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Letters Exchanged Between José Rizal and Other Reformers - 1887 (July to December) |
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Letters Exchanged Between José Rizal and Other Reformers - 1887 (July to December) |
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Letters Exchanged between José Rizal and Other Reformers from July to December of 1887
045. Rizal, on board the Djemnah, 7 July 1887 to Fernando Canon
Passengers represent different nationalities – German, French, English, Japanese, Chinese – Rizal alone can speak with them in their native tongues – The French are interested only in the exploitation of their colonies.
On board the Djemnah, 7 July 1887
My Dear Friend Canon,
Excuse the paper and the pencil; (01) I am on board, I don’t know where the inkstand is and I have no other paper; but this. I have received your two letters with the two keys; One of them, the one I requested, I received half an hour before my departure when I was on deck, an employee bringing it to me. I have arranged for it to be sent to me by the next boat as a box of merchandise, and I believe it will be done. What I regret is that the box or case cannot go with me and your giftbook may be confiscated at the customs at Manila, for not going with me I cannot hide it. But I went through the warehouses of the Massageries Maritimes on the 2 and 3 in the morning looking for the blessed box and I could not find it nor could anyone tell me about it. On Sunday morning at 8:00 I was at the postal station and I found two letters, one from Hidalgo and the other from Blumentritt. In short, what can we do, the shippers and consignees of this happy country called Spain believe that the ship has to wait for them. The consignee ought to have told you whether the box would arrive on time or not in order not to charge one for something useless. Neither you nor I have the fault. You have done enough to bother yourself and work for your friend; you cannot be expected to know the hours of departure and other details; but the consignee has the duty to tell you if such and such a box can reach on time its destination. In short, lad, I thank you and c: g: m: n: s: in the consignees. Lad, we are some fifty passengers: One general Chanu (French) with his wife, 3 children and two aides; two French couples with 4 children; 3 Chinese with two English p., 2 Japanese, 4 English, some Frenchmen, 2 Germans, and I. I am the only one who can talk with all of them, for the Chinese speak only Chinese, French, and English; the English, English and a little French; one Japanese, only Italian and the other Japanese only German beside their native tongue. There are besides two Filipino servants who understand only pidgin Spanish. We play chess. The sons of the general, one English p. and one Scotch make music on the piano and accordion; they sing in a low voice. The voyage so far is good. Tomorrow, Friday, at 6 or 7 we arrive at Port Said. The sea is a little agitated. One of the Germans goes until Manila with me. My French fellow passengers molest me for they talk nothing else but how to exploit the colonies; the English do it better. Hungry people, beastly people. Tell our friends to consider this letter as addressed to them also. Tomorrow I buy paper at Port Said. Tell them this news of mine. In your hands, Lord I commend my spirit. Within 35 days we shall see the faces in Manila. Come as soon as possible. Come. Farewell, lad; I reiterate my thanks and commend me at Calamba, Laguna de Bay.
Yours, Rizal
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046 Rizal, Djemnah, China Sea, 29 July 1887 to Fernando Canon
In a post card Rizal writes Canon about his trip
Mr. Fernando Canon 2, 3o Rambla de Canaletas Barcelona, Spain
Djemnah, Cina Sea, 29, July 1887
Dear Classmate and Friend,
Tomorrow we arrive at Saigon where
we change boats. I think I will arrive at Manila on the 5 or 4 August and
at my town a day after. Instead of 10 by 100, I believe it ought to be 20
by 100. I have not been seasick yet. Farewell, may you be happy; I hope
one day you will write a book: Noli me tángere x
Your friend, Rizal
Greetings to all _____________
[01] Noli me tángere multiplied to infinity. (Ponce’s note)
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047. Pablo Ortiga y Rey, Madrid, 30 Madrid, 30 July 1887
Infamous revenge to deny Rizal’s brother-in-law burial in holy ground – Becerra has proposed abolition of Council of Overseas Colonies – To progress the Philippines needs justice and good government – Blumentritt’s defense of the Noli me tángere seems good.
18-2 right Carranza, Madrid 30 July 1887
Mr. José Rizal Entrance of Saigon Rizal – En route to the Philippines
My esteemed Friend Rizal, I received your letter of the 17th instant by which I see that you received there my card announcing my new house that I sent you to London. As I did not know the address of our good friend Ventura, I did not send him any, as I should like. Now that you tell me that you live with him, I beg you to offer him my new house on my behalf and to give him my sincerest thanks for his regards that I return very affectionately in my own and my children’s name. Rafael is really employed with a salary of 6,000 reales, but as I never wanted him to be an employee but rather to finish a professional course for which I have made all sacrifices possible, God willed that last April he finished the course of Assistant of Public Works and now he is waiting for his turn to be employed in that office. With deep, with true feeling and sorrow, I read what you tell me about your brother-in-law, first for being snatched away from his family and afterward, and the most important, for having been denied holy ground [for burial] because he was not able to confess. If that thing has been done for revenge, for his being your brother-in-law, as you tell me, I agree with you that it is puerile [juvenile] and infamous revenge that God and with God honorable persons condemn. I have been and I am, you know it, a defender of the religious orders in the Philippines, because I consider them still necessary in that country, but my conscience, upon the word of good Catholic, rebels against these unspeakable actions that take place not only in the Philippines but also here in Europe and particularly in our peninsula [Spain]. In no way can I defend or approve that a dead Christian like your brother-in-law, be denied burial or one who lacks money to pay for burial or fail to be baptized or be married for having absolutely any money and cannot pay the parish fees. I do not believe that this is the doctrine preached by Jesus Christ. If these priests only hurt themselves in acting in that way, they may settle with their conscience. The bad thing is that they hurt religion and the country where they lie, whether here or there. And enough of this, friend Rizal, for it is an endless story. I give you my sincere condolence for the death of your brother-in-law and its consequences. Mr. Becerra has really proposed the abolition of the Council of Overseas Colonies. This is what compelled me to change house and retrench. The abolition has not been done yet, but I believe it will be carried out. However, whether or not I continue as adviser on the Philippines, you can rest assured that I should never forget that beautiful country even for only the fact that a daughter of mine was born there. I have not some, as you say, but many sympathies and very great fondness for the Philippines whose prosperity and welfare I wish and which, in order to be happy, lacks only justice, good government, and good administration. I received Mr. Blumentritt’s pamphlet in defense of Noli me tángere. It seems to me good and faithfully fulfills its objective, though in some points I find it slightly exaggerated. With nothing more for now, wishing you good health, with the affectionate regards of my children to you and Ventura, I remain,
Your affectionate and good friend who kisses your hand,
P. Ortiga y Rey
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048 Felix Ma. Roxas, (01) Manila, 9 August 1887
Eagerness to welcome Rizal home – Cannot find a copy of Noli me tángere – Recalls the impression made on them by European culture – Life in Manila is monotonous.
Manila, 9 August 1887
Mr. José Rizal Calamba
My Dear Friend Pepe, Barely have I know of your arrival I ran out quickly without losing time to look you up; but I did not have the pleasure at finding you at your house, for, according to what they told me, you had left that same day very early for your home town. You can imagine the immense satisfaction that I felt when I learned of your home-coming, for it is well know that there is nothing pleasant for us who have met in those distant and unforgettable lands than to meet again in our dear country ready to serve and give everything that is within our power for the prosperity and welfare of our land which is our moral and natural duty. I have learned a month ago that some copies of your patriotic and critical novel, Noli me tángere, had arrived, but however much I searched for it, I have not been able to give myself the real pleasure and enthusiasm that I am sure its perusal will give me. Many are the praises and favorable commentaries I have heard about it; but, as everything is little compared to the reality of being able to appreciate it directly, it seems I have not yet heard anything that can give me a clear idea of it. For this reason, receive at the same time as the welcome greetings my congratulations on your work. May it give you all that you have hoped for and very much more. Knowing your works as I do, I don’t hesitate to guarantee its results. Cervantes himself never believed nor appreciated the worth of his immortal Quixote and this work went beyond his expectations. When you come to Manila, please let me know, for I am desirous of giving you an embrace as a fellow countryman and friend and comrade that we had been during the swift and fleeting course of six years, living, though in different points, always in the same ideas and steeped in the beneficent currents of progress. Snatching from us the timid mask that covered us upon leaving the Philippines, that first impact showed to our eyes the life of civilized peoples. I live very much excited, always aspiring, always desiring new emotions, variety, life and movement, because my spirit feels as if imprisoned in not disposing of the broad sphere where at one time it fluttered freely. This manner of living, by itself monotonous and routine, is very hard for me. But I am going to conclude this letter that must already annoy you for its length, you who ought to feel fatigued and still crushed by the annoyances of your trip. With nothing more then, receive the most affectionate greetings and congratulations of your friend.
F. M. Roxas
P.S. My address: 16 Isla de Romero – entresol. _____________
(01) Felix Ma. Roxas (1868-1936), a graduate of Ateneo de Manila, went to Madrid in 1881 to study at the Escuela de Ingenieros y Caminos but returned to Manila without finishing the course; studied law at the University of Santo Thomas, graduating in 1894. He served as mayor of Manila from 1905-1917.
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049. J. Peilifen (01), Barcelona, 6 September
Blumentritt is translating into German Rizal’s Noli – Inquires about the meaning of sinigang mentioned in the novel – Blumentritt cultivates Balaguer’s friendship for the sake of Rizal – La Publicidad publishes a review of the Noli – Mariano Ponce will also publish one.
2-3rd Rambla de Canaletas, Barcelona 6 September 1887
My Dear Friend Rizal,
Through your two letters I know that you have had no mishap in your voyage until the Strait of Malacca, as their “lordships,” including Blumentritt, have always wished you in the rest of your voyage as well in the bosom of your dear family. Impatiently now we desire anxiously to receive news of you in order to be freed from the worry created by newspaper reports coming from there about the diverse outrages committed by the omnipotent Terrero. Our good friend Blumentritt not long ago wrote me asking me for the meaning of sinigang because he will translate into German your Noli me tángere, with your prior authorization naturally. Today I have just received another very kind letter from him from which I quote: “After supper I sit down smoking two or three pipes and thinking of our Philippines. I have written directly to Balaguer, who calls me friend, informing him of my ideas about the reforms that ought to be introduced into our country. I want to maintain this correspondence for Rizal’s sake. Some day my connection with the minister of colonies may be very useful to our immortal friend. However I cherish no illusions, knowing that the Captain General of the Philippines does not always respect the orders from the authorities in Madrid. “In my head I have already finished the translation of the Tagalog novel, thus remaining only the slow work of writing it. But I do it with much pleasure this work being a tribute to the great Tagalog, José Rizal. The painter Eberhard Eysert (who wanted to be Rizal’s cicerone [expert guide] in Vienna) is going to paint for Rizal a very fine picture in return for the photograph that he received from him. I don’t know how to send to the Philippines this oil painting on word or canvas.” I shall write Blumentritt to send me that painting and if it arrives on time, I shall be its bearer, because you will also have me there soon, inasmuch as it is already decided that I am not going to Madrid for the doctorate. Dr. Nordmann (R.I.P. [meaning “may he rest in peace”]) has died, according to friend Blumentritt, as a result of a surgical operation. Rogers, contrary to your wish, did not obtain the post of titular to which he aspired, for another candidate with more influence than he had was favored. I already wrote you once and sent you at the same time “Diluvio’s” criticism of your novel. La Publicidad also publishes in two issues a critical study of the chapters that are particularly sour and bitter, and I told you also that your novel, they say, contains much truth and the one who wrote it or created it had written with much prudence. Mariano Ponce is to publish also a criticism and when it comes out I shall send it to you, sir. The “Chinese” greet you affectionately and wish you all kinds of prosperity.
Your friend, J. Peilifen _____________
(01) This is probably a pseudonym for Dr. Máximo Viola. He corresponded with Professor Ferdinand Blumentritt and traveled with Rizal in Germany and Australia in 1886. Here he mentions that he is not going back to Madrid to get his doctorate. See the earlier letter of Máximo Viola No. 25 in which he tells Rizal he has matriculated for the doctorate.
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050. Julio Llorente, Madrid, 19 October 1887
Llorente leaves the publication España en Filipinas – The Filipinos at Madrid have not done anything to secure a permit for the importation into the Philippines of Rizal’s Noli me tángere -- Lete has not published a review of it.
Madrid, 19 October 1887
Dear Friend Rizal, I am always thinking of writing you and I never do it. At last I write you so that you will not think that I have forgotten you. The medical diploma I suppose is already in your possession. In any case you can claim it from the governor general. Concerning your books I can only tell you that the authorization from the Ministry of Fomento (Development) has not done anything about it – neither Govantes, nor León, nor Regidor, nor anybody. I have withdrawn or separated from the magazine because: 1st, it serves as a footstool for personal ambitions; 2nd, it tries to set fellow countrymen against one another; 3rd, it did not want to do anything for your books; 4th, Lete, having promised to publish a review of you book, has not done it. Having had to be absent from Madrid with my wife for some months I had to leave the negotiation of this question to the countrymen who are in charge of the periodical. They have not done anything. Believe me, envy is eating up our countrymen. I returned from Lequistio a few days ago and seeing that they have not done anything for your book, I have decided to hold aloof and withdraw completely. The only thing that I regret is the fate of your book and your having entrusted this matter to a person without any influence in the government offices. I have presented another petition to the Ministry of Fomento (Development) for the publication of the authorization in the Gazette. We shall divide between us the deposit. I shall write longer another day.
Ever your friend and comrade, Julio Llorente
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051. Balbino Ventura, Bacolod, Pampanga, 27 November 1887
Rizal’s parents would not allow Rizal to go to Pampanga – Reiterates his invitation to Rizal – Would like to read Noli me tángere
From Balbino Ventura to Rizal
Baculod? Pampanga, 27 November 1887
My dear Friend, Great was my joy upon receiving your letter because you showed me your sincere desire to come here in order that we might see each other, though for powerful reasons you say that your parents forbid you to come. However, so that we can meet and talk about our past life, if you have no inconvenience, please come even though it is not the town feast. If I shall have an opportunity and time, I am going there, inasmuch as I am going to Batangas anyway. Only I can’t say exactly when this plan of mine will be realized, so that in case you shall have time ahead of me, inasmuch as you are a bachelor and can easily travel, please come because you know we are many, and married people cannot easily leave their homes. Now I am here at Baculod, seat of the court of Pampanga, but day after tomorrow I am going to Santo Tomás, hometown of my wife, also in Pampanga, about one hour’s carromata (01) ride from here. The house where my wife was born is there and perhaps we shall live there until the month of January, but I expect you at either house anytime. I just mentioned our going to that town so that you will not be surprised should you not find me at Baculod and if you go to Santo Tomás you also pass through Baculod. Pass by our hose as we may be here at the time because we shall come here often. As to your book I have not had the luck to see it yet, so that if you have a copy, I would be profoundly grateful if you will give it to me. . . enjoy its perusal. . . being so pleasant because of its importance and for being the book of a beloved friend. My tender regards to your family, though I have not had the honor of meeting them, and as to you, receive a tight embrace of your friend,
Balbino _____________
(01) A horse-drawn carriage.
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052. Pedro Serrano Laktaw, [01] Manila, 13 December 1887
The customs would not release the box of copies of Noli me tángere – A copy of the regulations for primary instruction.
San José Manila 13 December 1887
Mr. José Rizal Calamba
My dear Sir and Friend, With regret I inform you that until now the box is still in the warehouses of the customs and I believe will remain there for some more days until the censor deigns to issue his already known “Clearance.” Withal, they are not stupid in lavishing us with promises that are prolonged. Every day they repeat to us the very pleasant song: “They will be released, except the novel.” At least, they console us thus, or they believe they console us. I hope this will be settled finally because we are patient in dealing with them. Good luck and receive from the bearer the legislation in force on primary instruction whose details I hope to be able to give you personally.
Your servant who kisses your hand, Pedro Serrano Laktaw _____________
[01] Laktaw was a Tagalog lexicographer and primary school teacher who graduated from the normal school, and later studied in Spain obtaining a diploma of teacher of secondary school youth.
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RIZAL'S LIFE |
RIZAL'S WRITINGS |
KIDS REFLECTIONS |
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