Madrid, 17th August 1847

Rev A Brandram No.2

Madrid 17th August 1847

My Dear Friend,

I wrote you a few lines on the 10th ultimo, the day on which I reached the city, to intimate to you my safe arrival in this place; and I availed myself of the opportunity to remind you all of the suitableness, at the present time, of making special supplications for Spain, that God would be pleased to open it for his word.

I have now been here somewhat more than a month, yet I cannot say that I have much or any progress to relate. I am not however disappointed or discouraged on this account, for I foresaw that time and patience were required in order to do anything properly in our objects in this country. As a non-discouragement, I would say, that I have found things not worse than I supposed they were, I may now state in addition to these negative things, that I have hopes that we need able to print the Scriptures here. But wisdom requires, under present circumstances, that we should be slow in order to be sure. We expect before long that our way will be made clearer in this matter than it is at present, and probably to begin just now would rather hinder than favour us. The Cortes is expected to meet a few weeks hence, and that is some prospect that a Bill will be brought in and carried, on the Liberty of the Press, which will remove existing hinderances or difficulties. Should that not be the case, we shall then think of doing our best in the way of printing under all the disadvantages there may be in the case.

Mr La Serna, with whom I was acquainted in London, and who is now here, and a member of the Cortes, is very friendly to me and helpful in my objects; and his attentions require that I should thus speak of him. In regard to the sets of versions which you voted for this gentleman, a friend of his of the name of Montecino will call it your house, or communicate with you, as to the manner of forwarding them to this country. This collection he intends to present to the University of Madrid. There are some other universities of the name in this country, to which probably you would not be indisposed to make a similar grant, and I think such generosity would prove favourable to our Bible cause. When a proper case and opportunity are at hand I will advise you of the same.

But I have met with another friend here, who is also a Brother in the Lord. He is a man of superior education and standing in the country, but keeps aloof from political affairs. To this gentleman I can communicate myself without reserve in all my affairs, and his counsels and friendship I find of the greatest service to me. He and I have one Brother more in this city, and it is a third in a certain sea-port town on the North. This is our present Spanish Church visible. The Lord who sees and knows all throughout this country, as everywhere else, no doubt sees more of his people than I have counted; and I trust he will make us to see them to in due time, and thus are visible church will be enlarged. The Word of God diffused over the country will probably bring the people of God to light, as well as increase their number.

The gentleman first referred to above as a Brother has given me an order for 50 small Spanish Bibles, and 50 Enzinas Spanish Testaments, bound in calf half extra with gilt edges. The difficulty at present is how to get them in at the sea port. I have written to our Consuls in Cadiz and Malaga, to whom I had letters of introduction, begging them to facilitate the entry of this or any other small supply as far as their consular advantage enable them. I expect soon to hear from these places, and in the meantime please to get ready the above-mentioned order. My friend intimates that other little orders may follow this. Payment will be made on the arrival of the books here.

I have seen the gentleman here who translated the Gospel of St. Luke into the Basque Language, and have set him to work to revise it for a new edition. I have also written to Barcelona to make inquiries about the version of the New Testament into the Catalonian dialect.

Between Bayonne and Irun, the former in France and the latter in Spain, there is a town situated on both sides of the River Bidasoa which divides France and Spain. The French part is called Behovie, and the Spanish part Behovia. In the French part it would be well to have a depot of Spanish Bibles and Testaments, and which should be notified and kept visible before all by a large sign board. In this way the Scriptures might get into Spain somewhat readily, and probably to a considerable extent. The great road from Paris to Madrid runs through the place in question, and Diligences, carrier wagons, and other vehicles are passing that way daily between the two capitals, in addition to the parties that pass belonging to the neighborhood. I have written to Mr. de Pressensé, and also to Mr. Pedezert the Protestant Minister in Bayonne in regard to this subject.      

In different parts of Spain there are, I understand, Frenchman moving about selling Engravings and some such kindred things. These are true colporteurs, though not Bible colporteurs. It would be well if we could transform one of them into the latter. I have mentioned the matter to Mr. de Pressensé, and had inquired of him whether he knows of any one who would suit for this work.

With renewed request for Prayer on behalf of Spain, its Bible messenger and its little Church, I remain,

            My Dear Friend, Yours Very Truly,

                                    James Thomson.

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."

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.

London, 29th October 1851

Rev George Browne

16 Harpur Street

29th October 1851

My Dear Friend,

            I have the pleasure of informing you that you will receive a copy of the Geographical Statistical and Historical Description of Spain in 16 volumes 4to by Don Pascual Madoz. This is a present from the author to the Library of the British and Foreign Bible Society. Mr. Madoz is the gentleman who befriended your agent by giving him 29 letters of introduction, and by other favours.

            I remain,

                        Yours Very Truly,

                                    James Thomson.

Rev George Browne

16 Harpur Street

29th October 1851

My Dear Friend,

            I have the pleasure of informing you that you will receive a copy of the Geographical Statistical and Historical Description of Spain in 16 volumes 4to by Don Pascual Madoz. This is a present from the author to the Library of the British and Foreign Bible Society. Mr. Madoz is the gentleman who befriended your agent by giving him 29 letters of introduction, and by other favours.

            I remain,

                        Yours Very Truly,

                                    James Thomson.