Vargas Mocejon Villa Seca
Cobeja Villaluenga Yuncler.
In about a week I shall depart from hence and proceed to another
district, as it would not be prudent to make a long sojourn in any
particular district under existing circumstances. It is my intention to
cross the country to Aranjuez, and endeavour to supply with the Word the
villages 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:
Have you not to a certain extent been partial in this matter? Have you
not, in the apprehension of being compelled to blame the conduct of one,
who has caused me unutterable anxiety, misery, and persecution, and who
has been the bane of the Bible cause in Spain, refused to receive the
information which it was in your power to command? I called on the
Committee and yourself, from the first, to apply to Sir George Villiers;
no one is so well versed in what has lately been going on as himself.
But no. It was God's will that I, who have risked all and lost almost
all in the cause, be taunted, suspected, and the sweat of agony and tears
which I have poured out be estimated at the value of the water of the
ditch or the moisture which exudes from rotten dung. But I murmur not,
and hope I shall at all times be willing to bow to the dispensations of
the Almighty.
Sir George Villiers has returned to England for a short period; you have
therefore the opportunity of consulting him. I _will not_ leave Spain
until the whole affair has been thoroughly sifted. I shall then perhaps
appear and bid you an eternal farewell.
Four hundred Testaments have been disposed of in the Sagra of Toledo.
(UNSIGNED.)
_P.S._--I am just returned from the Embassy, where I have had a long
interview with that admirable person, Lord Wm. Hervey. He has requested
me to write him a letter on the point in question, which with the
official documents he intends to send to the Secretary of State in order
to be laid before the Bible Society. He has put into my hands the last
communication from Ofalia. It relates to the seizure of _my_ depots at
Malaga, Pontevedra, etc. I have not opened it, but send it for your
perusal.
To the Rev. A. Brandram
(_Endorsed_: recd. Aug. 14th, 1838)
No. 16 CALLE SANTIAGO, MADRID,
_August_ 3, 1838.
REVD. AND DEAR SIR,--Since writing to you last I have been at some
distance from Madrid. Indeed my affairs at the time were in such a
condition and so much depended upon my personal superintendence, that I
was obliged to depart almost immediately after dispatching my answers to
your two last. I am now returned principally on account of a rather
unfortunate accident which occurred on the frontier of La Mancha, the
particulars of which I shall give you presently. I shall, however, only
tarry sufficient time to rest the horses and again go forth, for I am but
too well aware that no time must now be lost, my enemies being numerous
and watchful.
On leaving Madrid I proceeded in the direction of Aranjuez, selling from
twenty to forty copies in every village that lay in the way or near it;
my intention was to penetrate deep into La Mancha, and in that view I had
forwarded a large supply of books to Aranjuez. Having arrived there I
made a sojourn of three days, during which time, myself, [my] servant and
Juan Lopez, of whom I have previously spoken to you, visited every house
in the town. We found a vast deal of poverty and ignorance amongst the
inhabitants, and experienced some opposition; nevertheless it pleased the
Almighty to permit us to dispose of about eighty Testaments, which were
purchased entirely by the very poor people, those in easier circumstances
paying no attention to the Word of God, but rather turning it to scoff
and ridicule. One circumstance was very gratifying and cheering to me,
namely, the ocular proof which I possessed that the books which I
disposed of were read, and with attention, by those to whom I disposed of
them, and that many others participated in their benefit. In the streets
of Aranjuez and beneath the mighty cedars and gigantic elms and plantains
which compose its noble woods, I have frequently seen groups assembled,
listening to individuals who, with the New Testament in their hands, were
reading aloud the comfortable words of salvation.
It is probable that had I remained a longer period in Aranjuez I might
have sold many more of our divine books, but I was eager to gain La
Mancha and its sandy plains, and to conceal myself for a season amongst
its solitary villages; for I was apprehensive that a storm was gathering
around me. But when once through Ocana, the frontier town, I knew well
that I should have nothing to fear from the Spanish authorities as their
power ceased there, the rest of La Mancha being almost entirely in the
hands of the Carlists, and overrun by small parties of banditti, from
whom however I trusted that the Lord would preserve me. I therefore
departed for Ocana, situate about three leagues from Aranjuez.
I started with my servant about six in the evening, having early in the
morning sent forward Lopez with between two and three hundred Testaments.
We left the high road and proceeded by a shorter way, through wild hills
and over very broken and precipitous ground. Being well-mounted we found
ourselves just after sunset opposite Ocana, which stands on a steep hill.
A deep valley lay between us and the town; we descended and came to a
small bridge which traverses a rivulet at the bottom of the valley, at a
very small distance from a kind of suburb; we crossed the bridge, and
were passing by a deserted house on our left hand when a man appeared
from under the porch.
What I am about to state will seem incomprehensible to you, but a
singular history and a singular people are connected with it. The man
placed himself before my horse so as to bar the way, and said _Schophon_,
which in the Hebrew tongue signifies a rabbit. I knew this word to be
one of the Jewish countersigns, and asked the man if he had anything to
communicate. He said: 'You must not enter the town, for a net is
prepared for you. The _Corregidor_ of Toledo, on whom may all evil
light, in order to give pleasure to the priests of Maria, in whose face I
spit, has ordered all the _Alcaldes_ of these parts and the _Escribanos_
and the _Corchetes_ to lay hands on you wherever they may find you, and
to send you and your books and all that pertains to you to Toledo. Your
servant was seized this morning in the town above as he was selling the
writings in the streets, and they are now awaiting your arrival in the
_posada_; but I knew you from the accounts of my brethren, and have been
waiting here four hours to give you warning, in order that your horse may
turn his tail to your enemies and neigh in derision of them. Fear
nothing for your servant, for he is known to the _Alcalde_ and will be
set at liberty, but do you flee, and may God attend you.' Having said
this, he hurried towards the town.
I hesitated not a moment to take his advice, knowing full well that, as
my books had been taken possession of, I could do no more in that
direction. We turned back, in the direction of Aranjuez, the horses
notwithstanding the nature of the ground galloping at full speed, and
like the true Moorish breed bearing their tails erect and stiff; but our
adventures were not over. About mid-way, and about half a league from
the small village of Antigola, we saw close to us on our left hand three
men on a low bank. As far as the darkness would permit us to distinguish
they were naked, but each bore in his hand a long gun; these were
_rateros_, or the common assassins and robbers of the roads. We halted,
and cried out 'Who goes there?' They, replied, 'What's that to you? Pass
by.' Their drift was to fire at us from a position from which it would
be impossible to miss. We shouted: 'If you do not instantly pass to the
right side of the road, we will tread you down beneath the horses'
hoofs.' They hesitated, and then obeyed, for all Spanish assassins are
dastards, and the least show of resolution daunts them. As we galloped
past, one cried with an obscene oath, '_Tiraremos_' ('fire') but another
said, '_No_! _hay peligro_' ['there's danger']. We reached Aranjuez,
where early next morning Lopez rejoined us, and we returned to Madrid.
I am sorry to state that two hundred Testaments were seized at Ocana,
where they were sealed and despatched to Toledo. Lopez informed me that
in two hours he could have sold them all, the demand was so great; as it
was, twenty-seven were sold in less than ten minutes. He is just
departed on another expedition, and I am about to follow, for with God's
leave I will fight it out to the last.
I enclose you a list of all the towns and villages hitherto visited. I
have nothing more to say for the present, but that you may make what use
you please of this letter.
Such is my life in Spain.
(UNSIGNED.)
_Pueblos_.
Villa Seca. Azana.
Mocejon. Ylleicas.
Magan. Forrejon.
Oliar. Parla.
Vargas. Pinto.
Villaluenga. Baldemoro.
Yuncler. Zetafe.
Alameda. Leganez.
Anober. Aranjuez.
Cobena. Ocana.
To the Rev. A. Brandram
(_Endorsed_: recd. Sept. 12, 1838)
[LABAJOS, PROVINCE OF SEGOVIA,
_Aug._ 23_rd_, 1838.]
REVD. AND DEAR SIR,--Lord William Hervey was perfectly satisfied with my
conduct in the affair stated on the other side, and so was Count Ofalia,
who expressed his regret that circumstances had compelled her Majesty's
Government to take those steps against the circulation of the Scriptures
with which you are already acquainted.
G. B.
Copy of Letter to the Right Hon. Lord William Hervey
LABAJOS, PROVINCE OF SEGOVIA,
_August_ 23rd, 1838.
MY LORD,--I beg leave to call your attention to the following facts. On
the 21st instant I received information that a person in my employ of the
name of Juan Lopez had been thrown into the prison of Villallos, in the
province of Avila, by order of the _Cura_ of that place. The crime with
which he was charged was selling the New Testament. At the time I
alluded to, I was at Labajos, in the province of Segovia, and the
division of the factious chieftain Balmaseda was in the immediate
neighbourhood. On the 22nd, I mounted my horse and rode to Villallos, a
distance of three leagues. On my arrival there, I found that Lopez had
been removed from the prison to a private house. An order had arrived
from the _Corregidor_ of Avila, commanding that the person of Lopez
should be placed in full and perfect liberty and that the books which had
been found in his possession should be alone detained. Nevertheless, in
direct opposition to this order, a copy of which I herewith transmit, the
_Alcalde_ of Villallos, at the instigation of the _Cura_, refused to
permit the said Lopez to quit the place, either to proceed to Avila or in
any other direction. It had been hinted to Lopez that, as the factious
were expected, it was intended on their arrival to denounce him to them
as a liberal, and to cause him to be sacrificed. Taking these
circumstances into consideration, I deemed it my duty, as a Christian and
a gentleman, to rescue my unfortunate servant from such lawless bands,
and in consequence defying opposition I bore him off, though perfectly
unarmed, through a crowd of at least one hundred peasants. On leaving
the place I shouted '_Viva Isabela Segunda_.'
As it is my belief that the _Cura_ of Villallos is a person capable of
any infamy, I beg leave humbly to entreat your Lordship to cause a copy
of the above narration to be forwarded to the Spanish Government.
I have the honour to remain, my Lord, your Lordship's most obedient and
most humble servant,
GEORGE BORROW.
To the Rev. G. Browne
(_Endorsed_: recd. Sept. 6th, 1838)
MADRID, _Aug._ 29, 1838.
REVD. AND DEAR SIR,--I am this moment arrived at Madrid from my
expedition in Old Castile, and I have received your kind lines appended
to my friend Mr. Brandram's communication.
I will set out for England as soon as possible; but I must be allowed
time. I am almost dead with fatigue, suffering and anxiety; and it is
necessary that I should place the Society's property in safe and sure
custody.
It has pleased the Lord to assist me visibly in my last journey. In the
midst of a thousand perils I have disposed of nine hundred Testaments
amongst the peasantry on the north side of the precipitous hills of the
Guadarama range, and all in the space of three weeks. In a day or two I
shall write to Mr. Brandram with particulars.
Pray excuse these hasty lines; present my kindest remembrances to Mrs.
Browne, and believe me, Revd. and dear Sir,
Gratefully and truly yours,
GEORGE BORROW.
To the Rev. A. Brandram
(_Endorsed_: recd. Sept. 10, 1838)
MADRID, _Sept._ 1, 1838.
REVD. AND DEAR SIR,--From my letter to the Revd. Geo. Browne of the 28
ult. you are already doubtless aware of my arrival at Madrid from my
expedition in Old Castile. I now proceed to detail to you a few
occurrences, premising that my notices will necessarily be brief, as I am
considerably indisposed, and am moreover much occupied in making
preparations for my departure for England, and in arranging the affairs
of the Society in Spain in as satisfactory a manner as circumstances will
permit.
I set out for my journey on the 4th of last month on horseback and
accompanied by my servant. The first day brought us to La Granja, a
distance of twelve leagues from Madrid, where I expected to find Lopez
and another man whom I had sent before. Nothing particular occurred
during this day's journey, except that notwithstanding my haste I sold
some Testaments in the villages near the roadside and that it pleased God
to permit us to traverse the pass of Pena Cerrada without coming in
contact with the banditti that haunt the gloomy pine forests which
embower it and extend for leagues in every direction. Arrived at La
Granja, I could hear nothing of Lopez nor of the other individual, and in
consequence after a stay of a day which was necessary to refresh the
horses, I departed for Segovia. I did not attempt to distribute the Word
at La Granja, being well aware that orders had been transmitted to the
authorities of the place to seize all copies of the sacred writings which
might be offered for sale. I may say the same with respect to Segovia,
where still none of my people made their appearance. At Segovia I
received from a friend a chest containing two hundred Testaments, and
almost immediately after, by the greatest chance in the world, I heard
from a peasant that there were men in the neighbourhood of Abades selling
books. Abades is about three leagues distant from Segovia, and upon
receiving this intelligence I instantly departed for the former place,
with three _burricos_ [asses] laden with Testaments.
I reached Abades at nightfall, and found Lopez in the house of the
surgeon of the place, where I also took up my residence. He had already
disposed of a considerable number of Testaments in the neighbourhood, and
had that day commenced selling at Abades itself. He had, however, been
interrupted by two of three _Curas_ of the village, who with horrid
curses denounced the work, threatening eternal condemnation to Lopez for
selling it and to any person who should purchase it; whereupon Lopez,
terrified, forebore until I should arrive. The third _Cura_, however,
exerted himself to the utmost to persuade the people to provide
themselves with Testaments, telling them that his brethren were
hypocrites and false guides, who by keeping them in ignorance of the word
and will of Christ were leading them to the abyss. Upon receiving this
information, I instantly sallied forth to the marketplace, and that same
night succeeded in disposing of upwards of thirty Testaments. The next
morning the house was entered by the two factious _Curas_; but upon my
rising to confront them they retreated, and I heard no more of them,
except that they publicly cursed me in the church more than once, an
event which as no ill resulted from it gave me little concern.
I will not detail the events of the next week; suffice it to say that
arranging my forces in the most advantageous way I succeeded by God's
assistance in disposing of in that period from five to six hundred
Testaments amongst the villages from one to seven leagues distance from
Abades. At the expiration of that period I received information from
Segovia, in which province Abades is situated, to the effect that my
proceedings were known in Segovia, and that an order was about to be sent
to the _Alcalde_ of Abades to seize all books in my possession.
Whereupon, notwithstanding that it was late in the evening, I decamped
with all my people and upwards of three hundred Testaments, having a few
hours previously received a fresh supply from Madrid. That night we
passed in the fields and next morning proceeded to Labajos, a village on
the high road from Madrid to Valladolid. In this place we offered no
books for sale, but contented ourselves with supplying the neighbouring
villages with the Word of God; we likewise sold it in the highways. We
had not been at Labajos a week, during which time we were remarkably
successful, when the Carlist chieftain Balmaseda at the head of his wild
cavalry made his desperate inroad into the southern part of Old Castile,
dashing down like an avalanche from the pine woods of Soria. I was
present at all the horrors which ensued--the sack of Arrevalo--and the
forcible entry into Martin Munoz and San Cyrian. Amidst these terrible
scenes, we continued our labours undaunted, with the exception of my
servant, who seized with uncontrollable fear ran away to Madrid. I now
lost Lopez for three or four days, and suffered dreadful anxiety on his
account, apprehending that he had been shot by the Carlists. At last I
heard that he was in prison at Villallos, at the distance of three
leagues. The steps which I took to rescue him you will find detailed in
the communication which I deemed it my duty to transmit to Lord Wm.
Hervey at Madrid, a copy of which, together with the letter of Lopez
which informed me of his situation, I transmit herewith. After the
rescue of Lopez, I thought it advisable to return to Madrid, more
especially as my stock of Testaments was exhausted, we having in the
course of little more than a fortnight disposed of nearly nine hundred
Testaments--not in populous and wealthy towns but in highways and
villages, not to the spurious Spaniards of Madrid and the coasts, but to
the sun-blackened peasantry of Old Castile, the genuine descendants of
those terrible men who subjugated Mexico and Peru.
My men returned by Pena Cerrada, whilst I, encumbered by two horses,
crossed the Guadarama. I nearly perished there, having lost my way in
the darkness and tumbled down a precipice. But I am now in Madrid and,
if not well, trusting in the Lord and defying Satan. I shall probably be
in England within three weeks.
I remain, Revd. and dear Sir, truly yours,
G. B.
To the Rev. A. Brandram
(_Endorsed_: recd. Sept. 28, 1838)
MADRID, 19 _Sepr._ 1838,
No. 16 CALLE SANTIAGO.
REVD. AND DEAR SIR,--I write this to inform you that for the last ten
days I have been confined to my bed by a fever. I am now better, and
hope in a few days to be able to proceed to Saragossa, which is the only
road open.
I bore up against my illness as long as I could, but it became too
powerful for me. By good fortune I obtained a decent physician, a Dr.
Hacayo, who had studied medicine in England, and aided by him and the
strength of my constitution I got the better of my attack, which however
was a dreadfully severe one.
I hope my next letter will be from Bordeaux. I cannot write more at
present, for I am very feeble.
I remain, Revd. and dear Sir, truly yours,
G. BORROW.
Account of Proceedings in the Peninsula
GENTLEMEN OF THE COMMITTEE OF THE BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY--
I beg leave to call your attention to the following statements. They
relate to my proceedings during the period which embraces my second
sojourn in Spain--to my labours in a literary point of view--to my
travels in a very remarkable country, the motive in which they originated
and the result to which they led--to my success in the distribution of
the Scripture, and to the opposition and encouragement which I have
experienced. As my chief objects are brevity and distinctness I shall at
once enter upon my subject, abstaining from reflections of every kind,
which in most cases only tend to embarrass, being anxious to communicate
facts alone, with most of which, it is true, you are already tolerably
well acquainted, but upon all and every of which I am eager to be
carefully and categorically questioned. It is neither my wish nor my
interest to conceal one particular of what I have been doing. And with
these few prefatory observations I commence.
In the first place, my literary labours. Having on my former visit to
Spain obtained from the then Prime Minister Isturitz and his Cabinet
permission and encouragement for the undertaking, I published on my
return an edition of the New Testament at Madrid, a copy of which I now
present to you for the first time. This work, executed at the office of
Borrego, the most fashionable printer at Madrid, who had been recommended
to me by Isturitz himself and most particularly by my excellent friend
Mr. O'Shea, is a publication which I conceive no member of the Committee
will consider as calculated to cast discredit on the Bible Society, it
being printed on excellent English paper and well bound, but principally
and above all from the fact of its exhibiting scarcely one typographical
error, every proof having been read thrice by myself and once or more
times by the first scholar in Spain.