Rev A Brandram No.13
Madrid, 14th January 1848[1]
My Dear Friend,
The painful circumstances in which I found myself on my arrival here, and various things connected with the same, have hindered me from giving you so early as I had wished and general view of my tour in the South Western parts of this country. I now proceed with that account.
Some notices regarding the general state of our cause here will form a proper introduction, and will lead me also to state what was the immediate inducement for me to undertake the journey.
Among the various letters of introduction which I brought with me, to were for the Mr. Marks, father and son, late and present British Consul at Malaga. These letters I forwarded from this, with some intimation of my objects in this country, and begging any suggestions and help they could afford me in carrying my purposes into effect. Mr. Mark the younger, the present Consul, wrote me, and gave me a private copy of some documents that appeared in consequence of Mr. Graydon's movements in Malaga. After perusing these I submitted them to our worthy and valuable friend Mr. Usoz. On reading them he wrote me thus: – "The difficulties in circulating the Scriptures here, we see, are various, but I would only here remark the singular circumstances, which you may perhaps yourself have observed, that Lord Clarendon, and his Secretary Mr. Southern, have been in this matter excellent servants of the papacy, which is more astute than they. I say this because I think, if Lord Clarendon a year or two before the occurrences at Malaga had favoured the Bible cause as he might have done, it is probable the Scriptures might have been printed without any difficulty. From all the documents taken together, it would appear, that Mr. Graydon, the friend of the Bible, increased the difficulties in the introduction and circulation of the Divine Word in poor unfortunate Spain, and that Lord Palmerston, Lord Clarendon, Mr. Graydon, etc., all Englishmen, and Protestants, have contributed, perhaps unwittingly, along with Count Ofália, Ostigosa, Velasco de Castro, and other Spaniards, all Catholics, to favour the adversary, and have contributed in no degree towards the introduction of the true light into Spain."
By these observations you will see the awkward and disadvantageous position of things here concerning our cause on my arrival. The ground was not in a neutral but an hostile state. Had Mr. Borrow and Mr. Graydon hastened slowly rather than rapidly, and perhaps rudely, it is probable our real progress at this day would have been much greater, and we might still have had a sort of tolerance to go on slowly with our work. I say not these things to blame the parties, because it is probable I might have done (unwittingly as they) the same or worse myself. But I make the statements that you may understand our real position.
At the close of his remarks Mr. Usoz observes, "Would it not be desirable that Dr. Thomson should go and see with his own eyes Granada, Malaga, Gibraltar, and Cadiz, and communicate personally with the gentlemen mentioned as living in those parts? To me it appears he should." The thorough knowledge of the country possessed by our friend, and his deep interest in our cause, led me to see that it was my duty to act as he had suggested, and hence I resolved to undertake the journey in question.
I set out from this city on Wednesday the 13th day of October. I took a place in the Stage at once for Granada, and there was no town of any note after leaving this till arriving there.
In the front part of the carriage in which I was, which holds three, I had an Englishman on my right, and the Spanish military gentleman on the left. My countryman, when we began to talk of the Bible in Spain, thought it was a rather rash, a hazardous, and hardly fair thing, to disturb a country with these matters. But I showed him the weighty concerns of eternity, and the commandment of God as connected with the case, and said, that common humanity for the best interests of our fellow creatures ought to induce us to do them the greatest good within our power, and to these remarks he yielded at least a half consent. My Spanish friend was communicative, after we had got fairly begun in conversation, and the low state of Spain in its political standing, and its equally low or lower moral and religious state were subjects discussed by us. How to raise the country followed, and I ventured to state that nothing could in my opinion raise the country in Religion and true Morals but the extended use of the Holy Scriptures. He agreed with this, and in a readiness of manner that rather surprised me. I followed up my statement with what the Bible had done for us in raising and exalting us as a nation, religiously, morally, and politically, and that being convinced of these advantages we were labouring from year to year to extend the Scriptures more widely among us. This led my friend to say he had some knowledge of our movements in these matters, for that he had, under a period of political banishment from his own country, spent some years in London, and then he went on to relate as follows: – "I lodged in Somers Town, and one day a gentleman called, and talked with me some time in a very friendly manner, and then asked whether I should like to have a Bible. I thanked him for his friendly attentions, and his kind offer, and said I should be obliged to him for one. On another day he called, and brought me a Spanish Bible, which I read, and was much pleased with it. A short time before I left London the same friendly gentleman called again, and knowing that I was about to return to Spain, he asked whether I would have any objections to take a few Bibles and Testaments with me, and to give them to my countrymen as I might see occasion. I said to him that I should readily do so, and I was convinced of the great value of the Scriptures, and knew that my countrymen were destitute of them, and hence within a very low condition as to the religious knowledge and models. Soon after, this friendly gentleman called once more and brought me some Bibles and Testaments which I packed up with my things and brought them into Spain with me, and which on my arrival, I gave to various friends, with recommendations to read them carefully. In a family where I was in the habit of visiting, I left one day a New Testament, with commendations as to its value and usefulness, and begging they would not fail to read it. On returning their some time after, I learned from the parties that the Cura (Parish Priest) had been there in the interval, and had seen the New Testament, but advised them not to read it, as it was not suited for their use, and might lead them astray. In a subsequent visit to the family I met the Priest there and conversed with him upon the subject, showing the value of the Book, and pointing out his mistaken judgment against the use of it. Is this Book, (the New Testament) I said to him, the Book of Jesus Christ? Or is it not? It is, said the priest, the Book of Jesus Christ, – but, and he was going on, I saw, to state, how that notwithstanding this, it was not safe for people in general to read it. Hold, said I. There must be no buts in this matter. Either the Book is Jesus Christ's, or it is not. If it is his, and you admit that it is, then he who speaks against the Book, speaks against Jesus Christ, and, facing the priest full, I said, you have spoken against Jesus Christ, in forbidding these good people to read his Book. I then, rated him closely and strongly on the evil he had done. The reason why you Priests dislike the Book, I added, and speak against its use, is because it condemns your own evil practices, and I mentioned some of these practices reprobating them, and showing how contrary they were to what was taught in this Book. All the family were present on the occasion, and some other friends, and I was glad of the opportunity thus afforded me of exposing the errors and practices of the Priests, and of pointing out the inJury they had done, and were doing to the country, by evil deeds on the one hand, and by discouraging on the other as in this instance, what was good. All the party present agreed with me, and the Priest was totally put to shame, and never returned more to the house."
From all I could gather by inquiries respecting the appearance and manners of the person who called on the Spanish gentleman, and gave him the Books, I think it must have been our Mr. Wather (senior of course). The present instance is a specimen of what has no doubt occurred on many occasions of the good done through friendly visits to foreigners among us, and getting to them the Holy Scriptures, which we so happily and liberally possess. On the great subject of Religious Liberty for Spain, I found this gentleman more clear in his views regarding it, and more anxious for its verification than any Spaniard I had previously met with, and he gave me much valuable information on the matter as to the parties most favourable to it, and what might be the best means for bringing it about. You may be sure I was greatly pleased, and felt thankful for these communications from my fellow traveller: and I hope in future good will arise from the same, as this gentleman lives in Madrid, and gave me his address that we might see each other there, and he was to return soon, after attending to some business connected with property he had in Granada, for though a military man, he is not at present in commission, but attending only to his own private concerns.
I reached Granada, a large city, say of 60,000 inhabitants, and the capital of the province of the same name. Through my correspondence with Mr. Mark I had learned that there was in that place a Spaniard of a liberal and enlightened mind, who though a Catholic, was much grieved with the very low state of religion in his own country, and felt very desirous of raising it from its degradation, and was anxious to use means for that effect, and among these means he considered the circulation and use of the Scriptures to be of great value. I found out this person and had much conversation with him, and found fully justified all that had been said of him by Mr. Mark. He says he has it quite in his power to circulate the Scriptures to a considerable extent, and in many cases by sale at a low price. His services might be rendered, I conceive most valuable for our purposes. The desideration is to get the Scriptures into his hands, and if possible of editions printed in this country. Could we find such a person in each province of Spain, and be able to supply them with the Scriptures under the favourable circumstances above noticed, our work would then be in a most desirable and prosperous train. Let us hope that God will give us, in answer to our prayers, and in connexion with our endeavours, such assistance in regard to persons, and such facilities as to his Book.
I do not know whether you exactly know our position in this country in regard to the printing of the Scriptures. There is no law against printing them. But it is enacted that no work on religion or the Holy Scriptures shall be printed without having previously for that effect a licence from the Ordinary of the Diocese. Now any Bishop might grant such a licence, but the fact or the fear is that none will. One of my objects in visiting these outside provinces was to ascertain whether such a licence could possibly be obtained by a formal application to that effect. Our friend, as I shall call him, namely, the gentleman before mentioned, entered into the subject fully, and a friend of his, a printer and bookseller, was most ready to print and sell for us, and on very reasonable terms; and from his extensive connexions, he conceived, he could dispose of several thousands of copies. We resolved to make the attempt for the licence in this Archdiocese. I worded the petition, and the bookseller presented it, in his own name, and as a matter in his line of business. The first interview he had with the parties was favourable, and the parties are the Governor of the Archdiocese (sede vacante) and his assessor or law advisor. A subsequent visit paid was equally encouraging, and we began to enjoy hopes of fairly succeeding in our object, and consequently began to make estimates of what an edition of the New Testament would cost of 5000, 10,000, etc. After some days of anxious suspense however, of our hopes were blasted in the non-accedence to the petition made. I really believe there was a disposition to grant the licence, but on examination and inquiry it was found, that there was no precedent for such a licence, and the parties feared in granting a new and doubtful thing. Thus began and terminated our work in Granada, at least for the time, but the acquaintance there formed may be made extensively available in our cause at a future time.
Málaga was my next station. Here I met with the two Mr. Marks, and I may add Mrs. Marks senior (albeit there is no junior), for she, as well as they, is anxious to employ means for the good of these quarters, in the circulation of the Scriptures, and useful books. The Consul is hampered from his official position from doing what he could wish in our immediate object and others bearing on the religious improvement of the country. Many thanks to the Lord Palmerston for all this disservice. By the way, have you none of your Vice- Presidents, all Great Men who would speak a word for us at the Foreign Office? And not indeed for us, but for God, and his cause, and Spain. Why should our British light and influence be put under a bushel coopered in Downing Street? But, you are very delicate I know in such matters, and I think over much so. Our government influence might and should be made greatly available for the moral and spiritual good of Spain, without, as I conceive, any infraction of political duties.
In Málaga I informed myself more fully of Mr. Graydon's case, where the affair happened, in addition to what I had learned from the documents sent me to Madrid by Mr. Mark, as before mentioned. After good deal of searching I found a file of the newspaper in which his famous advertisement appeared, which brought down upon him the thunderstorm. It was at the Police Office I found it, and I copied it there. To say the least of that document, it was, I conceive, an effort to enter the wedge by the blunt end, and with a drive given as to make it enter, or wound, and which latter it did. The Bishop of Malaga is one of the most liberal priests in Spain, but as he said on the subject, it was impossible for him to decline taking up the matter officially from the manner in which the attack had been made. The first Jury that sat on the case condemned Mr. Graydon. But afterwards Judge and Jury and their friends thought it would be a sort of awkward matter to imprison an Englishman for such a concern. As to Mr. Graydon himself he seemed to court, like some other 'Bible in Spain' men, a jail residence, a taste for which I confess I have none. He exhibited quite an enthusiastic feeling on the occasion, I understand, which led the Judge to say afterwards to some Englishman: Why you talk of our fanaticism and friars, but there's a man, that had you monks among you, would be one, for he has all the fire of a friar. Mr. Graydon was advised by the Judge and other friends, and even by his very condemners individually, who wished to prevent what they had done, to petition for a new trial; which he did, and by the new Jury he was absolved. I saw the speech his Advocate made for him. It was both friendly and clever, and showed as much of a disposition to get an Englishman freed as Lord Palmerston had done to leave him entangled. His client was charged, he said, of having used the expression, "The abominable system of superstition and fanaticism of this country, voracious only of money." In reference to this, he would only state (he said) the thing was unfortunately too true, and he quoted some expressions used by their own writers of a kindred nature. Besides, (he continued) any little irregularity of expression might be easily overlooked in a foreigner, not being well acquainted with the language of the country. The hardest point he had to manage was to clear Mr. Graydon of calling our Bible the entire Bible, which he did in his advertisement, and in capitals, and so doubly excited the opposition about the Apocryphal Books, and which mainly led, I believe, to this Bishop's taking up the subject. The lawyer however managed this business adroitly. It was a theological point that, he said, and as the court was composed only of laymen, it was not competent to take up the matter at all, and so this charge which could not be met was passed over; and the Court was well pleased with the loopholes for it meant to absolve not to condemn.
I found in Málaga the young gentleman, and native of this country, and a Catholic, possessing very much of the same views as the friend I met with in Granada, and I perceived he was equally desirous of freeing his country from its degradations. His anxious desire is to do this by means of a periodical which he proposed establishing and in which he was encouraged by the two Marks who knew his character and talents well, as he had spent his youth in the British Consulate. He would advocate in his journal the reading of the Scriptures as the grand means of reforming the religion of the country, and would print in the same whole chapters and Books. Useful works on religion, morals, etc. he would translate from our language, Such a vehicle and advocacy would, I conceive, be a very great service to Spain, and to all Institutions seeking its welfare.
Gibraltar, to which I next went, though a part of this Peninsula, is yet not a part of Spain, but has floated over it, as you know, our own great banner. From this spot much might be done for the good of Spain. The main body of the inhabitants are Spanish, or should I say, speak the Spanish language. The Wesleyans there, in Mr. Rule's time, and by his own efforts, began a good work in addressing the Spanish inhabitants in their own tongue. This is being kept up in a good degree since Mr. Rule left the place, and whilst I was there an additional missionary came out to the station, with chiefly to give his attention to this branch of the mission. From this we may expect much good directly upon the people themselves, and then upon Spain, through various intercourse with it. As to the state of our affairs there in respect to the Society, or rather Corresponding Committee, I have already written you. From this part an attempt was made to colport in Spain by a young pious man of the Wesleyan church, and whose mother tongue is Spanish. I cannot enter more fully into this matter at present, for want of proper documents, but will inform you of it at a future time.
When I wrote you from Madrid a short time before I started, I said, when in Gibraltar, I might possibly pass over into Africa, and begged you to send me there some Hebrew and Arabic Bibles. I had understood that there was Steam boat regularly plying there, and that it would be easy to make the visit. Had I known how much otherwise things where as to voyaging, etc. I do not think I should have gone, especially in the middle of winter as it was. But having written to you on the subject, and asked for Books for such a visit, and which Books arrived in Gibraltar on the very day I reached it, I could not well refuse to go across, little as I relished it from its difficulties and the season of the year of my visit to Barbary. I wrote you fully from thence, and shall not now enter upon it, but would only say, I do not regret my going.
On returning from Africa to Gibraltar, I took the first opportunity of moving onwards to Cadiz. I had arranged to have on my return to Gibraltar a good supply of Bibles and Testaments in Spanish, which I hoped to get landed gratis as luggage, and with the help of friends I had there. These Books had not reached Gibraltar when I left, and I was much grieved on that account. I felt, as a matter of course, you would send them by the Packet, as you sent the other Books by it, especially as you knew my time there could be but short. I regret I did not mention the Packet as the conveyance when I wrote for the Books.
In Cadiz there are a few disciples of Christ, natives of the country, who form the remnant of Mr. Rule's little church there, from which he was driven by Spanish intolerance. These are disposed to circulate the Scriptures, particularly one elderly married woman, named, Margarita, but alas! I had no copies to give them, through the want of those I expected to have with me.
The two friends I had there whom I noticed in one of my letters from that place, showed me every attention, and which made me regret the more that I would not turn their kindness to your account, in getting a good supply of the Scriptures into the country. One of these, as formerly mentioned, is the Political Chief or Governor. I made his acquaintance in the Stage between Granada and Malaga. I presented him with one of the small New Testaments which I had, in return for his courtesies. It was very favourably received, as was testified by a note I soon after received from him. I send you this note, as an encouragement in regard to the circulation of the Scriptures in this country, and as a good specimen of Spanish courtesy.
My other friend in Cadiz was alike attentive. He is at the head of one of the departments of the Custom House, and though I could not avail myself as I had wished of his services, they may yet be turned to account on some future occasion. I received however from him at the same time some information about Custom House things that may be of essential use in our Concerns. I presented to them also one of the small new Testaments, which was well received. I formed a very friendly feeling towards this gentleman and his family, and with good reason, for on calling on me one day when I happened to be rather poorly with a cold I had caught, he said, If you do not feel yourself quite comfortable here, come to my house, when you will have every care and attention bestowed on you by my wife and myself. This was not a Spanish compliment, but a real act of kindly feeling.
Cadiz is the head of the diocese, and here, for the second time, I resolved to try what could, or could not be done, in the way of procuring a licence from the ordinary to print the New Testament. I acted in this instance, as in Granada, not in my own person, but in the person of an extensive publisher there. When his party was first spoken to on the subject, he seemed to think there would be no difficulty in the case. The head of one of the Colleges, a priest, is his friend, and whose valued works he publishes, and this person is especially intimate with the Governor of the Diocese. Good hopes were entertained by the publisher on the subject. However, after delays, it finally turned out as on the former occasion, that without the notes nothing could be done.
Seville, or as we say here Sevilla, was my next station, passing through the Jerez on the way, the famous place where the Sherry wine is made. An attempt for the third time was made here to obtain a licence required for printing. I acted through a medium similar to that employed on the two former occasions. Delays are common in all these matters, as well as characteristic of this country. After waiting there beyond the time I wished, I resolved to go, leaving the subject pending, but as I feared, the wrong way. However after I had taken my place in the Stage for Cordova, on calling on the publisher through whom I was making the attempt, he was quite in high spirits as to succeeding. He had seen, he said, the Ordinary that same day, who said to him he did not see anything in the way of his printing the New Testament, as it was Scio's version. I said, Has he read the representation? And is he aware the notes are not be printed? He said, yes. I also then began to hope, that at length our object was gained. We arranged, that he should write me to Cordova as to the result.
This publisher informed me, that a Priest of his acquaintance to whom he had mentioned what he was trying to do, namely, to print a large edition of the New Testament with the text only, spoke to him in the following terms: – "You know that it is commonly said among us, that the Testaments printed in London are falsified in alterations and mutilations different from the true text. I wished to ascertain this, and I made a petition for leave to read one of these books. I was refused this licence. However, a good while after, I made a new representation to obtain leave to read one of these London Testaments, and I succeeded the second time. I read it through carefully, and I find it perfectly correct, not a letter or a point was wanting. I am glad you are about to print an edition of the New Testament in the text only without notes, as are the London ones. I think you do very well in this and believe you may sell many. I myself shall be your first purchaser." – This is a little insight into the minds of probably many Priests, and is calculated to give us a good hope when we shall succeed as I still hope we shall, in getting the Scriptures printed here in the country.
In Cordova I expected the letter referred to, and with considerable interest. I went to the Post Office accordingly at the time the letter should arrive in case the reply from the Ordinary in Sevilla had been received. I found a letter, and as I expected no other letters there, I made sure the reply had been given, and that I had now the result of it in my hands. I went straight to the Inn with my letter and into my room, and there with hope and fear as to the decision in this important matter, I opened my letter. On opening it, my emotions, strong as they were, in the line of this subject, where instantly changed into another channel. The letter was not from Sevilla, but from Madrid, from an English gentleman here, informing me that Mrs. Thomson had been seized with the disease prevailing in the city and urging my hasty return home. In an hour after I started in the mail, and travelled night and day. I arrived on Saturday, the 29th ultimo, but, alas! Too late to see my Dear Wife alive. A few hours before I reached, she had breathed her last![2] Concerning the sad events, I wrote you a brief note on the following day. – The mail following that in which I came, brought me the expected letter from Seville. It was negative.
I might, My Dear Friend, have said much more in the course of this letter as to various circumstances tending and bearing on our great subject, and now at the close might follow the whole with observations. But already the letter is too long for your use, I fear. I must therefore keep all these things in my own mind, and turn them to profit as I can. Suffice it to say, that I do not regret the journey, nor think it useless in our cause.
A licence to print in the provinces, is I think now hopeless, after the full trial made. There is still some hope in Madrid under certain favourable turns of politics. Our main hopes however are in the alteration of the law, removing all censorship previous to the printing of religious works, as it now is regarding others. The subject is at present in hands. May God direct and rule all into the right channel! On the 8th instant a Bill was read in Congress by the Minister of the Home Department, on the Law of the Press. The evil still remains in this project of law. Our pamphlet (not yours) is just out to meet the case, and if possible to remove this sort evil and hinderance. I send you a copy of it. My friend La Serna and his Brother have done everything possible in the matter. I trust the prayers of their Grandmother, who was a Protestant, will light on them for their salvation, and for every good to them, in return for all that attention to this business, and in otherwise befriending me. – Pray all of you, and earnestly, for the favourable issue of this matter, that so the word of God may forth with be printed freely in this country. Forget us not. Remember us frequently. Procure us this blessing.
I have used means for putting things to rights in regard to the Spanish Consul in London, and our Books, and daily expect an answer, which shall, as soon as received, be forwarded to you.
I now conclude, and remain, My Dear Friend, Very Truly Yours,
James Thomson.
Sr D. Diego Thomson
Muy Sr mío y apreciado amigo: tributo á V. un millón de gracias por su precioso librito que conservare siempre entre las alhajas de mi singular aprecio como memoria de V. y prueba de su amabilidad.
Tengo la satisfacción de remitir á V. tres cartas para amigos de Sevilla, que considero suficientes para que pueda ver todas las notabilidades de aquella hermosa ciudad.
También me permito acompañarle algunos de los trabajos hechos en esta provincia, de que hablé á V. y tuvo la bondad de pedirme.
Si mis ocupaciones me lo permiten tendré el gusto de pasar á repitir á V. mi gratitud personalmente y reiterarle el homenaje de respeto con que es de V. afmo. amigo y Sego. Serv.,
Q.B.S.M.
Melchor Ordonez.
[1] Thomson seems to have written 'January' instead of 'February' in the date, since the letter was written after his wife's death on 29th January. (BM)
[2] See James Thomson. “Spain. Death of Mrs. Thomson: And Difficulties of Protestant Sepulture”, Evangelical Christendom, vol. II (March 1848): 117-119.