ich he
was labouring under considerable error: Sir Geo. Villiers had informed me
that Mr. M. entertained an opinion that the Bible Society had been
endeavouring to exercise an undue influence over the minds of the slave
population of Cuba by means of their agents; but that I could assure him
with truth, that neither directly nor indirectly had they exerted or
attempted to exert any influence at all over any part of the inhabitants
of that island, as they had neither sent agents there, nor held any
communication with the residents. While I was saying this, he
interrupted me several times, insisting that it was so, and that he had
documents to prove it. I told him that it was probable he confounded the
Bible Society with some other institution for the propagation of
religion, perhaps with one of the missionary societies, more especially
one of those belonging to the United States, which might have sent
individuals to the island in question for the purpose of communicating
religious instruction to the slaves--but all I could say was to no avail;
he would have it that it was the British Bible Society who had despatched
missionaries to Cuba to incite the blacks to rise up against their
masters. The absurdity of this idea struck me so forcibly that it was
with difficulty I restrained myself from laughing outright. I at last
said that, whatever he might think to the contrary, the Committee of the
Bible Society were by no means of that turbulent and outrageous
disposition; that they were for the most part staid, quiet gentlemen, who
attended to their own affairs, and a little, and but a little to the
promulgation of Christ's Gospel, which, however, they too much respected
to endeavour to kindle a spirit of insurrection anywhere, as they all
know full well that it is the Word of God says that servants are to obey
their masters at all times and occasions. I then requested permission to
print the New Testament in Spanish at Madrid. He said he should not
grant it, for that the New Testament was a very dangerous book,
especially in disturbed times. I replied that I was not aware that the
holy book contained any passages sanctioning blood-shedding and violence,
but I rather thought that it abounded with precepts of an entirely
opposite tendency; but he still persisted that it was an improper book.
I must here observe that it was with the utmost difficulty I obtained an
opportunity of explaining myself, on account of the propensi