The two of us, C�sar and I felicitate you on the New Year, wishing you a long life and much prosperity and we pray God that we be reunited soon and we be granted perfect tranquility. We are in good health, but what we feel only is our separation from our father, which we don't know how long it will last. Would it be better if we continue our studies beside you or here in Manila? Then we will enroll at the Ateneo Municipal this coming June in preparation for matriculating the following year in the first year of the secondary course.
Until here, we kiss the hand of Lolo (1), Lola (2) and all of you.
Your nephews who love you dearly send these greetings.
I received your letter of the 23rd instant. I am very glad indeed that our parents and all of you are living happily, which is my constant wish. We will get there. One can live anywhere. I have found that not knowing English has not been an obstacle in trading. Language is learned quickly by speaking it, badly at the beginning, and later on one smatters it, and little by little one learns to speak it perfectly. I should like my children to be educated there, but I don't know if the certificates there will be valid for studying certain professions here or in Spain. Maneng plans to make Alfredo and Abelardo, if this one will be able to speak, study engineering and send them to London.
Keep yourself healthy there; thanks that our mother is well again.
I notice that my sight is little by little weakening. Though I still see near and objects seem to be moving, it is probably because formerly I used to work at night under a very strong light. What medicine should I apply?
We are well; I speak a little French because Maneng is teaching me and even the children. Only, I feel greatly our separation.
I send love to you, to our beloved brother Paciano, and our sisters Luc�a, Pangoy, Trining, and I kiss our parents.
Without having any letter of yours to answer I write you to accompany a copy of a petition that will be presented to the General, signed by the views of Casio, Cabesang Siso, Cabesang Pascual, and Cabesang Victor, by Capitana Teria, Juanna Valerio, Binay, wife of Valent�n, and others. You will know the result.
Day before yesterday Tong Lenore and Binay, wife of Valent�n Lenore, came to see me, bringing a telegram of Mer. Manzaneque, procurator of the Supreme Court, to Attorney Jos� Mar�a Gutierrez, in which he says that he has not received funds from the clients in Calamba and he urges that they be sent by telegraph, tomorrow being the last day of payment. The draft of 56 pounds sterling that I sent you in December was intended for this procurator or for Mr. Gumersindo de Azc�rate, who is his lawyer. Such was the urgency that Binay, accompanied by her landlord. Mr. Aniceto Camoseng spent the whole day looking for money, giving for security diamonds and pearls and some jewels of other women of Calamba. Thanks to the kindnesses of Mrs. Agustina Medel (1) who accompanied them, they succeeded though with great difficulty, to get 250 pesos by ten o'clock at night and an equal sum at nine o'clock the following morning, on condition that they be paid without interest within two weeks and upon failure to do so, a moderate rate of interest will be charged until paid. They say that the sum was sent by telegraph yesterday. Camoseng and the lawyer sent the money, or arranged for its remittance. The case of the citizens of Calamba is not about deportation, but about the last dispossession of a considerable number of houses whose papers are already in the Supreme Court for review.
There is not the least doubt that Mr. Gutierrez is the lawyer who has defended and is defending the citizens of Calamba with uprightness and probity. In conversations and in the Civil Government he has defended them warmly to the extent that some Spaniards became disgusted with the citizens of Calamba for the facts that they cited against the Dominican friars. This is what is being said and it has been seen at the trial before the justice of the peace and the Audiencia. He is the reverse of Buencamino who, instead of defending our fellow countrymen, attacked them through the purse, obtaining about 2,000 pesos, and was at the point of selling them to the enemy and until now continues with his tactics. From Capitana Teria, through the mediation of Petrona Quintero, he got thirty pesos and some more sums from some of the wives of the exiles, telling them that he would negotiate with the governor general and work in Spain for the lifting up of the order of deportation, and now it is well known that the transfer of the attempt to transfer Paciano and companions to Jol� was due to Beuncamino's denunciation to the Dominicans that from Mindoro they communicated with those in Calamba, inducing them to take their case to court.
I sent you a letter through Don Juan (2) in its penultimate trip.
Love and order what you wish. I send my regards to brother-in-law Paciano, to my sisters-in-law, Silvestre, and we kiss the hand of our parents. We are well; the boys are studying.
Your brother-in-law who cherishes you very greatly greets you.
I received your last letter of the 27th of last month.
We are hurrying the collection of debts and the transaction of some business, which will be finished shortly, in order to join you there. During this week, Mar�a came to visit with us. She told me that Isidro, our parents' servant, would go there in the second trip of Don Juan.
We are well here. Regards to Paciano and our sisters, and we kiss our parents' hand. Silvestre has already visited us here three times and walks freely day and night.
I received your letter of the 10th instant and I�m very glad to know that you are well and healthy. Here we are also well, though always restless.
Of the 17 exiles sent to Jol� 13 were pardoned and probably they will arrive here on the 4th of next month. Those who have remained are Mat�as Belarmino, Aquilimo Gualia, Patricio Rizal, and one of these two brothers -- Casio or Nicasio Habacon -- for in the Official Gazette it is not stated which of them. In it is given the name of Casio with the surname of Narciso. Now I still have to find out for what reasons they pardoned the remainder.
With reference to the sale of our house in Kalamba, it seems impossible at present, for the only one who can buy it is Eusebio and I suppose he may not like it, because his money, according to information, is invested in Kalamba lands, and I ay the same about my debtors almost all of whom are exiled and if they are not at their destination, you will know where they are. Moreover, all of them are landless.
As yet, I�m not thinking of sending over Emilio and Antonio over there because this is not a good time to go there and others tell me the same thing.
As to the food drafts to the bank there, please tell me the name of the bank and find out the annual rate of interest on deposits it gives.
On the 11th of this month the birthday of the governor general was celebrated in grand style. On this occasion some exiles were pardoned. On the eve, there were fireworks, music bands throughout the streets preceded by the cuadrilleros of each town and some principales, general illumination, flags and curtains at the windows. The following day, after the chanted Mass, which was held in San Sebastian Church, and other honors have been rendered, all the gobernadorcillos went to Malaca�ang to deliver their respective speeches and pay homage to the wife of the governor general. The general did not attend these functions because he says that as yet they (gobernadorcillos) do not deserve appreciation.
According to information, the general will go to Kalamba to hear the complaints.
I send many regards to Sr. Paciano, Luc�a, Pangoy, and Trining and our respects to Tatay and Nanay, and your command your brother-in-law who cherishes you sincerely.
Justo and another boy from Kalamba are going there, bringing your books, which arrived here only yesterday by special request. These parcels and other effects are listed on the back of this letter. There's a little bagoong sent to you by the de Hidalgo couple and please tell Tatay that I'm not sending yet his other orders, because the accounts due me are still unpaid.
All the letters have been delivered to their respective addressees.
Here everything is going on well. Everybody says that the feast of the captain general was very animated, more so than the royal feasts; but the guest of honor went to Pampanga leaving a special message that all could go to the palace and his wife would receive them well, as if he were present and that his absence had no other purpose than to avoid criticisms from his adversaries. Hence, the palace was filled with Filipinos and all had been well received. They said that the archbishop was also there but seated in a chair, apart, without speaking with any one. Days later he applied to the vice-governor for a leave of absence to go to Spain, and he was told that there was no inconvenience in granting it so long as he presented first his resignation. Otherwise it was not possible to accede to his petition. In view of this opposition, the cunning rogue tried to disguise himself to undertake his voyage to Spain; but on account of the vigilance over him, he was unable to carry out his plan.
Enclosed is a clipping of the pardon. Four of them are excluded from it. Between the 5th and 10th of the coming month the three will be returned here. Everybody is advising me not to walk around much because that would be too much boldness and they might seize me. This advice is chiefly from P�ez and Mr. Marceliono Santos and I answered them that at present I don't hide myself, come what may, I'm ready for anything, observing that saying: Ang bayaning nasugatan, nagiibayou ang tapang. (1) They see me almost everyday walking through the streets or seated at the drugstores.
There was a big fire on the 14th instant, at seven o'clock at night, reducing to ashes all the buildings from the foot of Espa�a Bridge (2) at the left until Plaza San Gabriel, including Tuason's house, and in front, the whole block until the front of Bazaar de Velasco, (3) that is, all of that area now has been converted into a plaza, from Nueva Street until San Gabriel. The curious thing is that, after the fire, Palanca's (4) house appeared demolished, despite the fact that it was situated fifth in a row of five houses which was not burnt down. It is said that it was the governor general who ordered its demolition by means of cannon shots. This is the current version and in fact now four houses in a row are seen standing and the fifth demolished. During the fire, according to what they say, the governor general ordered that the Filipinos be not employed in handling the pumps but all the Chinese of the vicinity be seized for this hard work with the assistance of the troops. All the thieves, including some Spaniards, were manacled, and all the streets that were laid waste were watched by Filipino and Spanish troops. Only today the troops were removed.
You will receive at least two drafts from our good compatriots; one of theme is from Sixto; (5) I know because they consulted with me about the way they ought to be sent. They all wanted to give me the money and I replied that my opinion is that he who offers a thing should not consult any one. And if they really wish to do so, they can do it according to their good judgment and that I cannot receive any amount of that nature. In view of this decision, they will send you drafts and you answer them acknowledging their receipt. It is possible that every month you would receive drafts. Let them help you. You sacrifice yourself for the common good, and I will encourage them much. As to British Borneo, we are studying it and I will let you know the greatest amount that we can get. For the present, you will receive what is in the list. The greatest amount refers to the good diamond jewelry, or rather, what Lucia and Trining loaned. They say that the amount you told me is small because afterwards, there might be scarcity. The manner of obtaining these jewels is being studied, for many are already convinced of it.
Effects and Drafts
For Tatay
1 pair of sandals, 1 grindstone
1 pair of clogs, 1 bottle of patis
From Hidalgo
1 jar of fish bagoong
From Kalamba
4 boxes, pillows, one suitcase
Drafts
________ pesos that you gave me
________ pesos for Lucia, deducted three pesos and thirty-five centavos for
50 packs of cigarettes at 4 cents -- 1.10 pesos
50 packs of cigarettes at 8 cents -- 2.25 pesos
155 Pesos for British Borneo. What is lacking to make up the 400 Pesos I will send by another boat. Today this is impossible even with great resolution. If you wish, you can go here now with Sixto's 100 Pesos; that is for you. I will take charge of this case of British Borneo.
The two boys cannot go simultaneously; today one goes; the other will go on the return trip of that boat.
Those of Taal, Balayan, and Batangas are very eager for information about British Borneo.
Your brother-in-law who values you sends his many regards.
S. Ubaldo
P.S.
The draft today is 8 � percent.
You will receive altogether 494 pesos.
_____________
(1) A saying in Tagalog meaning, "a wounded hero doubles his valor."
(2) Formerly on the site where no is the Jones Bridge.
(3) A large bazaar owned by a Chinese named Velasco that stood in the corner of Rosario and San Vicente Streets.
(4) (4) Name of a wealthy Chinese.
(5) Sixto L�pez, a patriot, friend of Rizal, and a wealthy Filipino from Balayan, Batangas.
Rizal's letter to Governor General Despujol -- On inspection trip in the Southern Islands -- News of his sister Sisa.
Manila, 14 May 1892
Mr. Jos� Rizal
Hong Kong
Esteemed Jos�,
Five or six days after the arrival at this capital city of Captain Martin, he came to visit us here, bringing me at the same time your letter addressed to Captain General Despujol (1) and advising me to mail the letter because he had to go to his hometown the following day. He could not deliver it himself to the captain general because he was away and would not be back until the end of the month. He is on a tour of the southern islands.
I suppose our parents have already told you about what happened to Sisa three days after her delivery. She was gravely ill of puerperal fever, according to Zamora, but today, thank God, she is completely safe.
This is all. Receive our affectionate regards and command your brother-in-law who embraces you.
Antonio
P.S.
I'll mail your letter as soon as the captain general returns from his tour. I dare not do it now for fear that it might be lost.
With pleasure we received your letter of the 13th of this month. I'm glad to tell you that Sisa is now completely out of danger from her illness.
With regard to Emilio and Antonio, I must tell you that during these times, without first knowing what will ultimately become of our situation, I don't intend to let them go far from my side. Until now, the general has not arrived and according to information, is not coming until the end of this month. I am waiting for him just in case he grants us some grace in view of our petition that he pardon us on the eve of His Majesty's birthday. As soon as he sets us free, we will depart for that port to visit you.
We appreciate very much your paternal interest in the education of our two boys, your nephews, and your desire that they may grow up in another atmosphere that is sane, free, and more enlightened. Well then, as you insist, I will try to send them there. Since the beginning, Antonio wants to study there, but I told him that only commerce could be studied there. I don't know if I'm mistaken. What I want is that they study first here at the Ateneo to learn some more, if it is possible.
Sisa is sending you a box of mangoes.
I'm glad you have abandoned your plan to come here. Well, almost everybody is opposed to your coming and I am also of the same opinion, as I have already told Tatay and Sr. Paciano in my letter of last month -- not to let you come to avoid greater evils and displeasures, which you already know. I believe that from there, without coming here, you can do all you want for the welfare of the Philippines.
This is all; our respects to our venerable parents and regards to all of you, and in the meantime command your brother-in-law who embraces you.
L�pez
All the children are here except Consuelo who is with her grandmother. Leoncio must be cleverer than Antonio and he is more judicious. About Emilio I cannot tell you anything; I note that his ailment is becoming worse.
The love that I have always professed you has induced me to take this step that only the future can say if it is sensible or not. Success judges things according to their consequences; but whether favorable or unfavorable, it will always be said that my duty has dictated it to me, and it does not matter should I die in its fulfillment.
I know that I have made you suffer greatly but I am not repenting of what I have done, and if I had to begin anew, I would again do the same thing that I did, because that is my duty. Gladly I depart to expose myself to danger, not to atone for my faults (for on this point I do not believe I have committed any), but to finish my work and to confirm with my example what I have always preached.
Man ought to die for his duty and his convictions. I maintain all the ideas that I have expressed concerning the state and the future of my country, and I will die gladly for her, and nay, to obtain justice and tranquility for you.
I risk my life with pleasure to save so many innocent persons, so many nephews, so many children of friends and not friends, who are suffering because of me. What am I? Only one man, almost without a family, quiet disenchanted with life. I have had many deceptions, and my future is dark, and it will be very dark if the light does not illuminate it, the dawn, of my native land. Whereas there are so many beings full of hope and fancies who perhaps may all be happy at my death, which I hope will satisfy my enemies, and they will no longer persecute so many innocent persons. Until a certain point their hatred of me is justified, not however with respect to my parents and relatives.
If luck is against me, let everybody know that I will die happy with the thought that my death has ended all their bitterness. Return to our native land and be happy there.
Until the last moment of my life I will think of you and wish you all kinds of happiness.
In these days of lack of communication, travel, and deportation, I'm greatly distressed thinking of you, and for this reason I hasten to write you to tell you that I am well here [Dapitan] as if I were on vacation in this politico-military district. (1) I don't miss anything except the family and freedom.
Few from there come here, for there is only one mail boat every twenty-seven days.
Today, the 27th, the official mail arrived and brought me a letter of my brother informed me of his departure for Jol� with four companions. I commend his decision to go in place of my brother-in-law Antonino, but I don't admire him for it.
I am of the opinion that you should remain there in Hong Kong: its climate is good and healthful. And now that Antonino is free I believe he should accompany Sra. Sisa in going there to spend a season to cure herself of her ailments. Four of five months that she may spend there in autumn or winter will be of great benefit to her. She should bring along Ang�lica so that this girl can study a little, as she has such a good aptitude.
I suggest to Pangoy and Trining to continue studying English, for now that they like to live in that colony, they ought to know the official language that is spoken in it. I don't believe that it would be convenient to change house and take a smaller one; that one is good in case relatives come or go there to visit you.
Don't send me anything, absolutely nothing, for I need nothing more than a pair of good shoes, and these are hard to send by mail.
Let all the letters as well as the books and newspapers that may come from Europe remain there, for they may be lost on account of the many changes and transfers. (2)
May regards to Mr. Cunha and his family. Send the enclosed letters to their addressees.
I remain your son you loves you heartily,
Jos� Rizal
____________
(1) Dapitan is not yet a province.
(2) Rizal seems to think that his exile would not last long, that he would regain his freedom soon.