St John, 12th June 1841

Rev A Brandram - No 104

St. John, New Brunswick, 12th June 1841

My Dear Friend,

By last packet your letter of the 18th came into my hands, and a few days earlier I received yours of the 19th April, returned from Montreal. The one dated the 15th of March was received in Montreal on the 24th April.

I find by your two last letters that you are waiting my answer to yours of the 15th March concerning the West Indies: whilst I on the other hand was waiting your notice of my items as contained in my letter of the 24th February.

The case stands thus. In your letter of the 20th December you inquired whether I was willing to go to Spanish America. I said, yes. Before my letter with this reached you, you mentioned propositions about the West Indies, without referring to the previous proposition you had made, the answer to which was on the way. The letter that contained my answer, contained also some hints of some wishes I had of a private nature, and I thought I would wait till I should see what you would say to the whole of my letter of the 20th February, as respected South America and my private wishes. Now however that I see we are waiting for each other, I proceed immediately to treat on all that is pending between us.

Before however I commence, I would notice that the Resolution of the Committee respecting Mr. Howe and Mr. Lessel. The letter which contained Resolution was forwarded to the Parties by last mail the other day, and there is not yet time for a reply. For myself I thank you much, and all the Committee, for the kind manner in which you have attended to my suggestion. Something was due in the case, and you have done it, and gracefully.

In your letter of the 19th April you say, in reference to mine of the 20th February, "From that letter I learn that your thoughts are turned more decidedly to the South." I do not see how you gathered anything of a decision in preference from that letter, for there was only one object before me, and the whole of what I said on it was as follows: – "As to the question, Is your agent willing to go to South America, I would answer readily in the affirmative".

Now however there are two objects before me, and I think the Committee wishes me to express a decision in favour one of them. Since I wrote what I have quoted above in reply to your letter of the 11th of December 1840, I have often turned the subject of a visit to those distant countries in my mind, considering that the finger of God was directing me again to those quarters. In these late contemplations, as well as in some former ones, I have tried to see a field of Bible labours which might perhaps prove right and extensive. The field I referred to is as regards the native tongues. In Mexico there are almost half a dozen languages which are very extensively spoken, say by Three Millions of people; besides which there are from ten to fifteen other languages and dialects spoken perhaps by other Two Millions, making in all Five Millions. This alone is no mean object of attention, and would justify considerable effort on your part, if the door open, and whether it is fairly open or not can only be ascertained on the spot. I am inclined to think something could now be done to give the Scriptures to these Five Millions in their own tongue, if things were well managed. In Guatemala also the native languages are extensively spoken. The two great languages which chiefly prevail over the Western parts of the Southern Continent are the Peruvian and Araucanian.

In directing your efforts to these countries, it appears to me, you must chiefly look to work in the native languages; for probably the circulation of the Scriptures in Spanish would not be very extensive; although as respects the New Testament perhaps a good deal might be done, say in schools. And further, the system of colportage should be fully tried, and it may do much. In my letter No.70, of  the 24th of May 1838, you will see that I have treated on the subjects particularly, and I beg you would look over what I have their said.

Very recently and unexpectedly this object of the native tongues has come before me anew, and I may say, with fresh encouragement. On my late, and I may say in truth, unwilling visit to New York, in going down to that city from Albany in the steam boat I met with a gentleman a native of Yucatán, and just come from that place. He informed me that Yucatán had broken off from Mexico, and was independent. With the political merits and demerits of this act and change I have nothing to do, but its bearing on our concerns may perhaps be very favourable. The new Constitution they have just promulgated grants religious liberty to all foreigners, which hitherto has nowhere else been done in Spanish America except in Buenos Ayres: and my informant intimated to me that this step was a forerunner to general religious liberty in the country. Now no part of the Mexican territory is more interesting than Yucatán as respects what I have here considered as the main object of your present agency in those countries, I mean in regard to the native tongues. The whole of that Peninsula speaks one, called Maya. I had always considered its population to be about half a million, but this gentleman says there are 700,000 inhabitants in it. Here then is an important field to try in the work in question, and probably under the new state of things I have mentioned there would be considerable facility for obtaining not only a translation of a portion of the Scriptures, but for getting it into use also, and perhaps under the sanction and encouragement of the new government, for they will be anxious that their people should become intelligent and great, and I will tell them should I go there, and with all my conscience that the knowledge of the Holy Scriptures will raise these people, and higher than any other means could. – I may here add also, that the other subdivisions that seemed to be going on in Mexico will most likely be in our favour in like manner, and that both as respects the languages, and the general circulation of the Scriptures, for there will be a rivalry among the several little nations in the way of liberality, etc.

As to whether I should go to Spanish America or West Indies, I am inclined to think the indications of duty are in favour of the former, under all the circumstances of the two cases at the present period. I shall therefore consider that I am to be led back again to those countries by the hand of Providence in due time. These countries are already associated in my mind with many strong impressions; and why should I hesitate to return to them after all the mercies I experienced there during ten years, and in the midst of many difficulties and dangers.

Having made this statement of my views I would beg leave to the refer you to my letter of the 20th February, and particularly to my special request for leave to spend the ensuing winter season in Montreal, in order to pursue the objects of study there mentioned. Please therefore to read those parts of that letter I here referred to when this is read.

This finishes all I have to say in regard to myself, and I shall now proceed, agreeably to your request, to say something about the West India Agency generally. You will probably recollect my having written you pretty fully upon the subject, I think towards the end of 1834, or beginning of 1835. Be so good as look up that letter, as it contains, I believe, the same views I now hold in regard to this matter. I then recommended two Agencies for the West Indies, and the reasons for this arrangement are not lessened by occurring and intervening circumstances, civil or biblical, but increased. One at all events certainly you ought to have, and the West Indies ought to be the post of a continued agency, not a casual one. Do you ask me whom, of those I know, should you send? I would reply, Is Mr. Bourne willing to go? He is a better West Indian than I.

I have thus treated on all the subjects in suspense, and I now look out with interest for your notices of the whole in reply, praying earnestly that God may guide you to what is right, and to the best in all that is before us.

You noticed in your No.10, that you might have to open a subscription for Mrs. Wheeler, but in No.11 and 12 you say nothing further of it. If you should make a subscription for her, as I suppose is most likely, put me down for Ten Pounds.

May the Lord prosper you, My Dear Friend, in all your affairs public and private: and please ever to believe me,

                        Affectionately Yours,

                                                James Thomson.

.

Mexico City, 23rd June 1843

Rev A Brandram  No.133

Mexico 23rd June 1843

My Dear Friend,

Our last packet brought your letter of the 29th April, and a duplicate of the one sent by the preceding packet. What a dismal accident is that of the Solway, with the loss of so many lives! This event makes me afresh give thanks to God for the gracious preservations he has vouchsafed to me in many voyages: and Oh may his gracious hand be upon me until I see your face again and my native land in peace, a blessing I may say, I hope for more than expect, when I cast my eyes on the long course that lies before me: but I will also cast them upwards and hope for the best as it is my duty to do so.

Your last letter mentions Home for me, perhaps before long. This is rather a temptation, and a pretty strong one too, for one who left home, or somewhat equivalent to it, on the present occasion, lowing as he went, like the kine that conveyed the ark, and because his half was left behind.[1] But Home is not so near for me; and though I cannot much rejoice in this personally perhaps, yet as your servant, and the messenger of the churches, to circulate the word of God, in this country and over the vast field lying in the vista, I will rejoice. This present period is probably our darkest day in regard to this mission, for clouds have gathered and thickened upon us hitherto. But the sky is opening, and brighter spots may now be seen in it, and more brightness, I trust, will follow, and we shall yet have great reason, I humbly hope, to rejoice and thank God concerning this mission.

Our main difficulty has been the shutting of the Custom House in this city against us, but the Custom House in Veracruz is still open, and such also is the case, I believe, in all the ports of this country. The stoppage in the Custom House here is owing to the Edict that was issued against our Books in this diocese in 1828. But I consider it an illegal act on the part of the Collector of the Customs to detain our Books, and when there is a more liberal system in action here, things will be otherwise, and the law will then be seen and acted upon, I doubt not, as I view it. But marked intolerance is the rule at present. Our new constitution which was finished and sworn to a few days ago is more illiberal in the article on religion than any of its predecessors. But this constitution is only preparatory to another which we are promised before long. This next may be better than this present. Let us hope for the best, and ever pray for the same.

In the meantime, and as I mentioned to you in my last letter, the word of God is esteemed here and sought after. This circumstance which was mentioned to me by our Bookseller who has good reason to know it, has been confirmed to me in subsequent conversations, and in a most decided manner. An occurrence also which has taken place since I conveyed to you that notice has strengthened this opinion. In the bankrupt stock of Mr Galvan there were some 2000 copies of the Four Books. These have been selling though slowly for some time. At length, and from a desire to get the stock sold off early, the price was lowered, and they were hawked about the streets. I observed frequently persons going about with them, and I observed others who had bought copies and were reading them. I made inquiry as to the extent of the sales, and was most agreeably surprised to learn that more than a thousand copies had been sold in a month. You will see by this circumstance a confirmation of our Bookseller's view in regard to the word of God being in esteem and sought after; and you will see it same time how openly and how freely the word of God sold in the public streets of this large city in spite of Custom House stoppages and diocesan edicts. Another statement of our Bookseller I must mention, and that is, that the cheaper we can sell our books the more extensive will be our sale. This looks like a mere truism, but it has a particular application to us here at the present time, for in consequence of our troubles and revolutions means and money are scanty with us compared to former times in Mexico.

Viewing all these things as bearing on our case, and anxious to know what should be done for the furtherance of our cause, I had especially inquired of the Bookseller what kinds of our books, and how many copies he might be able to sell for us, say in twelve months. He gave his view clearly as follows. Of the 8vo Testament he could sell, he says, 2000 copies, say at five rials each, but if at four they would sell with a certainty. Of the 12mo Testament also 2000 copies, say at three rials, but sure if at two and a half. As to the 32mo edition, he says the type is much too small for acceptance here, and it is not saleable. – What, I inquired, do you say about our Bible? He replied I could sell 2000 copies of but also in a year, if it were complete, that is, having the Apocrypha. Does not the want of notes also prevent the sale, I said, and would do so even where the Bible is complete. He said, No, for there are a great many who wish to have a small book with all the Scriptures in it, for the convenience of ready reference and reading instead of going to their 20 volume editions in their libraries, besides many others who cannot afford to buy these voluminous editions. Our Bibles are in considerable disrepute, he says, from their incompleteness. In a subsequent conversation, I said could we not force, as it were, our Bibles into sale by selling them at a very low price, say the large Bibles at a dollar each? Perhaps, he said, and probably something could be done in that way. How many copies should I order them for a twelve month's sale at this price? Let us say 500 he said, at first, and then perhaps we may require more before that time is elapsed. This is the large Bible, and not the small one, for of it too the type is much under the proper size. And in regard to the small Testament, I said (the 32mo), could you not sell it at a rial? He said, perhaps it would sell at that price, and we agreed to try 500.

In view of these statements and prospects I would request you to send us the kinds and quantities above named, and Invoices in Spanish money at the prices stated, putting the four and two and a half for the Testaments and not the five and three. I have made arrangements with a gentleman here who takes much interest in our cause, to see the Books safely conveyed from Veracruz into the hands of our Bookseller. The cases to be consigned to Messrs. Manning Mackintosh & Co. Veracruz, to be at the disposal of this gentleman, and enclosing to them a letter for him containing invoice etc. His address is  "Al Licenciado D. Domingo Saviñon, Mexico." Please to see number proper document is obtained from the Mexican consul in the place where they are shipped, and enclosed to Manning Mackintosh Co. Who require it for obtaining the books, nor can they obtain them without it.

You see in what I have said above, that there is a reasonable prospect of circulating 5000 copies of the Scriptures here in the course of 12 months. This is the opening and brighter spot in the heavens to which I referred. Further, we may say, that there will be an annual sale in this country of 5000 copies, and most probably more. This brightens our heavens again, you will perceive. Therefore notwithstanding all the clouds that thus far have enveloped us in this present mission let us thank God for the prospects now referred to, and take courage. Be so good thing as to send out these 5000 with the least delay possible. From Guatemala, I may say, I can superintend the distribution, as we have a regular post weekly between the two places. I mention this because of an observation in your last letter indicating your discouragements from past experience as to sending out books to any place where you have not individuals personally known to you to see after their distribution. Do not let this impression, or any other circumstance, hinder you from sending out these preliminary 5000. I will do my best to get them into circulation by sale as above stated, my friend Mr. Saviñon will do the same, and so will the Bookseller. This last noticed individual is a liberal and enlightened man, and as such feels an interest in the diffusion of the Scriptures among his countrymen. He has also another motive to induce him to give us his full cooperation, and that is self interest. I have arranged with him to sell our books at 12½% commission. This rate, though in one sense high, I consider fair, and also wise in us to give as under all the circumstances of this country, a country where money lent on the best commercial security yields 9%, and goes on increasing according to circumstances up to three or months, or 36% per annum.

I would now before I go farther, make an observation about the sale of our books generally in the further prosecution of this mission through those countries where more or less of the same condition of things will come before us from at the similarity of the countries to each other. I refer to the selling of our books cheap. Let us well keep in mind our Bookseller's truism, that the cheaper the more and the surer sale, and down to a certainty of sales and extensively. I know you give me full discretion, but I would like you to say whether you fully allow me to force our books into sale and use by disposing of them at any price, or even no price as circumstances may direct.

When in this country in 1827-30 I sold the Scriptures at the full cost value of the books, and several thousands were thus put into circulation. The full cost I conceive to be a rule when we can attain unto it, but another rule is also before us, and that is, that sales must be effected if at all possible. Again our third and last rule, I may say, is, that if we cannot force sales at even the lowest prices, we are to force circulation at the gospel price – nothing – wherever we can do it with the prospect of the books being read. These I understand to be your golden rules.

Permit me to say a word about the binding of the books for this market. Forced as we now are from a change of circumstances here to sell very cheap, I think the books should all be in the cheapest leather binding, that is, I believe, sheep. Yet neatness should be consulted along with cheapness. The backs of your Bibles are very dark and plain. The Americans in their cheapest sheep bindings always letter the back, and put a few transverse gold strokes on it. This is, I think, a good plan, and perhaps you might imitate it without disadvantage, to please us Americans.

It may be worthwhile to state here perhaps, that in your future prints of the Scriptures in Spanish, it would be well, as I should think, not to print on a type smaller than the Bourgeois, which I believe is the letter with which your 8vo Spanish Bible is printed, or say the Brevier for the New Testament. The same remark will apply probably to all countries, not reading countries. Please give me a note of all the Spanish Scriptures you have on hand, with their sizes and costs. Pray how is it that you can afford an English Testament, say your Brevier, at eight pence, and charge one shilling and sixpence for Spanish one of about the same size? I know that there is a duty on the paper in the one case and not in the other, and some difference too in the cost of printing, but not after the plates are made. Still the difference seems much.

I come now to speak of my movements. I am still, as you see, in this city. In my last I said I was in some perplexity as to what was best for me to do. Yucatán since then is somewhat cleared up as to its warfare state, and hopes are entertained that peace may be some established there. About one half of our Mexican force was obliged to surrender at discretion, or nearly so, and capitulated to leave the country, which was done. And the other day I perceived by the newspapers the other half has entered into an agreement to embark and return home also, making a virtue of necessity, as I suppose. Yucatán will thus be left free of all hostile forces, and be at liberty to enter into friendly relations or union with Mexico according to the terms they can both agree on. Yucatán of course has thus triumphed, agreeable to the prediction of your humble prophet. This to us, I may well say, is a great point gained, as Yucatán has established Religious Liberty by its constitution, from which here at present we are so very far. That just right however established there will no doubt have great influence in our obtaining it here and perhaps before long.

But Yucatán during the wet or summer season is very unhealthy, being greatly subject to the devouring disease of Veracruz called the Black Vomit; and this season I understand it is particularly bad, probably increased by encamped armies but it is also worse than usual this year in Veracruz. My Mexican friends here who have been in that Peninsula all advise me and strongly not to think of going there until the unhealthy season is over. The country is not yet fully open as to its war or rather peace state, I will therefore wait another month at all events to see whether hostilities will then be fully over, and to consider further what is my duty in regard to the climate.

My letters, as noticed in my last, you will please continue to send to our consul at the Havannah, Mr. Crawford. I had a very friendly note from this gentleman by the last packet enclosing your letters to him for me. I shall communicate with him from time to time as to the places to which my letters are to be forwarded, whether to this city, to Yucatán, or Guatemala. On the other hand I will arrange with Mr. Hitchin for repaying to Mr. Crawford the postage is he is obliged to prepay for me from the Havannah.

In your letter of the 29th April you say in reference to my movements and difficulties, "Every obstacle you have met with in Mexico you will meet with in the whole line of country through which you have purpose to pass." In reply to this, I would say, that I do not by any means expect that this will be the case. The shutting of the Custom House in this city, and other hinderances here also are owing mainly to the edict issued in this city and diocese in 1828, as already stated. And edict of the same kind also was issued, I understand, in Oaxaca and Guadalaxara. There are ten dioceses in this country, and only in these three have edicts been issued, so that the other seven, for ought I know, are open, and of a certainty I know that Puebla is, at least for Veracruz which is in the diocese, and which is ruled by the most illiberal, according to common report, of all our Bishops . Neither in Guatemala, nor in any part of the continent of South America has there been any edict published against our books, as far as I am aware. So far therefore from meeting with the same difficulties in every place in the line of my intended route, I do not again even once expect to meet with the same. I would fear such obstacles in Oaxaca, which is a principal objection to my going by land to Guatemala. Our way therefore you see, and our prospects are much better than you have been led to suppose. In Guatemala I expect to circulate a considerable number of copies of the Scriptures. ...

(Final section of letter missing from archives.)

[1] Note (BM): 1 Samuel 6.10-12.

Mexico City, 29th July 1843

Rev A Brandram  No 134

Mexico 29th July 1843

My Dear Friend,

As my movements are greatly affected at this time by the state of things in Yucatán, I speak of that quarter first in the present letter. Since my last Yucatán has improved in its actual state and position. The war there, if not over, is completely lulled, and all the hostile troops have left it. Add to this Three Commissioners have already arrived in this city to treat with this government about peace, unity and future good understanding, based on certain privileges in favour of Yucatán distinctly acknowledged and clearly worded to prevent future misunderstandings and evils.

To these Three Commissioners I have been very formally introduced by one of my Yucatán friends who was partially residing here before their arrival. I have had with these gentlemen a very pleasing interview, and have received much encouragement from them to proceed to that place. One of them is the chief Secretary of the government, and father of the gentleman I accidentally met with in this Steam Boat from Albany to New York in May 1841. But these Three Commissioners, as well as my former Yucatán friends as noticed in my last letter, all advise me to delay going there until the unhealthy season is over.

Though the way therefore to that Peninsula is nearly open I scarcely feel that it would be right, or justice either to you or to myself, to hasten thither in the face of the united friendly advice which I have received. Had I not had this advice so fully stated and repeated, and by individuals my personal friends and favourable to my objects, I would have felt less difficulty in moving forward. But to act directly counter to all these friendly admonitions would seem to be a rash. I shall therefore make the delay they advise.

In my ruminations since my last letter was sent off, and in the prospect more or less of this delay, I was thinking of, or planning a journey of some length into the parts of this country to the West and North. But on taking everything into consideration I have given up my thoughts of that movement: first, because there would most probably be a considerable delay caused by it beyond the waiting for the proper season for going to Yucatán; and second, because, I have some fears that my active and open operations in the sale of the Scriptures through these parts at the present intolerant time would shut more Custom Houses against us, and thus more harm than good would accrue through the means of the movement in question.

I hope the 5000 copies of the Scriptures requested in my last for this country will be duly and early forwarded. If more convenient for you, they may be divided into two sendings, with an interval between, each kind being properly halved or nearly so. On the whole perhaps this would be the best arrangement. The cases say to be of 200 pounds weight. – To hasten matters, and to provide a supply for the N. West of this country I have ordered 1000 New Testaments from the American Bible Society, to be sent direct and immediately to Tampico. These will of course be charged to your account.

Your two very interesting New Zealand letters that appear in the Bible Society Reporter No19, I have got published in the same newspaper which has prated maliciously against us in an article inserted from a periodical published in Spain. I send you a copy.

I have not received by last packet any Reporter, nor letter from Earl Street, nor the fully expected, and usually sent, yearly newspaper, giving an account of your Annual Meeting.

I have lately met with two persons who interest themselves much in your Mexican version of St. Luke, and wish to see the whole New Testament translated into that ancient and modern tongue. There are some slips in the mode of printing your Mexican St. Luke, but whether the oversights are in the manuscript, or in the Editors I cannot say. It is now undergoing revision. I am paying some attention to the study of the Mexican or Nahuatl language, and as far as I have yet made progress I am inclined to receive Clavigero's high testimony of it as to its copiousness and admirable structure. I have been studying also the Otomi language, which is likewise rich, but entirely different from the Nahuatl which on every side surrounds it. I have looked at some others of the tongues of this land, and have no doubt of their fitness for expressing the sense and substance of the Scriptures.

In the prospect of going to Yucatán, I would call your attention anew to what I have said on Indian versions in my letter No 131, and I do humbly and earnestly beg that you would give me ample scope in regard to the rendering portions of the Scriptures into the tongue spoken all over that Peninsula, and also partly in Tabasco and Guatemala. The Yucatán Commissioners assured me of there being a very earnest desire in the government of giving education to the Indians. They are gratified with proposals I made here for the instruction of the natives generally in their own tongues, instead of Spanish as heretofore. As a member of the Lancasterian Society of this city I made these proposals, and a very friendly reception was given to them; and measures are now being taken for extending this plan over the whole country. I send you a newspaper in which you will see the notice of my proposal and its reception.

I remain, yours very truly,

James Thomson.

P.S. Please say to Mr. Farmer that I have sent him a copy of the newspaper containing the two New Zealand letters, that he may present it to the Wesleyan Missionary Society.

Mexico City, 26th September 1843

Rev A Brandram  No.136

Mexico 26th September 1843

My Dear Friend,

At length I am on the eve of leaving the city, and of proceeding onwards in the course of my journeyings. My luggage is already on the road moving towards Veracruz, as it requires longer time to perform its journey on mule back then I shall do going by the stage.

I mentioned in my last that in consequence of a difficulty occurring between the Commissioners of Yucatán and the Government here as to the bases for their negotiations, one of the Commissioners had gone to Yucatán to see if the Government there would agree to the bases wished for by the authorities here. He has now returned, and we learned that the Government of Yucatán will admit of no alteration in the bases they formerly proposed for negotiation, nor any diminution in the exemptions and privileges they have sought and fought for. In consequence of this determination the negotiations were at once broken off, and orders have already been issued here for fresh in full preparations for a vigorous attack and warfare on Yucatán.

The commissioners leave this for their home in a few days. I intimated to you that I purposed to go with them on their return. This purpose I fully made known to them, and they very kindly gave me the benefit of going in their company, which I expect will be an advantage to me in several ways.

Some two or three months will probably elapse before the war grows hot there. Most probably an attack will be early made on Merida the capital, and it will most likely be taken unless that is a general battle fought before, and ending in favour of Yucatán. Happily my movements from Yucatán to Belize are Eastward, whilst the main part of the war will be on the West. I shall therefore leave Merida for Belize as the circumstances of the war may direct.

I am sorry for the breaking up of this negotiation on more accounts in one. First, because I think it will make the circumstances of this country much worse than they are, and they are already bad enough, and on the other hand war is always horrid and destructive. In the next place, I am grieved of the unsuccessful termination of this negotiation for peace and union, because it will greatly act upon, I fear, and hinder our operations there, from the general agitation which the war will create. But as a counterpart to all this, let us hope that this war will be overruled for good and I humbly trust it will, and perhaps only through war could go would be brought about under our actual circumstances.

I mentioned in my early communications to you from this country, on my present visit, the publication here of a new edition and a new version of the Bible, in 25 volumes, with a volume of plates; and stated, that, in addition to all the other subjects of interest connected with this publication, was the fact of its being the first Bible printed in all Spanish America. It is befitting that you should have in your library a copy of this first Spanish-American edition of the Bible, from this peculiar and interesting circumstance; and it is befitting also that you should have it, because of its being a new and a valuable translation of the Holy Scriptures. I have therefore purchased a copy for you. I have procured for you, likewise, a copy of Scio's Bible, which was published here, and is contained in eleven volumes. Some parts of this Bible were printed before any portion of the other appeared: it was published in numbers, and the other in volumes. But the new version, from that of Vence, had been in preparation for about two years before any of the parts, or even the prospectus, of Scio was issued; and a large sum expended on the same. And, besides, it was finished before the other; and, therefore, in several senses it has the just claim to be the first Bible printed in Mexico, or in all Spanish America.  These two Bibles, I beg you will accept from me as a little present for your Library. They are now on their way to Veracruz, and will be shipped there on the first vessel for London.

Hoping for your prayers in this new movement, and in the exposures of war, and in other dangers.

            I remain,

                         Truly Yours,

                                    James Thomson.