LETTERS ON THE MORAL AND RELIGIOUS STATE OF SOUTH AMERICA.
DENNETT, PRINTER, LEATHER LANE, LONDON.
LETTERS
ON THE
MORAL AND RELIGIOUS STATE
OF
SOUTH AMERICA,
WRITTEN
DURING A RESIDENCE OF NEARLY SEVEN YEARS
IN
BUENOS AIRES, CHILE, PERU,
AND COLOMBIA.
BY JAMES THOMSON.
PUBLISHED BY JAMES NISBET,
21, BERNERS STREET, LONDON.
Hatchard and Son, Piccadilly; Seeley and Son, Fleet Street;
Hamilton, Adams, and Co., and J. Duncan, Paternoster Row;
W. Oliphant; Waugh and Innes; and W. Whyte and Co., Edinburgh;
M. Ogle; and Chalmers and Collins, Glasgow;
R. M. Tims; and W. Curry and Co., Dublin.
M DCCC XXVII.
TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE LORD CALTHORPE, _&c. &c. &c._
MY LORD,
Knowing the warm, solicitude which your Lordship feels in regard to all
endeavours, to promote the moral and religious welfare of the inhabitants
of South America, I dedicate these Letters to your Lordship; and I beg of
you to accept my sincere thanks for your Lordship’s kind permission thus
to give your name to the world, in connexion with the best and highest
interests of South America.
I have the honour to be,
MY LORD,
Your Lordship’s
Most obedient Servant,
JAMES THOMSON.
PREFACE.
Soon after my return to England in 1825, I was solicited by several
friends to publish extracts from the letters I had written during my
residence in South America. To enable me to do this, I was kindly
furnished with these letters by the individuals to whom they were
addressed. I have at length attended to these solicitations, with this
view of creating a greater interest in this country on behalf of that
quarter of the world, and in the expectation that this increased interest
will turn out to the good of South America.
I have to beg the indulgence of my readers in regard to these letters,
from the consideration that they were not written for publication. There
will appear also some indistinctness, on account of the letters being
addressed to various individuals, whilst they are here classed simply
in the order of time in which they were written. To which may be added,
among their defects, the abruptness arising from the circumstance of what
is here given being only extracts. If, however, some interest should be
excited in regard to South America by the publication of these letters,
and if there should arise from this some good to that country, I shall
not be sorry for thus having given them to the public, notwithstanding
the disadvantages under which they appear.
I am now about to return to that quarter of the world, and trust that
the same gracious hand which protected me and guided me in my former
wanderings there, will still conduct me, and will enable me to sow seed
which may spring up unto eternal life. Ten days after this date, I embark
for Mexico, as the agent of the British and Foreign Bible Society. I go
fraught with a sacred treasure, with some thousands of copies of the
Holy Scriptures. Besides circulating these, which are nearly all in
the Spanish language, I am commissioned to procure translations of the
Scriptures into the native languages of that country, and which are still
spoken there by some millions of the inhabitants.
In prosecuting these objects, I intend to travel over the greater part
of Mexico and Guatemala. Whilst traversing these parts, I shall probably
keep a journal of occurrences, illustrative of the state of the country
in a general point of view; and should the small volume now published be
favourably received, I may perhaps at some future period have something
for the press less unworthy of public attention.
LONDON, 13th February, 1827.
LETTERS ON THE MORAL AND RELIGIOUS STATE OF SOUTH AMERICA.
_Buenos Aires, 5th June, 1820._
I cannot be very particular as to all that has occurred to me since my
arrival here, the outlines will be sufficient. I arrived on the 6th
October, 1818, after a voyage from Liverpool of twelve weeks and three
days, and except about a fortnight, was sick all the time. Soon after my
arrival, I made proposals to the Government, regarding the introduction
of the Lancasterian System of education. I received promises of meeting
with every encouragement in this matter, but these promises, through
neglect, were long in producing the desired effect. I was feeling the
truth of Solomon’s remark, “Hope deferred maketh the heart sad.” Under
these circumstances I was proposing to go into the interior, where I
had more positive encouragement held out to me. Just at this time, by
application at a better quarter than we had at first applied to, the
arrangement was formed by which I was engaged by the magistrates to put
their schools, in this city and neighbourhood, upon this plan. Since
that time we have been doing more or less in this business, but things
in general go on very slowly here, and besides, many political changes
have retarded our operations. Notwithstanding, however, I trust the
foundation of a good work has been laid, by pursuing of which, I hope
to see many thousands reaping the benefits of education, and imbibing
the soundest principles of religion and morality from lessons selected
from the Holy Scriptures. You will be surprised and pleased when I tell
you, these lessons are entirely of my own selection, and printed in this
place. In no case, regarding them, has there been any interference or
hindrance on the part of the clergy or others. We have now a school going
on, with upwards of 100 boys in it, and soon we expect to have others
set a going. These things, my dear friend, fill me (as they will do you)
with gratitude and thanksgiving. They are small things, in themselves
considered, but taking into consideration all the circumstances of
this country, they are great, and more especially when considered as a
foundation for future operations. In another respect also something has
been done, I mean regarding the circulation of the Scriptures. I have got
upwards of 400 Spanish New Testaments from the British and Foreign Bible
Society, and these I have been able to land here without the smallest
hindrance. Several of them have been already distributed, and have met
with a ready reception. I have been able also to send some of them into
various parts of the country here, and into Chile. Where the word of God
circulates, we have every ground to look for good effects, though it may,
like seed sown in the earth, appear for a while to be lost. By and by,
however, the seed springs up, first the blade, then the ear, and lastly
the full corn in the ear. So shall it be with the seed of the word of
God, which shall not return void, but shall accomplish the will of God in
turning men from darkness to light.
We are in the midst of political commotions here at present, and have
been so for some time past. The Lord, however, is the security of his
people, he is the Governor among the nations, and all these changes will,
I trust, lead to the promoting of his kingdom. Let us join in the prayer,
“Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth, as it is done in heaven.”
For the present, farewell.
* * * * *
_Buenos Aires, 26th July, 1820._
I have got the information contained in your letters, and the printed
sheet translated into Spanish, and have presented it to the Magistrates,
who have ordered it to be printed in the Buenos Aires Gazette.
I am happy to say the same favourable disposition towards our objects,
continues to prevail in this place; and that from Monte Video I have
lately received encouraging accounts, which, I hope, will lead to a
commencement in that place. I went there about three months ago, to see
what could be done. It so happened that General Lecor, the Portuguese
Governor, to whom I had letters of introduction, was absent at Maldonado,
with the two principal Magistrates. I explained my objects to the chief
clergyman, a liberal man, and a particular friend of the Governor’s. He
promised to do all he could towards promoting our system of education on
the Governor’s return; and I some weeks ago received from him a copy of a
letter, which the Magistrates addressed to him upon the subject, and of
which I subjoin a translation.
“_Monte Video, 20th May, 1820._
“Sir,—We have read with peculiar pleasure and attention the
memorial which you had the goodness to send us, relative to
the system of instruction established in Europe by Lancaster.
We have the honour of communicating, that it has met with our
particular esteem; and that in consequence, we have resolved to
adopt the said system in this city, as soon as Mr. Thomson can
come here from Buenos Aires, to commence it. Please communicate
this to him, and express our sincere thanks to him for his
zeal towards the youth of this province. May God preserve you
many years.”
* * * * *
_Buenos Aires, 24th May, 1821._
I am now about to leave this city, and to proceed to Chile. I leave the
two principal schools going on as I mentioned in my last, and the masters
of the others instructed in the monitorian system. What principally
enables me to leave the schools here in the confidence that they will go
on well, is, that they are under the particular care of one who feels
much interest in the new system of instruction, and of general education.
This individual is very active, and well fitted to carry into execution
what he conceives useful. The person I am speaking of is a priest. We
have been associated together in the care of the schools for some time,
and have had much intercourse with each other, and we have always been on
the most friendly terms.
It was my intention to leave this, at the latest, in October next.
Things, however, being favourably arranged, as above mentioned, I have
thought it my duty to set out for Chile without loss of time. From my
former letters you would learn that the Chilian government has requested
me to go there to establish schools on the Lancasterian plan. I had
promised to go as soon as the state of the schools here would permit. The
Chilian government, through their minister here, continues to shew the
same interest as before in regard to this matter, and has now made an
agreement with me.
The season is now far advanced, and the Andes are covered with snow.
Besides this inconvenience of the mountains, the roads, in some places,
are nearly intercepted, so as to render travelling rather insecure. From
these considerations, I have resolved, with the advice of my friends,
to go by sea, and have taken my passage in the brig Dragon, Captain
Green, for Valparaiso, in Chile. Sailing round Cape Horn is by no means
so formidable a matter now as it was formerly considered to be. Vessels
frequently go round now, and at all seasons. This is now the middle
of our winter, and we expect the cold to be severe. I am accordingly
preparing myself for it, as well as I can, by providing warm clothing.
During the winter the winds are considered more favourable, and vessels
make quicker passages. We expect to sail in a day or two, and, I trust,
He who guided me over the ocean in coming to this place, will still be
with me to preserve me, and to bring me safely to my desired haven.
I leave all my friends here on the best terms, and I leave the place,
in many respects with regret. I shall never forget all the kindness I
have met with in this city from the Magistrates, and from all classes
with whom I have had intercourse. May God reward them. When I gave in my
resignation, I said that it was my intention to return here next summer,
to visit the schools, and to see how they were coming on. In the kindest
manner I was requested not to forget my promise of returning. They were
sorry, they said, that it was not in their power to reward me in a
pecuniary way, from the lowness of their funds. They begged me to accept
of their sincerest thanks for establishing this system of education in
the country, from which they said they anticipated the happiest results,
in making education general throughout all classes of the people; and
they added that, as a mark of respect, they had requested the government
to confer on me the honour of citizenship, and which was accordingly done.
* * * * *
_Santiago de Chile, 6th Aug. 1821._
My letter to you of the 16th July, brought down my journal to the day
before my leaving Valparaiso. On the 17th I left that place in the
afternoon, and at two o’clock on the 19th I said, “Peace be to this
city!” I was going to give you some account of the road, and what I met
with upon it, but find I have got other things to write which will fill
my letter. I shall leave this description till a further opportunity.
You know, already, that I was engaged to come here by this government,
and that my passage round the Cape was paid by the same. I therefore
looked for a fair and open reception. I have not been disappointed, or,
perhaps, I should rather say I have, for I have met with a reception
beyond my expectation, I might say to my wish. I have been introduced to
the Director and to the Ministers of Government, all of whom express much
desire for the speedy establishment of schools _throughout_ Chile. We
have got the largest apartment in the University for a school-room. The
joiners are busy at work, fitting it up, and we only wait their finishing
to begin our operations.
I shall occupy the rest of my letter in giving you a translation of two
articles, which bear upon this subject.
On my arrival here, I received a copy of the following order, issued by
the Government two days before I reached this city:—
“By supreme authority of this date, I communicate to Don Manuel
Salas the following note.
“Mr. Thomson, who has been engaged to establish in this city
the new system of mutual instruction, has already arrived in
Valparaiso. His Excellency, the Director, has a decided wish
that public education may be general, and is very anxious to
give all possible aid to this establishment for elementary
instruction, as preparatory to the higher branches. He has for
this end appointed you with full powers to forward this object,
in conjunction with Mr. Thomson, and the President of the
Board of Public Education. You will, therefore, do all in your
power to establish it as soon and as perfectly as possible.—A
copy of this order to be sent to the President of Public
Education, and to Mr. Thomson.”
“Office of the Minister of State in Santiago
de Chile, 17th July, 1821.
“JOAQUIN DE ECHEVARRIA.”
Upon enquiring who this Don Manuel Salas was, I found he was a man very
highly respected by every one, and a modest but decided philanthropist.
I have since been frequently with him, and find him, indeed, as
described to me. I next give you an article from the Public Gazette of
the 4th current; I think it is from the pen of Salas, but this is only
conjecture. It is, however, either from him or from one of the Ministers
of Government.
“PUBLIC EDUCATION.
“Ignorance is one of the greatest evils that man can suffer,
and it is the principal cause of all his errors and miseries.
It is also the grand support of tyranny, and ought, therefore,
to be banished by every means from that country which desires
a liberty regulated by laws, customs, and opinion. None can be
happy unless he study religion, morality, and his own rights,
unless he improve by the knowledge of those who have preceded
him, and enter into social connexion, as it were, with those
who in former times, and in other places, cultivated the
sciences and the arts, and who have deposited in their writing,
the fruit of their studies for the improvement of others. The
only way by which we can form such an acquaintance with great
men is _by reading_. The happy day is now arrived when the
infinitely valuable art of reading is to be extended to every
individual in Chile. We have now the pleasure of announcing
this to all classes of the community. This will be considered
as the most interesting news, by those who know its importance,
and who consider it as the basis of solid prosperity. Deeply
impressed with this truth, our benevolent government has
brought to this place Mr. James Thomson, who has established in
Buenos Aires elementary schools upon that admirable system of
Lancaster, which has spread through the world. He is going to
establish schools on the same plan in this city, from which,
as a centre, this system will be propagated through all the
towns of the state. The readiness with which this mode of
education has been generally adopted, its economy, and the
quickness and order with which children learn by it reading,
writing, arithmetic, and the principles of grammar, strongly
recommend it. It has been particularly useful in those places
where rural or mechanical occupations allow but a short time
for instruction. There is, therefore, now no obstacle in
the way for every one in Chile to obtain education. Notice
will be given, from time to time, of the progress of the
central school, which is to serve as a model for others. In
it masters will be instructed, and those masters who show the
most attention in acquiring a knowledge of this system will be
appointed in preference to the other schools.”
* * * * *
_Santiago de Chile, 8th October, 1821._
I seize the opportunity of sending you a few lines by his Majesty’s ship
Owen Glendower, which sails for England from Valparaiso immediately.
I enclose you a copy of a letter of this date to Mr. Owen, which will
inform you of my concerns here, touching the Bible Society, to this
date. In addition to this, I shall now communicate to you some notices
regarding our schools here, bringing down my accounts upon the subject
from the 1st September (the date of my last letter to Mr. S.) to the
present day.
I am happy to say, the favourable reception I met with here, and of
which I wrote you on the 6th August, was not a momentary feeling. It has
been kept up till now, and I might also say, it has rather increased
than diminished. Soon after my arrival in this city, a large room in the
University was pointed out to me as the place in which we were to begin
our school operations. This hall is capable of containing 200 children,
according to our plan, and this is a very good number for a model school.
This hall was to have been the University Chapel. The building I here
call the University, is not occupied at present in the way its name would
indicate, though intended for a place of learning. There is, however,
another building appropriated to the objects of a college, and of which I
may write you afterwards. My present object is to speak of our schools.
Through the delay of the joiners in fitting up this place, it was not
completed till the 17th September. On that day our school was opened.
From day to day our number increased, till, at the end of a fortnight,
our number (200) was completed. Since that time, we have been daily
importuned to admit others, which we are unable to do. We are, however,
about to commence fitting up another large hall in the University
buildings. At the present rate of applications, we shall certainly have
more in readiness for that second school, by the time it is prepared,
than it will contain. The fitting up of others is also talked of. From
the short time our school has been going on, it promises to do well. The
children are docile and agreeable. I am now so much familiarized with
the appearance and manner of the children in these countries, that I
feel myself quite at home among them. There is more resemblance to the
English or European face among the children and others here, in Chile,
than in Buenos Aires. I have been _this moment_ interrupted by one of my
scholars, who has called upon me, and brought me a ham, a present from
his mother.
All classes seem to take an interest in our schools. We are daily
visited. The First Minister of the Government pays us a visit regularly
every afternoon. We have already four masters studying the system, and
these will be ready in a month or two to open schools on our plan, either
in this city or in the provincial towns. In Conception, Coquimbo, and
another town of inferior population, they are preparing for establishing
schools upon our system. The principal things we stand in need of for
the rapid extension of our schools, are slates and printed lessons. I am
expecting 2000 slates by the first vessel from England, and am at present
getting some lessons printed in the government printing office. To defray
the expense of these, we have opened a subscription, which I hope will do
well. I have already got upwards of 270 dollars among my English friends
here, and expect more.
Thus, you see, the Lord is with us, and blessed be his name. May he,
in his own way and wisdom, make his great name glorious in the eyes of
Chile, and of all South America.
* * * * *
_Santiago de Chile, 8th October, 1821._
I wrote you a few lines on the 26th February, and then mentioned that
it was my intention to visit Chile. Through the gracious providence of
the God of the Bible Society, I have now effected my intention. I left
Buenos Aires on the 30th May, and sailing round Cape Horn, arrived safely
at Valparaiso, after a voyage of forty-four days. After a short stay in
that place, to recruit my health, which always suffers at sea, I came
to this city, the capital of Chile. Here, the moment of my arrival, I
met with a very encouraging reception. You know, of course, that my most
prominent object in South America is the promoting of education on the
Lancasterian plan. On this footing it was that I experienced so hearty
a reception in this place. Great and respected as your Society is, and
ought to be, in the eyes of England and of Europe, it would yet be an
imprudence to proclaim one’s self your agent here, with the sole or chief
object of circulating the Bible. This is not speaking very favourably of
the inhabitants of South America, you will say. I confess it, but at the
same time, I have told you the truth.[1] Whilst, however, I hold myself
forward in the eyes of South America, as a promoter of education and an
instructor of youth, I consider myself in all respects as the servant
of the British and Foreign Bible Society. I beg you to consider me in
this light, and to call upon me with the utmost freedom in whatever way
I can, directly or indirectly, promote your blessed work, in making the
inhabitants of this vast continent acquainted with the words of eternal
life. I have said, my prominent object here is the establishment of
schools. I freely and openly profess this, and in consequence am every
where hailed as a friend. The little influence I have thus acquired, and
the confidence reposed in me, enable me more effectually to promote the
circulation of the Scriptures, than if I acted ostensibly and exclusively
as your agent. One proof of this I shall give you. I brought with me
among my books from Buenos Aires, about sixty Spanish New Testaments. In
getting my luggage through the custom-house, I was told, that the books
must be inspected by the Bishop. I wished this might be dispensed with,
but it was insisted on. I then told the officers, that I was engaged to
come here by the Government to establish the Lancasterian schools. That
alters the case, said they, and immediately the papers for despatching
my books, &c. were signed, and not a single book was so much as looked
at either by the Bishop, or by any of the custom-house officers. I was
told, before coming here, that there was much less liberality in Chile,
as to the circulation of the Scriptures, than in Buenos Aires. I was,
therefore, anxious to avoid the inspection of the Bishop above noticed. I
understand he has it in his power to prohibit what books he chooses, and
that his prohibition holds, unless the Government give, in the individual
case, an order to the contrary. I am in expectation of receiving from
you very soon 300 of Scio’s translation of the New Testament. These I
shall let pass all the forms required, to make proof whether or not
the Scriptures are allowed to be introduced into Chile. This, you will
perceive, is an object worth ascertaining, and the knowledge of it will
be of considerable use in directing us in future. Should the Bishop demur
as to their circulation, and wish to keep them, I can, I think, obtain an
order of the Government to prevent it; so that we may consider there is
no great danger of losing them, in making the trial referred to.
Notwithstanding what I have said above, no interruption to the
circulation of the Spanish New Testament has yet been experienced. Soon
after my arrival, I gave to an Englishman, who has a shop here, some
copies to sell. This man is a Roman Catholic, and I am happy to say, he
recommends the Scriptures to the natives of this country, who are of his
own religion. He has already sold about twenty. He is very anxious for
the arrival of the Spanish Bibles, which I told him I expected, as he
thinks he could sell many of them.
In my letters to you, from time to time, when in Buenos Aires, I related
to you the state of the circulation of the Scriptures in that place. I
am happy to say, that at my leaving it, the prospects regarding this
important matter were more favourable than at any former period. I do
not mean to say by this, that there was any particular stir about the
word of God, or great demand for it; but I mean to convey to you this
encouraging truth, that the Scriptures are occasionally bought, and
more so than formerly, and that they are increasingly read from year to
year. I consider the word of God to have fairly got an entrance into
Buenos Aires; and that its prohibition, or any material hindrance to its
circulation, is not only unlikely, but, one might say, impossible. I give
you this as my opinion, after a residence in that place of more than two
years and a half, and an intercourse with various classes of society
during that time.
I shall now mention some things not formerly noticed, regarding the
circulation of the Scriptures in Buenos Aires, and in the surrounding
country.—A military officer, commanding on a station a short distance
from the city, has been greatly delighted with the New Testament, and
in consequence, very anxious to make others acquainted with it. He
recommended the reading of it to several poor people who were unable
to purchase it, and requested to have copies to give them, which he
obtained. In this way he has distributed a number of copies. Besides
those given to the poor, some have been sold by him to those able to pay
for them. He used to take me very cordially by the hand when we met,
and to speak with pleasure on the beneficence of the Bible Society, and
of the great advantages that would arise to his countrymen by a general
reading of the Holy Scriptures. I told him I hoped soon to have the
whole Bible in Spanish, and in consequence he is all expectation for
it. On my leaving Buenos Aires, I gave twenty-four New Testaments to
this gentleman, in the confidence of their being distributed in the most
judicious manner.
There is a military station and a small town on the east coast of
Patagonia, called Rio Negro, in about 42° south latitude. To this place
some copies of the New Testament have been sent. One individual, a native
of that place, was so pleased with the copy he got, that he requested
the person who brought it, to bring several copies on his return for
his family and friends. I am personally acquainted with the officer at
present commanding at that place, and am pretty certain he will not
throw any obstacle in the way of the circulation of the Scriptures.
This gentleman attended our school in Buenos Aires, and took with him
lessons, &c. to establish schools on his arrival in that place, for which
he sailed in May last. The lessons I have referred to I got printed in
Buenos Aires for our schools. They are selections from the Scriptures.
These lessons, now used in most of the schools, will greatly contribute,
I hope, to create a desire to possess the sacred volume, a book which has
hitherto been little known in this country.
A Patagonian chief, called Cualli Piachepolon, in the very centre of
Patagonia, is in possession of one of your Testaments. This man has
been in the habit of visiting Buenos Aires for some years, in order to
exchange the few commodities which his country at present produces, for
those of Europe. He has hence acquired some knowledge of the Spanish
language. Upon hearing some passages of the New Testament read to him, he
requested to have the book, that he might, on his return, explain it to
his people.
Some copies have been sent to Tucuman, to Salta, &c.; so that your
bounty is known, more or less throughout the provinces of the Rio de
la Plata; and I have no doubt but, some hundred years hence, the then
populous banks of that king of rivers, and the circumjacent country, will
gratefully remember the present Committee and Members of the British and
Foreign Bible Society.
I close my account of Buenos Aires, for the present, by noticing, that
some individuals, upon obtaining the New Testament, and hearing of
your great and extended efforts in distributing the Holy Scriptures,
wondered how they had been taught that the English were not Christians.
When speaking on religion, it is common to use the word Christian and
Protestant in contradistinction to each other, meaning, by the former,
themselves or Roman Catholics in general, and by the latter, the English
or Protestants in general.
A short time before I left the Rio de la Plata, I sent ten of the
Portuguese Bibles, and twenty New Testaments, to Bahia, in charge of a
person who, I think, would take care to see them safely lodged in that
place. I sent them to the care of the English Chaplain there.
During the few days I stopped at Valparaiso, I met with a gentleman to
whom I had formerly intrusted twelve of the Spanish New Testaments. Upon
my enquiring about them, he told me they had been stolen out of his room.
Though this was to be regretted, yet one good effect would arise from it,
in as much as the person who stole them would no doubt take effectual
care to put them in circulation.
In my letter of 26th February, I requested the Society to send me 200
of Scio’s translation to Buenos Aires, and 300 to Valparaiso. I hope
these will respectively arrive in due time. I then noticed to you the
advantage that would arise from lettering them on the back, and varying
them in the binding. I particularly request your attention to this, as
I am sure it will contribute greatly to their sale. Let the binding be
in many cases elegant. They would thus be more expensive to the Society
at first, but they would be considerably less in the end. It is my
intention to _sell_ them in future, except when a favourable opportunity
occurs of giving the word of God to a person in real poverty. This I know
to be the uniform recommendation of the Society. I would beg leave to
suggest to you, that no Bibles or New Testaments be sent out in future
to Buenos Aires by the captains of ships. The captains, however well
intentioned they may be, cannot stay to distribute them. The Testaments,
in consequence, have not unfrequently come into hands who wish to get rid
of them in any way. By this means they become, as it were, of too little
consideration, and their _sale_ is thus also prevented, which no doubt
is the most effectual way of distributing them. In Buenos Aires several
persons objected to buying them, because they had formerly been got for
nothing. I shall, as I have said above, most readily act as your agent
in distributing the Scriptures in Buenos Aires, and in Chile. The most
judicious and effectual way of doing this is through the booksellers in
these places. Before leaving Buenos Aires I arranged for the continued
circulation of the New Testament, and here I shall make arrangements
to the same effect before I go. It is my intention to visit Peru before
long; and I shall there also, and indeed wherever I may be, zealously
endeavour to promote the good work in which you are engaged.
In a few years South America will have large claims on your Society, but
she will pay you from her mines for all your kindness. Should the Lord
spare me ten or twenty years, I have no doubt I shall see wonderful and
blessed changes on this continent. It is my intention, through the grace
of our Lord Jesus Christ, to spend my life (long or short as it may be)
in South America; probably not in any fixed place, but residing from time
to time wherever I may most effectually promote the work of the Lord, in
establishing schools, in circulating the Scriptures, and in the use of
such other means as circumstances may direct.
[1] Some letters towards the end will show, that this was too
unfavourable a conclusion, but it was the opinion I entertained from what
I had then seen of the country.
* * * * *
_Santiago de Chile, 1st Dec. 1821._
Before this reaches you, the taking of Lima by San Martin, will be known
in England. I need not expatiate upon this subject to you. You must see
at once how much our field is thereby extended. I may truly say, the fall
of Lima is as great a blow to the kingdom of Satan here, as it is to the
cause of Spain in South America. From what I have learned of San Martin,
I am sure he will prove a great forwarder of our cause there, and indeed
wherever he may be. The rejoicings here on account of the fall of Lima
have been very great, and they still continue. The fall of that strong
hold of the Spaniards, is at once the liberty of Peru, and the stability
of Chile; and I may add too, the independence of South America.
We are about to form a School Society in this city, which I hope will be
attended with happy results. The Director condescends to be the Patron of
the Society, and his first minister is to be President. We are looking
around us for the most patriotic and liberal men of the city to form a
Committee. Our Society may not be able to do what a similar Society would
do in England; but it may, however, do something, and may considerably
forward our objects here on behalf of the inhabitants of Chile. Besides
the establishing and superintending of schools throughout the state,
there is another object to which the Society will greatly contribute,
I mean, the printing of some elementary works for the schools, and for
the children to read in their own houses. This is a part of our work,
which I consider of great importance, and to which I intend to turn a
considerable part of my time and attention, so soon as other matters will
allow.
I believe I wrote you, before leaving Buenos Aires, that I had sent a
Master to Monte Video, or that I was about to send one. He had not left
Buenos Aires when I came away, as he was occupied in printing a grammar,
which he had written for the use of our schools. I have lately received
a letter from him, of which I shall give you an extract.—“On the 4th of
this month (July) I arrived in this city with the slates and lessons you
gave me for the schools here. On the following day, I presented myself to
Larañaga, (the chief ecclesiastic in Monte Video,) and he introduced me
to General Lecor, the Governor, to whom I gave your letter. I met with a
very hearty reception from the general, as also from Larañaga, and the
magistrates. On the 9th, we had assigned to us for a school-room, a large
hall in the Fort. This hall will hold 200 children. The general sent the
joiners and masons of the Government to prepare this school, and I am in
hopes we shall be able to open it in three weeks. I am making endeavours
to form a School Society here, which may take under its management
the schools of this city and province. I am in great expectation of
succeeding in this object, as the members of the Government are very well
disposed to it.”
In the end of this month, I am thinking of crossing the Andes, to verify
my long intended visit to Mendoza. The printing of our lessons is nearly
finished, and I shall thus be enabled to take some with me for the
supply of that place. You will see by the extracts of letters I gave from
Mendoza, in my last letter to Mr. H. (Nov. 1st), that things there are
very promising. I hope my expectations regarding their improvements will
be more than realized. The snow still continues on the mountains, as I
am informed by a gentleman just come over them. I hope it will be nearly
all gone by the time I set out. It has continued, I understand, for an
unusual length of time this season.
I shall leave the schools in my absence, under the care of an Englishman
lately come here from London. This gentleman was engaged by the agent
there of this Government, for the purpose of establishing Lancasterian
schools here. Upon his arrival, it was the intention of the Government to
send him to Conception. I thought, however, it would be better that he
should stay here to instruct the school-masters in grammar, geography,
&c., whilst they were studying the system in our school. To this proposal
the Government cheerfully agreed. We have in consequence a separate
class in the school, in which Mr. Eaton instructs the masters, and two
or three more who choose to attend. This arrangement will prove, I hope,
highly advantageous to the education of the country at large, as those,
who in future take charge of schools, will be better qualified for this
important office.
* * * * *
_Santiago de Chile, 30th Jan. 1822._
As I know you and your good friends of the British and Foreign School
Society take a deep interest in all things here relative to education, I
send you an extract from the Chile Gazette of the 19th current, by which
you will see that our endeavours to form a School Society here have not
been in vain.
“The surest method of promoting the happiness of any country
is to make all the people in it well informed and industrious.
An end has at length been put to the obstacles which prevented
the natives of Chile from enjoying those blessings which are
enjoyed by other nations less favoured by nature, but who have
preceded us in the cultivation of literature and the arts. It
is hence necessary now to strain every nerve to regain that
time which in idleness and darkness has been thrown away. We
begin, then, by offering an opportunity of acquiring knowledge
to all classes of the community, without respect of rank or
fortune, of sex or age.
“The Lancasterian system of mutual instruction, now introduced
in most parts of the civilized world, and to which many
places already owe an improvement in their habits, has been
established amongst us, and in such a manner as prognosticates
its beneficial effects. The propagation of this system holds
out the surest means of extirpating those principles formed
amongst us during the time of darkness. The government has
resolved zealously to protect this establishment, and, as
the best way of fulfilling its intention, has resolved to
unite with it in this object those persons who have the same
sentiments on the subject, and who, at the same time, possess
that activity, zeal, and energy, which this important matter
demands. In all places this system of instruction prospers and
extends itself under the fostering care of societies. This
circumstance at once determines me to follow the example thus
set before us, and immediately to establish a Society for this
object. Of this Society I shall be the protector and a member.
My first minister of state will be President. The Solicitor
General of the City, the Protector of the City Schools, and
the Rector of the National Institute, shall be _ex-officio_
members of the Committee of Management. The other members of
the Committee will in future be chosen by the Society; but, for
the present, I nominate to this charge:— * * * *
“The Committee will hold its meetings in the room belonging to
the Central School, on such days as shall be agreed on at the
first meeting, with no other formality than what is dictated
by good order. The Committee shall form rules for the Society,
and present them to the Government for approbation, and shall
name a Secretary, Accountant, and Treasurer, either from their
own number or otherwise. The object of this Institution is
to extend, in every direction throughout Chile, the benefits
of education; to promote the instruction of all classes, but
especially of the poor; to seize all the advantages which
this new system of education offers; and to point out those
means by which it may be best adapted to the circumstances
and necessities of the country. In short, this Institution
will be considered a good of the greatest magnitude, and whose
efficacies will, we trust, in some measure correspond to that
great extension of which it is susceptible.
(Signed)
“O’HIGGINS.”
I trust this Society, which has thus been formed, will be extremely
useful in forwarding the great concerns of general education in this
rising nation. There are many circumstances here very encouraging in
regard to the future prospects and prosperity of Chile. It is probable
our Society will communicate with you before long, by way of claiming
alliance with you in the grand work of universal instruction.
* * * * *
_Santiago de Chile, 9th May, 1822._
You have heard, I dare say, that I left Buenos Aires some time ago, and
came to Chile. I have now been here ten months, and am much pleased with
this country. In as far as respects the climate, I believe no country
can be more desirable to live in than this. It rains a good deal in the
winter season, that is, from June to September inclusive. Frost and
snow are seldom or never seen in the plains; notwithstanding, a fire is
very desirable in the winter. The highest ridge of the Andes is full
in sight from this city. This is covered with snow all the year round.
When it rains here below, it uniformly snows on the mountains. In the
summer season, we have no rain at all, and very few cloudy days. The
common course of the seasons is four months of occasional rains, and
eight months of fair weather. In the summer it is pretty hot during the
day; but it is always very comfortable at night. In Buenos Aires, on
the contrary, the nights, during the summer, are generally very warm.
In another respect also, Buenos Aires differs very remarkably from this
country. There, not a mountain, nor a hill, nor a rock is to be seen;
here, all those abound. The natives of Buenos Aires, who have never
been from home, have no idea of what a mountain is like;[2] and of snow
they are equally ignorant, having never seen the one or the other. They
would also be ignorant of what a stone is, were it not that some have
been brought from the other side of the river, for paving the streets.
After what I have said of the scarcity of stones, you may judge of the
correctness of a very modern work on South America, in which it is said,
“All the houses in Buenos Aires are built of a fine white stone, found
in quarries in the neighbourhood.” There is not, in Buenos Aires, a
single house built of stone, nor is there any quarry on that side of the
river within 100 miles of Buenos Aires. The houses there are all built
of brick. The mentioning of this last, brings me back again to Chile.
All the houses here, or nearly all, are built of _unburnt_ brick, such
bricks as the Israelites made in Egypt; they are made of earth mixed with
straw. It is said, this material for building suits the country best, on
account of earthquakes, which are not unfrequent. Last night, just about
this hour, (eight o’clock) we had a smart shock. I was sitting writing,
when my attention was called by a rumbling noise, and a clattering of
the window shutters. In a few seconds, the whole house shook, and the
creaking of the beams and joists was very distinct. The noise continued
for a few seconds after the shock, when all ceased. This is now the
fourth earthquake we have had in less than a week. They prevail most, I
am told, in this month.
We have now got our schools set on foot in this place, and I am thinking
of going to Lima in the course of a month or less, in order to prosecute
my objects there. According to the best information, the new state of
things in that country goes on wonderfully. Many reforms are taking
place of a very salutary nature. Gaming, which is carried on to a very
hurtful extent in all South America, has just been prohibited in Lima, by
the Government. Acts have passed for the gradual abolition of slavery.
Since the taking of Lima, all the children of slaves are born free.
The importation of slaves is entirely prohibited, and no infringement
of the Act takes place. The same state of things subsists here and in
Buenos Aires, regarding this shameful business. There is in South America
generally, I believe, a great desire for the increase of knowledge. I
can bear witness, that this is the case, in those parts I have been
in; and I doubt not of finding it so in Lima also. I am told, that
learning has prevailed there more than in places to the south of it, on
this continent. There are several men there, I am informed, who stand
tolerably high in literature. About three months ago, a literary society
was formed in Lima. I have sent a translation of the Act incorporating
the Society to Professor Jameson, of Edinburgh, and it may perhaps appear
in the Edinburgh Philosophical Journal.
The fall of Lima decided, I think, the contest between Spain and her
colonies, fairly establishing the independence of the latter. If any
thing, however, was wanting to complete this state of things, it has now
been accomplished by the late occurrences in Mexico. The immediate and
solid advantages occurring from this independence, to the cause of our
fellow-men in this continent, are very great. Knowledge is now tolerated
in the country, and also patronized. A war of extermination has been
declared against ignorance, and is actually waged. Soon after San Martin
entered Lima, a provisional law was issued, until a new code should be
formed for the country. In this provisional law, religious toleration is
publicly acknowledged, for the first time, in South America.
A most wonderful change has taken place in Buenos Aires since I left
it. War, anarchy, and confusion, have given place to a steady, firm,
and enlightened government. The principal cause of this happy change is
the present minister of state, Rivadavia. He arrived in Buenos Aires
a short time before I left it. For some years past he has resided in
London and in Paris; and the time he has spent in these places has been
well employed. He has there studied and is now practising the soundest
principles of political economy. If Buenos Aires goes on for a few years
as it has done for some months past, it will afford excellent lessons in
this interesting science to the nations of Europe, perhaps to the country
of Adam Smith. A fine emulation will be carried on, and is already
begun, between Buenos Aires and Lima. If an improvement is proposed in
one of these places, it is deemed sufficient to silence popular and low
prejudice, to publish that such a thing has already been done in the
other. As to the Chilians, they are, generally speaking, less enlightened
and more indifferent in respect to these subjects. Our Director is a
good man, truly desirous of the progress of Chile in every thing useful.
He has, however, but little activity or zeal. It is pleasing to see,
under these circumstances, the good effects produced on us here, by the
newspapers of Lima on the one hand, and of Buenos Aires on the other.
From these many articles are copied into our public journals; and some
things are already begun among us, in imitation of our friends in the
north and on the east. I lately crossed and recrossed the Andes on a
visit to Mendoza and San Juan. The cause of knowledge and of truth goes
on there also. In each of these places there is a printing-press, and
from these are likely to issue soon, many things which will contribute to
the general good.
[2] The river La Plata, opposite Buenos Aires, is thirty miles wide, and
at times, under a very favourable state of the atmosphere, a dim outline
of the low mountains on the northern side is visible. To this extent the
Buenos Aireans know what a mountain is.
* * * * *
_Lima, 11th July, 1822._