To the Rev.A.Brandram (ENDORSED:recd.Jany.24,1837)JANY.14,1837,MADRID.
CALLE SAN IAGO No.16,PISO 3RO.
REVD.AND DEAR SIR,-Immediately on my arrival at Madrid,which occurred on the 26th of last month,I despatched letters to yourself and Mr.Tarn,in that to Mr.T.was enclosed an account of my expenses,both of which letters I hope have arrived in safety.
I now take up the pen to acquaint you with what I have done since my arrival,and what I,with the Lord's assistance,purpose doing.
My first care was to wait on my excellent friend,Mr.Villiers,who received me with his usual kindness.I asked him if it were his opinion that I might venture to commence printing the Scriptures without an application to the present Government,as the law is doubtful on the point.His reply was satisfactory:'You obtained the permission of the Government of Isturitz,'said he,'which was a much less liberal one than the present;I am a witness to the promise made to you by the former Ministers,which I consider sufficient;you had best commence and complete the work as soon as possible,without any fresh application,and should any one attempt to interrupt you,you have only to come to me,whom you may command at any time.'-I went away with a light heart.
I next visited Mr.O'Shea,who was very glad to see me again,and assured me that he took the greatest interest in my undertaking,and should be happy to further it to the utmost of his power.Iknew that he had been connected with the paper-manufactories of the south,and a thought struck me.You will remember that I brought over specimens of paper from thirty to eighty REALS per ream,and that I was authorised to purchase 600reams of paper at 60REALSper ream.I asked Mr.O'Shea if he did not think that,through his connections,he could procure me such paper as I wanted at a much cheaper rate than it was possible for me to obtain it;he said he would make enquiries.I returned in a few days:he had performed more than I expected,and he showed me paper at 45REALS,better than what I could have purchased at 70,likewise some very good at 37.I hesitated for some time between these two specimens;I at length,however,determined to purchase that at 45REALS.I am therefore able to communicate that in paper alone 9000REALS will have been saved to the funds of the Society,and at the same time a superior article have been procured.
I found that during my absence from Madrid Mr.Wood had quitted Mr.
Borrego,and had accepted a situation in another printing establishment;but as Mr.Borrego is in possession of the only English press at Madrid,is moreover an intimate friend of Mr.
O'Shea,and above all enjoys the good opinion of Mr.Villiers who interests himself in his welfare,I am determined to entrust the printing to him.Mr.Borrego has agreed to make a reduction of 10REALS per sheet in his estimate,which I consider very liberal conduct,as the former charge,considering the rate of printing at Madrid,was by no means high.We have resolved to print the work precisely the same in shape and size as the copy entrusted to my charge,except that we shall substitute single for double columns.
I shall look over each sheet of the work myself,but in order to bring out as correct an edition as possible I have engaged the literary assistance of Dr.Usoz,the gentleman who some time since addressed a letter to the Society,in which he expressed a wish to become a member.He is one of the best Castilian scholars in Madrid,and,as he feels zeal in the cause,will,I have no doubt,prove eminently useful.Any remuneration for his labour he will leave to the consideration of the Bible Society and myself.
We shall commence printing within a few days,and I expect to have the work ready within ten weeks.