lages on the frontier of La Mancha. Write to me as soon as possible,
always directing to my lodgings in Madrid. I wish to know the lowest
price at which I am at liberty to dispose of Testaments, and conclude
with hoping that what I have narrated will meet the approbation of you
ALL.

(UNSIGNED.)

To the Rev. A. Brandram

(_Endorsed_: recd. Aug. 2nd, 1838)
MADRID, No. 16 CALLE SANTIAGO,
_July_ 23, 1838.

REVD. AND DEAR SIR,--As, I was about to leave Villa Seca for Aranjuez I
received your letters of the 3rd and 7th inst., on the perusal of which I
instantly returned to Madrid instead of pursuing my intended route.

My answer will be very brief, as I am afraid of giving way to my
feelings; I hope, however, that it will be to the purpose.

It is broadly hinted in yours of the 7th that I have made false
statements in asserting that the Government, in consequence of what has
lately taken place, had come to a resolution of seizing the Bible depots
in various parts of this country.

In reply, I beg leave to inform you that by the first courier you will
receive from the British Legation at Madrid the official notice from
Count Ofalia to Sir George Villiers of the seizures already made, and the
motives which induced the Government to have recourse to such a measure.

The following seizures have already been made, though some have not as
yet been officially announced:

The Society's books at Oviedo, Pontevedra, Salamanca, Santiago, Seville,
and Valladolid.

It appears from your letters that the depots in the south of Spain have
escaped. I am glad of it, although it be at my own expense. I see the
hand of the Lord throughout the late transactions. He is chastening me.
It is His pleasure that the guilty escape and the innocent be punished.
The Government give orders to seize the Bible depots throughout the
country on account of the late scenes at Malaga and Valencia. I have
never been there, yet only _my_ depots are meddled with, as it appears!
The Lord's will be done, blessed be the name of the Lord!

I will write again to-morrow. I shall have then arranged my thoughts,
and determined on the conduct which it becomes a Christian to pursue
under these circumstances. Permit me in conclusion to ask you: