Jalapa, 23rd April 1828

The Rev A Brandram  No.20

Jalapa 23rd April 1828

My Dear Sir,

I told you in my last that I hope my next letter would be written in this place, and I am glad that there occurred no hindrances of the kind alluded to in regard to my setting out on this second journey in Mexico in your service. I left the capital on the 2nd instant, and arrived in Puebla on the 4th.

I have two letters of introduction for the Bishop, one of which was from our friend Salazar. The other was from Don Miguel Santamaría the Colombian minister residing in this country. I mentioned this gentleman's name to you with pleasure, and add, that he has taken a greater interest in my concerns here, and has been more serviceable to me in them than any individual I have met with in Mexico. For my last journey he furnished me with letters of introduction, and for the present journey he has furnished me yet more amply, as he has more acquaintances in the course of the tour I am now taking than in the northwesterly directions in which I last traveled. One thing I have observed with a good deal of satisfaction so far as he is concerned, that he never minces with the objects in which I am engaged, but freely and openly introduces me as an agent of the Bible Society, engaged in the circulation of the Scriptures in this country. This gentleman is a native of Vera Cruz, has resided some time in Colombia, and is now as above-mentioned the resident minister in Mexico from Bogota.

To return to the Bishop. I went with my two letters of introduction to him, and was ready graciously received. He said he had heard of me and of my objects in this country, and on account of which and from the respect he had for the persons who had written the letters he had just read, he was glad of an opportunity of paying me what attention he could. This house, said he, is yours, and more than that, (added he laying his hand upon his breast,) this heart is at your service. I of course rendered him a thousand thanks for such kind offers. But as I had looked to this interview with so little interest in anxiety, I had another and a higher return to make. I lifted up my heart in thanksgiving and to him in whose hand are the hearts of all, and who disposeth them to whatsoever he will, and I bless his Holy Name for disposing the mind of this individual to befriend his cause in this land. The Bishop's interest is considerable. In his own diocese of course he has the entire sway, but as he is now the only Bishop in Mexico his influence is great throughout all the country. I trust the Lord will stir him up to befriend us not only in a negative way, but also in a more active manner. I had three other interviews with the Bishop whilst I remained in Puebla, my stay there having been prolonged several days beyond the period I expected. I made him a present in the name of the Society of a Spanish Bible in Morocco binding, and also one of Bagster's Hebrew and Greek Bibles interleaved. Three copies of the Brief View were also put into his hands. With this present he was well pleased, and I hope it will attach him the more to your great objects. During the second and third interviews with him I endeavoured to ascertain whether he would be disposed to give his name to encourage the circulation of your edition of the Bible, a specimen or copy of which I had given him. I did not wish to be to direct in my request, nor did I like on the other hand to let the occasion slip without knowing his mind upon the subject. I therefore went round him and round him, coming nearer each time, and upon coming close upon the subject he politely declined, stating at the Apocrypha as the obstacle.

Upon talking with him as to the extent to which the Mexican language was spoken in his diocese, he said three-fifths of the people spoke it. I mentioned my desire to procure a translation of a part of the New Testament into this tongue. I was glad to find that he entered into this, and that he was ready to lend his aid for the accomplishing of it. I trust the delays experienced in finding a translator for this language has been to throw the work into the hands of the Bishop. He spoke in a very proper manner of the precautions to be taken to procure a faithful and good translation. He has engaged to get an attempt made. His plan is to set some individual skilled in the language to translate two chapters, one in the Old and one in the New Testament, and when these are ready they are to be examined by two or three competent judges. If these pronounce the translation good, the translator will go on, but if otherwise not, and a new translator to our will be sought for. This I think is a good plan, and I hope we shall hear of favourable results before long. The Bishop promises to give his name to authorize the translation when accomplished. He desired me to write to you that he will be a co-operator with your society. It would I think greatly animate him, and would strengthen our party in this land, if Lord Teignmouth should address a few lines to him, upon the subject of this translation and upon the circulation of the Scriptures in general. Should this suggestion meet with his Lordship's approbation, it might be proper before writing to have some little conversation with Mr. Rocafuerte, the Mexican chargé d'affaires in London, a gentleman most friendly to the Bible Society. I was in a mistake when I said in a former letter that the Bishop is a native of Spain, he is a native of Puebla.

In conversing with the Professor of the Mexican language in the Ecclesiastical College of Puebla, as to the usefulness of a Mexican translation of the New Testament, and whether he thought the curates would read it to the people on Sundays and holidays, he said he thought such a translation would be very acceptable and useful to the people, and that he did not doubt but the priests would read it in the church, and he was sure that in doing so they would not only benefit the people, but themselves also. Many of the people understood Spanish he said, but when they made their confession to the priest they uniformly spoke in their own tongue.

From Puebla I went to Tlascala returning next day to the same place. My object was to ascertain the prevalence or otherwise of the Mexican language in that quarter. It prevails. I was told that of those who understand the Spanish, they spoke it with great unwillingness giving a decided preference to their own tongue. Upon my mentioning a translation of the New Testament into their native language and of establishing schools for teaching it, a decided approbation was given to such a plan, and much confidence was expressed as to the good results which might follow. In Tlascala, I saw the identical standard with which Cortés entered and conquered that place. It was stained with blood, such are the traces of conquerors, a race of men soon I hope to become extinct. There was to me a more interesting object in that city. I saw, and stood, in the first pulpit in which the gospel was preached in the New World. A Friar stood behind me, and if you can make anything emblematical of this circumstance, you may. Your letter of the 11th (and 18th) February came into my hands yesterday along with Mr. Jackson's note of the minutes of the Committee regarding my requests about editions of the Scriptures. I thank you for ordering a pica edition of the New Testament and for your other grants. I do note of course thank you for what you have not done is about the adding the two epistles of Peter to the volume containing the Gospel by Luke and the Acts. You give no reasons for your negative, because I suppose you had none to give.

I withdraw my motion for the present regarding a small pica Bible with marginal references. I shall probably say something about Torres Amat's version in my next. I gave you an order in January last for Bibles to be sent to Tampico. Please send the same quantity of each to Vera Cruz as soon after the receipt of this as you can. My object on this journey is not to hold sales in particular towns, but to establish permanent sales as extensively as I can in the districts I visit.

Mrs. Thomson, about whom you so kindly inquire, is well, with the exception of  her anxiety for the safety of her husband on this journey exposed to perils of various kinds. Pray for him, and be assured that he is sincerely desirous of approving himself as your servant, believing that your service, is the service of God.

            I am ever yours, James Thomson.

Orizaba, 14th May 1828

The Rev A Brandram  No.21

Orizaba 14th May 1828

My Dear Sir,

I have again the pleasure of writing you and of reporting what progress your work is making in this quarter. My last letter was dated the 23rd of April from Jalapa. I then informed you that my object on the present journey is somewhat different from the plan I pursued on the last. I then held a sale for a few days in the different places I stopped in, but on this journey my object is to find out suitable persons to whom I might entrust the sale of the Scriptures. I intimated to you at the close of the last journey that this was the plan I wish to adopt, but instead of there being held in the large towns here and there throughout this country, a sale for a few days only and once in a year, there might be a continued sale of the Scriptures in all these places all the year round. I made arrangements in Jalapa according to this plan. From the scarcity of mules, there was a considerable delay in forwarding the books from Veracruz to Jalapa, so that though I expected them there before I reached the place, they did not even arrive during the twelve days I remained there. As the season was so far advanced, and the period of the heavy rains so near, I was anxious to move onwards, fearing I might be prevented from reaching Oajaca, a place I very much wish to visit on this tour. I thought it best therefore to leave Jalapa and to proceed on my journey although the Bibles had not arrived, having previously entrusted to a confidential person, the receiving of them at the Custom House, the delivering of the cases for sale to the person engaged with for that purpose, and the forwarding of the rest to Orizaba. The gentleman who was so kind as undertake this concern, and to otherwise was very serviceable to me in Jalapa, is a member of the Congress of the State of Veracruz.

I left Jalapa on 30 April, and arrived in this place on Saturday the 3rd current. On Monday I delivered my letters of introduction, and was gratified to find the favourable reception I met with as the agent of your Society. I had a good deal of conversation with some persons of note here regarding the circulation of the Scriptures in this country at the present critical period, and I was pleased to find them of the same mind with me upon the subject. In one of our interviews, one of the gentlemen stated how desirable it would be to have a little Bible Society in Orizaba, which might lend its aid to promote the circulation and study of the Scriptures in this place, and throughout the department of which this is the capital. This you may be sure was to me a gratifying proposal. To have had the prospect of seeing the Society formed at my suggestion would have been very agreeable, but the gratification was much more in seeing the matter originate with an individual a native of the place, and a person of influence in it. This gentleman mentioned at the time that the Vicar of Orizaba was a liberal man and that he had no doubt but he would enter readily into the object and would forwarded all he could. He offered to introduce me to the Vicar that we might together mention to him the object in view. I went with him, and was much pleased to hear the Vicar declare his readiness to accede to any plan of this kind which might tend to promote the genuine study of the Scriptures. After several conversations upon the subject, arrangements were made for holding a small meeting of the friends of the object in order to consult what was best to be done for verifying the plan in view. A meeting was accordingly held this morning in the house of the Prefect of the Department, at which the Prefect himself attended and entered into the plan promising all his aid. The Vicar was there, the gentleman before mentioned, and a few others who had been invited. All passed on agreeably at the meeting. The object was stated, and discussed. I presented a few rules pointing out, the object, the plan, and the regulations of the intended society.

The Apocrypha difficulties I got rid of by stating at the outset that the Bible Society to be formed in Orizaba is to be an auxiliary of the British and Foreign Bible Society. At the close of our meeting, I mentioned to the Vicar how desirable it would be and how useful for the object in question, if he should use his sacerdotal influence in recommending and enforcing the study of the Scriptures by preaching from the pulpit upon the subject. His reply was, that all I have just said to him to induce him to do this were words used to no purpose, because he was already and previously fully determined to do everything I had stated, and to lose no opportunity in promoting this sacred object. Thus his answer proved, though in the first clause of it discouraging, yet in the second doubly gratifying. There is great importance to be attached to the having the Vicar or Rector of any place fully on your side. His influence is great over the people as to what he recommends or forbids. If he is for you, the circulation of the Scriptures will be greatly promoted, and if he is against you your success will be greatly retarded.

I do not forget in this, that if God be for us, no one can be against us. This is a consoling truth in prosperous and in adverse times. If the cause of God is our pursuit we shall most undoubtedly prevail sooner or later. At the same time the Scriptures point out to us the secondary influence of men and of circumstances as to success in particular times and places. We know, moreover, for our comfort, that the hearts of all men are in the hands of the Lord, and that he can turn them to what purpose he will. With this overruling influence over men and circumstances in view, let us ever give thanks unto the Lord when men and things are on our side, assured that the Lord hath rendered them so. And on the other hand when men and circumstances oppose us, let us lift up our hearts and our voices unto heaven that a heavenly influence turn these in our favour. Thus in times of success and in times of discouragement our eyes and our hearts shall be on the Lord. This surely is the will of God concerning us, and our work. Let  us therefore ever keep it in view, and in doing so, whilst we are watering the world with word of God, we ourselves shall be abundantly watered by the Holy Spirit, we shall live in peace and joy here below wherever we may reside or wander, and we shall rejoice in the prospect of closing our journey of life by entering into the joy of our Lord.

The person's name to whom I have referred as proposing the formation of the Society is Don Joaquin Pesado, and I have pleasure in recording it. Another gentleman whose name is Don Manuel Arguelles, deserves to be associated with the person above named, as being present when the proposal was made for the Society, and is taking an equal interest in its establishment. These two individuals enter I think con amore into this matter, and they assured me that I might be fully satisfied that they would use every means in my absence for carrying forward what was thus begun. You have heard me speak at different times of the danger and the frequency of passing in this country from superstition to Deism. These two individuals have passed from superstition, and through the grace of God, have been detained at the proper place – in search of the truth, and of true religion in the Holy Scriptures. The Lord grant that they may indeed find the pearl of great price which this book contains, and that they may be made truly wise unto salvation. I have had real gratification in conversing with the two persons mentioned on the above and on general topics relating to the propagation of knowledge in this country, and I do not think I have met with any other two in Mexico who have gratified me so much upon the subject in question. We are, as you may suppose, to correspond upon these matters.

On the 10th current, the Bibles arrived here, having been attentively forwarded by the gentleman in Jalapa whom I mentioned to you. They were immediately carried from the Custom House to the shop of a person who had been strongly recommended to me as ready to render his services in promoting their circulation, and the sale was forthwith begun, the advertisements being posted up as usual. During the days of the sale now elapsed the purchasers have been numerous as might have been expected, and all, thus far, promises well. Four cases containing about equal proportions of Bibles and Testaments are what I have allotted for this place, and for the neighbouring towns. The principal of these towns Chalchicomula and Córdova. The latter of these I visited, the distance from this being only five leagues. I had a letter from Mexico to the person who is at present sub-prefect of the Canton of which Córdova is the capital. I mentioned to him that I intended to remit some Bibles and Testaments to the place, he said he would take charge of them, and would place them for sale in a public place, and with a person of all confidence. I have two other letters for that place, and found individuals to whom I was thus introduced kind and obliging. The charge of forwarding copies of the Scriptures to these two towns and to the others around of less note I leave in the hands of Mr. Pesado and Mr. Arguelles. They have already written to the priests in some of these places, and intend to seize the first conveyance for remitting to them a few copies of the Scriptures to make commencement with.

To get the New Testament introduced into the schools of this country, you are aware, is an object of great importance. I am happy to inform you that this is desirable object has been accomplished in this place. Mr. Pesado spoke to the magistrates upon the subject, and received an order from them to purchase fifty New Testaments for the public schools of Orizaba. To encourage this introduction of the Scriptures into the schools, I reduced on this occasion the price of each copy from six to four rials, thus using the discretionary power you have placed in my hands. This reduction may lead the directors of schools in the places around to seize the opportunity of supplying the children school with so cheap and so useful a book, and should application being made for reducing the price as above, I shall consider myself as following your instructions in acceding to them.

I mentioned in my last the withdrawing of my former application respecting an edition of a Spanish Bible with marginal references. I was led to do so from the difficulties you would encounter in regard to the individual references you should place on the margin. In the Vulgate and in the Bibles printed in Spain with references, there are no doubt passages referred to which you would consider catholic references. These you would not like to give, and to give on the other hand protestant references would be to interfere in the matter of doctrine in which as a Society you professed not to intermeddle, and in giving such references you would also unhinge and perhaps destroy all confidence in your Society in this country. By the bye, I cannot help thinking that your wish signified in one of your late letters regarding the conforming of new translations to be made in this country to the English our protestant editions, is the signification of a wish to break through this rule you have laid down to yourselves in regard to not interfering with the faith or doctrine of any church. I add this in addition to the other arguments used in my last letter from Mexico for your not interfering in this matter regarding the translations referred to.

I repeat what I noticed in my last, that I feel truly grateful to you for your readily exceeding to my request for the edition of the New Testament in pica type. Please let me know as early as you can when you may have this edition ready for remittance to this country. I feel a strong desire to press you anew for the addition of the two epistles of Peter to the volume containing Luke and Acts. There is surely nothing Catholic or Apocryphal in these two epistles, and why then should you refuse them, when the expense would be almost nothing additional, and when the advantages would be greatly additional. I thus conclude this letter urging again my request, and I may perhaps, like a certain person upon a certain subject in days of yore, conclude all my letters with this request until I be so fortunate as to gain my object.

            I have only to say in closing that I am,

                        Most Truly Yours,

                                    James Thomson.

P.S. In the for shipment of Bibles, etc. which came into my hands here, and also in the second, I observed that the nails holding the iron bands of the cases, pass in very many instances into the books and considerably injure them. I am sorry to observe that the same is the case in the shipment now in my hands. It needs no great judgment to see that the nails fixing on these bands should not be longer than the thickness of the boards of which the boxes made. Please attend to this.

N.B. By cutting up this shut at the top, and using the inner sheet first you will find the pages in order.

Oaxaca, 12th June 1828

The Rev A Brandram  No.22

Oajáca 12 June 1828

My Dear Sir,

In commencing this letter from Oajaca, I must before treating of this place or my way to it, carry you back for a moment to Orizaba where my last letter was dated. In that letter I omitted to mention respecting the Vicar of Orizaba, that he very much approved of translating the New Testament into the native languages spoken in the country. He was very much gratified when I told him what I had in view in reference to that matter. He had he said often spoken upon the subject, and had long ago wished to see the thing done. This individual therefore will be very serviceable in the circulation of the Mexican New Testament when the translation shall be accomplished in whole or in part. I have called him the Vicar of Orizaba, because besides being the Rector of that place he is also the Bishop's vicar for that district, having under him the Rectors of several parishes around. I mention the circumstances regarding his rank and situation, that you may see how far his influence extends, and how far he is likely to be a forwarder of your work.

I left Orizaba on the 15th of last month on my way to Tehuacán. On going out of the town, I was much gratified by seeing at the guardhouse of the customs, one of the Custom House officers sitting on the outside of the house on the roadside, reading one of your New Testaments, which he had purchased the day before. He and his companions at once recognized me, and we had some very friendly conversation respecting the circulation and the reading of the New Testament. You good people in Earl Street were not forgotten on this occasion, and your worthy object and labours were appreciated in terms which you would not have despised, and which would, if you had heard them, have served to stimulate you to perseverance in your pious work. I may here notice the use that is made in general of the Bibles and Testaments which are purchased by the inhabitants of this country. I have just now mentioned an instance of a person diligently perusing the New Testament at his intervals of leisure immediately on purchasing. I believe what this individual was doing is very generally done by the purchasers. The book is quite new to them, and I believe the general method is, to begin at the beginning of the volume and to read through in order with as little interruption as possible. This circumstance you will I hope consider as another stimulating motive in respect to your labour on behalf of this country.

I arrived in Tehuacán on 16th June, the day after I left Orizaba. Tehuacán has the rank of a city though its population is but small. At present it does not contain more than 4000 inhabitants, but formerly it was more populous. It stands in a prominent situation, the great road between the parts of Mexico to the East and the West of it passing through the city. It is therefore a great thoroughfare, and besides it is the only town of note in that quarter, and is looked up to as the city by a great number of villages around. On these accounts it was desirable to have stationed there a sale of the holy Scriptures, that the gospel might thereby be preached throughout all that region. Through the letters of introduction I carried to that place I soon found out a suitable person to take charge of the public sale to be commenced there and continued. I assigned two cases for this place. The rest that I had with me, namely six cases, I sent forward to Oajaca, and on the 19th of the present month I set out for the same place. I need not trouble you with an account of the rough and mountainous roads I passed along, and of the rivers crossed on the way, and shall only notice that I passed one single river not less than seventy seven  times.

On the 24th I reached the city. I brought with me several letters of introduction, and have been well received by those with whom I have been made acquainted, the most of whom were apprised by the letters I presented of the object I had in view in visiting this place. I had letters for two of the canons of this cathedral church, and upon delivering them they warmly approved of my object in circulating the Scriptures. One of them gave me two rooms in his own house to lodge in during my stay here. He also took me to a person who you thought would be the best hand the for the sale of the Scriptures. The person he took me to is a gentleman of the law, but having a shop under his direction, he very readily offered it for the object in question. With this gentleman I have had repeated conversations, and consider him the individual most warmly interested in your objects of any in the city. On the 30th the Bibles arrived, the advertisements were forthwith put up and the sale commenced. Of the six cases brought here nearly five are disposed of, and the rest, consisting of Bibles only, may be expected to be also in circulation in a short time. I mentioned to the Canon in whose house I lodged, the 50 copies of the New Testament taken by the magistrates of Orizaba for their schools, and the reductions made in the price of these for that object. The Canon has interested himself a good deal in promoting education here, and a school on a superior plan has lately been erected through his efforts in conjunction with others of a similar mind. For this school 50 New Testaments have been taken.

I should not omit to mention that I had a good deal of conversation with the Canon respecting the want of the Apocrypha. He did not think that this want should interfere with the circulation of your editions, but at the same time he said he was afraid that the people, after the Bible had circulated sometime among them without the Apocrypha, would begin to consider it as not a part of the canon of Scripture, and he wished to fall upon some plan to prevent this error as he considered it. He made very particular inquiries as to the faithfulness of the reprint of Scio's translation. I assured him of its perfect conformity with Scio's own edition printed in Spain, and told him he might stake his credit in asserting this against any individual who should state the contrary, or doubt of the faithfulness of your reprint. He was very much satisfied with this assurance. I suppose you print from Scio's third edition, which I think is the last he lived to correct. Please let me know of this that I may be able to speak more definitely.

As the Canon I lived in the same house we had frequent conversations upon the object and operations of the Bible Society and upon the utility of circulating and of reading the Scriptures in this country. Into all this he entered warmly, and I was delighted with his views and feelings upon these important matters. Thus all things went on pleasantly, until one morning the Canon came in and told me that a great hubbub had arisen among some of the clergy about the sale of the Scriptures, and that means where about to be taken to put a stop to it. The objection taken against your Bibles was there not having notes, and their wanting the Apocrypha, the defect of the notes being considered the greatest. I of course used every argument I could, with the Canon and with others to prevent any injunction being laid on the sale. I spoke with the Governor of the diocese, (there being no Bishop here at present,) and with the other Canon above-mentioned. I represented to them what I consider to be law upon the subject, and stating the liberty given to the sale in several of the dioceses of Mexico, and in other countries. The Secretary of the diocese I understood to be the chief mover in this opposition. He had gained the ear of  the Governor of the diocese, an old man of 80, and he also succeeded in raising Catholic scruples in the minds of the two canons referred to.

I was very much afraid that some step would be taken in an authoritative manner and speedily, to stop the circulation of the Scriptures, and this taking place in any one diocese of this country I dread, as it would be an example to others, and would probably be followed by them. I spoke to the Governor of the State through whose hands any prohibition must pass, and I showed him what documents I had in my favour. He said there had up to that time been no application made to him upon the subject, and that when there should, he would send to me for these documents to be shown as cases against such proceedings. I spoke also with the gentleman of the law I mentioned above, and whom I characterize as feeling a greater interest in the circulation of the Scriptures than any other in this place. He said he would speak with the Secretary of the diocese with whom he was well acquainted, and would see to persuade him to let the matter stand, and not push it further. He did so, and he told me afterwards that he believed the matter would lie over, and that probably nothing would be done to interfere with the free circulation of the Scriptures. Some days have since passed and all is quiet upon the subject, and I hope the ferment and interference are at an end.

I mentioned in reference to my host, the Canon Castillo, what I should not omit as bearing on his character. He inquired if I had any small Latin Bibles as he wished for one which they could take out with him in his pocket at any time for his own private use. It is always pleasing to see instances of attachment to the word of God, and of making it a constant companion. I told him that I had some of these, but that they were not here but in Mexico. He desired me to write to Mexico that one for him might be delivered to his brother who resides there present as one of the Senators in Congress, and who he said would forward it to him. I have written to Mexico accordingly.

I have made particular inquiry as to the state of the nation's languages in this diocese. I find that is a greater number here for the same extent of country than in any other part of Mexico. No less than 18 distinct languages are here spoken, and counting also the variety of dialects in some of these, the number is 21. The language however which is most general is the Zapoteco. This is the language spoken in the district of Oajáca or central province of the state. In the capital itself the Spanish is the general language, but in all the towns around it nothing is heard but the Zapoteco, and many individuals are entirely ignorant of the Spanish. I have opportunity of knowing this from having visited some of the towns around this. I hinted to the Governor of the diocese the suitableness of having one of the Gospels translated into this tongue. But his ideas upon the subject are not so liberal as those of the Bishop of Puebla. I gave up therefore any thoughts of succeeding in this object from application in this quarter. I was afterwards introduced to the Prior of the Dominican convent. This individual has resided for some time in Tehuantepeque where the Zapoteco language is also spoken. He understands a language and is very desirous of instructing the native Indians. I spoke to him of the benefits that were derived from teaching them in their native tongues. With this he very fully agreed, he spoke of the docility of the Indians, and of the neglect of the priests in giving them instruction. Our ideas of establishing schools for teaching the children to read in their native dialects fully coincided. With no individual I have talked with in this country upon the subject here have I had so much satisfaction. He had in short, in the parish he was Rector of, established a school for teaching the children in the Zapoteco language, and it was succeeding very well. This perhaps is the first school of this kind established in Spanish America. I spoke to the Prior respecting the translation of part of the New Testament into the Zapoteco tongue, representing to him how useful it would be in the schools and for the general instruction of the Indians in which he interested himself so much. He has not actually promised to undertake or cause to be undertaken this translation, but I have good hopes that he will be serviceable to your cause in this matter, and I intend to correspond with them upon the subject from Mexico.

Your letter of March 21st has come into my hands in this city. You say, "I have nothing particular to write about by the present packet, but I am unwilling to let it sail without at least a few lines, knowing that letters are particularly welcome in a foreign and distant land." I thank you, My Dear Friend, for this kind consideration of my wanderings in the distant and foreign land, and can assure you that your letters are always most fully welcome, and that they afford me much comfort. You have been very attentive in writing the since I left you, and allow me to say, that I look for my monthly allowance as a hungry man for food. The idea that came into your mind when reading in Bristol some fears expressed by one of your agents regarding the want of the Apocrypha, is I think very beautiful and consolitary. Satan's head no doubt we shall bruise sooner or later. In this we may be confident, and we may rejoice herein without fear. The Bible in its extensive circulation is the heavy artillery brought into the field against our great adversary, and the battle is not ours but God's.

I observe what you say about it the Aimará version. You wrote me I think since my arrival in Mexico that you had sent out this version and to Mr. Armstrong. I do not recollect in what letter you mention it, but I will look when I return to Mexico, and shall let you know. I have in my possession, a copy of the Gospel of Luke, Acts, and the epistles of Peter.

The cases of books I have brought here, upon being weighed, were found to be 200 lbs and upwards, Spanish weight. Two of these make the mule load, but this is too heavy, particularly when the mules have to travel over bad and mountainous roads. Please cause each case to be made some 20 or 30 lbs lighter.

Is Bagster's folio polyglot finished? Or is it likely to be finished soon? I think it would be desirable to send out here some five or ten copies of it in a rather superior bindings.

Before concluding I beg leave again to reiterate my request humbly and earnestly, that the epistles of Peter be added to the volume containing Luke & Acts.

            I remain,

                         Ever Yours,

                                    James Thomson.

Mexico City, 30th June 1828

Rev A Brandram - No.23

Mexico 30th June 1828

My Dear Sir,

I have now again the pleasure of writing you from the city. I left Oajaca on the 13th and arrived here on the 25th current. I bless the Lord for his mercies to me on this journey. I set out under discouragements, the roads being infested with robbers, who were attacking passengers in some part of the road almost every day. Two persons with whom I was particularly acquainted were attacked and robbed on the road from this to Puebla a few days before I set out, and notwithstanding that they had with him and escort of four soldiers. Another person with whom I was acquainted was attacked and severely wounded with clean musket shots, and the person traveling with him was killed. During the few days I stayed in Puebla no less than twelve of these robbers were seized and brought into that city, the number still remaining made the roads much the same as before. Nothing but a sense of duty would have led me from home to travel on such a road at that time. But your supply of the Scriptures for me had arrived in this country, and I saw it my duty to put them as early as possible into the hands of the people. Besides, the rainy season was fast advancing, and I was anxious to get my tour over before it commenced, fearing I might thereby be hindered in my traveling, and obliged to deferred to the dry season ensuing. I have now performed this journey, and him safely returned to my home. I praise the Lord for his gracious presence preservation and guidance of me, and I think you will join me in this. My Dear Friends, forget note your traveler in this country when you approach the throne of grace. The interest I hope I have in your prayers, encourages me in your work. I know you wish to animate me all you can, and I thus point out to you the means by which you can do it the most effectually.

I stopped a day at Puebla on my return, to see the Bishop, and to make inquiries about the Mexican translation of the Gospels. I was happy to find the Bishop as friendly to our object as when I last saw him. Various circumstances which he noticed had prevented anything being done in the translation question, but he mentioned to me the names of three persons whom he had entrusted with it. One of them is a professor of the Mexican language in the ecclesiastical seminary of Puebla. I called upon this gentleman, and we had some very agreeable conversation upon the desirableness and utility of this translation. He takes a lively interest in the matter, and from this circumstance, I have good hopes that the work will before long be carried into effect. The chief persons of the two who are to assist him, is the Rector of the parish at some distance from Puebla. The professor said, he would call on the Bishop next day, that this individual might be sent for, and that the translation might be immediately begun.

The Bishop made me a present of a Mexican and Spanish dictionary. For these, amounting to six volumes, I petitioned the Bishop, and he granted my request. As soon as the first chapter of Luke is translated and reviewed the Bishop promises to send it to me by the first post. I believe I hinted in my letter from Jalapa, that a letter from Lord Teignmouth to the Bishop would probably be very acceptable, and might prove greatly useful to your cause. I am still of this opinion, and am now more desirous of this being done than I was before, from what has lately taken place here, and of which I shall presently the speak.

About three months ago there came a supply of Bibles and Testaments of your editions into the hands of a bookseller in this city. When they were sent, and how he came by them I cannot ascertain. I sell the Bibles here at 20 rials which is rather under than above cost expenses, but the bookseller referred to sell them at 18, and has offered a large quantity and 17. The New Testaments are also proportionally cheap. I cannot conjecture how these have come here, unless perhaps the London Merchant's Bible Society, or the Liverpool Bible Society have sent them. They appear to have been entrusted to the captain. Of the vessel who has either given away the whole of them together gratis, or sold them at a very low price. You will see that this interferes with our arrangements here, and really injures the extensive and useful circulation of the Scriptures. Be so good therefore as make particular inquiries of the two societies mentioned, and of any others in the seaport towns likely to have sent these, and please represent to them that what they do in this way does not advance the circulation of the Scriptures here, but hinders it. The result of your inquiries and advice upon this subject to the societies at the sea port towns, I shall be glad to hear from you as early as you can.

In my letter of March last I intimated to you my fears of some steps being taken by the ecclesiastical authorities of the city and diocese, to hinder or prevent circulation Scriptures here. I am sorry to inform you that my fears have now been verified. A few days ago their edict was issued. I enclose you a copy of it, and by the next packet I shall be able to give you some accounts of its effects. This is the circumstance I have alluded to above, as making it very desirable that Lord Teignmouth should write a few lines to the Bishop of Puebla.

I have just now received a note from the house of Robert P Staples & Co. of Vera Cruz, advising me that the shipment has just arrived there from Havre has brought me 1000 Bibles remitted by Prof. Kieffer. They are said to be in two cases but in that state they cannot be brought into the interior. Mr. Kieffer must certainly have supposed that our beasts of burden here are not mules but elephants, from the immensely large cases that he has sent.

            Till next month, Farewell. Believe me. –

                        Very Truly Yours,

                                    James Thomson.

Mexico City, 23rd July 1828

Rev A Brandram - No.24

Mexico 23rd July 1828

My Dear Sir,

Towards the conclusion of my last letter I communicated to you an occurrence of it discouraging nature in reference to the Bible cause in this place. I limited to you the edict issued by the Dean & Chapter of the diocese of Mexico against the circulation of the Scriptures within the limits of their jurisdiction. You will think it a strange enough document I dare say, for the reasonings found in it are not new, but such as have been used by the same party for these three hundred years past. Let us hope that the meridian of this dark day is far past, and that sounder reasonings and better days are at hand. In regard to this country I have good hopes of a change for the better. A spirit is working here, silently but certainly, for emancipating the minds of this people on religious subjects. And not improbably the edict in question, though intended to strengthen and to rivet the chains of ignorance, will be made in the hands of God the very means of producing a contrary effect.

As this edict was not altogether unexpected, I had been for some time before it was issued, informing myself as to the existing laws civil and ecclesiastical upon the subject. From the information I thus gained, I conceived that this edict was illegal, and therefore considered it my duty to take legal steps to counteract it. As the diocese and the state of Mexico are nearly the same in point of territory, I thought it best apply first to the civil authorities of the state for their interference upon the subject. In I have another reason for applying to the government of the State of Mexico rather than to the general government of the Republic, and that was, that I expected the one would take much quicker measures than the others in reply to my petition. Our friend Dr. Mora assisted on this occasion, and drew up a petition for me. With this I went to Tlalpam the residence of the government of the State of Mexico. You will observe Tlalpam is the same place I formerly called San Agustín de las Cuevas, as the name of the place has been changed by the State government, and the name from the Mexican language has been given to it instead of the name of a calendar saint. The Governor received my position very favourably and said that I was in the right, and that early measures should be taken to prevent the effects of this edict on account of its illegality. A letter was in consequence immediately addressed to the Dean & Chapter of the diocese complaining of the illegality of their means, and noticing to them that a circular would be instantly addressed to all the prefects of the State to prevent the fulfillment of the edict, the circular letter was accordingly written to the Prefects of the Departments to counteract the effects of the said edict. I have a copy given me by the government, of the two letters referred to. These were the formal measures taken by the government upon the subject. But this was not all. The Governor and his secretary talking with me upon the matter, spoke with much disapprobation of the conduct of the ecclesiastical authorities in this business, and said that an article should forthwith be written and printed in the newspapers signifying this disapprobation.

Accordingly no later than next day the promised article appeared in the chief journal of this place; and that you may see the freedom of thinking and speaking upon the subject, and the opinion of the government of the central and the largest State, by double, in all the Mexican Republic, I give you a translation of it.

"We have read with not a little surprise and edict of the illustrious Metropolitan chapter, prohibiting the printing, buying, selling, and retaining in possession, the Bible in the Spanish language without notes, prohibiting also obscene paintings, plates, and articles of sculpture, with an intimation that all who possess any of the said articles should deliver them up within eight days to the Vicar General, Vicars of districts, and Rectors, within intimation of using proceedings against the contumacious. We have said, with surprise, for in truth it is not a little surprising to anyone initiated in the principles of our system of government, to see that at the end of seven years' liberty, the first ecclesiastical corporation of the Republic does not yet understand the limits which circumscribe its functions. We abstain for the present to make inquiry as to whether the individuals who compose the illustrious chapter have done themselves honour in thus prohibiting to the public the reading of those holy books which St. Jerome so strongly recommended to Paulina, and to which spiritual food is chiefly owing the moral conduct of the Protestants.

We reserve also for a more convenient of occasion to examine whether the reading of the Bible is more advantageous to the faithful by presenting to them pure the holy text itself, or disfigured with a multitude, or to speak more correctly, with the tiresome accumulation of notes which confuse rather than explain the true sense of the Scripture, and which raise to upward of one hundred dollars, the price of the book which without this load (for the most part useless and not unfrequently hurtful,) is now selling at a price suitable to the circumstances of the lowest classes. We do not hesitate to attribute the edict of which we are speaking, to a laudable zeal but at the same time we are sorry that that in a matter so grave in itself, and in so beaten a track they should have acted with so much inconsiderateness, that we feel ourselves obliged to stand up for the rights of the civil power, trodden underfoot by this truly inquisitorial edict. It is all well that the spiritual pastors separate the tares from among the wheat, but let them do it without having recourse to other means than those corresponding to their ministry. Let them exhort, advise, and exclude if necessary from Christian communion those who despise the venerable decrees of the church, but let them not usurp the faculties which the temporal government has reserved to itself and one of which is that of preventing the circulation of prohibited books, and which power the illustrious chapter by this edict has attributed to itself. Will it be wonderful if the Mexicans make no account of a precept so arbitrary? And will they not have disconfidence afterwards in other edicts and despise them, even when they are marked with the seal of justice, if the ecclesiastical ministries respect not the limits so wisely assigned to them by the civil laws? The Government of the State of Mexico has already taken measures to repress this scandalous aggression. And is the Federal Government asleep upon this matter? And will it continue so?"

These are the measures I have taken in regard to this edict, and the results of them you see are favourable. The matter however is not yet over, and it is not likely that the ecclesiastical authorities will yield until they have gone as far as they can. I hope they will be taught their own weakness by this measure they have ventured upon, and that the Bible cause will prevail the more in consequence. I shall do everything I can to undo this edict, and if I succeed, it will prevent the repetition of a like attempt in this diocese at another time, and will prevent other dioceses from taking similar measures. I am glad that this attempt to stop the circulation of the Scriptures has been made in this diocese rather than in any other diocese of the country, as we have here a greater number of enlightened people both in the law and in the civil government to enable us to counteract it with effect. By next packet, I should probably have something further to say on this matter.

Mr. Jackson's letter as of the 19th and 22nd March came to hand by this month's packet. In regard to the adoption of the new Spanish orthography which is noticed in the former of these letters, and my opinion is asked, – I have no hesitation in saying and reply that I am decidedly in favour of the new orthography. I have been always of this opinion, and in one of my earliest letters to Mr. Owen from Buenos Aires when recommending the printing of the Spanish Bible, I noticed the propriety of adopting the new orthography, as found in the latest edition of the dictionary of the Spanish Academy. In looking over the four leaves sent me of the the pica New Testament, I observed that the word Joseph after cutting off the ph has no accent placed on the e which it ought to have. It should be José. I observed also that you have thrown out the h from the word ahora. This I think is wrong. It is true, many Spaniards of the present day write the word aora, but this is not yet authorized by the Spanish Academy. The latest edition of the Academy's dictionary ought to be your standard, and you should I think in no case depart from it.

I observed what is said in Mr. Jackson's letter of the 22nd respecting Mr. Dunn, and the Bibles and Testaments sent to Guatemala. Ever since I came to Mexico, the Republic of Guatemala has been in a deplorable condition due to the Civil War. By the last mail however we had the gratifying news of the cessation of this war, and that is now a fair prospect of better days for that country I shall write to Guatemala respecting the Bibles, and shall as early as I can, inform you of the result.

I am daily expecting to hear of the arrival of the Bibles and Testaments which were to be landed in Tampico.

I am truly glad to hear that all is peace with you and prosperity, and may the Lord grant you these blessings a thousand fold.

            I remain, My Dear Friend,

                        Most Truly Yours,

                                    James Thomson.

Mexico City, 22nd August 1828

Rev A Brandram No. 25

Mexico 22nd August 1828

My Dear Sir,

When I wrote my last letter to you I was very unwell. My illness afterwards increased, and I was confined to bed for about three weeks by an inflammation in my side and fever. I am now better, and am every day recovering strength, and hope soon to be restored to my usual health. I hope this illness will not be lost upon me, at least such is my prayer, and I trust the Lord will make it serviceable to me, by leading me to follow more after holiness, and to be more zealous in his service. Join me, My Brother, in this request by your prayers, that the blessing of God may rest on me as an individual, and that the work of the Society committed to me in this land may be more widely and zealously forwarded.

From what I have just said, you will not expect from me any account of labour during the past month. Had I been well, I am not aware that anything could have been done, under the circumstances in which the edict formerly mentioned has placed us. The sale of the Scriptures however in this city has not been interrupted by civil or ecclesiastical authorities, but from the cause noticed, very few copies have been sold. I wrote you in my last, that I intended to use every means to counteract this edict. I also mentioned to you the complaint I made to the government of the  State of Mexico, and the results which it had. I intend now to make application to the general government, but purposely delay doing so till next month. On the first of  September is the election of a new president of this Republic, and the government as well as others are deeply engaged in this business. Should I present my petition now, I am afraid judgment might be given against me to please the clergy, and to gain their voice in the elections. I therefore differ till the ferment is over, and when a cooler decision may be expected. The law as it now stands is I still think, in our favour.

Your letter of 19 June came to hand a few days ago. I feel truly grateful to the Committee for the readiness with which they have entered into my suggestion regarding the translation of the Scriptures into the native languages of this country. The recommendation of the Sub-committee regarding the printing of the Spanish along with the native languages agrees exactly with my intentions, and will in all cases be adopted. I now find by experience that it will be more difficult to procure these translations than I at first supposed. I wish how soon I may be able to put a printed copy of any of these into your hands. I fear the delay from edicts' supineness, and other hindrances. The object however, which I consider a great one, will be steadily kept in view, and to report progress to you in this business will always be a very pleasing part of my duty.

I have nothing further to notice for the present. What dwells on my mind both day and night is this edict, for I have just heard another being issued in another diocese. These must be removed here before we can get on. If they are not removed, others will soon be issued in all the dioceses of this country; and in that case our work here would, I fear, be at an end. Let us hope, however, for the best; and may the Lord remove the stumbling blocks! You continue praying for us here, do you not? Redouble, I pray you, your supplications at the present time, that these mountains maybe levelled, and that all valleys also may be filled up, and that a highway may be made for our God and Saviour in this land.

I am very glad as you rightly supposed I should, to hear of the favourable report Mr. Matthews has sent you of Mr. Pazos' translation of the New Testament into the Aymará language. From the many conversations I had with Mr. Pazos regarding his ideas of translation, and the plans...

(letter incomplete )

Mexico City, 24th September 1828

Rev A Brandram  No. 26

Mexico 24th September 1828

My Dear Sir,

I have the pleasure of informing you that I am again pretty well restored to health, through the blessing of Him whose unwearied love still sustains us notwithstanding of what we are. I hope yourself, and some of my other friends around you, sometimes make mention of me in your prayers. I find I stand in need of them, for my own spiritual welfare, and for the spiritual welfare of this place. Will you allow me then to say again, that I count upon your aiding me in the way I have mentioned. When I pray for you, and for the prosperity of the Society, I pray also that God would hear your prayers on my behalf, and on behalf of this country. I have often been struck with the anxiety of the Apostle Paul to have the prayers of his Christian brethren offered up for him; and if Paul counted so much on this, and begged so often and so earnestly for the supplications of his brethren, how much more anxious should we be for prayers to be offered up for us, standing, as we do, so much in need of them, through our ignorance, weakness, and the waywardness of our hearts, and living, as we are, in an evil and ensnaring world. Let what I have now said, My Dear Friend, and all of you My Dear Friends, be considered as a new and more earnest petition from this distant land for your aid; and may God himself stir up your spirits within you on our behalf.

What I have to communicate to you this month, is I am sorry to say, not very encouraging. To begin with the worst first, I must say, the sale of the Scriptures here is for the present nearly have to stand. From what I have mentioned to you in some of my late letters, you will not be at a loss to find out the cause of this unpleasant interruption to your work. The edict issued a few months ago by the ecclesiastical authorities in this metropolitan diocese, is the cause of this evil. Although the edict in question, to extend its authority beyond this diocese, yet it has had a considerable influence and various other dioceses in the remoter parts of the country. Within these few days past I have had a letter from Puebla, in which it is mentioned that this edict has about put a stop there to the sale of the Scriptures. Hopes however are expressed in the same letter, that the sale may revive after the lapse of some time when the injunctions of the edict are forgotten. In my last I referred to a second edict without mentioning any place. The place I alluded to was San Luis Potosí. Since writing you I have made more particular inquiry respecting the edict said to be issued there. I find my correspondent was a little in a mistake respecting it in his first communication. It seems there was no edict issued in the diocese of which San Luis is a part. But the Rector of that place wish to make effectual there the edict issued in this diocese of Mexico, although its authority cannot extend beyond the limits of the diocese in which it was issued. With this view he endeavored not only to stop the sale of the Scriptures, but wished also to seize upon those supplies that should come to the Custom House. I am happy however to say the Governor of the State of San Luis oppose the Rector's measures, and gave orders to the Collector of the Customs not to interfere in any wise in this matter.

From Guadalajara I have had a letter within these few days informing me that the Rector of that diocese has issued an order to collect all the copies of the Scriptures each were on sale there. My correspondent adds, that having had notice beforehand of what was likely to be done, he had hid the books, and thus preserved them. I shall write to the Governor of the State of Jalisco of which Guadalajara is the capital, in order that this illegal and violent order may be counteracted, and that the sale of the Scriptures may go on. Sales had been effected there up to the time referred to, to the amount of 251 dollars.

By the accounts I have now given you from Puebla, from San Luis Potosí, and Guadalajara, you see the evil influence that the edict issued in this city has had in different parts of the interior of the country. You will see also the desirableness of having a stop put to this growing evil. In my last letter I noticed my intentions as to a complaint to be made to the general government on account of the illegality of this edict, and the petition for its annulment. On the 10th of this month I presented this complaint, and corresponding petition. The minister to whom I presented my paper received me very favourably and told me that something had already been done towards forming a judgment respecting the legality or illegality of the edict in question. I called his office 10 days after according to his request, and he then told me that some inquiries had been put to the Dean & Chapter; and that their answers would soon be ready, and when he had them before him he would be able to decide upon the subject. I have learned since that the minister's own opinion is decidedly against the edict. From the circumstance one might expect a favourable judgment. I hope it will be so, and I wish I could add that I expected a speedy decision. All however who know the minister speak of him as very dilatory in all his movements. I shall hope for the best notwithstanding, and wish I may be able to communicate to you an early and a favourable issue in this matter. Much, very much depends on this issue as to the future circulation of the Scriptures in this country.

I have made inquiry as to the number of Bibles that have been delivered up in this city in consequence of the edict, and I learned that they do not exceed twenty-five, which is a small number indeed when we think on the hundreds that have been circulated in this capital. There is in this circumstance not a little consolation to us under our present discouragements. We see in this that the people prize their Bibles, and that they disobey ecclesiastical authority when required to give up the Sacred Volume. Let us rejoice that the seed which has been sown is not lost and let us pray that its fruit may be abundant.

You are aware that the two journeys I have made in the interior provinces of this country have given me an opportunity of visiting most of the populous cities in Mexico. I have constantly had in view to make two other journeys in this country in prosecution of your work; the one Northwestward and the other to the East as before, but extending my tours to places still more remote. With this in view I was thinking of visiting the parts of the Northwest during the dry season now near at hand. Upon maturer consideration however, and from a fuller knowledge of the country and the circumstances of the present time, I have given up my intention of making the tour in question until a future occasion or season as occurrences may dictate. My reasons for this decision are:

1st. That the concerns of the Bible Society in this city and State both directly and indirectly are far more important in reference to the general and extensive circulation of the Scriptures in this country than anything that might be expected to be done in the interior. If the Scriptures circulate freely in the capital, they will do the same, all over the country, and if this circulation is impeded here, impediments will as a matter of course take place in other quarters. This edict as you already see as have most injurious effect in the interior. It is necessary therefore to use every endeavour here to counteract it through means of the petition I have presented, and which must be urged forward in person. And should be edict happily be annulled, it will be necessary to undo its effect by actively endeavouring to promote sales in this city, and in other parts of the diocese.

2nd. Under the existing circumstances it does not appear that much good could be done in the interior in consequence of these ecclesiastical measures against the circulation of the Scriptures which have been already taken, and which no doubt will extend themselves to other places. A future visit to the interior after the annulment of the edict would likely prove far more effectual than a visit to them at the present time.

3rd. My absence from the capital would greatly hinder anything that might be expected to be done in the procurement of translators of the Scriptures into the native languages.

4th. I have some hopes that the Scriptures might be introduced into the schools of the State, which if it could be effected, would be a very great point gained, and would I may say be tantamount also to gaining the same in due time in other schools throughout the country. In this State that upwards of one thousand schools, and ten copies to each of them of some part of the Scriptures, would at once circulate and put in active use 10,000 copies of the word of life.

 I mention in the 5th. place a motive for remaining here which seems to me sufficient of itself. Through the acquaintances I have already in most places of the country from the visits I paid to them in the two journeys I have taken, I am now enabled to carry on the circulation of the Scriptures through correspondence in writing, and from this city as a centre I could supply or give orders for supplying from Vera Cruz or Tampico the various parts of the country. My correspondence with the interior is every day increasing, and not to be here to attend to it would retard our work. By means of this correspondence with the various cities in the country from the acquaintances I have already formed, and can form here through the Members of Congress from the various States of the Republic, I conceive that almost all can be done that could be done by a personal visit to these places, which would occupy about six months, and would cost the society for my traveling expenses about £300. To these reasons I add in the last place that we are here at present in a very unsettled state from ...

(final section missing  BM)

Mexico City, 31st October 1828

Rev A Brandram. - No.27

Mexico 31st October 1828

My Dear Sir,

I have the pleasure of acknowledging the receipt of your letter of the 19th August, and thank you for your kind attentions in writing, and for the comfort you thereby afford me. The friends of missions and of missionaries in England I think are at times somewhat more selfish than they should be. They are glad of good news from far countries, but whilst they enjoy the cooling draught which refreshes their soul, they too seldom think of the poor solitary missionary who in parched and thirsty lands needs also refreshing draughts in the form of letters from his friends in his native land. I thank you again for your kindness, and not the least for your assurances of remembering this place and your agent here when you bow your knees at the throne of grace.

I have not much good news to tell you this month, but I have more to say in this way than I had in my last letter. In the first place, I have pleasure in informing you that your subscribers here have not diminished but increased. Last year about this time I sent you three subscriptions of one guinea each, and now I send you five. Three of these are from the same three individuals you had last year. The fourth is a countrymen of our own residing here, and whose initials only (B.B.) I am allowed to give. Your fifth subscriber is a Mexican and a senator in the general Congress of this country. His name is Don José Maria de Yrigoyen and, and he represents in the Senate the State of Chihuahua. This gentleman is I think a real friend of your objects here in this country. I mention as a proof of this, that when the edict was issued in the city in June last he was so kind as offer me the liberty of selling the Bibles in his name, by way of affording greater security. It was not judged necessary to make use of this offer, but it can still be had recourse to should circumstances require it.

The second thing I have to say that is good is regarding the Bishop of Puebla. I forwarded Lord Teignmouth's letter to him by the first post after it arrived, with a few accompanying lines, and yesterday by return of post I had a letter from him, of which the following are the contents, "I cannot write you with my own hand, because during these six weeks past I have been unwell owing to a severe bruise I received in my right leg in stepping out of the carriage. On account of some mistake in the post office I received your two letters, of last month and this, almost at the same time. I have received the letter you enclosed me from the Right Hon. Lord Teignmouth, President of the Bible Society, to whom I shall have the honour of replying by next packet, and hope by that time I shall be able to write him with my own hand. With respect to the assay I promised you to make of translating one chapter of the Old Testament, and one of the New into the Mexican language, you may rest satisfied that it will be carried into effect. For this object I have named a commission consisting of the Rector of San Sebastian of this city, the Rector of San Pablo del Monte, and the Rector of San Juan Epatlan. All these three are thoroughly acquainted with the phraseology of the Mexican language. In order that the translation may be as perfect as possible corresponding to so delicate a matter, I have directed that each of these translate separately, and that they should afterwards meet to confer together as to what alterations their respective versions may need. When the translation of these two chapters is finished I shall take care to remit you a fair copy of it, that you may forward it to the Society, and to which in the meantime you can communicate this notice. Have the goodness to honour me with your commands, and believe me to be with great respect, Yours &c (signed) Antonio, Bishop of Puebla."

I have no doubt but that Lord Teignmouths's letter has come opportunely, and it will I trust be productive of beneficial effects. If we can succeed in getting a translation of the New Testament into the Mexican language, and can have it printed with the Bishop's sanction affixed, it will be a great matter. An easy way will then be opened for procuring versions of the same volume into the other dialects extensively spoken in this country. I feel no little anxiety about this first attempt, and my fears will not be laid asleep until I see this work safely through the process and advertised for sale.

The third thing I have to say of the nature of good is that the effects of the edict begin to wear away, one proof of this is that during the last ten days I have again seen the Bibles and Testaments of a hawking about the streets of the city, the sight which I did not enjoy for the first three months after the edict was issued. Besides, a Bible or two, and two or three New Testaments are sold at the bookseller's in the course of the week. A few days ago I was speaking to an extensive bookseller, a native of this country, and one who has hitherto not sold Bibles for me, and upon asking him about the edict and whether he could yet venture to sell Bibles, he said he had no difficulties upon the subject. We then agreed that I should send him some, and next day I put about 100 dollars' worth into his hands for sale.

I had lately a letter from Tampico from the house of Watsons & Co. there, formerly Watson Davidson & Co. as before mentioned. After noticing the safe arrival of the books sent them from Vera Cruz they say, "We have in conformity with your instructions opened cases No. 1 and  2, and have placed the books in one of the most extensive retail stores in this town. We have made the sale generally known, and some avidity has been shown to purchase by several respectable inhabitants." I give you another paragraph and one which bears upon a subject noticed in a former letter. "The books appear to be well packed, although the cases are rather heavy for these roads. Our muleteers are very averse to taking any packages exceeding seven arrobas, and hardly any price will induce them to exceed eight. The arroba is 25 pounds Spanish weight which is nearly 24 3/5 English. You will no doubt give orders to keep the contents of the above paragraph in view when packages are prepared for this country.

The supplies now on hand, with those on the way will I think last me a good while, I am afraid too long. There is however one book I shall be deficient in, that is, in proportion to the rest, I mean the volume containing Luke and Acts. The 1000 copies sent me by the Robert Fuge have all gone to Tampico, so that for this place and eastwards I have none or but a very few, and your vote of a supply for me of 2nd June contains no copies of this little volume. From these circumstances, I beg you will send me 2000 Luke and Acts by the first opportunity after this comes into your hands. I am not without hopes that the two epistles formally requested to be joined with this volume will come along with it, but I shall be glad to see it, come as it will.

The matter mentioned in my last as pending with the government respecting the edict issued in this city and diocese is still undecided. I have done what I can to procure a decision and a favourable one, but the minister takes it easy and will have his own time to form a judgment. The same minister has written to Guadalajara respecting the edict issued there, not to annul it, but to prevent the seizure of the books; and he tells me that in any case the seizures of books by ecclesiastical authority to come to him, and that I shall be sure of speedy redress. This so far is favourable and in regard to the annulation of the edicts he says that something of a general nature must be done which shall apply to all the country, and this he adds requires time and consideration.

I said to you some two or three months ago that I would write to Guatemala to see if anything could be done by way of putting the Bibles into circulation which are now lying at Belize. I had scarcely written you when news reached us here, that the civil war had again broken out there, and that all kinds of business were in consequence nearly at a stand. For this reason I have not written, and think it better to delay a little to see if any favourable change will take place.

I find I made a mistake in my last in stating that a six months' journey through the parts then mentioned would cost £300. I should have said, somewhat more than £200.

Mr. Jackson in his note regarding the edition of Scio's Bible you print from, says it is the second. I have seen a third edition which I believe received the corrections of the translator. You had better inquire of Dr. Villanueva about this, as it is desirable you should print from the last edition corrected by Scio. As to Torres Amat's version, I think it was well it was not adopted at the time it was treated of by the committee. You will perhaps give the more weight to this opinion when you recollect that I was strongly for its adoption at that time. That it should be adopted ultimately, and that too probably before long, I have no doubt, but before its adoption by the Society and must become somewhat familiar in this country. Which is not the case at the present time. When that takes place I shall advise you of it, and you can then take the matter and you into consideration, and resolve as you may judge best.

Proposals were made some three or four years ago to the Government of Mexico by Don Antonio Puigblanch, a Spanish emigrant in London to translate the Old and New Testaments from the Hebrew and Greek originals into the Spanish language. These proposals were not accepted here, probably on account of the expense. It might I think be worth your while to converse with Mr. Puigblanch upon the subject. You will perhaps recollect that he attended the Committee on the day Torres Amat's version was treated of. I believe he is well qualified for this undertaking, for in addition to his knowledge of the original languages of the Scriptures, he is considered one of the most classic writers of Spanish of the present day. I shall be glad to hear your opinion upon this matter, and to learn the result of the conversation with him should you think of consulting him upon the subject.

I am glad to hear that you have resolved on printing the Septuagint, particularly from the principles which that decision involves, and I hope I may now dismiss the fear expressed in my last upon subjects connected with this decision.

What you noticed in your last letter and in some others, respecting the pleasing friendly godly feelings with which subjects are discussed in the Committee, is truly gratifying. O how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity. Long may peace and harmony prevail among you, and long may you be, as you now are, the messengers of peace to all nations.

            I remain Very Sincerely Yours,

                                                James Thomson.

P.S. Please advise Mr. Tarn that Messrs. G.F.Angus will present him a draft of yesterday's date for seventy pounds to be paid them, and placed to my account of salary.

You will much oblige me by requesting Mr. Cockle to get be the following books (as cheap as he can) and to send them along with the 2000 Luke & Acts above mentioned.

Schmidt's Greek Concordance to the New Testament. London edn. 8vo. bd in calf.

Parkhurst's Gk. & Eng. Lexicon to the New Testament. Last edn. 8vo bd in calf.

Matthiae's Greek Grammar trand. by Bloomfield, bd calf.

Elsley's Annotations on the 4 Gospels & Acts. 3 vols. 8vo bd calf.

Slade's Annotations on the Epistles. 2 vols. 8vo bd calf.

Macknight's Harmony of the Gospels. 2 vols. 8vo bd calf.

Ernesti's Biblical Criticism transd. by Stuart & edited by Henderson half bd.

Missionary Register for 1828, boards.

Pullen's Pestalozzi's Grammar, half bd.

     "               "        Intellectual Arithmetic, half bd.

Evenings at Home, the late improved edition, half bound.

Mexico City, 29th November 1828

Rev A Brandram No. 28

Mexico 29th November 1828

My Dear Friend

Your letter from Carnarvon of 15th September came to hand a few days ago. I was once in that place, and feel therefore a greater interest in those incidents you mention, and which in themselves are very gratifying. I hope the Bible cause will in due time make its way through all classes of our countrymen, and will become the glory of them all, and also the glory of all lands. I have been very much struck with the speech of Lord Bexley at your last annual meeting in respect to the increasing population of Europe and of the world. Nothing has shown me so strongly help you me out efforts are, date as in our littleness we think them. The work of the Bible Society must be considered as only beginning, if we consider the immense field to be benefited by it, and how greatly that field is extending itself every day, by the increasing population of the world. I hope you all feel this from the one end of the kingdom to the other, and I see signs of this I think in the increasing number of your Societies and Associations. How cruel it is towards mankind, to check the operations of such a Society as yours, as has been done in certain quarters of late years. I hope I have rightly applied the word late, and that opposition is now no more.[1]

In my last I gave you a copy of a letter I received from the Bishop of Puebla on his receiving the letter from Lord Teignmouth. You will see that he promised to reply to Lord Teignmouth by the packet of this month. To keep him from forgetting, I sent him a few lines as soon as the packet letters reached the city. In due course of post I received from him the following note. "The first letter I have written with my own hand after this severe illness is the one I enclose you in reply to the letter I received from Lord Teignmouth and which I beg you to forward to him. The individuals of the commission appointed to translate the chapters proposed are at work separately, and as soon as the translation is ready I shall be faithful in remitting to you as before promised. Although I am not yet quite free from my illness, yet I shall have much pleasure in any service I can render you." I enclose the Bishop's letter for Lord Teignmouth. It came sealed, and I am ignorant of its contents; but to satisfy and natural curiosity perhaps Lord Teignmouth will allow Mr. Jackson to send me a copy of it.*

The sale of the Scriptures here has mentioned in my last begins to quicken, though still it moves on very heavily. I wish I may have better news for you soon, but I am not very sanguine of success for months to come. In the meantime let us rejoice that the Scriptures have already been circulated to the extent they have in this country, and though in future you should do but little more, or your work be much checked, yet your labours will be found not in vain. Dr. Mora mentioned to me the other day that, the edict out of question, one cause of the dullness of sale at present is that a considerable proportion of those who can buy and use the Scriptures have already purchased, and he assured me that no book had had in this country so extensive a sale as the Bibles and Testaments. This is a gratifying consideration amidst discouragements.

In Puebla nearly one hundred dollars worth of Bibles and Testaments have been sold since I left it in the end of June last. In Tampico one half of one of the two cases left for sale there had been sold my last advices from that place. Notwithstanding discouragements, you see that is something going on, and I hope the work of the Bible Society here will gradually revive and increase until it exceed what it formerly was.

Mr. Gual who was president of the Bible Society formed in Bogotá, has been here for upwards of two years. He leaves this in a few days on his return to Bogotá by way of Guayaquil. I went out to Tacubaya the other day to give him some letters to carry to my friends in Colombia. I have written by him to the Archbishop of Bogota, and to the Bishops of Santa Marta and Antioquia, and have recommended to them the fostering of the Bible Society of Colombia, and the general circulation of the Scriptures. The Archbishop of Bogotá was the Dean of the Cathedral of that place at the time the Society was formed, and he took an active part in its formation, as mentioned to you in my letters from Bogotá. The Bishop of Santa Marta was the first vice-president of the Society; and the Bishop of Antioquia was the Prior of the convent of St. Dominic in which the Society was formed, and with him the paper was deposited for receiving subscriptions. I hope it may not be altogether in vain to have written to these individuals upon the subject of the Bible Society, and of the circulation of the Scriptures. My best hopes however upon the subject arise from Mr. Gual's return to Colombia. I have begged him upon his return t look into the actual state of the Society and to do all he can to put it into an active state. He promises to interest himself in the matter, and he thinks he may be successful. It will not be amiss I think that you write to him yourself a few lines upon the same subject about a month after this comes to hand. Mr. Gual understands English, and will need no translator of your letter.

I have written by Mr. Gual and Mr. Boully of Guayaquil, desiring him to forward our concerns in that quarter as circumstances may direct after Mr. Matthews' leaving that place. Your monthly extracts No. 133 contains a letter from Mr. Matthews dated Panama May 12th. Does Mr. Matthews go to England from thence, or does he go to Carthagena, and from thence through part of Colombia? I supposed he would have gone from Guayaquil through Quito to Bogotá, which route would have given him an opportunity of visiting most of the populous towns in that part of Colombia.

I enclosed to Mr. Boully a letter to be forwarded to Mr. Cochran of Lima, requesting him to seek out the manuscript of the New Testament in the Quichua language, and to get 1000 copies printed of the Gospel by Luke, which is the only part revised. I have authorize Mr. Cochran to draw on you for the sum that may be required for the impression. I have direct that the Spanish be printed along with the Quichua in parallel columns.

In your 23rd annual report page 68 you have said the Convent of St. Lawrence instead of the Convent of St. Dominic. It is a wonder how the printer mistook the one of these words for the other as they are not very like each other. Col. Arauja's class name is spelt with an 'n' instead of the 'u', but this was a very natural mistake. If you can conveniently notice these errata in any future report perhaps you will do it, though it is of no great moment.

About what time of your edition of the Septuagint be ready? I want a copy for my own use, as the one I have is printed with a very small type and is inconvenient to read.

I remain My Dear Sir

Very Sincerely Yours

James Thomson.

P.S. My insurance will be again be due early in February, may I request you to give directions to Mr. Tarn respecting it? Please desire Mr. Cockle to add to the books mentioned in my last, Robertson's Modern Greek Grammar, in common binding.

* Puebla de los Angeles. Nov. 25 de 1828.

Muy Honorable Lord Presidente de la Sociedad Bí­blica &c.

La carta de V. H. de 21 de Agosto último, que por conducto de Mr. Thompson me fue remitida, excitó en mí un sentimiento de pesar por no haber podido con­testarla a causa de mi enfermedad, tan pronto como me­recía y yo hubiera deseado.

Suscitó al mismo tiempo, otro sentimiento de grati­tud, por el exceso de bondad con que V. H. ha querido honrarme, y por las muy encarecidas expresiones con que se ha dignado elevar a la clase de servicios considerables los que hasta ahora no han sido de mi parte sino buenos deseos, o quando más efícases conatos de cooperar al lo­gro de las grandes tareas que tan digna y fructuosamente ocupan a la Sociedad.

En prueba de esta verdad, nombré tres Párrocos de éste Obispado,[2] bastante instruidos en el idioma mexicano, para que trabajando cada uno separadamente, se junten después, a colacionar sus traducciones, las que, si estu­vieren conformes, haré que pasen a otra comisión revisora, y remitiré a Mr. Thompson el producto de ese primer ensayo.

Tiene contra sí la empresa la grave dificultad de que los idiotismos y ciertas frases de las Santas Escritu­ras, se resisten mucho a la versión en un idioma como el mexicano, en el que entraron tan tarde las ideas de los sublimes misterios del cristianismo. Pero, en fin, una apli­cación constante, todo lo allanará.

Con el mismo esmero y particular complacencia que este encargo me merece, procuraré desempeñar qualquiera otros que V. H. se dignare confiarme, persuadido del alto respeto y de la más distinguida consideración con que tengo el honor cíe ser cíe V. H. su más atento, seguro servidor.

Antón. Obpo. de la Puebla  (firma y rúbrica).

Al M. H. Lord Teignmouth,

Presidente de la Sociedad Bíblica Británica y Extranjera

[1] Possibly a reference to de Apocrypha furore, especially in Scotland (BM).

[2] Rector of San Sebastian of Puebla, the Rector of San Pablo del Monte, and the Rector of San Juan Epatlan. (BM)

Mexico City, 18th December 1828

RevA Brandram No 29

Mexico 18th December 1828

My Dear Friend

Your letter from Darlington of 14th October came to hand on the 10th current. I am truly glad to learn by it the increasing interest that is felt in the places you visit, for advancing the work of the Bible Society. May the Lord pour out his Spirit yet more richly on our native land, that from it the word of God may issue forth to all the ends of the earth. Sound it, My Dear Friend, on all your journeys, and in all the meetings you attend, "Britain has received much, and much will be required of her." Why has God so greatly blessed our native land? He has done it in the first place because such was the good pleasure of his own will; and in the second place he has done it, that from Britain and by Britons he might make known the knowledge of his name in every nation. For this end, he has poured out his Spirit more abundantly on Britain than on any other country, and for this end he has blessed it more than any other nation with knowledge, and riches, and an extensive intercourse with all parts of the world. One blessing more I trust he will bestow upon our favoured land, by making us more sensible of his favours, and by arousing in us every energy to make known his salvation in every land and in every tongue. I am sure we have done nothing yet compared to what we might do,  and to what I trust we will do. With the five talents committed to Britain, how many think you has she gained in addition to them. Not five more surely, and yet not less than this is required. I notice these things the more, My Dear Friend, to you, because of the opportunities you have in going through our land of stirring up the Lord's people to come forth to his service in a manner somewhat corresponding to the many and great blessings we have received.

I was going to say something about envying the privilege you enjoy of going from town to town to stir up the Lord's people to build his holy temple, and for the other privilege you enjoy in connection with this, but being yourself stirred up and gladdened by the people of God whom you visit. But I do not envy you the blessedness you enjoy, on the contrary I rejoice with you. If I cannot help but times contrasting your journeyings with those of your agent in this country. You travel through a country I may say with verdure and beauty, he through a barren wilderness. You are refreshed as you travel along and are strengthened by the animating voices of those who with yourself I engaged in the same work, and have the same desires and hopes, whilst he enjoys no success of this kind. But the Lord is gracious, and he blesses as he will sometimes in one way and sometimes in another. I praise him for the employment he has given me in his kingdom, and rejoice in it. Pray that I may be faithful and holy, and that I may be enabled to do something in this country which in some future day through his blessing may make this our wilderness to rejoice and blossom as the rose.

I mentioned in my last that I had written to Lima about the printing of the Gospel by Luke in the Quichua language. You will recollect that I am authorized to do so by your resolution on the subject dated 29th of December 1823. I have written to the person in whose hands I left the manuscript, and have given particular directions regarding the binding of the books agreeable to the rules of the Society. I have directed that the printing should be done under the care of a person well acquainted with that language, and if possible one of the translators whom I have named. Twenty copies are to be sent to you as soon as they are ready.

You notice my request respecting the two epistles of Peter and say that the resolution of the Committee left it open to me to renew my application. I renew it then accordingly. Notwithstanding of what you say about the comparative expense of the two volumes, I should still think it desirable and useful to continue to print the small volume. I so arrange the prices here than the one volume is twice the price of the other, so that he who cannot afford to buy the whole New Testament will likely by the small volume; and if he does so, he will in all likelihood make an effort soon after to buy the whole New Testament. Should the Committee think proper to discontinue the printing of the small volume in question, my request of course has no application.

I observe what you say respecting Mr. Matthews' difficulties in the South and the impossibility of effecting sales of the Bibles without the Apocrypha. It is cheering however to learn from you at the same time that some thousands of New Testaments have been disposed of. If the New Testament circulates we have good cause to rejoice, and we may I think be pretty well assured that those who purchase and read the New Testament will afterwards be desirous of having a Bible. If therefore several thousand copies of the New Testament have been circulated in Peru I should think the sale of the Bibles will follow in one time, and I would advise the cases lying in Lima should be put into the shops for sale, and to wait the result.

I mentioned in my letter I think of September that a revolutionary movement had commenced in this country, and that it was difficult to say what might be the result of it. This work has been going on ever since I wrote in the states of Vera Cruz and Oaxaca. On the first of this month a strong party declared in favour of the revolutionary party in the city. On the three following days, our city was converted into a field of battle, and street after street was contested by the two parties. The revolutionary party at length prevailed, and there followed a distressing scene of pillage. Private property in shops and dwelling houses has been plundered to a very considerable amount. We are still in a state of agitation and uncertainty, and know not how soon we may have an attack from the party lately driven out.

May the Lord restore peace and order to this city and country, and may these commotions be overruled for the best interests of this land.

            I remain My Dear Sir

                        Very Truly Yours

                                    James Thomson.

Mexico City, 30th January 1829

Rev A Brandram  No.30

Mexico, 30th January 1829

My Dear Friend

I am sorry to say that I have nothing of a cheering nature to communicate to you in my letter of this month. You will see by my last, in what a state of commotion this country was at that time. At present every thing is still very unsettled. How long this distracted state of affairs is likely to continue it is not easy to say or even to form a conjecture. The Christian's duty is to hope for the best, and to pray for the peace of the land in which he lives.

It may be, My Dear Friend, that this revolution will prove in our favour. I am in hopes that it will be so. The person who has been the most active in bringing it about is the Governor of the State of Mexico,[1] of whom I have spoken to you more than once. On the first of April next the new President[2] will be installed, and the gentleman I have mentioned in all probability will be the first Secretary of State. Soon after the installation I intend to make a fresh application in respect of the edicts which have been issued against the circulation of the Scriptures, and I trust I shall be more or less successful. You are aware that I count on your aid,  and you know in what way. The hearts of all are in the hand of the Lord, and he can turn them to whatsoever he will.

I mentioned in my last the sacking which took place in this city at the close of three days of fighting. Some Bibles and Testaments were lost on that occasion., as a bookseller's shop in which they were on sale was completely emptied of everything. Our loss in this is not great, but in Puebla and Oajaca we are likely to lose something of greater moment. This is owing to the persons in those places who had the Scriptures on sale having fled and left their affairs in confusion in consequence of the present revolutionary change. I cannot at present say to what extent we shall lose, but as soon as I know you shall be informed.

Our friend (as I hope I may call him) the Bishop of Puebla has been a good deal involved in the present commotions. He took a very active part against the party which has now come into power at the present time, and he is now, of course, on what may be called from the turn of events, the wrong side. In consequence of these matters I have heard nothing from him about the translation he is engaged to procure, since I last noticed the subject to you. I intend to remind him on the subject by tomorrow's post.

By the bye, I believe I mentioned in one of my letters about a year ago, that the Bishop of Puebla was a native of Spain. I was then under a mistake upon the subject, and which I now wish to correct. He is a native of this country, and I believe of the same city in which he now lives.

In the present actual state of things in this country political and ecclesiastical, next to nothing can be done by your agent here. He looks forward however to the period above mentioned for a change in his favour, when he hopes he shall be called into more active and successful employment. In the meantime his eyes are directed to Him from whom cometh our help, and who he trusts will make his word ere long to have free course in this land, and be glorified.

            I remain, My Dear Sir, Ever Yours,

                                                James Thomson.

[1] Lorenzo de Zavala (BM).

[2] In the event Vicente Guerrero became president. (BM)

Mexico City, 2nd March 1829

Rev A Brandram No.31

Mexico  2nd March 1829

My Dear Friend

I have nothing new to communicate to the Committee this month respecting the circulation of the Scriptures. What I stated in my last as well as in my preceding letters will have sufficiently informed you of the cause of this stagnation in our work. Some months must necessarily elapse before there can be any alteration for the better. If the Lord shall be pleased to grant success to the measures proposed in my last with the new government, it will I think be a great triumph gained over the enemies of the free circulation of the word of God in this land. They will in that case certainly never be able any more to issue their impious edicts in this place, and the word of the Lord may then be expected to have free course and be glorified as it was beginning to be when these injunctions against us were laid on.

I have had a letter from the Bishop of Puebla since my last. His three translators had finished the task committed to them, but their translations were in such different styles that it was considered necessary that they should unite and make a corrected version of the two proposed chapters. This the Bishop offers to see duly carried into effect and advise me of the result.

I am happy to be able to hand you a new subscription this month, and which is intended to be annual. The sum is ten dollars, which at the present rate of exchange comes to £1:13:4 sterling, with which sum you will please charge my private account. This subscription is from John Stanley Esq. an English gentleman resident in this city.

Since writing the above I have received a letter from Guadalajara, a city and diocese, you will recollect, in which one of the edicts was issued. My correspondent informs me that a few Bibles have been sold there of late notwithstanding the edict. There is something encouraging in this little notice, inasmuch as we see that the circulation of the Scriptures is not altogether stopped even in those places where the greatest efforts have been made for this end. In this city also a Bible and New Testament are sold now and then, though this is the centre of the opposition. The continuance of the sale however slow is a gratifying circumstance, when we consider that the edicts forbid both the buying and the selling of the Scriptures. But it should seem that the ecclesiastical authorities find themselves not sufficiently for carrying their measures fully into effect.

Wishing that I may soon have more cheering accounts to send you, than I have of late,

            I remain

                        My Dear Sir

                                    Very Truly Yours

                                                James Thomson.

Mexico City, 4th April 1829

Rev A Brandram No.32

Mexico 4th April 1829

My Dear Friend

Your kind letter of the 20th January has just come to hand. You say, the present position in which I am placed here makes you all look with lively interest for my communications, and to feel a little disappointment that matters are not brought to a point more quickly. You add that this may perhaps be owing to a little national impatience but that so the fact is. I sensibly feel the kind and deep interest the Committee has all along felt for this country, and for the progress of their agent here, and it grieves me that for several months past instead of sending you good news from this far country to refresh you for your labours on our behalf, I have only been able to exercise your Christian patience by hope deferred, which we all know maketh the heart sad. Allow me however to supplicate you to have long patience with us, like the husbandman who waiteth both for the early and for the latter rain.

I still hope to have something cheering to send you from this country, but perhaps some months may elapse before that is the case. If during the present year nothing can be affected in removing the edicts, or in restoring the circulation of the Scriptures in spite of them, or in procuring new translations, then I suppose it will be better to withdraw your agent from this country. After the lapse of some time you can again send an agent here, for you must not lose sight of this place notwithstanding its ill reception of your kindness. Your agent whom you may send this second time they probably have more success than he who is now here. This country is making advances, and inquisitorial acts are less and less regarded from year to year. I shall be glad that you would take the mind of the Committee upon this subject and let me know the result. My intention was, as you are aware, when I left England to visit in the first place the large towns in the country lying at no great distance from the capital, and afterwards to revisit some of these and to extend my journey beyond them to the remote parts of Mexico, and also into Guatemala. The first part of my proposed plan I have executed, but have been prevented from commencing the second part of it. You know I had proposed to set out on one of my long tours in September last, but the edicts which were issued and the political state of the country made me desist. I have not had cause to regret the postponement of the journey, as all that has taken place since confirms me in the opinion that that I could have accomplished very little by journeying under the circumstances mentioned, whilst I would have been causing a considerable expense to the society.

In regard to Guatemala it unfortunately continues embroiled in civil war and cannot at present be traversed with much safety or advantage. I hope however there will be an opening for your benevolence there before your agent be finally withdrawn from this quarter.

With respect to the translations of the Scriptures into the native tongues, I have been saddened like yourselves with hope deferred. The Bishop of Puebla is the only organ through which this can at present be carried into effect, for although I had a translation ready for the press in the city I could not get it printed without a license from the ecclesiastical authorities of the diocese, and which I am sure I could not obtain. The Bishop moves but slowly, and I am afraid of overdriving him, lest perhaps I should overdo matters and thus at once lose all. At the close of Lent his translators are again to commence, and I expect soon after to receive from him the two promised chapters in the Mexican language to forward to you. As soon as I receive these or before I shall pay another visit to the Bishop and see what can be done to forward the work. I wish if possible to get the Gospel of Luke translated and printed with the Bishop's sanction, which would be a great deal gained in regard to the further prosecution of such translations. I have hopes that something may be done by the new government to promote education among the Indians who speak the Mexican language in the states of Mexico and Puebla. In that case the translation of the New Testament or part of it would come in very opportunely as a school book.

I have already informed you that the ecclesiastical edicts have no authority beyond the diocese in which they are issued. But indirectly the edict issued in this Metropolitan diocese has been extensively prejudicial to our work, because it seems to have been very generally circulated throughout the country. It has thus operated I believe on the minds of many priests who would otherwise have encouraged or at least allowed the circulation of the Scriptures in their parishes. And, existing as this edict does without opposition or contradiction from the civil authorities, it is an example to other dioceses to act in like manner whenever an occasion offers. It is on this account that I am afraid at present to visit those dioceses where no edicts have been issued, because the notice I should attract would almost with a certainty bring forth and edict against us.

When the edicts already issued are somewhat forgotten, or when a preventive to their effects is obtained from the civil authorities, then these parts may be visited with more advantage. Even in the diocese of Puebla, where the Bishop is not against us, and therefore is on our side, the sales have been greatly hindered by the edict issued in this city, both priests and people being frightened from buying by such a high ecclesiastical censure. By degrees however this impression will die away and I hope to be able on visiting that place as above mentioned to extend our operations in that quarter. The unfortunate impression made by the edict issued here is the reason for my not having revisited that place during the last six months, being convinced that little could be done whilst this impression was fresh in the minds of all. To which may be added that the province of Puebla has been in such an unsettled state for these some months past as to make it is very dangerous to travel in it, nor is it yet to be traveled with much safety without an escort of soldiers.

Since requesting you to send me the 2000 Luke and Acts, I have observed that 1000 copies of this volume have been voted for me by the Committee agreeably to what you have noticed in your last. It will be better I suppose not to vote me another 1000 under our present disadvantageous circumstances. But when you hear better news from Mexico please to keep in mind this additional quantity, as it is required to make the numbers of the different volumes you have sent here correspond with each other.

I have now described to you fully the posture of our affairs in this country. I regret my present inactive state and feel uneasy under it, but I am not conscious of anything more that can be done under existing circumstances. A little time and patience may be perhaps the best remedy for our present distress, and the Lord may answer our prayers sooner than we expect. Let me know all you think about our affairs, and what you suppose best for me to do under all circumstances. In what I have written above regarding the state of our concerns here, and the disappointment felt by the Committee as expressed in your letter, I have kept fully in mind, what you have so very kindly said, that I am not to understand the notice of your being somewhat disappointed as involving the slightest reflection with your agent here, but being expression only, as you say, of the tip-toe state of your minds to know what issue affairs will take, whether the old party shall prevail and arrest us in our career or whether Divine Providence will continue the door open to our operations.

I thank you all most sincerely for your kindly indulgent feelings towards me, and this I trust will be a notice in addition to others for inducing me to act a faithful part as your servant here, for the benefit of this country, and for the advancement of  the kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Unto whom be glory for ever, Amen.

            I remain, My dear Friend,

                        Truly and Affectly. Yours,

                                    James Thomson.

Mexico City, 2nd May 1829

Rev A Brandram No. 33

Mexico 2nd May 1829

My Dear Friend

In my last, and in some preceding letters, I stated to you my hopes of getting something done in the translation of the Scriptures into the Mexican language, through means of the Bishop of Puebla. These hopes, I am sorry to inform you, are all vanished. The Bishop of Puebla is in the grave. He died on Sunday last, the 26th of April.

God, who stirred up the individual above mentioned to befriend his cause here, can stir up others, and I trust he will do so. Like the father of the faithful, let us in this, against hope believe in hope. Dark is our way here at present, but light may break in upon us sooner than we are aware. Let us not forget the power of him who said, "let there be light," and there was light.

I stated to you some time ago that soon after the new president should take his seat, I would renew my petition regarding the annulation of the edicts issued against the circulation of the Scriptures. I mentioned at the same time, that a gentleman I was acquainted with and who had always been friendly to the work I am engaged in, was likely to become one of the Secretaries of State.[1] This gentleman now occupies the situation I referred to. I have presented to him my petition, and it has been very favourably received. The business does not belong to his department, but he was so kind as to carry my petition himself to the Secretary of State who is over ecclesiastical affairs, and to recommend the subject to his attention. I have since seen the Minister of ecclesiastical affairs, and as far as I can judge he is likely to prosecute subject and to bring it early to a close in one way or another. I need not inform you what pleasure I shall have in being able (should such be the will of God) to announce to you a favourable issue. Again, let us remember that the hearts of all are in the hand of the Lord, and that he can incline them to whatsoever he will.

Dr. Mora, who is always friendly to our objects, has written Valladolid to make inquiries as to the translation of the Scriptures into the Tarasco language which is spoken very extensively in that State. I told him to ascertain in the first place whether a licence could be procured from the ecclesiastical authorities of that diocese for the printing a part of the New Testament in that language when translated. Dr. Mora is pretty confident that such a licence can be obtained. The Tarasco is reckoned the finest language of all those spoken in that quarter.

You authorize me to procure translations of some part of the Scriptures into the Mexican, Otomí, and Yucatán languages. I suppose I am at liberty to follow the spirit rather than the letter of these instructions. That is, that if I can substitute other languages for these three if circumstances so direct, I shall still I suppose be obeying your instructions. Let me know if I am right in this interpreting what you have said. It is of course to be considered, that in case of such a substitution for one or more of these languages, the language substituted should be of sufficient culture and use to warrant its adoption. Of the Tarasco language three grammars and two dictionaries have been published, besides some works on Christian doctrines and morals.

I now give you some extracts from a letter received within these few days from the house of Watsons & Co., Tampico.

"We have to apologize for having left your last letter so long him answered, but we can assure you that we have not left your interest in our hands neglected. The four cases containing the largest edition of the New Testament have been received, but we have not had an opportunity of forwarding any of them to San Luis Potosí as several muleteers to whom we have offered them have objected to them on account of their weight, but as they are plenty now we expect to get them forwarded in a few days. As we feel interested in the success of your mission to this country it is our intention to take out our commissions and expenses we have been at in kind, and to distribute the works gratis where we consider they are most likely to produce the desired beneficial effects, and with this view we sent six copies of the large New Testaments to the parish priest here the other day in hopes of their being distributed with his sanction and approbation in order to induce greater respect and consideration for them.

We took an opportunity the other day when our mutual friend Mr. Samuel Richardson was a guest with us to visit the school at Pueblo Viejo de Tampico in the state of Vera Cruz, and finding the master very liberally disposed and almost without books for about 130 scholars. We considered that it would meet your approbation and the object of the institution to furnish a supply of proper books, as per this enclosed receipt from Don José Ruiz the head master appointed by the State of Vera Cruz. We have referred him to you for further instructions under the understanding that he is to collect the amount prefixed to his receipt from each of his scholars as can afford to pay for their books, taking into consideration that your instructions to make a deduction in these cases would cover the loss from furnishing those who had not the means of paying the expenses. The school in this town is about finished but no schoolmaster has been appointed yet. We will send you a statement of the books sold here and the sum at your credit in a few days. The Spaniard who assisted us in retailing the books is unfortunately included in the law of expulsion. We understand that it is his intention to give his services gratuitously in aid of the institution. The writer of this, our Mr. Watson, intends about the end of next month (May) to visit the interior, when he will be happy to render his services useful to you in his route through San Luis, Aguas Calientes, and Guadalajara to Mexico."

The books taken for the school as above noticed are, 40 large Bibles, 88 New Testaments and 15 Luke & Acts.

In your letter of the 16th February received by this packet, you mentioned your having just heard of our revolution here, and you beautifully allude to the Lord having hid Baruch and Jeremiah. Yes, My Brother, the Lord hid us and kept us in perfect safety, in these distressing days. On various occasions has the Lord dealt so with me during these ten years past in my wanderings over this continent. I wonder when I think on the events of these years, and I trust that in some measure I adore the Lord for all the gracious way by which he has led me. May he lead me into his heavenly kingdom and glory.

            I remain, My Dear Friend, Very Truly Yours,

                                                                                    J. Thomson.

P.S. Please advise Mr. Tarn that the Rev. W Marshall will present him a note for one hundred pounds dated 30 April 1829. J.T.

[1] Zavala became Secretary of  the Treasury. (BM)

Mexico City, 5th June 1829

Rev A Brandram No.34

Mexico 5th June 1829

My Dear Friend

Your two welcome letter is dated 19th and 23rd March have come to hand. I observe the resolution of the Sub-committee contained in the former of these regarding the Epistles of Peter, and perceive that it is final. I am sure that the Committee feel a very deep interest in everything respecting this country, and that they would leave nothing undone which could benefit it. I know also from experience their readiness to attend to any little suggestions of their agent here in regard to editions of the Scriptures for this country. If therefore we are not exactly agreed as to the insertion of these two epistles in the little volume in question, I am sure it is from a conviction on the part of the Committee that what was requested upon the subject is not required. In the multitude of counsel there is safety. I am but one, and you are many. In the decision therefore ultimately come to I fully acquiesce, and thus leave the subject, until perhaps I may be able to speak with you face to face.

I feel greatly obliged to the Committee for their kind sympathy with me under present discouragements, and for the confidence they repose in me as to everything being done for their concerns that circumstances will permit. Next to the approbation of God, I desire to be approved of by you, and I trust that the kind assurances you have thus it given me will act as a new stimulus in leading me actively to serve you in this place. You conclude your letter by saying, "Be assured that we will assist you with our prayers." Do so, My Friends, and surely God will hear us sooner or later.

In regard to the edicts I have nothing decisive to announce to you at present, but I have hopes that by next packet I shall be able to give you some information upon the subject in one way or another. I enclose you your account current made up to the 20th of May last. A considerable expense incurred in bringing books from Vera Cruz to this city, and in sending others to Tampico makes the balance in your favour less than otherwise it would be. There are also some outstanding accounts equal perhaps to about 700 dollars, and this sum I hope will stand at your credit in next balance.

I have one subject more to touch upon in this letter, and it is a gratifying one. Dr. Mora with whom you are already acquainted from what I have formerly said of him, wishes to take a more active part in your service. His great desire, as he has a different times expressed himself to me, is to see his countrymen's attention direct and to the Holy Scriptures, in order that they may found thereon all their religious opinions, and that the morals inculcated in the Gospel may become the rule of their life. He has already taken an active part in promoting this object in the public manner I formerly stated to you, and also by privately recommending to his friends to purchase and diligently to use the sacred volume. By so doing he has drawn upon him the unpleasant attention of the bigoted portion of his fellow priests. He purposes however to go on in the course he has begun, and he desires me formally to offer his services to you in every way in which he can be of use in promoting your cause in this country. In short he wishes to act and be considered as your agent, and he offers his service to you gratuitously. Dr. Mora stands high in a literary point of view among his countrymen, and his moral conduct is such as to make him not unworthy of being connected with you. In regard to this latter, he has told me, that besides higher motives, he has endeavored so to act that whatever the less liberal of his countrymen may say of him in regard to the divergence of his opinions from their established routine, they may at least have nothing to say against his moral conduct.

In every point of view I consider the acquisition of this individual to your files as important. Should I continue in this country his aid will be of great service to me in your work, and should I leave it you will still have an agent in Mexico to see after and to forward your concerns. I hope the Committee will at once see the propriety of accepting the offer made by this gentleman, and will write him accordingly. He wishes to have a document from you authorizing him to act as your agent, a request which I trust you will early comply with. You could authorize him to act in conjunction with me whilst I am here, and in case of my absence to do the best he could to promote the circulation of the Scriptures in this country agreeably to the rules of the Society, and for which you could refer him to me, or convey them to him direct.

Since my last letter to you accounts of a favourable nature have come from Guatemala. The civil war there seems to be at an end, and there is a prospect of things returning to their former state. I have therefore some hopes of being able to visit that place before leaving this part of the world. Should I go I cannot set out before the month of October when the dry season commences. In the event of my undertaking a journey to that quarter you will easily see of how much importance it would be to have Dr. Mora authorized as your agent here. I shall inform you by succeeding packets respecting the state of Guatemala as we may receive accounts here upon the subject.

The Robert Fuge arrived at the Veracruz about a fortnight ago, and has brought 3 cases of books you sent me by her.

            I remain, My Dear Friend, Very Sincerely Yours,

                                                James Thomson.

P.S. Please say to Mr. Tarn that Mr. Nisbet 21 Berners Street will present him a note from me for £50 dated the 4th instant. J.T.

Mexico City, 17th June 1829

Rev A Brandram No. 35

Mexico 17th June 1829

My Dear Friend

When I wrote you on the 5th current, and said that I hoped by next packet I should have something decisive pro or con to communicate to you in regard to the edicts, I was not aware that the packet in question would arrive so early. In truth the packet had arrived at Veracruz when I was thus writing to you, and the mail by her reached this city a few hours after my letter was sent off. Time therefore has not been afforded for bringing about the decision referred to. By the packet following this however I hope to have something particular to inform you of regarding the issue of this matter.

The Secretary of State to whom I have referred different times respecting this business continues to use his good offices on our behalf. The business, at as I said before, does not belong to his department, but he is urging on the Minister of Justice in whose hand the decision lies, and inducing him to bring the business to a speedy and favourable termination. I feel particularly obliged, and I am sure you will do so likewise, by this gentleman's attentions to our concerns. He has gone with me to the Minister of Justice, that we might speak to him together about this matter, and on different occasions he has gone to him himself at my request. In short, this individual sincerely desires the removal of these edicts, and the free circulation of the Scriptures in this country, and I trust God has raised him up for the promoting of these important ends. He told me one morning when I called upon him that he was very friendly to the Society, and wished to promote its object in this place, and also to become himself an annual subscriber to it. He accordingly gave me a Spanish doubloon to remit to you for this object, and which I remit accordingly by requesting you to place its value in English money to my account. At the present rate of exchange it comes within a small fraction of three pounds sterling, and with which sum you will please charge me. I must now give you this gentleman's name, to enable you to place it in its proper place among your subscribers. It is Don Lorenzo Zavala, to which you will please prefix as due to him, "His Excellency," and you may had the words "Secretary of State," and of course "Mexico."

Respecting this gentleman I have one thing more to say. I showed him the two small volumes, the one containing Luke & Acts, and the other the Four Select Books, stating that it would be very desirable to get these introduced into the schools, and that I could sell them in quantities for this end at a very low price. I added that the Society very much wished to have their books used in this way, that any quantity could be supplied, and that he has a subscriber to the Society would greatly forward your cause by using his influence in bringing about the object in question. He desired me to address a letter to him upon the subject, stating the contents of the books, the price, &c., and said that he would send a copy of it to the governors of the different states with whom he was acquainted, and that he would recommend purchases to be made for the use of the schools. If this succeed it will truly be a great object gained. I have written the letter accordingly, and may the Lord prosper it.

            I remain, My Dear Friend,

                        Truly Yours,

                                    James Thomson.

Mexico City, 18th July 1829

Rev A Brandram No.36

Mexico 18 July 1829

My Dear Friend

I am sorry to say that I am still unable to give you any definitive account of the issue of my petition to the government respecting the edicts. On the other hand I am happy to say that nothing has occurred since I wrote to discourage us in respect to the results which may be expected. Delay seems to be engraved on all things here, and in matters of justice it seems deeply indented. Patience then and perseverance must be deeply indented in us as a counterpart. The affair of the edicts now stands thus. The Minister of Justice sent the petition I made to the Government, to the Dean & Chapter, in order that they might reply to it. Their not replying to it has been the cause of the delay along. On account of my urging the matter, and aided as I have before stated to you by the kind offices of Don Lorenzo de Zavala, the Minister of Finance, the Dean & Chapter were written to again and again urging them to send in their reply. These requests not being complied with the Minister at length wrote them that if in a fortnight no answer was sent, he would send for my petition in their hands and would proceed without further delay to act as justice might direct in the matter. The lapse of the fortnight no answer was given in, and the Minister agreeable to his word sent for the petition which was delivered to him. Since this the Minister has written his opinion upon the subject, and the other day laid the matter before the Council of Government for their decision. Thus the matter stands at present. I hope no long delay will now occur, and that I shall soon be enabled to inform you of the result of this long protracted and unpleasant affair. In the meantime through our good friend Dr. Mora and otherwise I am endeavouring to urge upon those individuals of the Council, whom I can reach, the desirableness of bringing this matter to a close, and of doing us that justice which ought to have been done us long ago, the law being as I suppose on our side.

The pro and con in our actual sales of the Scriptures here I shall now state to you. In this city during the half-year ending 30th of June there have been sold 31 Spanish Bibles and 118 New Testaments. By a letter from Orizaba lately received, I learned that 12 Bibles and 47 New Testaments have been sold there since the account rendered in October last. These sales are perhaps as great as we could reasonably expect them to be in the very teeth of the edicts. On the other hand I have lately received a letter from the person who had charge of the sale of the Scriptures in San Luis Potosí, mentioning that he had made a tour through Guanajuato and other parts for the purposes of selling goods belonging to himself and also the copies of the Scriptures I put into his hands. He says he has been able to do almost nothing in the sale of the Bibles and desponds much of success in future. You will recollect that my tour intended to be commenced in September or October last was to have been through the quarters now referred to, and by the ill success of the individual above-mentioned in his sales of the Scriptures you will perceive that my suspicions regarding the on fruitfulness of my journey have been verified, and the propriety of putting off that journey justified. The evil effects of the edicts in hindering the circulation of the Scriptures are made very apparent by the stagnation of sales in those very places where I met with such encouragement about a year and a half ago. These evil effects I am afraid will continue for some time even though we should be so fortunate as to get the edicts annulled by the civil authorities. By and by however I hope, especially if we should succeed in removing the cause of the evil, the remembrance of these ecclesiastical injunctions will be forgotten and the demand for the sacred volume may be expected to rise and gradually to increase, though not perhaps so soon or so rapidly as we could wish. I mentioned this future prospect to console you, as I console myself with it, under existing discouragements.

I enclose a letter for you from Dr. Mora, of which the following is a translation.

"To the Committee of the British and Foreign Bible Society. Mexico17th of July 1829.

Gentleman, being fully persuaded of the importance and necessity of extending the word of God to all the nations of the world by making it accessible to them through versions into their respective languages, I have been greatly delighted by learning that a Society of pious, learned, and enlightened men have taken upon themselves this great work, worthy of the present enlightened age and of the well-known piety of the English nation.

In the Mexican Republic, as in all countries educated under intolerance, notwithstanding the liberality of its laws and good wishes of the government, the ignorance and prejudice of some of our clergy, supported by the ecclesiastical authorities in three of our dioceses, have caused endeavours to be made to hinder the circulation of the Bible, and in part their object has been gained by deterring some persons from reading the Scriptures. But on the other hand, the true friends of Christianity, here have used their endeavours and will continue to use them, in order that religious education in this country may in future be given by reading of the Holy Scriptures and more particularly of the Gospel, instead of being given has hitherto through means of  very imperfect catechisms whose least defect is their being the works of man. It may be difficult to accomplish this work, but it is not impracticable. The clergy may oppose obstacles to it, but their power is already weak, and will gradually become more so, as the people of this country are daily becoming more undeceived, and are perceiving that all is not religion which has been sold to them such. Knowing this country well and observing its progressive state I have good reason I think for entertaining flattering hopes in respect to its advancement. In consequence of this I beg leave to exhort you not by any means to desist from your objects of extending the use of the Bible in our Republic in all its languages but especially in Spanish.

At the request of Mr. Thomson your agent here I have taken various steps for procuring a version of the New Testament into the Mexican, Otomí, and Tarasco languages, beginning with the Gospel by Luke. This object will I trust be carried into effect, although its progress may be tardy, as the poverty of this country and the state of uncertainty in which we live direct the attention of all to other objects which they consider of the first necessity.

One of the objects of this communication is to offer my services you, and to request your authorization in regard to these should you deem it suitable. Perhaps these services might be of some use to you, not on account of any personal qualities of mine, but from the knowledge of the country which I necessarily process, the number of persons I am acquainted with in it, and what little influence my occupation hitherto may have given me. I may add also that at present I have a tolerably well accredited journal under my direction whose columns I intend shall be frequently occupied in promoting everything which may conduce to the prosperity of your Society here in extending its Christian, benevolent and laudable objects.

   I remain, Gentlemen, With Great Respect,

               Your Most Obedient Servant ,(signed) José Maria Luis Mora."

I have just room, My Dear Friend, to add that I am

                        Very Truly Yours, James Thomson.

Mejico Julio 17 de 1829

Señores

Bien penetrado de la importancia y necesidad de estender la palabra de Dios, entre todas las gentes y naciones de la tierra, haciendola comun por medio de las versiones de la Biblia a todos los idiomas conocidos, me ha sido sumamente satisfactorio, el que una sociedad de hombres piadosos literatos e ilustres por todos titulos, haya tomado a su cargo esta grandiosa empresa digna de las luces del siglo 19 y de la notoria piedad de la nacion inglesa.

En la republica mejicana como en todos los paises educados en la intolerancia, a pesar de la liberalidad de sus leyes y del buen sentido de su gobierno, la ignorancia y preocupaciones de alguna parte del clero, sostenida por tres cabildos eclesiasticos ha procurado entorpecer la circulacion de la Biblia, y en parte lo han conseguido retrayendo a algunos pocos de su lectura, pero los verdaderos amantes del cristianismo, han hecho, hacen y haran todos los esfuerzos posibles para que la educacion religiosa, que hasta hoy se ha dado a los nuestros por catecismos muy imperfectos, y cuyo menor defecto es ser palabra de hombres se ministre en lo sucesivo por la lectura de la escritura divina especialmente por los santos evangelios. Esta obra aunque dificil no es imposible. Si el clero opone obstaculos, estos son demasiado debiles y cada dia lo seran mas, pues cada dia las gentes de nuestro pais adquieren sin cesar nuevos desengaños, de que no es religion todo aquello que se les ha vendido por tal. Asi pues yo que conozco bien el suelo y lo advierto en un estado progresivo tengo motivos para concebir las mas lisonjeras esperanzas, y en consecuencia no puedo menor de exortaros, a que por ningun motivo desistais de vuestros propositos de estender la Biblia en nuestra Republica en todos los idiomas propios de ella, pero especialmente en castellano.

Por excitacion del señor Tomson, vuestro comisionado, he dado varios pasos para un ensayo de version a los idiomas mejicano, otomí, y tarasco, empezando por el evangelio de S.Lucas; se llevara a efecto este proyecto aunque debera dilatar algo, porque la pobreza del del pais y el estado de inseguridad en que se vive hace que la atencion de todos se fije de preferencia en otras cosas que se reputan de primera necesidad.

Uno de los objetos de esta comunicacion es ofrecer mis servicios, recibiendo vuestros poderes si lo tuviereis a bien. Ellos podran ser de alguna importancia, no por las prendas personales de que carezco, sino por los conocimientos y relaciones con que cuento en el pais y el tal cual concepto que disfruto. Ademas, esta bajo mi direccion un periodico medianamente acreditado, cuyas columnas se ocuparan muchas veces en promover todo lo que pueda conducir al progreso de la Sociedad y a estender sus cristianos, beneficos y laudables objetos.

Soy, señores, con todas las consideraciones posibles vuestro muy atento y obediente servidor.

Jose Maria Luis Mora.

Sres. de la Sociedad de la Biblia, britanica y estrangera.

Mexico City, 25th August 1829

Rev A Brandram No.37

Mexico 25 August 1829

My Dear Friend

You will naturally look in this letter for a decided answer respecting the edicts. Political affairs however have so completely occupied the Government of late as to leave almost no time for other objects. In my last I told you that the matter was in the hands of the Council of Government, but in consequence of the state of the country the council was broken up by the assembling of Congress, and at the very time when a decision was to be pronounced in our case. From this circumstance the matter was referred back to the minister, and he has been so busy in Government affairs as not to find time for our business. Things however in our case look well. The minister has told me that the law is on my side, and that he will decide in my favour in the course of eight days.

I am sorry to inform you that this country has lately been invaded by a Spanish army for the purpose again of reducing it to a state of servitude bodily and mental.[1] The army that has arrived amounts to 4,000 men; 6,000 more it is said are soon expected from the Havana; and besides, an expedition of 10,000 is talked of from Spain. This last reinforcement is I think very doubtful, and you of course will hear of sailing before we know anything certain upon the subject. 10,000 men however are sufficient to do a great deal of hurt to the country in its present distracted and reduced state, though certainly not to subdue it. We must wait the result of this matter with patience and resignation, looking up to him who has promised to bless the nations and make his name glorious in them. He will do so, whatever plans men may form to hinder the light from spreading. The Lord reigneth, let the earth be glad.

I am truly gratified to learn of the prosperity of the Society during the past year. It has been my prayer, as I am sure it is of you all, that the Lord would unite his people in this great and good work. The Lord is answering our prayers as is evident by the progress made in the year past. May he who has done such things for you, bless you still more in the ensuing and succeeding years until the word of God is in the hands of all in their native tongues.

It is delightful to hear of the openings for the Scriptures in the East. Surely the attention of the Society is specially directed by the provision of God to that quarter. Many parts of Europe & America, notwithstanding their professions of Christianity, oppose the circulation of the Scriptures , whilst heathen Asia cries, come over & help us. You will no doubt attend to this cry, limiting your exertions only by your means, and the demands of other places nearer home. It may be that the ready reception of the Scriptures among heathen nations will provoke Catholic Europe & America to emulation. I wish it may be so, at all events your duty as a Society is clear, to operate as extensively as you can on the great eastern population to which the Spirit so evidently directs you at the present time. I shall anxiously look for your report to trace in it your extensive operations and success.

                        I remain, My Dear Sir,

                                    Very Truly Yours,

                                                James Thomson.

[1] Spanish troops landed near Tampico from Cuba on July 29, 1829 to 'reconquer' Mexico. The battle of Puerto Viejo--September 10,11--ended that. (BM)

Mexico City, 18th September 1829

Rev A Brandram No.38

Mexico 18 September 1829

My Dear Friend

I have hesitated a long time whether I should write you this month or not. This is no prelude to good news, you will say, and yet I have nothing that may be called unfavourable to communicate. I hope you are by this time sufficiently seasoned with the endless delays we meet with here, as not to be surprised that the decision I referred to in my last has not yet taken place. The Minister told me, agreeably to what I wrote you, that in eight days after the date of my letter he would decide our case and favourably. But before the eight days elapsed the Council of State resumed its sittings, and my petition was again laid before it. As the Council had to appoint new committees, and to refer my petition to one of them, and again as this said committee must give an opinion on the case, and this opinion must afterward be judged of by the Council, we are thus involved in delay upon delay. To all this must be added that the whole must be sent back again to the Minister whose duty it is to write out and promulgate the decree of the Government upon the subject. When I shall be able to send you the ultimatum of this business I cannot promise, nor shall I, warned as I am by experience, venture to prognosticate the day of its termination.

How happy you people in Earl Street are who have nothing to do with governments either civil or ecclesiastical. I have you see to do with both, and were one allowed to speak evil, many things might be said of the one and of the other that would not much tend to exalt them. I hope you believe that there is no third party accessory to these delays, and in truth it will be no little proof of your having well imbibed that charity which thinketh no evil, if you are satisfied that your agent here is pushing this affair as fast as he can. I am really doing so, and yet you see how little progress is made. To me who am  pretty well acquainted by this time with these people the thing is not so surprising, but to you it must be otherwise. Please therefore to remember that charity believeth all things, hopeth all things, and never faileth.

What I have said respecting delays in this business of the edicts applies equally to the procuring of translations of the Scriptures into native languages. I have fixed my attention in the matter chiefly on the Bishop of Puebla, for reasons which you may easily suppose, and which indeed I mentioned in my former letters. But the Lord called the Bishop to lay down his office and his life, not choosing to honour him in accomplishing this good work. A new source or sources were in consequence to be sought for whence these translators were to issue. They have been sought and the work is begun in the Mexican and Tarasco languages, whilst a friend, a member of the national Congress has written to Yucatán to make some inquires regarding a translator to provide a version of a portion of the Scriptures into the language spoken over that peninsula. I hope you will exercise all patience towards us in our tardy movements.

You are placed of the Lord to feed and to drive towards of Zion the various flocks of mankind scattered over the earth. Please remember that there are among them flocks of which are tender and weakly, and that if they are overdriven they will die.

I shall keep in mind what you say about the books in the native languages for the use of your library.

I feel very anxious about Mr. Matthews, and look with increasing interest to some early notice from you regarding him.

I am truly glad to learn that a better feeling begins to spread in Edinburgh & through Scotland in general regarding the Bible Society. May the Lord unite all his people in the great work of circulating the Holy Scriptures in every land.

            I remain, Truly Yours,

                        James Thomson.

Mexico City, 27th October 1829

Rev A Brandram No.39

Mexico 27 October 1829

My Dear Friend

Your letter dated Lyme Regis, Dorset, August 11th is now before me. You state in this your private thoughts regarding Dr. Mora's wish to be considered a person in the service of your Society. The delicate circumstances in which the Committee is placed regarding such connexions I am fully aware of, and should a negative be put upon this request I shall not feel that it arises from anything else than the delicacy of these circumstances, and most sincere desire to do what may be approved of God and of man. I fully believe indeed, according to what you notice, that nothing gives you greater pleasure than to accede to the wishes of your agent here regarding measures proposed by him for the circulation of the Holy Scriptures in this quarter. In the same unofficial manner in which you communicated to me your thoughts regarding Dr. Mora I mentioned your difficulties to him, and I had the pleasure of seeing that he received the notice in that proper manner which one could wish. He perceived the circumstances in which you are placed, and said that on account of these he could not in any way be dissatisfied at your backwardness to accede to his request, and that however you may be led to do that in the matter, he will still cheerfully do for the Society what lies in his power, his object being to make the word of God better known in every sense of the term in his native land.

Your fears regarding Mr. Matthews have long been my own. A second packet after his arrival at Bogota, bringing you no letter from him excited my fears that all was not right. I hope you have written to Mr. Henderson about him. As a friend of the Society, and as the British Consul General in that city he is every way the fittest person you can write to upon the subject. I shall anxiously look for the result of your inquiries. This subject reminds me of the abundant cause of thankfulness I have to the Father of mercies, for all his gracious goodness to me in traveling through those quarters, where I fear some evil has befallen our fellow labourer and I pray that these mercies may stir me up to every godly feeling and practice.

In regard to the hint you throw out for my consideration, I would say, that I should be glad to accede to your wishes were there not other circumstances sufficiently many and important to stand in the way of it. Since the day I first embarked for South America I have endeavoured to consider that my will was to be guided to this or to that according to the greater or less probability of advancing the Redeemer's cause in these new countries. This same principle would prevent me from entering upon what you propose to me, because I consider there is a more ample field of usefulness which I now am. True I am hedged up, and have been so for many months past in regard to the circulation of the Scriptures. Yet still the Scriptures do circulate though slowly, and I consider my presence here necessary in order to remove existing obstructions, and should they be removed, to extend the circulation of the sacred volume as widely as possible among a population about as great as that contained in the whole continent of South America. In addition to the opportunities I have and hope to have of promoting the circulation of the word of God here, I have other opportunities besides of advancing as I think the kingdom of our Lord. All these taken together would hinder me from changing this field for the one in question. In short there is only one object, and one of which I believe you know something, which could induce me to leave my present concerns in this country. When an opportunity offers in the dealings of Providence for carrying into effect the object now referred to, I shall only apprise you of it, and beg to be released from my present engagement with the Society. But nothing short of this I believe will lead me to change my present field of operations. Should we not succeed in removing the present restrictions, there will still be a field for our operations in forcing as it were the Scriptures into circulation here at present. And from the gradual emancipation of this country in religious matters, we may expect that all ecclesiastical restrictions will ere long be set at nought, and that the Scriptures will be bought and read in spite of them, and the more so probably on account of such prohibitions.

I intended to notice these things to you at a very early period, though no such hint had been given as the one you mention, and I now only anticipate by a short time the results of my late thoughts, meditations, and prayers regarding my circumstances in this country. Of course what I have said regards only one side of the question. The other side of it is, how long and under what circumstances you may wish to maintain an agent in this quarter. On this I hope you will with all freedom state to me whatever occurs to you as your duty to do.

The fittest person will I know of for visiting the different quarters in South America in your service is Mr. Edelyartha. He is still in this country, in the neighborhood of Oajaca, I had a letter from and only a few days ago. He has met with several misfortunes here and more than once his life has been in imminent danger, but he remains joyful in the Lord under all these things, saying (and in his heart I believe) good is the will of the Lord, let him do what seemeth good. I think Mr. Edelyartha would enter upon this work, and regarding his qualifications for it, I refer you to what I have said of him in a letter written to Mr. Roberts some time ago.

The Council of Government has as yet decided nothing in our case. The reason is that there exist some little battlings between the Council and the executive which makes the former unwilling to do anything lest the latter should perhaps undo it. I have still good hope in this matter.

I told you in my last letter that the Spaniards had come here to reconquer this country and to restore all former things among us. The attempt has completely failed, and the humbled reconquerors, stripped of their arms, are waiting for ships to carry them back to the Havannah agreeably to the terms of capitulation. The external enemy is thus destroyed, but our internal state here is anything but stable. In all probability we shall have new troubles and changes in this country before long. But the Lord reigneth and careth for his kingdom. Therefore I trust that all the changes which take place will be overruled for the establishment here of that Kingdom which cannot be moved.

            I remain, Truly Yours, James Thomson.

P.S. Mr. John Davis of 56 Paternoster Row will call on Mr. Tarn with a draft for £50, dated the 22nd instant. J.T.