New York / Canada, 31st August 1830

Rev A Brandram No. 46

New York, 31st August 1830

My Dear Friend

My last letter to you was written in Veracruz on the 18th June. I then informed you of my intention of passing through the United States on my way to England. I accordingly embarked for New Orleans accompanied by Mrs. Thomson on the 19th and in eleven days we reached that place. From that city we ascended to Louisville by the Mississippi and Ohio in other eleven days. Here we stopped one day and a half. Though our stay was short we had still a little time for conversing with the friends of the Bible cause, and were much gratified to find a warm and lively zeal manifested in this our great and common concern. One day's sail more on the Ohio brought us to Cincinnati, the largest city in all the Western Valley, New Orleans excepted. Here our stay was prolonged to six days. We had thus a fuller opportunity of seeing with our own eyes and hearing with our own ears what things God is doing in his kingdom in that new and extensive region.

Depositaries we found there for Bibles, the grand source of all, for religious tracts, for Sunday school books, etc. Population is increasing so rapidly in this quarter as to excite a lively feeling in the Christian as to the quantum of religious instruction administered to them. No little anxiety has been manifested by the Atlantic Christians of America on behalf of their countrymen in the West, and it is pleasing to see that their labours have not been in vain. Through these efforts the Bible finds its way to the new log house in every direction. The Bible is followed by religious tracts, and by the occasional visits of the missionary, and thus in due time the praises of God begin to be heard in the dense forest where nothing used to be heard but the unvaried chop, chop of the backwoodsman's axe. After all, there is much to be done here, and our friends are aware of it. Population increase increases so fast around them as to make it difficult to keep pace with its increase in doing them good. But the prayers offered up for this new ground will be heard, and the labours of the disciples of Christ will be blessed on behalf of their brethren after the flesh around them. We may therefore expect, that as the fruitless forest tree is falling down in every direction in that quarter it is giving place to ears of corn for the life of man, so this new population will be led to bring forth fruit unto God through our Lord Jesus Christ. I need hardly say that the parent of the Bible Societies is well-known and feelingly remembered in all this vast region.

From Cincinnati I went to Wheeling still sailing on the beautiful and useful Ohio. From that we crossed over by land to Ashtabula on Lake Erie, where we found the steamboat which took us to Buffalo at the eastern point of the lake. From this place it was my intention to proceed by the grand Erie  Canal to Albany and thence down the Hudson River to New York. But on arriving in this quarter I learned that there was a steamboat running across Lake Ontario from Niagara to York, the capital of Upper Canada, and that I could pass to the latter place in a short time and at little expense. Recollecting therefore the interest you feel for your auxiliaries in that quarter I resolved to pass over to York to salute our brethren there in your name and to inquire how they were doing in the great cause to which they had lent their hands. I therefore crossed the lake and came to

                                                York, Upper Canada.

Here I soon found myself among friends and brethren although I came to them personally unknown and unintroduced by a single letter. But the cause in which I had been engaged in the Southern portion of this New World was known to them and obtained for me a cordial welcome. My ease among them too was increased by recognizing a personal acquaintance which I had had some 12 years ago in Edinburgh with one of the Secretaries of your York Auxiliary. This of course made me quite at home.

The results of my inquiries regarding the state of the Bible Society have been I am happy to say very satisfactory. The old Society here had become extinct about a year and a half before the present existing and active Society was founded. The whole may therefore be considered as new. On Monday, 3rd November 1828 a public meeting was held, not for the reorganization of the old Society, but for the purpose of forming a new one. At this meeting the Society was incorporated, all its officers were nominated, and its rules formed and agreed to. His Excellency Sir John Colborne, the Lieutenant-Governor of the Province, became Patron of the Society, and the Hon. Mr. Dunn the President. Measures were immediately taken to procure subscribers and everything went on favourably. On Friday, 9th February of the present year the first annual meeting of the Society was held which was well attended and particularly interesting. Some copies of the report of this first year's operations have been put into my hands to be presented to you on my arrival in London. I had a good deal of conversation with the President and was happy to find him warmly alive to the prosperity of the Society in all its parts. I was introduced by Mr. Dunn to his Excellency the Governor whom I found very desirous of promoting the above cause and anxious for the religious instruction of the new population beginning to cover that province, and also of the indigenous population, so long and shamefully neglected. Sir John gave me two copies of the first seven chapters of the Gospel by Matthew in the Chippewa tongue, translated by a native missionary and printed at the Government expense.

But what chiefly gave me pleasure in my visit to York and my intercourse with this branch Bible Society was the desire manifested for forming associations in connexion with it all over the country, and the corresponding desire on the part of the people in the towns and hamlets in the interior to form themselves into such associations. Again and again have the secretaries and other officers of the Society been importuned to go out some miles into the country to assist in organizing such associations. At the time I was there arrangements had been made for going up the place about ten miles off for the installation of one of these institutions, and I was earnestly begged to delay my journey for two or three days to go out on the occasion referred to. Anxious as I was to move onward I thought it my duty to yield to these entreaties. On the day appointed we went out, the meeting was held accordingly and an association was regularly installed in all its parts. The time at which this meeting was held was as you will perceive in the very middle of harvest home occupations. It was pleasing to see the people leave their fields and hurry to the place appointed for the formation of the Society, and it was still more pleasing to see their lively and expressed interest in the object which brought them together. On concluding what I had to say about the cause of the Bible Society generally, I added that I hoped the operations of the day would be blessed to us all, and that we would be led to read the word of God individually for ourselves and to practice what it recommends that it might be well with us here and well with us hereafter. At these latter words, with a tone indicating a deep interest, one and all uttered, "Amen."

We returned in the evening through the dense forest from this meeting which had been so interesting to us all, and we rejoice at the prospect of this wilderness be coming in due time something like the garden of God. Truly the word of God is capable of forming such a transformation, and that word alone. The enlightening Spirit we may surely expect in all cases more or less sooner or later to accompany the circulation of the written word. Such is my own hope and confidence, after been engaged for twelve years in circulating the Holy Scriptures in a land of thick darkness and where in addition to other discouragements I have been disheartened by seeing little or no fruit follow. But I rest in full confidence that fruit will most certainly be produced, though I at a period later perhaps than to solace my own eyes with the sight. But the sower and the reaper shall rejoice together, and all in God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Before I leave York I cannot help noticing a letter contained in the appendix to the report purporting to be from a "penitent" and addressed to the Governor. I give you an extract from this letter. "In addressing your Excellency I cannot assume the title "dutiful subject" because within two or three years past I have detained duties upon goods to the amount as near as I can reckon of 50 or 55 dollars, and thus have transgressed. I now hand over to your Excellency 60 dollars, for in the word of God I read I have done wrong, that as in the 13th chapter of Romans. In Titus also 3rd chapter and 1st verse, and in 1st Peter 2nd chapter 13th and 14th verses, &c. Wherefore  I repent and restore what I have detained, beseeching the forgiveness of Almighty God through Jesus Christ his Son, only through whom is remission of sin. I would now take it upon me very submissively to request that as the word of God is so minutely the source of all real good among men in making them good subjects and lovers of God, your Excellency would transmit the amount I send you to the Bible Society, to which I am informed your Excellency is patron."

When I crossed over Lake Ontario to York it was my intention to return from New York to Niagara, and to pursue my formerly intended course by the Erie Canal to Albany. But conceiving that a good servant in the absence of instructions from his master in any particular case in which he is called to act, tries to ascertain what he thinks his master would have him do under these circumstances, and acts according to what his judgment dictates to him in the case. So I, the servant of the Bible Society thought, after reasoning in this way, that if you knew I were in the quarter in which I then was, you would wish me to visit some others of your auxiliaries there, and attend to any other concern of the Society to which I might be called. This was the judgment I came to after maturely considering the subject. Instead therefore of returning to Niagara I sailed eastward on Lake Ontario from York and, on my way to Kingston, came to Cobourg. From this place I went northward to

                                    the Indian village on the north of the Rice Lake.

The distance of this village from Cobourg is 12 miles by land, and 3 in crossing the lake. This is a spot of particular interest. Here are gathered into a town and civil life, and what is infinitely more important, into the fold of Christ, about 200 of the aboriginals of Upper Canada. Only three years ago these now happy and exemplary Christians were wallowing in all kinds of ungodliness but the labours of the Wesleyan missionaries were blessed unto them; and they were turned from darkness into light, and now live in such a manner as to put to shame many of more knowledge and long-standing in the knowledge of the Gospel. I conversed with the missionary resident on this spot, and with others who had been to visit the place at different times, and the result of my inquiries was very satisfactory, as to their adherence to Christ as their only Saviour, and as to their obedience to him as their only Lord and Master. I saw one of these people lie on her deathbed, or what would soon be to her such, and I could not help thinking to how much higher a place perhaps in heaven she was about to be raised than we alas! too formal, too little affected Christians, in the midst of our so-called improvements and extended knowledge. But, who could envy her such a place? And who would not be stirred up by the sight and the thought to strive to mount up to higher regions above through our Lord Jesus Christ?

As an agent of the Bible Society my desire was to see what prospects were among this people for the word of God being usefully employed by them were it translated into that language. From what I have said above you will see what was my impression upon the subject. It seems indeed very desirable to get the word of God prepared for this people, as there is a cheering hope that it would prove a great blessing to them. It would prove a like blessing to two or three other establishments similar to the one now mentioned, and it would also prove greatly useful in the converting of other Indians speaking the same language, by whom they are occasionally visited, and whom they occasionally visit to preach Christ unto them. For these reasons I urged upon the missionary in this spot the desirableness of getting the whole New Testament translated into that language as soon as possible and I ventured to add that the B. and F. Bible Society would gladly assist them in this good work, and that I would recommend the subject to your attention. The language spoken by these Indians is the Chippewa, that into which is translated the first seven chapters of Matthew which I mentioned to you above, two copies of which I received from Sir John Colborne.

These Indians live in houses built for them, and on land bought and cleared for them by the New England Society. These houses and lands were not the inducement which led to their conversion but were given them afterwards by hands who had no concern in their conversion. This is the only instance that has come under my own notice of the literal fulfillment of what our Lord says in the 10th chapter of Mark, 29th and 30th verses, I mean so far as houses and lands are concerned. After leaving this interesting village on the Rice Lake I returned to Cobourg, and from thence went on partly by land and partly by water to

Kingston.

I found in Kingston that the Society there was really a reanimation of the former Society, and not a new one as in York. Here at the place before noticed the Committee was called together that I might have some conversation with them, they seem to be going on well in their work, and have a considerable demand for copies of the Scriptures to supply the wants around them. The supply you had sent them had just arrived and afforded much gratification. Some associations have been formed in connexion with this auxiliary, and one or two of them are very promising. But I thought I did not perceive the same lively spirit for the formation of these useful institutions as at York, and I intend to state to our friends in Kingston what I had seen at the former place, and to recommend the same course to themselves. I recommend also that parcelling out of the whole of Upper Canada between these two auxiliaries in regard the forming of Bible associations throughout the province. At this meeting of the Committee the sum of £50 was voted for the B. and F. Bible Society.

In this place, as in the whole of Upper Canada, the population is increasing so fast by emigration from the Old Country as they call it, that much anxiety is naturally stirred up for the spiritual welfare of the newcomers. Our friends in Kingston seemed to be alive to these anxieties and desirous of benefiting their new countrymen. I urged the formation of Bible associations among them as the most effectual means of doing them immediate good, and of leading them early to see the necessity of providing spiritual instruction for themselves and to exert themselves to that effect. I am sorry to say that there is a great destitution of religious instruction among this new population, and it forms in truth a missionary field of and no little interest and extent, and having strong and direct claims for help on the benevolence of the disciples of Christ in the British Isles, which these people have left not for the kingdom of heaven's sake, but avowedly to better their worldly circumstances. I hope they will be so bettered, and think they will, but we should try to put them in possession of more substantial riches. From your stores, and through the efforts of your auxiliaries in these quarters I hope they will be supplied with the Holy Scriptures, and that they will be guided to that blessed salvation which they contain, and offered to all. From Kingston I went to Prescot on my way to Montreal. I stopped at Prescot but a few minutes, but having a letter to a person there, I seized the opportunity of recommending to him to use his endeavours to form a Bible Society in that place which contains a considerable population. On the evening of the day after leaving Prescott I came to

Montreal.

The Bible Society here published about a year ago their ninth annual report, which I believe has come into your hands. Their 10th anniversary was advertised for 1st September. I was urged to wait till that day, but did not think it right to stay so long. I conversed with several members of the Committee and gave on the Sunday evening an account of the Bible cause in the South, after which a meeting of the Committee was held. At this meeting I recommended as I had before done the formation of associations throughout the contiguous country. Several associations, I was happy to find had already been formed. And I was particularly gratified to find that one of their associations had some time previous compromised itself to supply every family within its own district with the Bible during the ensuing year, and learned that it had redeemed its pledge in the given time; and further that it was about to take charge of a second district in the same manner. This plan of acting, begun in the United States, I was glad to find had extended to Canada, and it is truly a pleasing feature of Bible Societies.

The issues from the depository of the Society have been considerable. During the past year there have been circulated 1230 Bibles in English, and 2542 New Testaments in the same language, besides a few copies in French and Gaelic, the whole number of Bibles and Testaments issued being 3923. This is an encouraging distribution, and I understand that many calls for supplies principally of school Bibles and Testaments are expected during the present years. I believe too the friends of the cause suggested to me their fears of not being able to meet these demands as they could wish. I of course urged them to increased exertion that they might be able to meet all demands that might be made upon them, and intimated that the parent Society would not stand by coolly and see them worsted in this case, but still that exertion on their part was naturally to be expected. My communications with our friends at Montreal as related above were not continuous as I have given them but were interrupted by a visit I made to

Quebec.

The Society in this place has had various vicissitudes, but the state into which it is now come will I hope prove the best. I had a very pleasing meeting with the Committee, and entered into the general and particular concerns of our common object as I had done on the other occasions already referred to. I urged as usual the forming of associations in the various districts of the country, and recommended the division of Lower Canada between the Quebec and Montreal Societies, in regard to associations, as I had formerly recommended the repartition of Upper Canada between the Societies of York and Kingston. I mentioned to the Committee the noble example of Stanstead, one of the Montreal Society auxiliaries in undertaking the supplying all their district in a given time, and of their redeeming their engagement. Before our meeting closed the agreeable notice was communicated that one of their associations had just entered this noble career, which proved a piece of most agreeable news to us all.

Schools are rapidly forming in Lower Canada through the judicious encouragement of the government. 500 I believe were more have sprung up in about a year, and 100 more at expected to follow in succession. Bibles and Testaments will be greatly wanted for the schools, and hence heavy demands will be made on your auxiliaries in Quebec and Montreal, and I would suggest the propriety of your meeting these demands by placing more than common supplies of this class of Bibles and Testaments within their reach. These two Societies may not perhaps be able to anticipate payment for what they need, nor may they be able to pay you on the delivery of the books, but it were a pity notwithstanding that members should return from the depository unsupplied and with heavy hearts, having no other place to look to. Such discouragements are feared, and I am sure you will readily interpose to prevent them. What I have said of Quebec and Montreal, applies also to Upper Canada of which your two auxiliaries are York and Kingston.

Having fulfilled my object in visiting these Societies I returned to Montreal, from which place I could travel more easily to the South than from Quebec. I hope my conduct in visiting the Societies in Upper and Lower Canada will be approved by the Society. I have already mentioned my reasons for acting as I did, and shall be glad to learn that the Committee sees the subject in the light in which their agent viewed it. I trust the time spent in this work has not been lost, and that the visits made will be conducive to the general prosperity of these Societies and to that country. Little stirrings up from time to time prove often very beneficial to us, both as individual disciples of Christ, and as bodies combined together to advance the kingdom of our Lord. May the blessing of God follow these visits, and may his Holy Spirit be poured out on our fellow labourers in that quarter, that they may prove a great blessing throughout all that new and extensive country in which they are placed, and may their light so shine as to lead many to glorify our Father in heaven to whom in all things be the glory.

I left Montreal on the morning of the 25th current and arrived safely in this city on the night of the 28th. I have now accomplished a journey through the United States and Canada of about 3000 miles. Mrs. Thomson and myself have enjoyed uninterrupted good health, and have been preserved from every accident, during our long journey. We are now taking a rest in this city, and are contemplating the great and tender mercies of our God to us in this journey, and also in all our ups and downs, of prosperities and difficulties in Mexico. I trust we feel grateful to the Father of mercies and God of our salvation in reviewing all these things; and singly and unitedly we lift up our voices and our hearts in sweet acknowledgment of his gracious protection, guidance, and blessings. And O that the rest of our lives, influenced by these things, may be what it ought, pure and holy.

I have a wish as expressed to you before from Veracruz to visit a few of the large cities in this quarter of the United States. I expect to accomplish this little tour during the ensuing months, and to be ready to embark for London on the 1st October.

Ever counting on your prayers, and ever praying for you, I remain Very Sincerely Yours,

James Thomson.

Port au Prince, 10th June 1834

Rev A Brandram No.31

Port-au-Prince, 10 June 1834.

My dear Friend,

In my last I told you I was about to sail for Jacmel, and to proceed from thence to this city, the capital of Hayti. I reached Jacmel on the 5th ultimo, where I was detained about a week, and arrived here on the 14th following.

One of my objects in this city was to dispose of the remaining part of my stock of French Scriptures brought from Saint Domingo. The other, and the chief object, was to see the President, and to encourage him to introduce the Scriptures into the schools of the island, and among the soldiers, after the example of the French and the Prussians. I accordingly drew up a representation to him upon the subject, after consulting his secretary, and indirectly himself. I had afterwards an interview with him, at which he told me that he had carefully read over my representation, and fully approved of the objects pointed out in it, in regard to the supplying of the schools and the soldiers with the Holy Scriptures, and that his principal secretary would arrange with me as to the number of copies necessary for these purposes. I had offered him the Scriptures at a reduced rate for the use of the schools and the mili­tary, following your example with the government of France and with the Prussians. He begged me to thank you for your friendly assistance, and to say that he would have pleasure in co-operating with you in the benevolent purpose you are pursuing.

Subsequently, I conversed with the President's secretary, according to his suggestion, and the number fixed upon for the purposes mentioned, is 3000 New Testaments and 200 Bibles. These are to be all in the French language, and sent direct to the government. I have offered the New Testaments at a quarter of a Spanish dollar each and the Bibles that one Spanish dollar. Be so good therefore as get these packed up as soon as this comes to hand, and send them by the first ship sailing direct to this sport.

(It would be better I think to send the Bibles in cases of about 100 pounds weight, or not exceeding 150. The specimen of the New Testament I have shown to the president, and his secretary is the edition or impression you sent me to St. Thomas, and the Bible is the 12mo , both of Ostervald's translation. It would be well perhaps to include in the order some copies of your other editions also. You can address the cases G.I.H. and the consign them to Messrs. John Herne and Co., requesting them to receive for you from the Government on delivery of the books, 950 Spanish dollars, or their equivalent in Haytian currency.)

General Inginac, the President's chief secretary, tells me that the government would willingly lend its aid to the formation of a Bible Society here, and contribute also to extend such institutions over the island at some future day, when the Scriptures now ordered are come into circulation and use. Though, therefore, the supply now requested from you will be issued from your stores at a loss to the Society, yet there is a prospect of that loss being fully made up on a subsequent day, when a Bible Society shall be formed in this Capital, and Auxiliaries to it in other parts of the country, under the auspices of the government. But, important as it is for you to get a proper return for the books you issue, in order that your benevolence may extend the wider, and more early supply the whole world—the field of your labours—yet you will look forward, I am persuaded, to the formation of Bible Societies in Hayti, in reference to a more particular and interesting purpose. Nothing, you are aware, is so important in making the Scriptures to be spread and read as the forming the very people to be benefited into Bible Societies and Associations. If you are able, therefore, to get Societies formed here on a subsequent day (and may it be early!), you will make sure of the Scriptures spreading over the island, and also of their being pretty generally read. Means, too, in all probability, will be obtained by these Societies and Associations for effecting this desired cir­culation ; and perhaps, also, some aid will in due time be sent you from this island for your great general purposes. "Ainsi soit-il," you will say, in the language of this place; "and so be it, and soon be it," I would reply.

I would now suggest, with all deference and respect, as a means for bringing about these hoped-for objects, that a few lines should be written by Lord Bexley to the President of Hayti, recognising his kindness in procuring the circulation of the Scriptures in the schools, and among the military under his government; and at the same time hinting at further measures in this way; and particularly noticing the advantages that would arise to the island, directly and in various ways, by the formation in it of Bible Societies and Associations. Such a letter, from such a quarter, would, I am certain, be very well received, and would greatly tend to advance the object which Lord Bexley, I am sure, has much at heart.

You see by the preceding paragraph that I am apprised of the demise of him who has so long and so worthily headed your Society. He rests, I doubt not, with the Lord; and may we rest there, when our Saviour has served himself of us here below. I learned the death of Lord Teignmouth by the New Monthly Magazine, which I found in a friend's house on my arrival at Jacmel. That Lord Bexley would suc­ceed to Lord Teignmouth's place, was, I thought, a matter of course, as no other individual, of his rank and character, has taken so deep and practical an interest in the concerns of the Society. I have learned his election by the English newspapers just arrived in this city. It is thus in directly that I have obtained these notices, having received no letters from you since I left St. Thomas. In Jamaica I expect to find waiting for me at least two or three notes from your hand.

There is another subject respecting this island which I would now notice as bearing upon our concerns. The language is spoken in this end of Haiti is French; but proper or good French is spoken only by the better classes of society, whilst the great body of the people, both in the towns and in the country, speak a kind of Patois called here Creole French. I have endeavored to ascertain the difference between the pure French and this Creole dialect, and I find it is considerable, perhaps sufficiently great to justify you in procuring a translation into it of one of the Gospels, or even the whole New Testament. I have got the parable of the Prodigal Son translated into Creole to enable me to judge, and you can be furnished with this when the subject comes more immediately before you.

Your report for 1833 I have been looking for for several months past, and as you may suppose with some interest. It has at length come into my hands, and only in this city. I have found one copy here in the possession of the Rev. Mr. Baudry the Wesleyan missionary. I considered it a very providential circumstance to find it here, as it enabled me to present this document to the President along with my Representation; Mr. Baudry having kindly granted it to me for this purpose. Be so kind as to forward along with the books, a copy of your report for 1834 to the President, or accompanying the solicited letter, which would be preferably, and also a copy to General Inginac. I hope I shall find a supply of the report for 1833 waiting me in Jamaica; and begged you will forward to me there, as early as you can a proper supply of that for the present year.

Mr. Baudry whom I have noticed above, is connected with the Wesleyan Mission House, No.77 Hatton Garden. He has had copies of the Scriptures on sale here for some time, which were received from you either directly or in directly through Hatton Garden. He has sold a good many and has paid me some money for you to account, which will be duly noticed in my quarterly statement to the Finance Committee at the end of this month. He tells me that he remitted you through Hatton Garden, two sums, one of £6: 5: 6 on 6 March 1830, and the other of £3: 14: 3 on 30 September 1831. He has got no acknowledgment of receipt of these sums, and of course wished to know whether or not you received them. Be so good as notice this to Mr. Tarn, who I dare say will lose no time in supplying the notice requested.

Before I leave this island, I would beg you to send a case containing 50 large Spanish Bibles, no small ones, to the city of Santo Domingo. Consigned them to I.F. Dupons Esq. of that place, and desire him to sell them, or procure their sale, at three Haytian dollars each, and to advise you of the result, remitting the proceeds direct or through Thomas Lawrence Esq., an English Merchant established there.

I forgot to tell you in my last when writing from Santo Domingo, that the chief Ecclesiastic of that place was kind enough to introduce me into the only remaining Nunnery of that city. I took occasion at the interview to recommend to the mountains the study of the Scriptures, and offered to bring them a New Testament next day if it would be acceptable. As I concluded this recommendation and offer, I looked to my friend who had introduced me for his consent to what I had said and proposed. I obtained it, and consequently that of the Prioress and her family. I called next day accordingly and presented my New Testament, which was well received.

I have now finished my business in this Capital and island; I leave this city, therefore, in a day or two, to return to Jacmel, there to await the English packet to take me to Kingston, Jamaica.

Jamaica appears to me to be now close at hand, and, conse­quently, my thoughts often turn to it. I know the interest you and your associates feel in respect to that island, from what you formerly wrote me. Be assured I fully participate with you all on the subject. I hope a large and open field is being prepared for us there of the Lord. Kingston will first need to be cultivated, then the other towns in the island, and then the estates. I am rather sanguine in my expectations of Jamaica results in our cause and concern, and I hope and pray that they may be verified. You know I have already written to you for specific instructions as to the time I should spend there. I look for these on my arrival at the post-office in Kingston, and you may be sure to find me, in regard to them,-- Your Most Obedient Servant.

But, in the meantime, not overlooking Jamaica, but looking over it for a little, and beyond it, to Cuba, I think you had better send me to Jamaica, for the last-mentioned island, two cases of 50 large Spanish Bibles each, in addition to those already ordered. Either Cuba or Gua­temala will, I think, require these; and I should be sorry that our work were impeded or time lost through want of supplies at hand.

One paragraph more, my dear friend, will conclude this letter; it will chiefly bear upon yourself. Allow me to thank you most sincerely for your request at the annual meeting, and in the Report, of the prayers of all our friends in behalf of your poor agent in the West Indies. This is the greatest favour you could possibly have done me, and for which again I thank you, and most cordially and affectionately. I feel, in truth, a new help and a new strength from this circumstance: it comes to me like a new and large reinforcement to a giving-way army. Often have I prayed for you, my dear friend, individually, in return for this act of kind­ness; and I pray also for all who may have been stirred up to remember me at the Throne of Grace, the refuge of the weary and heavy laden; and such we must needs always be in forcing our way through this evil world into heaven. The Lord bless you, My dear Brother,—the Lord bless you all! Farewell.

                        James Thomson.

Mexico City, 28th October 1842

Rev A Brandram - No 125

Mexico 28th October 1842

My dear Friend,

Your letter of 20 July, with a note of 1 August, reached me here on the 19th September. It gives me great pleasure to learn the prosperity which God is still vouchsafing to you as a Society, and in spite of prophecies uttered or muttered among you to the contrary. The case of Dr. Haeberlin's recovery from such imminent danger is a subject of gratitude and instruction to us all. Oh that all of us may ever be good and faithful servants while we live, and thus be ever ready to die, to die unto the Lord, and be forever with him.

As yet no ship, nor books from England, has arrived since I came here. But some vessels are looked for very soon, and with one of them I doubt not your books will be. I long to put them on their trial for acceptance, but fear of our sales will not be rapid, for besides what stands in the way of this from the nature of our books and the circumstances of this country, that is another hindrance, namely, the general dullness of all sales of all things, from the general scarcity of money, owing to the distracted state of things here for some years past, and which kind of things, I am sorry to say, still continue. I think it not at all improbable that we shall have another revolution before this letter reaches you.

What has most occupied my thoughts and my attention since I came here, is the new version of which I wrote you. I am most anxious to get this introduced into the schools, and have made a Representation to the government to that effect, stating your readiness to cooperate in providing the books for schools at a very cheap rate, besides making a present of some at the outset to encourage the object. I expected to be able by this packet to have given you some account of the reception and success or failure of this Representation. But all the government people have been so occupied with their own immediate affairs of late as to have been hindered, it should seem, from attending to this. The bustle has been owing to Santa Anna's delivering the reins of government to General Bravo during the winter, that he may retire for rest and a warm climate to his family residence near Veracruz. He left this city yesterday for that place.

I feel doubly anxious about this Representation. Could the word of God be got into the schools all over this country, it would soon also come into the hands of all classes of the community both indirectly and directly. But there is another reason also why I feel anxious for the success of this representation, which is, that if the New Testament could be got into all the schools here by public sanction and encouragement, the same would act as a powerful example and stimulus to all the other States over Spanish America. May the Lord prosper this object to the hastening of his kingdom in this, and over all these lands. I ever count on the prayers of you all for success in all my little efforts, and pray the Lord to answer these your prayers, and my own feeble but as earnest supplications for a blessing on all my poor doings. We are nothing. Perhaps our prayers are something, for God has made them so. But it is God himself who worketh all in all, and to his name be the glory.

The other object, or rather the third one, of my solicitude here is, that of getting some portion of God's holy word into the hands of the Indians in their native tongues. The great body of the people in this country arc Indians, and they are of different nations and tongues. There are many schools among them, and a goodly number, all things considered, can read. A considerable portion of them can speak Spanish, and do speak it in the market-places, where they are required to do so in their business. But they are strongly attached to their own languages, and ever speak them among themselves. I hear these tongues daily spoken in the streets of this city as I move along, and observe the Indians speaking with one another. The two chief tongues spoken within the diocese of Mexico are what are called the Mexican, and the Otomi. One of the Gospels, you know, is already in the former of these dialects, and I long to hear about it from you and from Dr. Mora. Regarding the other, the Otomi, I am making efforts to get a fit translator, and have one in view. The advan­tage of getting the Scriptures into the Indian tongues is, I conceive, considerable; for although many of them, as already stated, speak Spanish, they will feel a peculiar pleasure in having the word of God in their own tongues, as was and is the case in the Highlands of Scotland, Wales, and Ireland. I request, therefore, your prayers for this object also. The Indians are all Christians nominally, and I fear most of them, as well as most here of all classes, nominally only. I look upon it that when the True Gospel begins to make way in this country, it will begin with the Indians, similar to the Gospel progress in the West Indies. The Slaves were first awakened; and through the black and slave population, the whites and other free people were at length led to a greater attention to religion. Thus does God choose the weak things of this world, and things that are despised, to bring to nought all the proud thoughts and gloryings of men. Let us not glory in our work, though most sacred and holy as it truly is, but let us glory only in the Lord.

Please to remember the poor solitary, you who live in the city of God.

            I am, My Brother, Ever Affectionately Yours,

                                    James Thomson.

Mexico City, 24th November 1842

Rev A Brandram No 126

Mexico 24th November 1842

My Dear Friend,

I understand that the mail sent from this city to Veracruz for the last packet was too late, and consequently it is lying there still, and will go with the present steamer. You will therefore get my last letter and this one at one time. You will not be much burdened however with an appendix in the shape of the present note, as I have little to say, being sorry to inform you that my business and prospects are apparently in statu quo, though I hope they have moved onward somewhat, yet not very visibly.

Three weeks ago I saw the Secretary of State to whom I gave in my Representation about the use of the New Testament of the Mexican version into the schools here, and of which I informed you. He said he would send me an official answer to morrow. After waiting a very reasonable time, or rather an unreasonable time, I inquired again, it being on a Saturday, and I was informed that without fail I should have a reply on the Monday following. However neither the to morrow nor the Monday has come, though they are both fully gone by, and I am still without an answer. I mention these things that you may see how we get on here, or rather are hindered from getting on, and to apprise you not to measure work done by time in this country, as the latter may be long enough, and the former little. – Notwithstanding however this delay, which is much the routine of things in Mexico, I still expect an answer to my representation, and before very long, and I have hopes of a somewhat favourable one. The Secretary told me that he had spoken with General Bravo the President, laying my Representation before him, and that he, as also himself, thought well of it. The only serious difficulty will be in Ecclesiastical one. I pray God that it may be surmounted.

I mentioned in my Letter 124 what had been done here in the way of Bible circulation through the versions of Torres Amat and Vence. I have since learned something additional on this score. In edition of Scio was also published in the city, and by subscription, the number of names on the list being about 1300. This edition was published in numbers, in all 77, at one dollar each. This Bible was printed about the same time with the Mexican version of Vence, and the one perhaps rather hindered the success of the other, whilst the Revolution that occurred during their publication injured them both, and considerably.

The issue of these three different Bibles here in the course of a few years, and the extent of sale they had, and that such high prices, all show what attention this Sacred Book has obtained in the country. Let us pray that it may obtain an increased attention in every way.

When I mentioned the French Bible of Vence in my Letter 124, and hoped some of your friends would make you a present of this valuable work, I had not the title at hand to give you. I now have it, and it is as follows: –"Sainte Bible en Latin et en Français, avec des Notes litterales, critiques, et historiques des prefaces, et des dissertaciones: Tirée du commentaire de dom. Augustin Calmet, Abbé de Senones, de l'Abbé de Vence, y des auteurs les plus celebres, pour faciliter l'intelligence de l'Ecriture Sainte: A Paris 1822." There are 25 vols in 8vo with a large folio volume of Plates.

Mr. Jackson's letter of the 31st of August came to hand on the 4th instant, and I thank him for his clear and full account of Dr. Mora's sales etc. here, about which I had inquired.

By the first of October Packet I have had no letter.

            I remain, My Dear Friend, Very Truly Yours,

                                                            James Thomson.

Mexico City, 24th December 1842

Rev A Brandram -- No 127

Mexico 24th December 1842

My Dear Friend.

In my last I told you of the statu-quo in which we were here in regard to the Representation I made to the Government of your readiness to aid in preparing an edition and a supply of the Mexican version of Vence's New Testament for the general use of the public schools. I am sorry to say that this statu-quo still remains, and that up to this date I have no official reply to my Representation. But there is, in one sense, a better reason or cause for the delay this time than during the former months. In my letter of the 28th October I signified that it was not at all improbable but that we might have, another added to our many Revolutions before that letter should reach you. If that letter by this date, the 24th December, is not yet in your hands, my prophecy has turned out true, for our Revolution has taken place: it occurred on the 19th instant. It is pretty general over the country, and done by the Military, all of whom, fortunately for peace and safety, are on one side, so that we have had this time no fighting, nor, I suppose, are likely to have. A military government, we are now to be under for some time, with Santa Anna at its head. A sort of Assembly or Convention will be got up by the same parties who have wrought this change, and such as will make some sort of Constitution as will suit themselves; and so we shall be till some other Revolution shall follow. The Congress has been sitting for several months making the Constitution. But on the 19th the soldiers closed their doors, and sent all the members about their business, their Constitution and all. Thus then we are: and this is the cause, I may say, at present, of our statu-quo; for the members of government have had, as you may well suppose, other work to do than attend to the petition and representation of an individual, and a foreigner into the bargain, and upon the subject of schools and the New Testament, when they were so busily engaged in patriotic efforts for the good of the country; for the whole of this affair has, nobody doubts, being manoeuvred by the Government, through their more immediate subjects, the military.

But your question and mine is, How is this fresh revolution likely to affect our concerns in this country? I would say in reply, that the change bodes to be in our favour. All the parties in the government are friendly to education, and well disposed, I believe, to the substance of my Representation. Time will show results and we must have a little or a long patience, considering the materials and the country in question. Prayer will hasten our movements, and I hope prosper and succeed them. There are certain rules of etiquette and propriety that prevent me from calling at the Palace and on the Government here every day, or very frequently, in order to urge my object. But, blessed be God, the Palace of Heaven is ever open, and no rules and regulations bar or hinder our continued and incessant application to that Court, and the Throne of Grace within it, there to urge our object with every importunity and fervour. Whilst therefore we cannot always press our claims with earthly governments, we can press them always with the Heavenly Government, even with the King of Kings: and to Him then let us continually apply: and in due time, I trust, our urgings and importunities will be turned into thanksgiving and praise.

The next subject is that of the Indian languages in this country, and translations of the Scriptures into them. Here we have got beyond the statu-quo, and have made some advance. I wrote to the Bishop of Michoacán some weeks ago, availing myself of the introduction of a friend whom I have long known, and who when one of the Secretaries of State here in former years, had no small part in the election of this and some other of the Bishops. I represented to the Bishop of Michoacán my desire to procure a version of the Gospel by St. Luke into the Tarasco tongue, which is very extensively spoken over his diocese. I have had a very friendly letter from him in reply to mine, in which he shows his willingness to procure this version, and he says he has some Parish Priests under his care who could manage it, being well acquainted with that language. I have written to him, the second time, begging him at once to proceed and stating some rules necessary to be attended to in making the version. In my first letter I intimated to the Bishop, that in the event of his procuring for me this version, I wished to print it, along with the Spanish on parallel pages or columns; and I signified that I would count on his giving the due ecclesiastical license for this impression. His reply, and his entering on the work intimated his readiness to grant the license and this is no small matter, for the greatest fear and difficulty in the case was in regard to such a license. Dr. Mora could not obtain it for the Mexican Gospel and therefore he sent it to you to print; but still its open circulation is doubtful because of the want of this ecclesiastical license. By one Bishop acting favourably in this matter, the way will be opened for others to act in the same manner.

Further, on the same concern, regarding the Indian languages and versions. Availing myself of the same friend to introduce me by letter, I have written to the Bishop of Oaxaca regarding the two chief languages spoken in his diocese and a version into each of them of the same Gospel, that of St. Luke. I wait in prayer, with hope and fears, the result of this application.

Thirdly, and not least on the subject. Some steps had been taken in regard to the language spoken in Yucatán, called the Mayo. The late Governor of that place is now in this city, in consequence of the secession of that state from the general Mexican Republic. I have had a good deal of conversation with him in regard to the language, and a version of one of the Gospels into it. He has given me much interesting and useful information as to the language, and the extent to which it is spoken, as also regarding the character of the people, and the general circumstances of the place. The population of the Peninsula of Yucatán is, he says, about 600,000, and the whole of these speak this language, and no other with the single exception of the town of Campeche, containing some 7,000 inhabitants. To the great body in Yucatán speaking this language are to be added the principal portion also of the inhabitants of Tabasco: the whole number of people therefore in daily use of this, and of no other, approaches well on towards one million. This subject and people and tongue are rendered the more interesting on account of the independence declared in Yucatán, and the religious liberty which is provided for in the new Constitution. From the information I have had from the Governor, I have no doubt but the people will be able to maintain their independence against all the power of Mexico. The feelings and interests of the Indians themselves are all personally and deeply involved in the matter, and they have fully entered into the struggle on their own account and advantages, and not in obedience to a few military rulers. It was an army of Indians that first broke the Spanish power. The Bishop of Yucatán as a brother of this ex-governor of whom I speak, and I have availed myself of an introduction from him to the Bishop, together with the aid of my formerly mentioned friend, and have addressed myself to him after a similar manner as to the Bishops of  Michoacán and Oaxaca. But a longish time will be required for an answer, partly owing to the distance, but chiefly from the close warfare now waged from this place against Yucatán. In the meantime I am getting information and further notices regarding the language and people of that Peninsula, from the ex-governor and other natives of the place now residing in this city.

Lastly, as respects the Indian languages. I have at length found a person able and willing to translate one of the Gospels into the Otomí, a tongue very extensively spoken in the two large dioceses of Mexico and Puebla, and which is very peculiar in its structure, resembling, as some suppose, the Chinese.

These three languages especially named, the Otomí, Tarasco, and Mayo, together with the Mexican as chief, are the four languages most extensively spoken in this country. The next to them, I believe, are the two principal languages of Oaxaca, called the Zapoteco and Mizteco. In one of these we have a translation of one of the Gospels, namely the Mexican, and steps have been taken, you will observe, for accomplishing the same in regard to the other five. By the way, if you have an opportunity, and as soon as you can, I could wish you to send me one copy of the Mexican version at least, and more, if you have plenty. I notice this, lest I should not early hear from Dr. Mora in regard to those sent him. Fuller and more particular information of the Mexican languages I hope to give you on a future occasion, as I intend to inquire especially into the subject, and to make a language map of the whole country.

            I remain, My Dear Friend,

                        Very Truly Yours

                                    James Thomson.

P.S. A Mexican gentleman has requested me to inquire whether Michaelis's Introduction to the New Testament can be got in London in Latin. Please inquire and inform me.

Please notify to Mr. Hitchin that I have drawn a Bill on my Private  Account for £50, in favour of Dickson, Gordon & Co. at 60 days, dated the 19th instant.

I said in my last that I had no letter by that packet: but afterwards I got one.

Mexico City, 24th January 1843

Rev A Brandram  No.128

Mexico 24th January 1843

My Dear Friend,

Since my last to you I have received Mr. Jackson's note and Invoice of Books dated the 24th September. This sheet came into my hands on the 4th instant, and by next post I wrote to Veracruz regarding the disposal of the books, directing that one case should be put into a Bookseller's hands in that place, with whom I spoke on the subject when there. Two cases are to be sent here, and two to lie till further advice.

Our Packet of this month has brought no English letters, and consequently I have none from you, or others in your quarter. She waited at St. Thomas's two days, we understand, for the Packet from England, and then judging it improper to wait longer, came off though without the English mail.

I am not yet able to write you of success in regard to one branch of our operations here, and that certainly not the least, I mean the getting the New Testament into the schools. Still I have hopes of success, and still also I have fears. Our Government here is, you may be sure, busily enough engaged in political affairs, and so as to have a good enough excuse in one sense for neglecting private matters, and such mine I suppose is counted. However I have taken a new tack now, and him sailing on a new course, and have hopes of gaining our port sooner and better than by the former one. Not many days after I sent my Representation to the Government an Ordinance was published on the subject of General Elementary Education over the country, and the whole management of this important concern was entrusted to the Lancasterian Society of this city. The Society mentioned is very much like that of the B & F School Society, or the National School Society with you. This institution is established on a very good footing here, and all the warm friends of general instruction are connected with it, and their measures are very active, and their progress is considerable. The Government lends the Society all its aid, and most cordially. This Body has the arrangements in its hands as to all books to be used in the schools. Through acquaintances connected with this Establishment, I have been made a member of the same, and have a seat and a vote at all their meetings. I have presented my Representation to the body, and it has been very favourably received. We have however still to run the Ecclesiastical Gauntlet, as the law has established that all books on religion to be printed and used in the country must have a previous Ecclesiastical Permit. The Members of the Education Society mentioned intend to use their wisest and best efforts in order to get the necessary license for the use of the New Testament in their schools. In case of success they will gladly avail themselves of your friendly aid, under orders will be thousands upon thousands when once the door is open: – and Oh may God open this door, and widely and effectually, that his own word of truth and life may come as a flood of light into all the schools of this populous country, and then also in directly, and in due time effectually, into every house and family. I feel, as you may be sure, deeply anxious on the subject, and pray without ceasing concerning it. And further, as an object of increased interest in this matter, and as formerly noticed to you, – our success here will be success to us likewise, I may say, over all Spanish America. I do hope that you and all with you have been helping us, and constantly both in your closets and families, and in your hearts if not with your lips elsewhere also. Our hand work is mechanical, our prayers are spiritual, and mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds.

I have had a favourable reply to my letter to the Bishop of Oaxaca. By next post I write to the Bishop of Sonora, having obtained an introduction to him from one of the active members of our Lancasterian Society who is a particular friend of the Bishop's. The same individual kindly helped me by an additional recommendation to the Bishop of Yucatán.

I have in two or three of my letters since I arrived here on the present occasion given you some favourable statements as to a general interest in this country in regard to the holy Scriptures, and an increased diffusion of them in different forms, versions, and editions. I close this letter with an additional note on this subject. The late Archbishop of this city when he left this on return to Spain bought some 200 copies of Torres Amat's version (in nine volumes), and sent them as presents to his late clergy all over this diocese. All this will bring the Scriptures into more notice, and eventually lead to the more general use of your unnoted and cheap Bibles.

Let us hope then and pray, and pray and hope, trusting in God who reigneth and ruleth all, and everywhere, through our Lord Jesus Christ.

            I remain, My Dear Friend,

                        Very Truly Yours,

                                    James Thomson.

Mexico City, 23rd February 1843

Rev A Brandram  No.129

Mexico 23rd February 1843

My Dear Sir,

In my last I mentioned that our Packet brought no English letters, and consequently no letter from you. The mail however was afterwards forwarded from St. Thomas by a hired vessel, which reached of Veracruz on the 27th ultimo, and your letter of the 2nd December came into my hands on the 30th and also Mr. Jackson's dated the 30th November. The mail by last month's Packet reached the city on the 13th instant, and brought me the Bible Society Reporter, but no letters from any in your house where contained in the letter-packet received.

My business here in two of its important branches, namely, as respects the getting of the New Testament into the schools, and the providing the word of God for the poor Indians, is now brought to a point, and I am sorry to say the termination is unfavourable. The Lancasterian Society which received my Representation so favourably, has been obliged to decline the offer made of your assistance in an edition of the New Testament without notes for the use of their schools, and this owing to the Ecclesiastical opposition manifested in the case. This door then, about which I felt so anxious, is for the present shut. I have done everything I could think of to succeed in this important object, and am grieved at its failure. But there is One that openeth, and no man man shutteth; and may he soon and effectually open this country for his own word as it came from himself; and he will in due time open, and no man shall shut after him.

On the other hand, and previous to this discouragement, I received a letter from the Bishop of Michoacan declining to do what he had before tacitly at least consented to, namely, the giving his license to publish a portion of the Scripture in the Indian tongues. This refusal effectually shuts this door, as the Bishop in question is decidedly the most liberal of all the Bishops in this country, so that his refusal makes sure that all will refuse.

The third and only other branch of our business here is the circulation of the Scriptures you have forwarded. I am sorry to say these are not yet arrived in this city. In shipping the Books there should have been a document procured from the Mexican Consul, and forwarded with the bill of lading. This it seems was not done, for no such document reached Veracruz. The Books were therefore detained, and I had to make application to the Government here to overlook this omission, and to permit the Books to be taken out of the Customs House. This has been granted, and the Books are now about to leave Veracruz for this place. In regard to future shipments it would be well to apprise your agent at Liverpool of the necessity of procuring in forwarding this consular document.

By the above mentioned negatives and failures my way in Providence is made clear as to this country, namely, for my leaving it soon. I wish it had cleared up in the opposite direction, but the will of the Lord be done. There is a time for every purpose under the sun, and the time will undoubtedly come when the word of the Lord will have perfectly free course in this country as it is with you. May the Lord hasten that time: and surely our prayers for this country will not be all cast away and forgotten. But I had hoped also that we should have done something here in regard to getting the Scriptures into the schools, and getting translations for the Indians that would have had a powerful effect as an example on all the other countries of South America. But this hope you see is blasted with the other, and so I will proceed to these other countries downcast rather than animated in regard to our work.

Whither now shall I go, and what arrangements shall I make, in order that our labour in the Lord may be as little in vain as possible? I think of going first to the Havana, then afterwards to Yucatán, if it is not inaccessible through the present hot war there, and then onwards to Guatemala. After leaving Guatemala, if the Lord will I should I should live, I would be for making my way in the best manner to Panamá. And from Panamá I would visit the countries and towns lying on the Pacific Ocean. From Peru I have had thoughts of descending the Amazon River to Pará in Brazil, and then visiting the large Brazil towns on the Atlantic Ocean, and thence going on Southward to Monte Video and Buenos Ayres. I give you this sketch that you may reform or alter it as you please; or that you may cut short the course mentioned, and send me, if you will, to China, direct westward across the Pacific. Your way is my way, and may yours be the Lord's.

I go to the Havana in order to see how our work goes on there, and to try to forward it, and also I may say from necessity, because I cannot in the present state of the war get from Veracruz to Yucatán. I am aware that I run some risk of imprisonment in the Havana, according to the order issued against me in 1837. But from the change of the Governor and other circumstances I may probably not be troubled, and on the other hand, I know not any just charge they can bring against me. Nevertheless I should be glad that you would procure for me a letter from the Foreign Office to our Consul there, in case I should stand in need of special British protection. This letter which I now write will reach you most probably about or before the middle of April, and I beg you will write me by the first of May Packet to the care of the British Consul in the Havana, enclosing the letter referred to from the Foreign Office. I shall sail from Veracruz in the Packet, say on the 26th May, and so as to be in the Havana probably on the last day of the month, about which time, or a day or two later your letter referred to may be there: and I judge it prudent not to be there long before your letter arrive. Some little time will be lost here by this delay, but I do not see well how I could arrange better. A sort of compensation will be made for this retardation by my quicker movements afterwards. It will be some weeks yet before the Books arrive from Veracruz, and two or three weeks more will be required here to make full arrangements for continued sales, so that the real loss of time will be only about a month.

In order to meet the quicker movements referred to, and that the most may be done with the least loss of time, it would be desirable to have supplies of the Scriptures waiting me on my arrival in the several places I may touch at on the course pointed out. As to the quantities and kinds to be sent to each place you must form your best judgment, and the kinds and proportional numbers of each in the supply lately sent here may perhaps aid you in your apportionings. I think then you should send without delay to Panamá, Guayaquil, and Lima. You will do your best to find out proper consignees for these shipments, and will be so good as early to apprise me of the names of said persons, together with giving me copies of the Invoices. Places beyond Lima can be afterwards arranged for. There are some cases of Spanish Scriptures in Jamaica, I believe, sent there from Carthagena by Mr. Watts. I shall write to Kingston to have these forwarded to Belize. I know not whether I shall visit Carthagena, but when in the Havana I shall judge that, and I may perhaps cross Jamaica in order to sail from Kingston to that place.

Through means of Mr. Jackson's letter I have at length found out the Mexican Gospel of St. Luke which you printed and sent here. Some of these I have disposed off, and shall distribute the whole in the best way I can before I leave the country. I have had no letter as yet from Dr. Mora, and I am still ignorant as to who is the translator.

I cannot close this letter without joining in thanksgivings and congratulations with you for the grand opening which God has granted to Britain and to the Gospel into the Great and Populous Empire of China. May God give all of you....

(final part of letter missing in archives)

Mérida, 19th February 1844

Rev A Brandram No 140

Mérida, 19 February 1844

My Dear Friend,

Another portion of time has elapsed, and rather more than usual, since I last wrote you; and during the same, some good and some evil has occurred as to our cause: but do good is most, and the evil too we expect will prove a good.

I announced to you peace between Mexico and Yucatan, and in doing so little dreamed that this was a signal for war against us. Yucatán, by this peace, has lost its religious liberty, which it had established in its new constitution; and the Bishop took occasion from this to oppose the general use of our books. This opposition has been met in a spirited manner by some persons of standing here, and the subject has been freely discussed through the press, by which we expect that much light will be diffused regarding the Scriptures, and that an interest will be awakened for reading them. Both these were necessary in this place of slumbering and sleeping; and thus we believe that the evil which has arisen will really prove a good, and an extensive one. Of this sleeping and deadness in regard to the Holy Scriptures, I may give you a striking instance, and which only came to my knowledge to-day. A parochial priest in this city, attached to the cathedral, had never seen a Bible in Spanish till the other day, and did not even know that there ever had been a Spanish translation of it published. He now has one of your Bibles in his possession, and is much pleased with it. My informant also stated, that this priest was about as ignorant regarding the Latin Bible as the Spanish one, and that all he had or knew as the Bible was his missal. Through this controversy, and the press, what the Bible is, that it has come to this land, and that it is a high duty to read it, will be very generally diffused.

I felt anxious to get the New Testament introduced into the schools here, and a providential circumstance afforded an opening for the attempt. You will recollect, perhaps, that in the month of May, 1841, I met with a Yucatán gentleman, in the steam-boat from Albany to New York. Who should be elected first Alcalde, alias mayor, of this city, in the end of December last, but this very gentleman? Through him I made the proposal, and he introduced the subject into the city council, advocated it, and carried it. An order has, in consequence, been communicated to me for 200 Testaments.

This was the subject which awakened the Bishop. As soon as he learned the matter, he spoke against it, and indicated his purpose of frustrating it. He sent a message to the Alcalde to this effect, and he intimated to the Secretary of State, in conversation, that he would or might have to apply to the Government to sustain his object and enforce it. I spoke to the Governor, to know what were his intentions in regard to the matter, and he gave a most decided negative as to any aid being afforded to the Bishop in his purposes by the Government. On succeeding opportunities, I renewed the subject, and found him firm in his intention. The Governor's disposition on this point may be seen, and pretty clearly, by the fact, that the gentleman who has started up as our chief defender is the Governor's son-in-law, and living in the same house with him. This gentleman has rendered us a willing and an effectual service, and for which I pray that God may bless him and all his house. He is a member of the Government (or, as we should say, Privy Council), and has a high literary standing in the country.

A law was made by Congress here lately in favour of general ele­mentary instruction, and the carrying of it into effect was committed to a Board of Education. One of the members of this Board died since I came, and our friend, as I may well style him, Mr. Calero, was elected in his place. Through him I made application to the Board as to our New Testaments, and 1,000 copies have been ordered.

When the Bishop began his opposition, and some of its immediate effects were perceived, we were struck with a sort of panic, and it was judged necessary to counter-order one-half of the supply we had requested from you for general sale. This was the reason of the note in Mr. Jackson's letter of the 27th ultimo. Our affairs now look better, and will be bettered, I am sure, by all that has taken place. Still, however, it will be more judicious to send only half the quantity ordered, until you have a communication as to sending the rest.

These 200 Testaments to the City Council, and the 1,000 to the Board of Education, are the duodecimo brevier size, and of Scio's version, bound in sheep. The price at which they are sold is a quarter of a dollar each copy; but I have intimated that a further supply to the same amount will be sent to the two parties free of charge, after you shall hear from them of the arrival of the books, the payment, and their being put to the intended use. The number of copies thus purchased is therefore, in effect, 2,400, and the price is one rial; this is about a third of the value at which they are priced in your list, and they are therefore afforded by you to this country on terms similar to those at which you supplied, many years ago, the French Government with 40,000 copies. I consider our bargain good in the view of our general object, and I shall be very glad to make many such contracts in my movements, and believe you also will be so.

You will be pleased to forward these two orders separately, with distinct invoices to Mr. Calero. The case with the 200 to be marked R.A.M., and the other R.J.E.

Since my last letter was written I have got acquainted with a black­smith here, who promises to be of essential service to us, and you your­selves have prepared him for the same. This man travels through the country very extensively, selling blacksmith's implements, through which occupation he creditably supports a numerous family. In his travellings he purchased one of your Bibles for six dollars, of the first edition with the Apocrypha and all in one of the towns towards Belize, from whence the Bible intermediately came. This was several years ago. He has read this Bible carefully, and has a very extensive knowledge of its contents, and quotes it, and long passages too, very readily. He is all alive to the object proposed to him of circu­lating our books as he moves along in his general employment, and the opposition shown to the Bible has inspired him with new fire in favour of diffusing it widely over all the country. When your books arrive, this man will be supplied with portions, from time to time, by Mr. Calero, and will account to him for the sales. This useful coadjutor and colporteur was introduced to me by a Friar, who is a warm friend to our objects, and has taken a decided stand on our side. Another Friar, who lives in the interior of the country, but whose acquaintance I made in this city, will take charge of sales of our books in the place where he resides.

I send you a copy of the newspaper issued the other day, and which is almost entirely devoted to our cause. The first article is my little tract which our friends judged suitable to be published on the location. The second is entitled "Lectura de la Sagrada Biblia", and is by the gentleman referred to. The editorial, which enters largely into the subject, is by our friend Calero, who is the editor of the paper, the paper of our opponents is enclosed. I send you also the newspaper which contains the initiation of the controversy; and also one containing an article in part on our general subject, and which was first published in Mexico, but of which I did not, I believe, send you a copy. In this is contained a copy of my offer of New Testaments for the schools. You will see the subject favourably noticed in the Editorial.

I would have left this for Belize before now, but the opposition raised, and the controversy begun detained me. I do not write myself, but I furnish materials and arguments to help others the best way I can.

I am still without any letters from England.

                        I am ever, My Dear Friend, Very Truly Yours,

                                                                        James Thomson.