f obtaining
permission from the Government to print the New Testament in the
Castilian language in Spain, I lost no time upon my arrival in taking
what I considered to be the necessary steps. I must here premise that I
was an entire stranger at Madrid, and that I bore no letters, of
introduction to any person of influence whose credit might have assisted
me in this undertaking; so that notwithstanding I entertained a hope of
success, relying on the assistance of the Almighty, this hope was not at
all times very vivid, but was frequently overcast with the clouds of
despondency. Mr. Mendizabal was at this time Prime Minister of Spain,
and was considered as a man of almost unbounded power, in whose hands
were placed the destinies of the country. I therefore considered that if
I could by any means induce him to favour my view I should have no reason
to fear interruption from other quarters, and I determined upon applying
to him; but though I essayed two or three times to obtain an interview
with him, I failed, as he was far too much engrossed in important
business to receive a humble and unknown stranger. In this dilemma I
bethought me of waiting upon Mr. Villiers, the British Ambassador at
Madrid, and craving with the freedom permitted to a British subject his
advice and assistance in this most interesting affair. I was received by
him with great kindness, and enjoyed a conversation with him on various
subjects, before I introduced the matter which I had most at heart. He
said that if I wished for an interview with Mr. M. he would endeavour to
procure me one; but at the same time told me frankly that he could not
hope that any good would arise from it, as Mr. M. was violently
prejudiced against the British and Foreign Bible Society, and was far
more likely to discountenance than encourage any efforts which they might
be disposed to make for introducing the Gospel into Spain. I however
remained resolute in my desire to make the trial, and before I left him
obtained a letter of introduction to Mr. Mendizabal, with whom I had an
interview a few days after. The particulars of this interview have been
detailed on a former occasion. It will be sufficient to state here that
I obtained from Mr. Mendizabal, if not immediate permission to print the
Scriptures, a promise that at the expiration of a few months, when he
hoped that the country would be in a more tranquil state, I should be at
full liberty to do so, with which pro