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Letters Exchanged Between José Rizal and Other Reformers - 1889 (January to May) |
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Letters Exchanged Between José Rizal and Other Reformers - 1889 (January to May) |
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vvvvv 094. Rizal, London, January 1889 || To Marcelo del Pilar “Piping Dilat’s” article is restrained but strong – Advantages of knowing foreign languages – “I wrote the Noli me tángere to stir the patriotism of my countrymen.” |
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095. Rizal, London, 1899 || To the Filipinos at Barcelona Address to the Filipinos at Barcelona signed with his pseudonym, Laong Laan – Rizal rejoices at the unity of the Filipinos – How to prevent disunion – Clear words, clear conscience – A Rizal project – Buy, read critically, all published books on the Philippines – Study and be prepared.
094. Rizal, London, January 1889 || To Marcelo del Pilar
“Piping Dilat’s” article is restrained but strong – Advantages of knowing foreign languages – “I wrote the Noli me tángere to stir the patriotism of my countrymen.”
37 Chalcot Crescent, Primrose Hill, N.W.
January 1889
Mr. Marcelo del Pilar
My dear Friend, How sorry I am that you did not arrive in time for our first reunion of the 31 December. You would have enjoyed it-- at least I imagine so. But in fine, for you it is not a question of theaters, stages, or places, or time: you belong to those who are always timely. I have read the restrained but strong article of “Piping Dilat”. (1) It is a very beautiful article which would have flattered me greatly had I been its author. Note that, though Piping Dilat is mute (pipi) he is open-eyed (dilat). Though M :n :ng has used this pseudonym apparently, it seems to me the style is of the translator of Laong Laan and author of numerous and beautiful articles and booklets. I do not know if I am mistaken. I am glad that you are Sol: (2) You can help much that association until it becomes strong and comes to age. When you write to our friends over there, please tell them to have a little patience. My manuscripts are ready and I only lack something for their publication. I have had to make preliminary studies in order to familiarize myself with the past of the Philippines and that is why I have been delayed. It would not be bad that before old age comes you learn French or English, in case you already knew one of these two languages. This will open to you the treasures of a country; that is, the knowledge, the learning, treasured in the language. Thus you can read the complete works of Voltaire whose beautiful, simple and correct style is admirable, besides being in harmony with your manner of thinking. I do not advise you to learn German because its study will rob you of many precious months. Moreover, not being in Germany, it is difficult to learn this language, but if you like, why not? It is my ardent desire that without becoming enemies or disunited, six or seven Filipinos get to eclipse me completely and make everybody forget me. As I shall not stop working for our country, if these Filipinos get to eclipse me completely, it will be because they have worked more than I did and had rendered more services than I, which for the present is my immediate desire. I wrote the Noli me tángere to stir the patriotism of my countrymen. I would be happy if among those I have stirred, I shall find more notable champions. I am not counting you any more because you were already among the awakened beforehand. Ever your friend, compatriot, and fellow Sol., I bid you adieu for the present,
Yours, Rizal ______________ (1) One of the pseudonyms of Marcelo H. del Pilar. The other one was “Plaridel”. (2) Soliderio, that is, member of La Solidaridad, name of the association of Filipinos at Barcelona, as well as of their publication.
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095. Rizal, London, 1899 || To the Filipinos at Barcelona
Address to the Filipinos at Barcelona signed with his pseudonym, Laong Laan – Rizal rejoices at the unity of the Filipinos – How to prevent disunion – Clear words, clear conscience – A Rizal project – Buy, read critically, all published books on the Philippines – Study and be prepared.
37 Chalcot Crescent, Primrose Hill, N.W. London, [January ?] 1889
Dear Friends: Your flattering praise of my few lines of 31 December satisfies more my hopes than my self-esteem. It tells me that we are united and for me our union signifies more than literary ability, oratory, and the like. I trust that we shall march forward always united, friendly to one another, mutually advising and helping. United, we can do much or little and this much or this little can hurt our enemies who will try to disunite us, as they did in Madrid, and after succeeding to do so, to make them enemies of one another through little talks, quibbles, pricking and offending self-esteem, and so forth. To avoid this, it is good to be very wary, and when it is about discrediting our friends, we should always be incredulous; and in case the chare is serious or has an appearance of probability, instead of augmenting the little tales, it is advisable to ask the accused to give explanations. And as perhaps I may be one of the persons whom our enemies will want to attack or discredit, because for good or ill I favor our unity that they do not like, I suggest to you that when you hear accusations or slander against me, you ask me for explanations and I shall give them to you with my usual sincerity before the Solidaridad whose authority I want henceforth to recognize. Let there be in you clear words and a clear conscience. As I have in mind a project that is about to be finished, I ask you to send me as soon as possible a report on all the Filipinos – military men as well as civilians – in Spain that you know, stating their occupation, studies, and addresses. Within a few days I shall give you an account of it. I suggest that you try to buy, read, but critically, the books about the Philippines that you may see there published. It is necessary that you study the questions that concern our country. Knowledge of a thing prepares for its mastery: Knowledge is power. We are the only ones who can acquire a perfect knowledge of our country, because we know both languages and besides we are informed of the secrets of the people among whom we had been raised. The Spaniards will never get to know us well, because they have many preoccupations, they do not mingle with the people, they do not understand the language well, and they stay a short time there. The most they can know is what is going on in the government offices, and these are not the country. Study so that when the hour comes it will not find you unprepared.
Laong Laan
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096. Valentin Ventura, Paris, 6 January
Everything that is happening in the Philippines is the consequence of Rizal’s Campaign – Gobernadocillo of Sta. Ana – Ventura’s opinion of the Asociación Hispano-Filipina – Bad news from the Philippines. Paris, 6 January 1889.
Mr. José Rizal London
Dear Friend, On hand is your New Year greeting card and I give you a million thanks for it. Purposely I have not sent you mine because I was thinking of writing you to wish you all kinds of happiness for the New Year, and if it is possible, may it be more favorable to your undertakings than the year 1888, however much it seems to me that you cannot complain of it, for your campaign in the Philippines has not been in vain altogether. You may have the satisfaction to know that all that had happened and is happening in our country is the consequence of your active and indefatigable campaign. One of the victims of the reaction today in the Philippines has arrived here by the last mail boat and he is the gobernadorcillo of Santa Ana, (1) author of the petition of long ago – he is one of those who signed it – but he has had better luck than his companions for he has succeeded to hide himself until now. He comes under an assumed name and it seems he will continue using it in order not to embarrass the firm that gives him his pension, as well as for purposes that he is resolved to carry out. Please keep it a secret then. I suppose you must have learned of the death of our simpatico [congenial friend, used sarcastically] Payo. (2) May God forgive him for the evil he had done in the Philippines! Enclosed is a letter of Antonio Luna. Tell me what you think, should I answer the portion referring to my person? My opinion is that we should not accept any position in the association (3) for the following reasons: (1) Because they propose that we join it when already it has a past, so that in accepting a post, we shall become collectively responsible for its past and certainly I do not approve of many things it has done. (2) Many of its members are Castilas, beginning with the president who is Mr. Morayta, who, though he is honorable and worthy and has given proofs of liking our country, he does not cease to be a Castila and as such his policy will be to keep the Philippines for Spain as long as possible. (3) According to what we have already talked about and agreed upon the last time you were here, the campaign should be waged in Manila and not in Spain, because all that is done here is wasted, for it is proven that they do not want to listen to us. This is my opinion; nevertheless you form your own opinion for I may be mistaken in my judgment. Concerning Luna’s request that I talk to the rest of the Filipinos here, I shall do it without saying anything for or against. Each one may act in conformity with his opinion. I believe I shall not get any adhesion, because the Filipinos who are here are precisely of the style of R. . . . . and E. . . . . that is to say, they do not want to hear about the Philippines or anything referring to the Philippines, whether for disappointment or fear . . . . . Among the cards that I have received on the occasion of the New Year is one from Mr. Pedro Alejandro Paterno. I intend to write him one of these days at Vigo, where he is at present. Enclosed are five bills of one hundred francs each; we shall adjust our accounts when we meet. These five hundred francs are the value of the order that you endorsed to me from Manila, which remained uncollected for two years. News from the Philippines is ever worse with the passage of time. It seems that the brute (4) that we now have there is a second copy of Primo de Rivera. He does nothing but distribute the best posts among the members of his coterie [a close circle of friends who share a common interest or background; clique], and according to what they write me he seems to countenance gambling houses at the rate of two hundred pesos daily. Until the next time, I send the regards from Elisa, and receive a close embrace of your good friend,
V. Ventura
Did you receive the letter from the Philippines that I sent you? Return Luna’s letter to me. _____________ (1) His true name was Justo Trinidad. Author of the petition of the gobernadorcillos in 1888 he incurred the animosity of the Spanish authorities. He left the country to avoid persecution. Santa Ana is a district of Manila. (2) Pedro Payo, archbishop of Manila, notorious for his anti-Filipino sentiments. (3) Associación Hispano-Filipina. (4) He refers to Governor General Valariano Weyler (Commissioned from June, 1888 to 1891).
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097. Rizal, London, 6 January || To Mariano Ponce
Rizal sends Ponce a post card from London, 6 January 1889 requesting him to make a correction in La vision de Fr. Rodriguez – Because Archbishop Payo is dead, soften the harsh statements, he says.
Friday
Mr. Mariano Ponce 2-3 Rambla Canaletas, Barcelona
My dear Friend, I have received your letters. I am going to answer you later. Corcuera’s defense has not yet arrived. Please change in the Visión this: “I don not require Fr. Rodríguez to speak like a learned man; I must not be required then. . .” Make it like a free thinker instead of learned man. Because Pedro Payo is already dead, it is better to make it a little soft, in case I have said something too harsh about him. I leave it to you and Plaridel. Maybe it is better that you erase the name.
Your friend, Laong Laan.
Let that about Payo stay as it is, if it cannot be remedied anymore.
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098. Mariano Ponce, Barcelona, 8 January 1889
La visión de Fr. Rodríguez is very well written – To be published by the Filipinos at Barcelona – Perhaps del Pilar may be able to put an end to dissidence and rivalry – The Board of Directors of the La Solidaridad association – Rizal’s letter, read at the banquet, received warm applause.
2-3 Rambla Canaletas, Barcelona 8 January 1889
Mr. José Rizal
My dear Friend, La visión de Fr. Rodríguez is already in the press and its printing will be finished within 15 or 20 days. It is very well written. Receive my felicitation. I fear an accident may happen to Fr. Rodríguez when he reads it, . I am sending you Defense of Corcuera so that you may write a prologue and commentary as long as you deem convenient. Instead of giving the 25 pesetas to Graciano, I am keeping them to prevent him from squandering them. You know what a spendthrift this unfortunate countryman of ours is, and so that he may not lack some day I have made myself his trustee, regulating his expenses. Friend Pilar is here full of enthusiasm. He works hard and soon will publish little works in Tagalog and Spanish. Perhaps he may be the man we are waiting for to end the dissidence and rivalries that exist in the Madrid colony. I may go with him to Madrid after winter. He is insisting in taking me along and I am allowing myself to be convinced. He brings a most satisfactory and favorable impression of our cause, as he will write you. Magdalena appreciates your regards. Rogers told me that he has already answered you. It seems that he is determined not to abandon his retreat despite all sorrows. I do not know if the secretary of the association that we have jut established has already informed you of its inauguration. The Christmastide banquet that we gave in the evening of the 31 was at the same time its inauguration. The board of directors is composed of the following: President, Mr. Galicano Apacible; vice president, Mr. Graciano López; secretary, Mr. Manuel Sta. María; treasurer, Mariano Ponce; auditor, Mr. José Panganiban. Your letter was read and listened to religiously at the banquet and was applauded afterwards. Your La visión de Fr. Rodríguez is published by this colony reserving the copyright to you. Your countrymen in this city return your affectionate regards.
Yours, M. Ponce
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099. Antonio Luna, Madrid, 15 January
It is doubtful that the Spaniards would come to offer us rights and liberties that they enjoy – Pessimism about the successes of the association La Solidaridad.
Madrid, 15 January 1889
Dear Rizal, That I have written you that you take charge of collecting the quotas of the subscribers in Barcelona must have been a phenomenal lapsus plumae. (1) The reason is that on the same day, and moments before it, I was writing a letter to Barcelona. Therefore, it must be understood that I was referring to London rather than to Barcelona. Aliquando dormitat Antonius. (2) I see that you are not quite in agreement with the A. H. F. (3) Neither do I have much faith in it, because, laying aside the questionnaire, I find no response from persons in general to whom the welfare or the misfortune of the Philippines does not matter a straw. I consider it doubtful that the Spaniards would come to offer us rights and liberties that they enjoy. Those are for them, for us duties. Nay, our countrymen themselves, all almost all, are terrified to give their names to the association. This and many other circumstances may bring this association to an early end. However, we shall try to make it advance, for its purposes are laudable. If national representation is the reason why you do not want to accept the post offered to you, we could arrange it. You will note that the questionnaire is still under study and consequently it cannot be said that what is written in the constitution (which is not the by-laws) is all the aims of the association. It could have others, who doubts it? I send you newspapers that describe our meeting that was brilliant – most brilliant. More than 2,000 persons, more than 500 women filled the halls.
Yours, Antonio
P.S. Tell me which book about the Philippines you are translating from the French. I received the papers; I shall send proxies in a sealed envelope by mail. ______________ (1) Slip of the pen. (2) Even Antonio sometimes nods, a paraphrase of Horace’s “alquando bonus dormitat Homerus” (even good Homer sometimes nods). (3) Associación Hispano-Filipina.
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100. Rizal, London, January || to José Ma. Basa.
Basa’s example of writing in defense of the Philippines is inspiring to other Filipinos – To serve a country there is nothing like being in it – Marcelo H. del Pilar did not need to come to Europe – Filipinos are afraid to buy the Noli –He asks Basa to keep the remaining copies lest they be burned – “If the present generation does not like to read me because of fear, I shall keep what I have written for the coming generation” – He does not know if what he is writing will be published.
37 Chalcot Crescent, Primrose Hill, N.W. January 1889
Mr. José Basa (1)
My distinguished Friend and Countryman, Yesterday I received your welcome letter together with the printed matter about Sta. Clara. (2) I have sent copies of them to Paris and Spain. I am exceedingly pleased to see how your example and activity find echo here. Regidor writes daily articles for newspapers in Spain; some of them are published and others are not. But certainly, this may perhaps be of some use, though it seems to me that when these articles are read in Spain many would say: "So long as you do not go beyond complaints, everything will be all right." Two friends have arrived here – Marcelo H. del Pilar (3) and another from Sta. Ana. (4) I welcomed them; nevertheless they could serve the country more if they were in the Philippines. To serve our country, there is nothing like staying in it. It is there that we have to educate the people; it is there that we have to work. It is all right for young men to come here to study, but those who have already finished their studies ought to return and live there. Marcelo H. del Pilar has already finished his studies and he did not need to come to Europe. As you advise me that on account of the persecution of Viado, many now avoid having the Noli, it would be desirable that you hold the copies that you have and do not send them to the Philippines, because they may burn them. No one should be compelled to read the Noli. He who is afraid and refers to read Fr. Rodríguez may do so. Keep them in your possession all the copies of the Noli and do not give even one to anyone without previous request and payment. Very few copies of the work remain. Do not give anyone a copy if he does not order it. They can burn it. The articles in the Hong Kong Telegraph are very well written; we commend them. I sent to Blumentritt the number that I received. Here I devote myself to the study and writing of books on the Philippines. I don’t know when what I have already written can be published. If the present generation does not want to read me because of fear, I shall keep what I have written for the coming generation, but I continue and will continue working. What are we going to do? Our countrymen are afraid to spend two or three days in prison for the sake of enlightenment; perhaps the coming generation may be more daring. Let us hope for this. I congratulate your daughter as well as Mr. José Cucullo whom I know and who ought to know me. I was a very good friend of his brother, Luis, my college companion. I should like to send you something published here about the Philippines; I am going to look through my papers. What the Cologne Gazette published had been reprinted by nearly all German newspapers and translated by two Spanish periodicals. Unfortunately they did not send me a copy. Wishing you a long life and a Happy New Year, I bid you farewell for the present. Your affectionate friend who esteems and admires you.
José Rizal
I wonder if you can do something for Graciano López; (5) a monthly pension of 15 or 20 pesos would help him. ______________ (1) José M. Basa (1839-1907) was a Filipino who was exiled to the Mariana Islands on account of the Cavite Mutiny of 1872. He was able to escape to Hong Kong where he engaged in business. (2) Buhay Santa Clara. See letter No. 105. (3) M. H. del Pilar, having antagonized the friars, escaped from the country to avoid arrest and imprisonment or exile. (4) Justo Trinidad. (5) His family, influenced by the friars, had stopped sending him an allowance. Hence, he was needy and led a precarious existence. Rizal was trying to help him appealing to the kindness of Mr. José M. Basa, a Filipino exile engaged in business in Hong Kong.
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101. Marcelo H. del Pilar (Plaridel), Barcelona, January
He asks for data on Diego Silang’s rebellion – He doubts the veracity of Isabelo de los Reyes’ account.
Barcelona, January 1889 [Mr. José Rizal]
My dear Friend, Without any letter from you to answer I send you my picture as a remembrance. I request you to please give me some information and data – if you have been able to get them there (1) – on the rebellion of Diego Silang in Vigan, during the British invasion, for I am citing this incident in the pamphlet that I am writing as an exception to the boasted influence of the friars in that reaction of Anda y Salazar. (2) I have no other reference but the history of Fr. Zúñiga, and now I discover that Isabelo d los Reyes is publishing articles praising the friars on the occasion of that rebellion when I was intending to adduce it as a charge against the friars. According to Zúñiga, the insurrection having triumphed, Silang surrendered the position of governor to “Jesús Nazareno,” an incident that to me reveals the fanatical character of the rebellion; and our Isabelo says that he surrendered it to one Jesús Nazareno, which damages my argument. It would be advisable for you to read the Diario de Manila of 16 December 1888 and if you find anything worthwhile in it, to refute it. Isabelo is going to mutilate my work with his deplorable fecundity. Your affectionate friend embraces you.
Marcelo _____________ (1) Rizal was then at London engrossed in historical research at the British Museum. (2) Governor general (1770 – 1776) who defended Manila during the British invasion, 1762-1764.
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102. Rizal, London 28 January || To the Members of La Solidaridad
Rizal made Honorary President of the association La Solidaridad – He sends greetings and proffers prudent advice.
To the Members of Solidaridad
My dear Compatriots: Gratefully acknowledging the great honor that you have just accorded me – appointing me Honorary President of the association you have recently founded and which I wish a prosperous future – I now have the great pleasure of greeting the members of the Executive Board, whom I believe are very well chosen, certain that in their hands the destiny of La Solidaridad is assured. Though I have no doubt that my advice is useless, for every member of La Solidaridad is worth as much as I and more, considering that they are right on the spot, nevertheless, just to fill a sheet of paper, I will allow myself to write you some common observations which all of you undoubtedly know, but which cannot annoy by being written on a sheet of paper. 1. In young associations the spirit of tolerance ought to prevail when it concerns trifles that do not affect the essential part of a thing; in the discussions, the conciliatory tendency ought to dominate before the tendency to oppose. No one should resent defeat. When any opinion is rejected, its author, instead of despairing and withdrawing, should on the contrary wait for another occasion in which justice may be done him. The individual should give way to the welfare of the society. And so that the very delicate self-esteem of the Filipino – who is besides an unconscious individualist – may come out least hurt in the discussions and discontent may be avoided, it would be advisable that to all propositions, proposals, projects, and the like should always be added the ending: We think thus, if the other members have no objection, or any other similar phrase that you may deem more appropriate. I have heard many discussions arising from questions of self-esteem. Laying this aside, the decisions of the majority, after sufficient discussion, are sacred and unquestionable. 2. A great deal of integrity and much good will. No members should expect rewards or honors for what he does. He, who does his duty in the expectation of reward, is usually disappointed, because almost no one believes himself sufficiently rewarded. And so that there may not be discontented or ill-rewarded members, it is advisable for each one to do his duty just for its own sake and at best expect to be later treated unjustly because in anomalous countries, injustice is the prize for those who fulfill their duties. Thrift, thrift, thrift. Seriousness and equal justice for all. These are my admonitions, if the members of La Solidaridad have no objection.
J. Rizal Honorary President of La Solidaridad
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103. Pedro Serrano Laktaw, 1 February 1889
Serrano allows himself to be deceived in order to satisfy everybody and not to inconvenience anyone – Signs his letter “P. Doré” – The Jesuits are trying to dissuade him from going abroad to study.
1 February 1889
[Mr. José Rizal]
My dear Laong Laan, My heart rejoiced greatly upon receiving your valued letter. I read it again and again and now I am going to answer it by skipping about. You are right in saying that trees standing close together are stronger and are not easily thrown down by a strong wind; but I reply that when fire reaches houses that are close together, it devours them all easily. In loose ground, rather than in a tight one, roots easily take and there plants are robust and fertilizers readily sink. By pruning plants their branches multiply, their growth is hastened, and their trunks become strong. If what you tell me about Rizal is true, as I suppose it is, you are more than right. Serrano is of the same opinion that this very day the friar is our only salvation, that to think otherwise is follow. He expects much from the Dominicans and the Jesuits; he serves the latter and pleases or tries to please the other. He adds that without pains delivery would be difficult if not impossible, and everybody wishes to pin his hopes on the government and the friars. Let us see if he shall be disappointed soon; one who, likes him, has for his favorite phrase the saying of a celebrated writer of our century, which is, “God knows the good of the evil done by man.” Jesuit-like lad, Jesuit-like. Serrano is an unfortunate man, you rightly say, for not only is he deceived in order to satisfy everybody and not to embarrass anyone, boldly advising me to follow his behavior, adding that that is the formula for being in good terms with everybody and get what one desires, and in this way our lad picks a friend at every corner, but what friends, sir, three for a penny. And so you can see until what point the blessed one goes. He still hopes much of those who promised to help him print his book, though he has seen that they only promised him to put him in danger rather than to fulfill their promises at any time. Notwithstanding, he continues to be their friend and of everybody and thus he lives happily, because for him bread and cake are the same. On the other hand he does not save even a cigarette for his future, because of his integrity. The most shocking thing is that the friars whom he tries to please still talk ill of him and have even vowed to knock him down some day, on a day least expected. The Jesuits. . . . . these will be in good terms with him so long as they believe that the person of Serrano will be useful to them, afterwards he shall see how they will treat him. Well, upon knowing that he has obtained permission to go to the Peninsula, they called him and convinced him that without leaving this country he could get an education and for that purpose they founded an Academia Pedagógica, without prejudice of speaking to other teachers and priests in order to make him desist from going to Europe, fearing that there Serrano may loose his faith in religion and the many bad lay teachers in the Peninsula pervert him and he would render very wide awake, a heretic, and a mason, like Rizal. My regards and embraces to all and remembrances to the dear mistress of your thoughts.
P. Doré
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104. Rizal, London, 4 February 18 || To Marcelo H. del Pilar
Rizal writes Marcelo H. del Pilar that he is glad for the publication of La Solidaridad – The excessive Ilocano tendencies of Isabelo de los Reyes apropos the question of Diego Silang – Testimony of historians – Italian manuscripts about the Philippines – one of the Filipinos at Barcelona should study Italian – Rizal is presently studying Dutch.
37 Chalcot Crescent, Primrose Hill, N.W. London, 4 February 1889
My dear Friend Plaridel, I thank you very much for your photograph. In truth I did not recognize you at first glance for you have all the airs of a European – God grant that it may not go beyond that. I am sorry that I cannot send you mine now because I have promised myself not to have my picture taken until after the publication of another book, there being already too many existing photographs of mine. But rest assured that as soon as I have my picture taken you will have a large-sized one. I am very glad for the publication of the periodical La Solidaridad. You may count on me for everything. I want to be where you are, and above all professing ideas that seem to me most just as do you, yourself. They say that in Madrid Mr. Dominador Gómez made the “eloquent statement” that “this very day it is not possible to make any political reform in the Philippines”!!! I don’t know if this is true, but I will find it out and see that this absurdity is corrected. For the present, I reject that declaration and I believe that the newspaper has misinterpreted Gómez’s words. Blumentritt writes me praising your article “Administrative Relaxations.” Regidor has also found it magnificent. The articles in La Publicidad are also very good; only when you cite Filipino names you have forgotten many that are more worthy, like those of Peláez, Burgos, García, Judo, etc. Now let us go to the question of Diego Silang. I congratulate all, including myself, for having a countryman as well informed, intelligent, and active as Mr. Isabelo de los Reyes, I have nevertheless to deplore his excessive allegiance to the Illocos region, which as you suspect, can one day chop us, as an argument against us. Though he may have first-rate works, on the other hand, some seem to be written by Spaniards – so superficial, light, and of little discernment. One of these is where he speaks of Catapusan. On this question of Diego Silang, the only historian that I have been able to consult is Mas, [01], besides Zúñiga, [02] for neither Concepción nor Aduarte [04] mentions him and the rest copied from one another. You can use these data against his influence as well as in the question of Apolinario, Cavite, and etc. I will quote here some paragraphs of Mas who studied the matter in some Augustinian manuscripts: Silang, proud of his action, sent agents to the north who incited all the plebeians to rise . . . and they persecuted the principal citizens and some Augustinian friars, whom they said were to blame for the failure of the reserved tribute to arrive . . . . Within a few days he became master of the whole province and he appointed as its captain Jesús Nazareno and he gave himself the title of chief commander for the defense of the religion . . . he asked the priests to pay a tribute of one hundred pesos each . . . influenced by the Augustinian friars, who did not wish to absolve the rebels, many were withdrawing from Silang, especially in the towns of the north, which led to the taking of some priests as prisoners who were conducted to Bigaa, etc. etc. Despite the ardent desire of the Augustinians – like all the friars – to exaggerate always and to put themselves in the forefront in all Philippine questions, in the question of Silang they appear in the forth or fifth line. I am with you and you can defend it very well that Silang’s uprising had a fanatical character, though Silang himself was not so, because he seemed to be a grand politician, but a rogue without honor or civic virtues, for which reason he failed. You are correct in supposing and believing that he gave the command to Jesús Nazareno and it is not to one Jesús Nazareno, as Isabelo says. First: in the Philippines, the Name Jesús is never or almost never against given as a baptismal name and it is not known that the surname Nazareno had ever existed. It is moreover a great deal of coincidence to be called Jesús Nazareno and then have the command without pain or merit. Second: Silang was an ambitious man and would not give the command to another man unless he could give to God the nominal command while he retained the real power; this is in conformity with his prayers, Masses, etc. etc. Third: Nothing was said again about Jesús Nazareno and it is not known whether he had done anything or had been hanged or impaled by Azza, which make us suppose that this Jesús Nazareno was Christ and not one Jesús Nazareno, as Isabelo suppose. You can be sure of this and when you write Isabelo call his attention to it. Without Captain Buecbuec and without the assassination of Silang, committed by Vicos, this uprising would not have been extinguished, not even with all the belts that are found in the convents, nor even supposing that the skins of the friars were made into belts and their greasy habits into scapulars. The importance that the friars give themselves in all uprisings should be interpreted with a grain of salt; they are prayers pro domo sua. [05] The pseudonym Dimas Alang or Dimasalang seems to me very good, for both are meaningful. I yield the ownership of this little book [06] to La Solidaridad and I only ask for 20 or 30 copies for myself. Make one of the Filipinos there learn Italian because I have here Italian manuscripts that deal with the first coming of the Spaniards in the Philippines. A companion of Magellan writes them. As I have no time to translate them on account of my numerous chores, it would be advisable that a countryman of ours translates them into Tagalog or Spanish so that it may be known how we were in1520. Italian is easy. In one month it can be learned with the Method of Ahn. Now I am studying Dutch. I shall send articles to La Solidaridad. Wishing you all kinds of success, I bid you farewell for now.
Yours, Rizal
Send me the Diario de Manila of 16 December so that I can refute it.
Dear Naning, Enclosed is the corrected page. Please send me some 20 or 30 copies. There should be placed a line separating the test from the footnote. Greet Laktaw and friends Sandico and Reyes for me. I shall write more another day. Laong Laan. _______________
[01] Sine baldo de mas, Informe sobre el estado de las Islas Filipinas en 1842, Madrid 1843. [02] Joaquin Martínez de Zúñiga, Historia de las Islas Filipinas. [03] Juan de la Concepción, Historia general de Filipinas. Manila 1788. [04] Diego de Aduarte, Historia de la Provincia del Santo Rosario de las Orden ae Predicadores en Filipinas, Japon, y China, 1640. [05] Literally, for one’s house; that is, to plead for one’s own cause. From Cicero’s harangue upon his return from exile, pleading for the return of his property confiscated during his absence by the patrician Clodius. [06] La vision de Fr. Rodríguez.
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105. Marcelo H. del Pilar, Barcelona, 17 February 1889
Birth of La Solidaridad on 15 February1889 – The campaign of the women of Malolos – “I request you to write to those girls.” -- Rizal’s article “Los viajes” could not be published in the first issue for lack of space.
Barcelona, 17 February 1889
Friend Laoang Laan, At last our little newspaper was born. [01] It is democratic in its opinion, but very much more so in the organization of its staff. One should see how the director writes, corrects proofs, directs the printing, distributes the copies, and even takes the packages to the post office. Naning, the administrator, gathers the data, writes, corrects proofs, addresses the wrappers, answers the correspondence, and also distributes the copies. I am the only idler, though the newspaper had me preoccupied during the period of its gestation and birth, for which reason I am behind in my correspondence with you. I appreciate the data you have furnished me on the rebellion of Diego Silang and I shall bear them in mind. Now I cannot find any more at the Ateneo [02] the Diario de Manila that I had indicated to you. Perhaps your Museum has received a copy. Ours is quite Spanish. Take note of the echoes from the colonies in La Solidaridad, written by Graciano with data received from Manila. The attitude of the girls of Malolos reveals that the campaign of our men there is regular. Those girls belong to the select class of the town, respected for their good reputation and they are daughters of maginoos. [03] If you could address them a letter in Tagalog, it would be another aid to our champions there and in Manila. Owing to the campaign that those girls are waging by word of mouth and by example, the idea that it is dishonorable for men and women to adhere to the friars is spreading and is producing very great effects. Have you read the verses Buhay Santa Clara? Your sister believes that they are written by a Malolos woman for she has been led to believe so, while the Malolos women think that your sister wrote them. I departed from there at a moment when even the most fanatical women already were preaching hatred against the friars; and the last mail brought us a phenomenon that in the future may produce its results. It is said that one day eight friars were riding in one of the steam tramcars of Malabon, and one of our lads intoned the cry, “Down with the friars” and this cry was seconded by numerous Spaniards who were there. This can be understood as the cry of alarm that the enclosed article contains. I request you to write to the Malolos girls. Los viajes could not be published in the first number. The excess of articles and the trick of the compositors, who did the news in large type despite the order to put in size 6, did not permit us to open the literary section to which Los viajes belongs. Goodbye.
Your affectionate friend, Plaridel
Note: This letter was taken from Copy Book, 1889-1890, page 1 of the Ponce Collection. ______________ [01] La Solidaridad was first published in Barcelona; then it was moved to Madrid in 1890 where it continued until 15 November 1895. [02] The library of the Ateneo Barcelonés, a library and scholarly society in Barcelona. [03] The Tagalog aristocracy.
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106. Rizal, London, 22 February 1889 || To Marcelo H. del Pilar
Suggestions for La Solidaridad – Rizal promises to write “articles of great interest” – A long message in Tagalog to the young women of Malolos – He asks del Pilar to correct it as his Tagalog is getting rusty – See that it does not fall into the hands of the friars.
37 Chalcot Crescent, Primrose Hill, N.W. London, 22 February 1889
Dear Friend Plaridel, I received the numbers of the periodicals and I congratulate its editors as well as its initiators. I have succeeded to make Rigidor give five pesos every month and contribute articles. Therefore, I believe that you should accept advertisements in order to earn a little, and to begin you ought to advertise the trade or business of our friends over there, even gratis et amore. But the number of pages must be increased. Do not hurry the publication of my Viajes, for it is not of current interest; publish it when there are no articles. I will send you shortly interesting articles on the history of the Philippines and above all documents. Have these published in book form before melting the molds, so that at the end of the year you may have a book to sell or give away as gifts to your subscribers. Thus you will be saved the cost of another composition. I promise to send you articles of great interest. Enclosed is my long epistle to the Malolos women. Read it and correct it, because, as I have no one here to talk Tagalog with I am beginning to forget a little. I believe that I owe them more than a simple letter and so there it is. Be careful that it does not fall into the hands of the friars and get lost, for that is my first draft and I have no copy of it. Give my love to all the friends, especially to the directors of newspapers, to Canon, Galicano, and to all the members of La Solidaridad. I think it would be all right to always send a copy to Blumentritt. I am sure that you concur. Excuse this short letter. The epistle to the Malolos women made my hand tired.
Yours, Laong Laan
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