Madrid, 17th August 1847

Rev A Brandram No.2

Madrid 17th August 1847

My Dear Friend,

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

            My Dear Friend, Yours Very Truly,

                                    James Thomson.

Cadiz, 22nd December 1847 - 2

Rev A Brandram No.10

Cadiz 22nd December 1847

My Dear Friend,

Two days ago, when forwarding my letter of the 15th hastily, by the Oriental Steamer which touched at Gibraltar on her way home, I wrote you a very brief note. I mentioned my regret at the non-arrival of the Books I had requested in my letter to Mr. Hitchin of the 10th November, and had begged that they might be sent early. My surprise at their not coming is increased by my receiving no word about them whatever, nor have I any other notification of the letter mentioned having arrived. My letter I judged, would be in London, in the usual course on the 24th or 25th of November and thus there was time, if not for the books to be sent by the Packet of the 27th at least that I might hear by that Packet something about them. At all events, the Packet of the 3rd or of the 7th December might have brought the books, or a letter. But neither books nor letter came, and to my great disappointment regarding the books, as I shall presently explain.

I cannot imagine that my letter to Mr.Hitchin did not reach in safety, but least any mishap has befallen it, I here copy it.

"Gibraltar 10th November 1847.

My Dear Sir,

   I write to advise a Bill drawn this day on my Travelling Account, for Fifty Pounds, in favour of Messrs. Robert Weir & Co. of this place, at Thirty days sight.

   The case of Arabic Bibles arrived here on the 4th instant, the same day on which I reached this. I am sorry to observe that there are no Spanish Jewish New Testaments.

   Mr. Brandram's letter of the 2nd came to hand yesterday, and this morning I wrote to Madrid respecting the notice to the Spanish consul in London.

   Please say to Mr. Brandram, that I could wish sent here, and as early as can be, 50 Spanish Bibles 8vo, 50 ditto 12mo, 100 Spanish New Testaments 12mo and 100 ditto 32mo in the usual bindings, all lettered. These to be put up in four cases, each having the same quantities of different kinds, as nearly as can be.

   I have learned here that you do not favour our Gibraltar friends with the Reporter. Please to send three copies, to Rev. Thomas Dove, Rev. William Strachan, and W. G. Bracebridge Esq.

   I am about to start for Tangier, and this letter I leave to be forwarded by the first packet.

   Letters will be in time for me here on my return, if sent by the next mail after this arrives.

   I should like much to know, and early, the exact cost to the Society of the Spanish N.T. 12mo and the printing,  paper, and binding separately if it can be given.

   Believe me, Yours Truly,

               James Thomson.

P.S. Please to send me, and to this place, two dozen penny P.O. heads, one dozen twopenny ones, and half a dozen 10d. ones, if there are such. 1/- ones will not suit."

_____________________________________________

The Books in question which I had wished to be sent to Gibraltar, I intended to bring from thence to Cadiz, as I have two friends here, through whom I confidently expected I should get them landed safely. One of these friends is a Chief Officer in the Custom House, and the other is a person of more power still to serve me, namely, the head political authority of the city and district. Having this expectation, and much needing the Books, and under all the difficulties we have of entering them into the country, I cannot tell you how much I am grieved at their not coming. My regret is, of course, increased by the impossibility now of remedying the misfortune. But I would say, let the Books still be sent, and to Gibraltar, as they are there needed, or soon will be so.

Perhaps you will be kind enough to let me hear from you early as to how this matter stands. Write to Madrid, as Mrs. Thomson will receive and forward your letter to the place in which I may be when it comes, and which she always knows. In this notice regarding the mode of sending letters, you will please keep in mind at all times during my travelling in Spain.

I turn now to a pleasanter subject. In Mr. Hitchin's letter you will see that I have said, – "This morning I wrote to Madrid respecting the notice to the Spanish Consul in London." In your letter of the 2nd November you mentioned the steps you have taken in regard to the Royal Licence obtained to send six cases of books direct to Madrid, and I admired the wisdom with which you managed all. I wondered at your disappointment, and could not well account for it, as I had been assured that all required in the case had been done, and that the way was plain for the books to come. I was given to understand that one of the measures necessary was that of advising the Spanish Consul in London regarding the matter, and I was told that this was to be done on the 12th. When about to do it however, I suppose, they found out that it was not necessary nor customary to do so, but only to apprise the authorities at the port of entrance.

On my arrival in this city I found a letter awaiting me at the post office from the Under Secretary of the Hacienda, or Finance, to whom I had written as above stated to Mr. Hitchin, informing him of what you had told me. I was longer in Africa than I had at all expected, God having opened a door there, which I trust will not shut, but open wider and wider, and become great and effectual. My delay there hindered my getting the letter in reply sent by the Secretary earlier, as I had requested it to be sent to Cadiz, where before long I expected to be.

I now forward that letter to you, that you may see how things stand. You can, it seems, obtain the proper certificate from the Spanish Consul without such communication, as we supposed, being sent to him. But should any hesitancy arise in the case, this letter being shown him will remove all obstacles. And please to keep the letter in your own possession, that it may serve on a future similar occasion, which may occur, and soon, and frequently.

In shipping the cases it will be necessary to desire the Broker specially to inform the Consignee in Santander, that the notice of the Royal Order is in the hands of the Intendente, as you will see by the letter enclosed.

The Set of Versions for Mr. La Serna and the University of Madrid, which have not been called for, as Mr. Jackson informs me by a note in your said letter of 2nd November, will suit nicely as a ground for requesting another Royal Order, and under cover of it we can get some more Bibles and Testaments into the country, and to the capital. I shall see about this when I reach Madrid.

            I remain, My Dear Friend,

                        Yours Very Truly,

                                    James Thomson.

Madrid, 27th October 1848

Rev A Brandram No.24

Madrid, 27th October 1848

My Dear Friend,

Your letter of the 9th inst. came duly to hand, as did also its precursor of the 18th of September. The former date inclined me to the understanding that I should soon leave this city and country, and the latter found me, in consequence, placing a Stone and an Inscription over Remains dear and affecting to my remembrance, and enhanced perhaps by the thought that I should soon take the last look at that sacred spot until the Lord come.

Your Resolution for my remaining is, we ought to think, of God, and the result of our prayers for his heavenly direction. We may, and I hope shall, seeing this idea justified in visible results. But yet God works often without showing us what he is doing.

I feel, I assure you, greatly thankful to God, and most kindly towards yourself and all the Committee, for the very friendly and favourable manner in which you have spoken of my poor movements and labours in this wilderness. Also, I feel in a similar way, as to your leaving me without any special directions, in the confidence, as you kindly say, that I "will do the very best that circumstances will admit of." It is my earnest prayer to God every day, and more than daily, that he would enable me so to do. I have also, I doubt not, your continued help in prayer. This is all we earthen, and earthly vessels can do. God only is the worker, and the producer of results.

I am glad, at such a time as this, to be able to give you a little encouragement. Soon after my reaching this city I learned that the subject of Religious Liberty had just been debated and advocated extensively in the two leading daily newspapers published here. One was for, and the other of course against this great act of Justice, Wisdom, and Good Policy. But the opposition was the means leading the advocate of the measure to fuller statements on the subject than otherwise he would have given. In these articles and defence of Religious Liberty there is an openness, a fullness, and the launching out into the subject, and I may add a compromise of the political party concerned, such as have never been seen or read before in this country.

I rejoice in these articles, and give thanks to God for them; and begin to think, that the night is far spent with us, and that our Spanish Bible day is near at hand. I have made it my business to see, and through suitable introductions, the writer of these articles, who is the chief Editor and Proprietor of the Journal. I have signified to him how honourable to himself these articles are, and how useful to this country, and have a gratifying they will prove to all truly enlightened people in England and other foreign countries, intimating to him at the same time, that I had taken measures for their being translated into English, and published in a London newspaper. I have grounds to believe that my visit and communications were acceptable, and may prove useful. This is one of the little ways I which perhaps I follow up my mission, and do as I can. – The newspapers containing the articles in question I have sent to England, and they will be translated by Mr. Rule, and printed in The Christian Times, a lately started Weekly Paper which you can see.

As to a plan and purposes of operations I have as yet formed none, but shall only apprise you of such when projected. In the meantime I have lost little as to travelling in the coming to this city, as our weather is singularly unfavourable. For more than a month past we have had quite winter weather, everybody fully wrapped up in their cloaks in the streets, frequent rains, a low thermometer, and even some frost and snow. This premature winter is noticed in all our journals.

I have, since my return to Madrid got acquainted with a Bible priest, rather a phenomenon in this country. But yet I believe there are many such in Spain. At present we cannot see them, but Religious Liberty will bring them out, and they will be our coadjutors. This Priest is a Bible man in two senses, for not only is he favourable to the diffusion and use of the Scriptures, but he is also a learned man in the original of the Old Testament. He is Professor of Hebrew in the University of Madrid, and has read the Hebrew Scriptures for 20 years. He some time ago finished a translation of the book of Psalms, on which he was occupied more or less for 13 years. This translation is now in my hands, and is entirely at your disposal. I have looked into this work with some attention, and with much interest. I like it much. It is close, clear, and elegant. It is accompanied by some notes by way of justifying the renderings he has given and in these the Vulgate is handled very freely, and with no deference to it.

When we have Religious Liberty in Spain, the appearance of this work in print will form quite an era in Spanish Biblical Criticism and advanced translation. It is necessary that it should first appear with the justifying notes, but afterwards you could print the text alone, and you would have the author's fullest consent for the same. – Before I leave this Bible and Biblical Spanish priest I must add of him, that he is perhaps the most advanced man in favor of Religious Liberty in Spain; and he is not a private friend to it merely, as some are, but an open bold advocate and herald of it. He was a member of Congress in 1837, and then and there boldly declared his views, and earnestly advocated the measure. He had few coadjutors, and was opposed by many, and more especially by one of great power at that time, and whose advocacy, he said, would have carried the measure. That opponent is now in banishment, and wandering in foreign lands, having by flight at Seville made his escape when on the way to the Philippine Islands, "where angry Spain sends her outcast sons."

We have another Bible and Biblical man in Spain. It is our friend Usoz. He has had the very best education Spain can afford, and three years at Bologna in Italy added to it. The Hebrew was an early object of attention to him, and he was a fellow student with the gentleman I have noticed, and both ordered that the same time a Hebrew Bible and Lexicon from Paris when neither were to be found in Spain. The Greek is as well known to our friend as the Hebrew. His daily occupation is the translation of the Holy Scriptures, both of the Old and New Testament, and to which he considers himself called in the Providence of God. I have just now under my hand for examination, the first eight chapters of St. Luke. – It is a curious circumstance that these two Bible and Biblical friends of old should have become unacquainted with each other, and that your foreign Bible messenger should be the means of renewing that acquaintanceship. Perhaps they may henceforth labour in union in the great work of giving to Spain an improved version in its noble language, of the Holy Scriptures from the original tongues.

I have had letters from Gibraltar, and am sorry to learn that my letter from Toulouse, containing directions to our Jew friend in Tangier, never arrived in Gibraltar, and still less of course in Africa. One of my letters is from a Mr. Benoliel,  a converted Jew, who is sent out by the British Missionary Society for the Jews. You will be glad to learn that it was one of your Hebrew New Testaments which he found in Gibraltar that was the means of his conversion. He is a native of Tangier, and our friend there is his cousin. His parents and family are all there, and are greatly grieved on account of his conversion, which they of course call apostasy. He is about to visit that place, and I shall be curious to know how he gets on there. I have written to him, and given him some names in Tangier and Tetuan that may be useful to him. – I have also made up the blank occasioned by the loss of the letter from Toulouse.

I am glad to learn that your purse is empty, and that you were obliged to make an Appeal to the Bible Public. It will have a happy effect, no doubt, more ways than one. What cause for thanksgivings that all old doors remain fully open, whilst two new ones, of an extensive nature, quite shut hitherto, have been burst open by the earthquake we have had, and which is still heaving the nations. O when shall we be able to add Spain and Italy and Austria? Perhaps your Appeal Money will not be all come in till you are enabled to extend and enforce your claim by telling the public that Spain is also open, and is crying aloud for the bread of life. – Please to put me down for Ten Pounds.

            I remain, My Dear Friend,

                        Affectionately Yours,

                                    James Thomson.

Madrid, 10th April 1849

Rev A Brandram No 26

Madrid 10th April 1849

My Dear Friend,

Your precursor letter respecting my movements duly reached me, and put me at once on the move to leave this city quickly, and to be in Lisbon as early as possible; and yesterday when Mr Jackson's letter, containing the Resolution of the Committee on the subject came to hand, my luggage was at some distance on the road to Cadiz, and my seat was taken in the Diligence for that place. The day after tomorrow I start, purposing to sail from Cadiz to Lisbon by the Packet of the 20th instant. I judge that the space between one packet and another, namely ten days, will be sufficient to do what is assigned me in Lisbon, and on one of the first days of May I expect to leave Lisbon, and to be with you, God willing, a week after.

I had, I know not how, some undefined idea that you would wish me to make my movement from this centre to the outside of this country homewards somewhat useful in seeing as much of it as I could. I could not well leave this city much earlier to undertake the journey indicated, and I kept in view that should you not approve the tour proposed there was still time from the first of May for my being in Earl Street at the close of the two years, going home direct through France.

Personally, I am well content to be relieved of the toilsome journey through Asturias and Galicia, and I am gladdened also with the hope of early seeing you all in the land of light, so strikingly contrasted with this land of darkness. May God, according to his former mercies, direct my way to you in safety.

I told you that the Paris case of Books from Bayonne had reached this city, addressed to the Ambassador of the United States, and I also mentioned that they were detained at the Custom House under doubts of delivering them. Finally, the Minister of Finance has determined that they must be confiscated, as being a prohibited article! Still, however, though officially condemned, General Saunders expects, through a private conversation with Mr Mon, that the books will be sent to him, and I have given directions as to their disposal on his getting them.

The order for the four cases for the University is still Spanishly delayed, but if got, it will follow me.

May God be with you all, in your anxious preparations and expectations respecting the Annual Meeting now so near at hand, and may his presence then manifestly and gloriously be with you.

            So pray for your poor Foreigner,

                                    James Thomson.

Dumfries, 1st December 1849

Rev A Brandram

Dumfries, 1st December 1849

My Dear Friend,

I am now finishing my tour in Scotland, and expect to be in London next week, but not in time for your meeting on Monday. There is however a subject pending, as I may say, between us, which I wish you to initiate on Monday, and refer to a sub-committee say on the following week. I wish this to hasten discussion of the subject in question as I have had letters from Madrid upon it since I saw you, and I am anxious to send a notification of your decision to the party concerned.

The subject is the translation of the Old Testament direct from the Hebrew into the Spanish Tongue by the present Professor of Hebrew in the University of Madrid. In one of my letters from Madrid last winter I noticed this subject formally and at some length. That letter can be read over at the sub-committee indicated, and I can then add to the same the further information which recently I have received. Be so good therefore as favour me with the initiation on Monday which I have noticed, and also a reference to sub-committee, that I may fully and duly discharge the obligations which I feel myself lying under in regard to this matter.

Since leaving London I have encouraging letters from Spain, Lisbon and Mexico respecting the circulation of the Scriptures in those quarters, and which I shall bring before you when we meet.

            I remain,

                        My Dear Friend,

                                    Yours  Very Truly,

                                                James Thomson.

London, 13th December 1849

Rev A Brandram

Harpur Street 13th December 1849

My Dear Friend,

I write this letter preparatory to our meeting tomorrow, where will be formally discussed the subject of the translation of the Old Testament direct from the Hebrew into Spanish by the present Professor of Hebrew in the University of Madrid.

To aid you in finding the letters in which I formerly brought the matter before you, I would observe that there are two, and dated in Madrid, the 27th of October 1848, and the 13th of March 1849.

Since my return to this country I have had three communications from the Professor referred to, in each of which the subject in question is more or less noticed. In the first of these he enters at some length into the grounds and reasons which exist for desiring and executing a new translation of the Scriptures into the Spanish Language and direct from the Original tongues. In this statement he finds ample fault with the Vulgate, and points out defects in the present versions into Spanish made from it.

In the second communication he says, "I am resolved to fulfill my word, and to carry into effect my purpose of translating the Bible, if your Society would aid me in thus contributing to the great work in which it is concerned, namely, the extending of Bible knowledge by means of reading in its purity the immortal book of the goodness and wisdom of God. The necessity for such reading here in Spain becomes every day more sensible, because impiety increases among us from want of the reading of this precious book, whilst the reading of trifling and bad works abounds. It appears to me very desirable that you should return again to this country, and that the Society should improve the occasions that may offer for conferring a blessing of the greatest amount on Spain, even upon this unhappy country, by contributing to deliver it from the condition of religious indifference, and of practical atheism in which it now is, and into which it has been brought by our ignorance, and by wicked devices of the prelates and priests of our religion."

In the third letter, he says, "I have pursued my work of translating the Scriptures, and this day, (24th November) I have finished a clean copy of the Book of Exodus. I hope, with the help of God, to conclude Leviticus by the end of the year, and to finish the entire Pentateuch by the commencement of our vacations in June next. I should like very much previously to see you here that we might converse together, and that I might consult you on some points of difficulty which have occurred, and which I have in the meantime, rendered as God has enabled me." – "Have the goodness to propose to the Bible Society to favour me, should it not be inconvenient, with 1000 or more copies of  the octavo Hebrew Bible in sheets, or slightly bound, and to say what would be the cost of the same per 100 copies. My object in this is, that I may publish my translation interleaved with the Hebrew, to facilitate the comparison of the one with the other, to all who might choose to do so."

In closing this communication, I would repeat, what I have above indicated, namely, that the prosecution of the work in question, and its publication would, greatly contribute to forward the Bible cause in Spain. I should be glad to find that the Society was disposed to give its aid to the Translator, as I fear that without some aid the work cannot be completed.

            I remain, My Dear Friend,

                        Yours Very Truly,

                                    James Thomson.

London, 18th December 1851

Rev George Browne

16 Harpur Street

18th December 1851

My Dear Friend,

I have the pleasure of transmitting to you a document I received yesterday from Madrid. It is an acknowledgment of receipt of the collection of Bibles sent by the Society to the University of Madrid some time ago, accompanied by many thanks for the boon.

I have often wondered that such a document should not have been received long ago. This is accounted for by a letter accompanying the document, in which it is stated that this is the third time in which it has been sent, but the two former it seems have somehow miscarried.

In acknowledging the arrival of this document to the Marquis of Morante I shall signify that we shall be glad to remit other copies of the Bibles forwarded at the low prices we charge for them. Perhaps in this way we may have some orders.

I have no hesitation in saying, from a full knowledge of this case, that this present from the Society of a set of their Bibles in various tongues to the University of Madrid has been very gratefully received, and that the Bibles are highly esteemed. They have had one of the best places in the Library assigned to them, and they are shown to visitors as an ornament and a treasure to the University. I would also mention all the Professors and all the students have full access to them daily.

I consider that the Society should gladly avail itself of making presents of this kind to the Roman Catholic Universities on the Continent in the full assurance that such generosity will greatly promote the objects of the Society.

            I remain,

                        Yours Very Truly,

                                    James Thomson.

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Translation

I have learned to my great regret, that the document I addressed to you last year never came into your hands, in which I acknowledge the receipt of the Collection of Bibles that you had the goodness to remit to our Library, thanking you for your attentions to us. I now hasten therefore to tribute our thanks to you as is so justly due, and to beg you will forgive the long delay which has occurred.

I seize this opportunity of repeating to you my former offer of a copy of the Constitutions, Bulls and Reforms of the University of Alcalá for which you expressed a wish when you paid us a visit, and I will forward the same as soon as you shall inform me by what conveyance the same can be effected.

May God preserve you for many years.

            The Marquis of Morante

            Rector of the Central University of Madrid

            Madrid, 5th December 1851

Dr. Thomson.