In 1836–37, the Cortes made an attempt to reconcile the liberty of the press with the repression of certain abuses. It was at this time that George Borrow undertook to test the censorship conditions in Spain, by printing and circulating the New Testament. Lea points out[20] that he utilised for his work a version prepared from the Vulgate by Father Scio and that he was, therefore, presenting Scriptures which were entirely orthodox. Borrow succeeded in having an edition of his New Testament printed in Madrid and in opening a shop for its sale. With a change of ministry, the sale was blocked and Borrow was for a few weeks placed in prison. Later, his supplies of books were seized and cancelled.[21] The later issues of the Bible Society for circulation in Spain are reprints of the translation by de Valera. The constitution of 1876 gives to all Spaniards the right to express freely in speech or in print their ideas and opinions without subjection to a preliminary censorship. Article XI concedes liberty of thought and belief.[22] In an encyclical letter of Leo XII, written to Spain in 1824, occur the following passages: “A certain sect not unknown certainly to you, usurping to itself undeservedly the name of Philosophy, has raked from the ashes disorderly crowds of almost every error. This sect, exhibiting the meek appearance of piety and liberality, professes Latitudinarianism or Indifferentism.... You are aware, venerable Brothers, that a certain society, commonly called the Bible Society, strolls with effrontery throughout the world; which society, contemning the traditions of the Holy Fathers and contrary to the well-known decree of the Council of Trent, labours with all its might and by every means, to translate--or rather to pervert--the Holy Bible into the vulgar languages of every nation; from which proceeding it is greatly to be feared that what is ascertained to have happened as to some passages may occur with regard to others; to wit that, by a perverse interpretation, the Gospel of Christ be turned into a human Gospel, or, which is still worse, into the Gospel of the Devil (Hier. Cap. I, _Ep. ad. Gal._). To avert this plague, our predecessors published many ordinances.... We also, venerable Brothers, in conformity with our Apostolic duty, exhort you to turn away your flock, by all means, from these poisonous pastures. Reprove, beseech, be instant in season and out of season, in all patience and doctrine, that the faithful entrusted to you (adhering strictly to the rules of our Congregation of the Index) be persuaded that if the Sacred Scriptures be everywhere indiscriminately public, more evil than advantage will arise thence, on account of the rashness of men.... Behold then the tendency of this Society, which, to attain its ends, leaves nothing untried. Not only does it print its translations, but wandering through the towns and cities, it