilt, and some plain. A few might be in calf, and some in morocco, both gilt for a trial. The calf and morocco bound copies might be on superior paper.

One thing is of double importance, and that is the extreme correctness of the edition. To ensure this, you must not only secure a thorough Hebrew scholar, to whom the reading of the Hebrew is easy and familiar, but also a Jew not converted, to lend his aid likewise. The Jews are jealous of our not giving them their own proper Bible, and an unconverted Jew to aid, will be able to direct you in this. The specimen is sound, I understand, in their eyes, and if you can printed verbatim et literatim the object will be gained. You may under these circumstances at once stereotype the work, and 1000 copies you may print for us to begin with. Many thousands, I trust will be required, for not only for the Jews in Barbary in question, for whom I am more immediately pleading, but also the Jews bordering on all the extent of the coasts of the Mediterranean, and likewise the Jews in all places where they are found.

Probably it would be well to follow this work in immediate succession by the printing of the Book of Psalms, in the same style, and with the same precautions and accommodations.

I may observe in closing, by way of reasons and in inducements to act thus, if you needed any, that you have accommodated, and to a large extent, the English Public by variety in editions, sizes, paper, and bindings, and so also you have prepared the Scriptures for some other nations. All this should be done, and more if practicable for the nation of the Jews, that they may, if possible, be attracted to the familiar study and use of their own Scriptures, and which I confidently expect would be followed by inquiries concerning the New Testament; and by its perusal, if well fitted for them as recommended, and this again would, I have great reason to believe, be followed, at least in many instances, by their conversion to the Lord Jesus Christ. And may the Lord Jesus Christ bring about all this, and speedily, to his own glory in the salvation of his kindred, and to the glory of his Father and our Father, to whom be glory for ever and ever, Amen.

            I remain, Your Most Truly,

                        James Thomson.

Madrid, 24th April 1848

Rev A Brandram No.17

Madrid 24th April 1848

My Dear Friend,

In my letter of  the 27th March, I mentioned to you my application to Mr. Bulwer about our six cases, with the hopes at first excited, and the disappointment in which this, as previous efforts, had ended. I added, that I had another resource or two that I would try for the gaining of our object. One of these I immediately tried, but it failed. In succession I tried the other, and perhaps it will result favourably, but they must see such result before we can rejoice in it. The attempt I made first was, the requesting a letter from Mr. Bulwer to the Foreign Office here, that I might try to get an order from thence for the Spanish Consul in London, that he might give the proper certificate. Mr. Bulwer readily gave me this letter, and from my first reception, I had good hopes; but the Foreign Minister would needs first consult with his brother of the Exchequer, and as our matter had been there before, and was rejected, it was so again.

My next application was to the American Minister here, and with whom previously I had spoken on the subject generally, but there were reasons for my not specifically making a request to him then concerning it. But failing on all hands, I ventured formally to ask him for the favour in question. He has granted it, but the doubt in the matter as to success is this, that on a former occasion of said Minister getting books from London, the Spanish Consul refused this certificate until he should get an order from the government here, because some of the books as in our case, where prohibited articles, being bound or in Spanish. This order was applied for here and of course obtained. Now General Saunders, for that is the American Minister's name, said he could not well apply for a second order so soon after the previous one. But in this refusal of the Consul, he was demurring where he ought not, though he had right, I believe, on his side in our case. There is a specific statute, as he ought to know, of the government here, allowing Ambassadors to bring among other things important prohibited articles. I have applied for a copy of this and if it come before I seal my letter I shall enclose it. But in the meantime I forward you the printed instructions regarding the liberties granted to Foreign Ministers grounded on the statute mentioned. At the place of the top of the second page where I have made a pencil mark, you will see that such liberty in importing prohibited articles is clearly allowed, and the provision made for it, namely, that of charging duties on them, whereas other articles to them are duty free. This should be shown to the Consul if he hesitates, as well as the statute I have referred to if enclosed. – John Miller, 26 Henrietta Street, Covent Garden is General Saunders's agent for books and other things he gets from London. I do not know whether it would be better for you to act through him or not, but give you his name and address in case of need. Again, perhaps you had better employ another Broker than the one spoken to before, and that the shipment be made to Bilbao instead of Santander. The address should be "Al Sr. General Saunders, Ministro Plenipotentiario de los Estados Unidos, Madrid", and the letter should be sent to the American Consul at Bilbao, whose address is "Sr. D. Mariano de Aguirre". The last notice I have to make is, that it will suit better to send four cases instead of six. When these are done Providence will open another door for more. I would say, drop all the 8vo Testaments as they are bulky. Let there be an equal number of large and small Bibles, and equal numbers of the 12mo and 32mo new Testaments. If you have still the Four Books, send us a proper supply of them. Of course you will send all Usoz's books ordered.

I here notice (to conclude the year just before your annual meeting) some things which might or should have been noticed earlier. – I duly received Mr. Jackson's letter of the 17th January, with Invoice of the four cases I had expected when it Gibraltar. By letter from Mr. Dove of the 11th March, I learned, that these had arrived a few days before he wrote. I also received Mr. Jackson's letter of the 12th February, with Invoice of the Books voted for Tangier and Tetuan on the 24th December. The Hebrew Bibles in that Invoice are marked in 12mo I suppose my mistake, for it is Duncan's Bible in 8vo that is mentioned in the Resolution.

Soon after receiving the Invoice of the Books for Barbary, I wrote a letter to my Jew friends there, and enclosed it to Mr. Dove, with directions as to forwarding the Books when they came, and also the letter. On the 11th March they had not arrived, nor could they have arrived so late as the 18th instant, as Mr. Dove promised to write me as soon as they came, and his letter of that date would have been here this morning.

Have you heard from Mr. Tiddy in reply to your inquiries about the 12mo Hebrew Pentateuch? In your letter of the 4th January you inquire if I know to what extent the Jews in Barbary understand the Hebrew. To a considerable extent, I should think, judging from the readiness I observed in reading and translating passages from the Hebrew Bible, and Coriat is translating direct from it. – As to the services of the Jews, about which you dealt, after my leaving them, I would say, that, added to some degree of friendship, I took the measure most likely to secure interest in Jews, if common report speaks correctly, namely, the money one. They are to have a commission on what they sell.

With regard to the Arabic dialects spoken in Marocco, I think the judgment pronounced on it by your young friend has some correctness in it, as it corresponds a good deal with the view given me by Mr. Drummond Hay, the British chargé d'affaires in Tangier to whom I wrote on the subject. But this view hardly accords with what he said to me in conversation, namely, that the language and the dialect were as different as Latin and Italian, or as Ancient and Modern Greek. We must therefore leave the subject till further light can be obtained. Your work in Barbary at present must be with the Jews, and when the result of the attempt made for them is seen, you will be able to judge whether further measures should be adopted, and in connexion with working for them, some lights may arise as to what can be done for the Moors.

Bearing on this subject, I would observe, that in Cadiz I met with a Frenchman, a kind of half Jew, that is, a Jew in reality, but not caring to show it, and rather wishing to conceal such a connexion. He was then lately come from Marocco, and had traveled extensively over it. I told him of my arrangements in sending the Hebrew Scriptures to the Jews there. He said, it was likely they would have an extensive circulation over the country; and he particularly recommended the sending of a supply to Mogador, as the Books were all destroyed there, he said, during the French bombardments and robberies in consequence within the place. I should think you might venture to send there, with safety and good hopes, 100 copies of the Bible, and bound in four volumes like those sent to Gibraltar. Mr. Willshire, the British Consul in Mogador, of whom everybody speaks well, would be the person to whose care you might entrust them. If you should agree to send this supply, as I hope you will, be so good as to send it as early as you may find an opportunity, and these two experiments will guide for the future better than one of them, as the places are situated in opposite quarters of the country.

To conclude this letter, and year, allow me to say that this is a noted day with me. On this day, 30 years ago, I left home for abroad. I left alone, and I am again alone.

            Believe me, My Dear Friend, Very Truly Yours,

                                                                        James Thomson.

P.S. I have seen the Royal Orders on the subject above noticed. There are six of them, and it is not easy to give just what is wanted. But no doubt the Spanish Consul has them in his house. They are noted in the first page of the paper enclosed opposite the mark.

Madrid, 29th May 1848

Rev A Brandram No.19

Madrid 29th May 1848

My Dear Friend,

Your letter of the 18th came to hand the day after I sent off mine of the 23rd and forms in some things an answer to it. I was glad to read it your good hopes on seeing Mr. Miller, but when I read further on, that he would write to General Saunders on the subject, I saw all our hopes vanish. And so it has turned out. Mr. Miller wrote to General Saunders, and his letter is before me. He says the Spanish Consul refuses to let the Books come till General Saunders gets and sends him an order from the government here. In my letter of the 24th ultimo I stated that General Saunders could not at present with propriety apply for such an order. And now things are worse in regard to such an application than before, for General Saunders is nearly out and at loggerheads with the Foreign Secretary, in consequence of neglect he has just met with in regard to leave of access to Louisiana documents, in the Archives here for which the American government has applied to aid in the history of the country.

The best thing therefore that can now be done is to send the six cases at once to Bayonne instead of the supply for that place mentioned in my last. A seventh case may be added, containing the books which Mr Knolleke has lately purchased, and say 20 or 30 Latin & Spanish Bibles interleaved, bound in one volume.

To Toulouse, besides what I mentioned, please to send the same number of Latin & Spanish Bibles, and say 200 Catalonian Testaments. Be so good as to send there also the best map of Spain you can find, in canvas and case, and Murray's Hand Book of France and the Pyrenees.

You will see what I have said about seizing the opportunity of a new Ambassador coming here to get sent with him a good supply for us in Madrid. You can show him the document you have on the privileges he enjoys of bringing articles duty free, and even those prohibited in the tariff. I hope no squeamishness about seeking aid from Authorities will hinder you from availing yourselves of such a personage, as this seems now to be our – derniere resource.

I observe what you say about the Hebrew Bibles being in 12mo and not 8vo. I hope the letter or type is not smaller than in the specimen sent from Gibraltar, and the object in sending it was to show the size of the page, and the size of the type. The 12mo size was wished for, but not with a less type than in the specimen. Please send in the seventh case to Bayonne 10 of these Bibles bound in one volume each. These may sell in the Universities here, in all of which there is a Hebrew chair.

In regard to Mogador, would you allow me to re-request you to send, either the supply mentioned, or a smaller one, if you so prefer. It is a pity to lose this seeming opening there beyond what appears in Tangier and Tetuan, first, because of the robberies and scarcity mentioned, and secondly, because of it being a place of greater trade with the interior. The Books are much more likely to sell there, (and they should be sold) than in the North.

The Acts in Basque is finished, and the printing of Luke in that tongue nearly so. The translator informs me that reading is pretty general in the Basque provinces.

There is some glimmering of hope before us as to the future entrance of  Books, as efforts are being made to procure a change in the law to permit the entrance of Books printed abroad in Spanish, that have no copy right, and this is the case with Scio's Bible. In that case we would have to bind here. It was tried to include bound books in this projected permission, but an entire negative was put upon that proposition.

            I am, My Dear Friend

                        Truly Yours,

                                    James Thomson.

P.S. My new position has necessarily led me to make a new Will, which I enclose, and beg that Mr. Hitchin may preserve it carefully put up, and as it is, sealed.

Madrid, 5th June 1848

Rev A Brandram  No.20

Madrid 5th June 1848

My Dear Friend,

My intention, as previously indicated, was to set out on my journey on the 1st instant, or a day or two after. As a prerequisite to setting out, your Letter of Credit, accorded me on the 1st May, was counted on. Day after day I looked for it, and in the meantime I got all my things packed up and ready. In my last I intimated that said letter had not arrived, nor has it yet come, nor in your reply to mine of the 23rd ultimo do you, in yours of the 29th this morning received, take any notice of the subject. I am a little at a loss to account for this, especially considering how punctual and regular yourself and Mr. Hitchin are in such and all matters.

But, all is well. I can do without it, and in fact would not have used it for drawing at the present moment, as I found that it would have been an accommodation to Mr. Usoz to put money in London, and I prefer taking from him to getting from the Bank, because he gives me specie, and in the Bank I would get paper, at a loss of 10%. I save also the commission. I apprise Mr. Hitchin on the subject. Still I wished your Letter of Credit here before I should go in order to make new arrangements with it for future operations. I had everything ready to start this morning at five, but no letter having come, I put off going in expectation of one today. One has come, but still the Letter of Credit is lacking. However, I shall not wait longer, but start with the first stage, which goes the day after tomorrow. You further letters will be directed to this place, as noticed in my last, and they will follow me.

And now a word respecting your brief letter this morning received. I thank you for the hope you afford me that my little Basque printing will not be unacceptable. As to the Acts we must learn the character of the translation before we print. We have at least one true Christian in these provinces to whom we can submit it, and I carry it with me for that end. In Andorra, of course before printing you will be apprised of circumstances, so as to say yea, or nay.

As to my little advice of sending books by our new envoy, you do not need to go to Lord Palmerston who has no concern with it, but simply to the Embassador himself.

Many thanks for your letter to Toulouse, and for its kindly wording.

On the 3rd instant I had a letter from Tangier from our Jew friend residing there. He informs me that the Books have arrived but he is a little disappointed as to the size, by which I fear that the type is small. On this I touched in my last. I gave him the cost prices, as the highest he should take. This he calls a terrible precio. I authorized him however to sell them at whatever price he could well get, so as to secure an extensive sale with the least loss possible. The binding also it seems is not exactly what he looked for. Please inform me what kind it is. In my letter of the 23rd November, I find I have said on this as follows, – "These volumes may be bound in roan, without gilding the edges, or in the neat way in which most books are now issued in stamped or ornamented cloth, with the edges cut."

He wishes for 25 of Bagster's Bible such as those I took with me, and he inquires whether there are any Hebrew and English Bibles, and if so, to send five copies for trial. Please therefore to send these 25, which were in blue calf with marbled edges. The Hebrew & English interleaved in one volume you can of course get at Bagster's.

In my letter to him written from this in February, I inquired anew as to the knowledge of the Hebrew language among the Jews in that quarter, and his reply is as follows, – "In respect to your inquiries whether my countrymen here, and in the interior of this country, understand the Hebrew tongue. I would say, that generally speaking, they all understand it and the children also know it well." This fully corresponds with what I formerly wrote you on the subject, and affords a good prospect for the circulation of the Hebrew Scriptures.

I think it would be well to send with the rest, say ten of Duncan's Bible, bound in four volumes to see whether they are liked better. And the binding please to make different from those sent, adopting the other of the two modes I mentioned.

In preparing for this journey, as on the former occasion, I avail myself of acquaintances made here in obtaining letters for the different places to which I go. Besides others who have favoured me in this way, the Conductor of the work now publishing in 10 volumes 4o. entitled "Geographical and Statistical Dictionary of Spain", has been particularly friendly to me, and he was able to be so from his extensive acquaintances in correspondence over all the country. This gentleman drew up an introductory letter for me of some length, and couched in kindly, not say also, complementary terms, and put the same into the hands of his clerks to make several copies of it, and which he afterwards signed and addressed himself to the several parties in the long line of my intended route. He has given me no less than 29 of these letters. This I call a very friendly action, and for which I feel gratefully towards the individual donor, and give thanks to God for disposing him thus effectively to serve me. May the Lord give him and his Bible blessing. To this gentleman I was introduced by my kind friend the Political Chief or Governor of Cadiz, whom I mentioned to you formerly. From him also I have received letters of introduction on the present occasion. In writing to him for these, I took occasion to say, that I hoped he and his family kept the little book in mind, and in use, which I gave him, as it contained the best instructions for what happiness this world could afford, and was the guide to everlasting life. In his reply accompanying the letters forwarded, he says on this point as follows. – "On account of the sacred subject of the little book of our Lord Jesus Christ, to which you refer, and its divine unction, and from its being put into my hands by you, it is one of the books which in preference I keep always at hand, in order to profit by its divine consolations when my occupations afford me leisure, for I am fully convinced, that in it alone we are taught the way of obtaining the incomplete happiness which this world can give, and the future eternal life of glory. My wife and children read in it continually, and benefit by the healthful doctrines contained in this fountain of all good."

To produce some effects similar to those here exhibited, is one of the main inducements held out, as you will recollect, by Mr. Hull in his letter which led to the present mission. I am glad in being able to give you this little specimen. The time may be at hand in all these little gains may be turned to extensive account in a wide distribution of the Scriptures over this country.

The printer of our Basque St. Luke, who has been in England, is a warm friend of the circulation of the Scriptures here, as a sanatory measure in every sense for his country. He will afford his help to us in every way when we are well supplied with stock. Among other little things that I gave him to read was "The Defence of the Bible Societies," which I published in Mexico. On reading it he immediately bethought himself of a person he knew who had erroneous ideas on the subject. He took it to him, and afterwards informed me that it had produced to the full the effect he had desired, and changed the individual into a friend of the Bible Society, and he has promised his help.

The uncle of this printer, to whom the establishment belonged, and who died a few years ago, was a man of a superior mind, and above the usual prejudices of his country, as to self estimation and contempt to foreigners. One of the modes he took to teach his countrymen on the subject was by keeping hung up in his establishment two boards. One contained a plate of engraving exhibiting the grand auto-de-fe which took place here in 1680, when many were committed to the flames. (Under this in very legible characters he had printed, – "View of the Civilization and Illumination of Spain.")* The other Board contained in four sections, one over another, an exhibition of our railroads. In the first section there was a row of first-class carriages. In the second section were seen the 2nd and 3rd class carriages. The third had carriages for Goods, and the fourth for Cattle. (Under the whole was printed in large characters, – "Proofs of the Barbarity and Poverty of the English.")** The nephew has profited by these exhibitions, and we may profit by the nephew.

            Yours, My Dear Friend, Very Truly,

                                    James Thomson.

P.S. You requested me, I remember, once or twice, to mark those parts of my letters which I wished more particularly to be read in Committee, when their length would make it inconvenient to read the whole. To this I would reply, that you have always full liberty to omit as much as you choose, and what you choose. It is always an effort with me, rather than a pleasure, to undertake either a long letter or a long journey, and yet circumstances, which seem to form duties, often impel me to both. But you are a better judge than I can be of what should be read in your Committee meetings.

* Corrected by Dr. Thomson July 1, 1848.

"Over this in very legible characters he has printed View of the Civilization and Religion of Spain."

** "Over the whole, at the top of the Board was printed in large letters, Effects of Steam Movement in England, and at the bottom was printed, with equal legibility - Proofs of the Ignorance and Poverty of the English."

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.

London, 16th June 1853

6 Red Lion Square

16th June 1853

Dear Sir,

            I return you the letter from Valparaiso having now written today to Peru on the subject contained in it.

            I received your note of the 13th and perceived by it that you could not immediately supply the copies of the Scriptures for Gibraltar which I had requested, and that the matter must stand over till Monday. I am glad to say that in the mean time I have received from the Christian Knowledge Society a supply of their improved version of the New Testament and which will be sent off today to Southampton along with other books for the object in question.

            In regard to the Scriptures sent out two years ago to Gibraltar and Malaga, they were placed under the care of Mr. Bracebridge for the purpose proposed, and he is the party to put the inquiry to to which you put to me in your note.

            Again, as to the upshot of the Hebrew Scriptures sent out to Barbary, I think notices must have been given you long ago. I have sought out the letters that I received on the subject, & they are now before me. By these it appears that Mr. Tapiero, the person in Tangier who was entrusted with them, had sent a large quantity of them into the Interior of the country, and that in passing a River they got quite wet, and this with the delay on the journey rendered them entirely useless. Secondly, that other copies that he had were sold to pay the costs that had been incurred in sending the Books into the interior and otherwise.

            Neither myself nor Mr. Benoliel through whom part of this affair was inquired about, are quite satisfied in regard to Mr. Tapiero's conduct. But we have both done all we can in the matter with Tapiero; and having done so, and of course communicated this to you verbally or otherwise, it is not quite in order that acriminations, and more than one, be aired concerning it.

            On Monday I shall hope to see you, and in the mean time, remain,

                        Yours Truly,

                                    James Thomson.