To the Rev.Joseph Jowett (ENDORSED:recd.April 22,1839)APRIL 10,1839,MADRID,No.16CALLE SANTIAGO.
REVD.AND DEAR SIR,-In a few days I shall leave Madrid for Seville;and being anxious to write a few lines before my departure in order that yourself and others friends may be acquainted with the exact state of affairs in Spain,I embrace the present opportunity.In the first place however I beg leave to apologise for not having ere this performed my promise of writing.Many causes unnecessary to recapitulate prevented me;but I steadfastly hope that already with your usual considerate goodness you have imputed my tardiness to anything but neglect.
A convoy starts for Andalusia on the 13th,and I intend to avail myself of it so far as to send therewith my servant Antonio with the horses and the Testaments which I destine for circulation in that province.I shall myself follow with the courier.True it is that I had determined to proceed by Estremadura,but circumstances have occurred which have induced me to alter my resolution.The roads in Spain are in a worse state than ever;and in Estremadura particularly,which for some time past has enjoyed a tolerable state of tranquillity,a band of Carlist robbers have lately made their appearance,who murder,make prisoner,or put at ransom every person who has the misfortune to fall into their hands.Itherefore deem it wise to avoid,if possible,the alternative of being shot or having to pay one thousand pounds for being set at liberty,which has already befallen several individuals.It is moreover wicked to tempt Providence systematically.I have already thrust myself into more danger than was perhaps strictly necessary,and as I have been permitted hitherto to escape,it is better to be content with what it has pleased the Lord to do for me up to the present moment,than to run the risk of offending Him by a blind confidence in His forbearance,which may be over-taxed.As it is,however,at all times best to be frank,I am willing to confess that I am what the world calls exceedingly superstitious;perhaps the real cause of my change of resolution was a dream,in which Iimagined myself on a desolate road in the hands of several robbers,who were hacking me with their long ugly knives.
