Letters Exchanged Between José Rizal and Other Reformers - 1891 (July to December)

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257.   Rizal, Ghent, 9 July 1891 || To José Ma. Basa

Rizal receives the passage-money from Basa – Publishes El Filibusterismo, the second part of his Noli, before leaving Europe – Three months without receiving even a cent – To print his work, Rizal pawned his jewels – Disheartened – Forsaken by those who have promised to finance the publication of his book – Sends Basa age-proofs but asks him to burn them – The friars may resent the book – He sends also books and personal effects to Hong Kong.

32 Rue de Flandre

Ghent, 9 July 1891

Mr. José M. Basa

Hong Kong

My distinguished and good Friend,

            I received your letter of the 3^rd June together with the one addressed to the director of Messageries Maritimes, and if I do not embark immediately, it is because at the moment I am printing the second part of Noli me tángere, as you can see by the enclosed pages.  I have preferred to publish it in any manner before leaving Europe, because it seems to me a pity not to do it.  As I have not received a cent for three months, I have pawned all I have in order to print this work and I will continue printing it as long as I can, and when I no longer have anything to pawn, then I will stop, and I will return to your side.  I am tired of believing in our countrymen; they all seem to have joined together to embitter my life; they have been preventing my return, promising to send me an allowance, and after having done it one month, they have not remembered me again.  Lately I received from the Propaganda Movement at the beginning of April another letter sending me 100 pesos for the months of January and February and promising to send me regularly every month, and we are now in July and I have not received a cent again!  Some rich men have been promising and offering me money for the publication of my work; now that I accept it, they do not send even a cent.  All my jewels are now pawned; I live in a small room; I eat in a very modest restaurant to economize and be able to publish my work.  Shortly I will have to stop it if I do not receive any money . . . .  Ah! I tell you that if it were not for you, if I did not believe that there are still good Filipinos, I feel like sending to the devil, countrymen and everything!  For whom have they taken me?  Precisely when one needs to have his mind at peace and his imagination free, he gets deceit and meanness!

            I do not know.  If the funds I am expecting do.  If the funds I am expecting do not arrive by the next mail, I will give up book and all, and I will embark to live and work for myself . . . At times I feel like burning my manuscript, but I think of you, and I know that there are many good men, any who truly love their country.

            Thank you for your kindness for having sent me passage-money, I send you a fraternal embrace.

Yours,

Rizal

P.S.

            I have sent there my four boxes of books and other effects, freight payable on arrival.  If anything should happen to me, you can sell all books and objects and keep the money from the sale as indemnity.  The value of the books and other things is 600 pesos at least.

The same.

            Keep my work absolutely secret; the friars may sent it . . . and prepare.  Burn immediately the pages I’m sending you.  

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258. Rizal, Ghent, 29 July 1891 || To Eduardo de Lete

Reports on agricultural colonies at Hoogstraten and Bruges – Rizal obtained the information from the ministry of justice at Brussels.

Ghent, (Belgium)

9 Rue du Hainaut

29 July 1891

Mr. Eduardo de Lete

Spain

My dear Friend Eduardo:

            I received your letter and, informed of its contents, I went to Brussels to gather the information about the matter in the government offices.  This is what I was told in the Ministry of Justice:

            There are two agricultural colonies in Belgium: One in Hoogstraten for men and another in Bruges for women.  All vagabonds, beggars, and unemployed persons above 18 years of age are sent there.  Those below 18 years are sent not to the agricultural colonies but the agricultural schools in order to inculcate in them habits of work.  There they stay until they reach the age of 20.  Those in the agricultural colonies are employed in the cultivation of virgin lands under the direction of a chief.  They earn at most 25 cents daily.  They are also employed by private landowners. Their earnings are accumulated and given to them when they leave the colonies at the end of their terms, which may last from three, six, to nine months, two years being the maximum and depending upon whether they are recidivists.  Many, upon being released, spend their money in an orgy and afterwards they return to their old vices and are re-sentenced.  According to what an employee told me, there are vagabonds and beggars who return eight or fifteen times.  During their stay at the colony, their maintenance is charged to the town or commune in which they last resided for five years, which is easily determined here.  The town pays 65 cents daily each for those who can work and 85 cents for the invalids.  Those who are sent to these colonies are not criminals but vagabonds, beggars, and those engaged in selling foolish things in the streets. The criminals go to prison where they earn more, because in general they are persons who know some kind of work.  The vagabonds do not learn much in the colonies.  Their work is very crude and often they are lazy, idlers, etc.  In winter, their number reaches to about 4,000 and in summer, about 3,000, the number of men being ten times that of women.  The food given them does not amount to much.

            Here are the data that I have been able to gather from the employee of the ministry.  If you can use them, well and good; if not, write me what it is that you wish to know.

            I send my compliments to those who inquire about me.

Yours,

Rizal

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259. Rizal, Ghent, 6 August 1891 || To José Ma. Basa

Rizal’s books valued at 600 pesos are sent to Basa – Macao postage stamps for Blumentritt, “the one who works most for the Philippines” – Printing of El Filibusterismo advances – “But, if I do not get money, I will have to suspend it.  – “With 2,500 francs a good printing press can be put up and the two of us can exploit it.”

9 “Rue de Hainaut

Ghent, 6 August 1891

Mr. José M. Basa

Hong Kong

My dear Friend Basa,

            Enclosed is the bill of landing of the four boxes of books I am sending there; as I have already told you the charges are payable there.  If anything should happen to me, all those books become your property, incase my family does not pay you the amount I owe you.  The books alone are worth more than 600 pesos.

            Friend Blumentritt wishes to have some Macao postage stamps.  A Filipino resident in Macao will do well to write him, sending him the stamps.  Do it to please him for he is the one who works most for the Philippines.

            As you will see in the enclosed clipping, the printing of the second part is advancing, and I am now on page 112.  But, if I do not receive money and I owe everybody and I’m pawned, I shall have to suspend the publication and leave the work in the middle.  It is a pity, because it seems to me that this second part is more important than the first, and if I do not finish it here, it will never be finished.

            But the fault will not be mine or yours; the fault will be of the others.  You cannot do more for me than what you have done, and I cannot write, study, and earn my living . . . .  My Morga did not yield me more than what you sent me and the 200 pesos from Arias Rodríguez; my Noli, nothing, and it is all the contrary.  With the proceeds of this work I hoped to pay you and my other creditors.

            Here are for sale printing presses for 1,800 francs which can print eight pages like the Noli and the one man can operate it.  The types, like those of my new work, cost 3 francs a kilo.  I believe that with 2,500 francs we can put up a good printing press and the two of us can exploit it.

            This is all, many regards and love to your children.

Yours,

Rizal

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260.  Marcelo H. del Pilar, Madrid, 7 August 1891

The order for Graciano will be carried out – Also what refers to the prize for Luna – The voice of Manila is “reconciliation” – There is really no resentment between Rizal and del Pilar – Appreciating Rizal’s congratulations to La Solidaridad – Invites Rizal to write for it again – would defeat friars’ intrigue in the Philippines.

Madrid, 7 August 1891

Mr. José Rizal

Ghent

My dear Friend,

            I have on hand your letter of the 4^th instant and through it I have learned who has won the prize you proposed to Manila.  I have yet to carry out the order you gave me as soon as I receive it.  What I have received refers to Graciano, who is returning.  Perhaps what refers to Luna may come by the next mail.  In that case rest assured that our Taga-ilog (01) will not wait too long.

            What they tell me from Manila is that we get reconciled; and as I understand that there is no resentment between us, I do not know how to begin.  Many times I have wished to write you about this, but as many times I have had to desist, sorrowful and even dismayed at disagreeing with my best friend, “without eating it or drinking it,” as it is often said.  In short, if you have any resentment, I beg you to put it aside; if you consider me at fault, and this fault is pardonable, forgive me.

            I appreciate your felicitation to La Solidaridad, and I enclose it to the authors of the beautiful articles and the pungent hash.  Our newspaper would be more worthy of congratulation had you not deprived it of your articles.  We would much like that you resume writing for it; not only would we strengthen La Solidaridad but we would defeat the friar intrigue in the Philippines, according to which complete disagreement reigns among us and Mr. Maguel Morayta has abandoned us.

            Regards to Alejandrino and command your friend

Pilar

[Marcelo H. del Pilar]

______________

            (01) Antonio Luna’s pseudonym.

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261. Juan Luna, Paris, 8 August 1891

Thanks for the prize for his brother Antonio – Philippine biographies for a contest for Igorrote (01) writers – The lone contestant – Rizal did not allow the inclusion of his biography – Juan Luna also wants his to be dropped – The biographies in La Solidaridad are counter-productive – Juan Luna, member of La Société Nationale de Beaux-Arts – The stay of Filipino students in Madrid should not be unnecessarily prolonged – Our artists – M. Zaragoza, director of the Escuela de Pintura.

Paris, 8 August 1891

Mr. José Rizal

Ghent

Dear Rizal,

            I have received your letter and the prospectus of the School of Arts of Ghent.  A thousand thanks.

            I am also thanking you for the prize of Antonio.  He told me that he has written biographies of Filipinos for a contest for Igorrote (?) writers and upon submitting them on the day fixed, it turned out that there was no other work but his.  So that there was no fun at all in awarding him the prize and for that reason I thank you, because he does need the 50.  What I regret is that you have proposed and made it a condition that your biography be dropped.  In case it is printed, I, on my part, would also have my biography omitted, for it is written by a brother, that is, by a member of my family.

            I believe that you should not object that yours be published, for, in my understanding, a biography has nothing fictitious and false and the merits should be expounded such as they are.

            I believe that the cause is not what at one time we, that is, I in behalf of Trinidad, wrote you that the biographies in La Solidaridad are counter-productive, for they were like self-praise, and if it is for what you say in your letter, I have more reason to have mine dropped.

            It is true that they have made me a member of La Société Nationale de Beaux-Arts, an appointment which I did not expect and which gives me the advantage of exhibiting as many as 10 pictures at the Champ de Mars, without going through the jury, which is very strict in admission.

            A thousand thanks for your congratulations.  Every morning I go to the Abby of St. Denis; it is very pretty and has very fantastic effects, the effect of the glass windows.

            I am writing for my parents’ reply so that Antonio may come to Paris or go to Brussels.  You know already that I am of the opinion that the Filipinos should not stay in Madrid longer than its necessary for their university studies and this is because they cannot practice in Manila with French or German degrees.

            With regard to the artists, you see already what happened to Villanueva and Sugan (02); what is regret is that the same thing may happen to V. Francisco and Asunción.  M. Zaragoza has been appointed Director of Escuela de Pintura in Manila.  I bet that they have taken into account his stay in Rome

Luna

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(01)  Igorot, meaning Filipino.  It is the name of a cultural minority living in the mountains of northern Luzon.

(02)  Telesforo Sucgang, Filipino painter, whose best known work is an oil portrait of Rizal which, at the time of this writing (1961), is the property of Ms. Paz Zamora Mascuñana, daughter of Dr. Felipe Zamora, a contemporary of Rizal.

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262. Rizal Ghent, 12 August 1891 || To Marcelo H. del Pilar

Resentments and disagreements? – It is to talk of the non-existent – Reasons why Rizal stopped writing for La Solidaridad – “I fight for the nation, the Philippines” – Alejandrino and Evangelista are studying – On Sunday they eat together in Philippine style and talk about Philippine problems.

Mr. Marcelo H. del Pilar

[Madrid]

My dear Friend,

            I am extremely surprised at your letter, telling me about resentments, disagreements, and reconciliations, etc.  I believe it is useless to talk about what does not exist, and if it has existed, it ought to have evaporated in the past.  I think like you do, that there being nothing one ought not to waste time talking about it.

            If I stopped writing for La Solidaridad, it was because of several reasons: 1^st, I need time to work on my book; 2^nd, I wanted other Filipinos to work also; 3^rd, I considered it very important to the party that there be unity in the work; and as you are already at the top and I also have my own ideas, it is better to leave you alone to direct the policy such as you understand it and I do not meddle in it. This has two advantages: it leaves both of us free, and it increases your prestige, which is very necessary, inasmuch as men of prestige are needed in our country.  This does not mean to say that I need not work and follow the course of your work.  I am like an army corps who, at the needed moment, you will see arriving to descend upon the flanks of the enemy before you.  Only I ask God to give me the means to do it.  Besides, frankly I do not want to waste time attacking and fighting private enterprises like that of Fr. Font, Quioquip, and others.  I fight for the nation, the Philippines.

            If Ponce still has copies of the Noli, I beg him to send one with the enclosed letter to Mr. Vigil; (01) and if this gentleman asks for one more copy, please send him without asking for payment.  In case he has no more, do me the favor of informing my cousin Rianzares who ought to still have some copies.

            Here we are all well.  Alejandrino and Evangelista (02) are working and studying.  On Sunday afternoons we gather and eat in the Filipino style and we spend the evenings talking and discussing Philippine problems, mathematics, and political principles.  Until now it has not occurred to us to buy playing cards or to play chess.

            This is all.  Regards to all our friends there, and command your

friend,

Rizal

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(01)  The director of the Biblioteca-Museo de Ultramar.  Se Juan Luna’s letter, No. 220.

(02)  Edilberto Evangelista (1862-1897) was born in Santa Cruz, Manila; studied at San Juan de Letran College and Santo Tomás University, then at the University of Ghent, graduating in 1895 as civil engineer.  Returning to Manila in September 1896 he was arrested and detained for several days on account of copies of Noli me tángere and El Filibusterismo found in his luggage.  Immediately after his release he enlisted in the revolutionary army, THE KATIPUNAN.  Assigned to the engineering corps as director-general, he was the builder of remarkable fortifications in Cavite and Muntinglupa.  He died in action in the Battle of Zapote Bridge, 17 February 1897.

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263. Rizal, Europe, 14 August 1891 || To Juan Zulueta

Concerning the chief of the Filipino colony in Madrid and the administration of La Solidaridad – Rizal explains his attitude from a lofty level – Everything is settled with his retirement from the colony – His admirable spirit of sacrifice – His patriotic moral discipline – His abnegation ad disinterestedness tested – He submits to the will of the Propaganda Committee of Manila.

Europe, 14 August 1891

Mr. A. Teuluz [Zulueta] (01)

Manila

My dear Brother,

            In reply to your letter of 5^th April, received three days ago through the kindness of Brother Carmelo [Marcelo H. del Pilar], in which you tell me about the question raised concerning the chief of the Filipino colony in Madrid and the administration of La Solidaridad, I have the honor to inform you of the following:

            That everything is settled with my withdrawal from the Filipino colony of Madrid and the election of the same editor of the newspaper to the post of chief of the colony.

            That it was never my intention to provoke conflicts; that the idea did not come from me but from other persons; that I never had the desire to place under my direction either La Solidaridad or its editor.  U understand only that if I were to be the responsible chief of the acts of the colony in political as well as in moral affairs, it was natural that I should also have powers to prevent any act which might involve the peace of the colony, and in this sense I understood that La Solidaridad, being its organ, should be under the colony with regard to its policy.  Friend Carmelo then told me that La Solidaridad was a private enterprise and for this reason I submitted the question to your supreme decision.  It is useless to continue talking about the affair, for, as I have already said, everything is settled with my withdrawal.  I forego giving more details or speaking about remembrances that are painful to me and are immaterial to you.  Let it be on record that between Brother Carmelo and my humble person there has never been serious conflict.  I do not know if he has complaints against me; on my part, I can only say that if I have resented something it was the distrust he showed in my intervention in the political administration of La Solidaridad, but I understand it very well that since the moment you appointed him, he has no right to cede the smallest portion of his powers without consulting you. Thus, everything has vanished.

            I have learned from other sources that in that center my attitude has been criticized and someone there has said that I was disuniting the colony.  If this is true, I regret it indeed, but I forgo explaining and justifying myself.  My conscience tells me that I can rest in peace about the matter.  What was united before my intervention?  Who was united before my intervention?  Who is the power in the colony that I wanted to overthrow?  During the entire election period, I had always wished to withdraw my candidacy and I did not stop until I withdrew and nevertheless I had the majority vote.  Is this to disunite?  In view of this then, and it is not enough that one has good intentions and good will to be free from accusations, I believe I am taking the prudent step of  withdrawing from politics so that, buried in oblivion, I would not be a shadow on our party.  La Solidaridad is getting along very well; I will work alone, drawing inspiration from the general progress of the campaign and the needs of the country, for I want to be everything except to be a disturber of the union which, since childhood, I have wished for my countrymen.  The evidence is my whole past, witnesses are my writings.

            I beg the Propaganda Committee to accept my proposition, because I need to enjoy some peace in order to think calmly of the interests of the Philippines without being blinded by the impressions of the moment.  I have enough enemies outside and I do not want to have them inside.  And as my ambition is not to have honors or hold positions but to see that the just, the exact, the convenient is done in political matters, and as the attacks of friends hurt me more than the entire force of the enemies, it is clear that if I expose myself to such risks, I expose myself also to lose my little serenity.

            I will conclude this letter giving thanks to the Propaganda Committee for its kindness and courtesy to me, wishing it genuine success, assuring it always of my complete submission to its will that I wish to interpret as the will of my country.  I have the satisfaction to remember that at this epoch, fatal for personalities, mine is the most diminutive and the one who has done the least, is the most happy because he still retains your sympathy.  And in order to erase somewhat bitter memories, I am going to tell you that Bismarck, after founding and unifying an empire, powerful like none, is now abandoned and forgotten; why?  For nothing.  Parnell, the one who unified the Irish is now discredited and starts a civil war, why?  For a woman.  Boulanger, after nearly getting an imperial crown and spending fourteen millions, lives here in obscurity and forgotten.  Why?  For having been too prudent.  On the other hand, I who have not created more than a Father Dámaso and a Capitán Tiago, who, beside the German Empire, the Irish League, and the imperial crown of France of Belvedere, are less than dwarfs, and the Apollo and I have escaped from this torment and I am happy with the friendship you bestow on me.

            I beg you then to present my respects to the Director of the Propaganda whose commands I always await; and trusting that shortly we are going to meet, I send you the kiss of peace.

Dimas Alang

[Jose Rizal]

______________

            (01) Juan Zulueta was the secretary of the Propaganda Committee at Manila.

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264. Galicano Apácible, Madrid, 19 August 1891

Note: There are blanks in this letter.  These were caused by damages to the letter -- rly

Greatness is in direct proportion to the number of enemies – The pin has not been lost – Apácible will return also and wants to be Rizal’s fellow passenger – Filipinos who are leaving Madrid.

Madrid, 19 August 1891

Hortaleza 14 and 16 2^nd

Mr. José Rizal

Ghent

Dear Cousin,

            I received your letter of the 12^th instant which for its pessimistic content I cannot call pleasant, as I wish, following the rules of Letter Styles that my teacher used to make me copy when I was a child to answer the letters from my family.

            I do not know if you refer to what occurred to your in your last days in this crowded Villa when you speak of numerous friends and admirers that you have had or to another matter that I do not know.  If it is for that . . . . . (damaged letter) I believe that you are practical enough to forget it and not to mind some who . . . ., as you yourself would qualify, have provoked that incident and this will not soil in the least your fame among sensible people.  On the contrary, it increases further your importance for the reason that greatness is in direct proportion to the number of enemies . . . so much control have passions over humankind.

            On the engagement of eleven years, I do not dare comment, because in passing judgment on a feeling, that personality of the judge influences much and . . . I do not know where I will end should I judge what has happened to you, for surely with your special talent, and this should not lengthen your nose more than one vera, you see much better than do I.  Pardon me then if I have gone beyond the limit in something.  You may attribute to my great esteem of you my regret for what is happening to you.

            The pin has not been lost; yesterday Father Chanco rederated [sic redirected ?] it.  He requests me to write you so.  Morada told me that when he receives money, he will get it from Father Chanco in order to send it to you.  Needless to tell you that, if I get the money ahead of Morada, I will do that.

            I am soon also going back to the Philippines.  In the last letters I have received from my family, my mother tells me that she will send me money within two or three months for my return.  She is sickly as a result of influenza.  I will write you before I leave.  Write me also about the date of your departure for I shall be very glad to be your fellow passenger.

            Today Vicente Francisco leaves for the Philippines.  Within this week Abella and Ariston will eave for Paris and Abreu for that city to study engineering with Alejandrino.

            I hardly leave the house these days because, for almost a week, I had conatus of indigestion accompanied by frequent and copious nosebleeding; so that the sun hurts me, summer in Madrid being much warmer than that in the Philippines.

            When will your new work be published?  I already wish I could read it.

            I have not received letters from Trozo for almost six months but I know through my family’s letters, that they are all well and in good health.

            Regards to Alejandrino and Edilberto.

Your cousin,

Kanoy

Ask Alejandrino for me if he is competent to build roads good for the paragus (01) of my . . . . . . . .

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            (01) A Philippine cart without wheels, generally drawn by carabao.

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265. Juan Luna, Paris, 21 August 1891

He will do the drawings for the second edition of Noli – More interesting with illustrations that will appeal to the masses – They will meet in Paris before Rizal’s trip – About the power of attorney given to Govantes.

Paris, 21 August 1891

Mr. José Rizal

Ghent

Dear Friend Rizal,

            A thousand thanks for the prospectuses of Ghent and Brussels that I have received.

            I will make the illustrations that you like for the second edition of the Noli.  It seems to me that you have a good idea, for if it will not cost you much, it will be more interesting with illustrations that will move the masses when they see some drawing depicting an assassination or something sensational.

            I will be glad to see you in Paris in September and especially if you are going to the Philippines.

            Is it true that your family has given a power of attorney to Pedro Govantes in order to look after the lifting up of the banishment of some of your relatives?  I was told so by Mr. Antonio Marcaída who is here in Paris, with his wife, Chuidan’s sister.  Tell me if he has achieved something, now that he is a deputy and nephew of your uncle.

            Regards from Paz, kisses from the children and an embrace of

Yours affectionately,

Luna

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266. Rizal, Ghent, 24 August 1891 || To Mariano Ponce

Rizal informs Ponce of what he wrote the Propaganda Committee – He is mortified by what is imputed to him by it.

9 Rue du Hainaut

Ghent, 24 August 1891

Mr. Mariano Ponce

Madrid

Dear Friend,

            Enclosed are two letters that you may read and you may tell Selo (01) about should you find in them something of which you do not approve.  I leave it to you.  I wrote them both and Ill not conceal from you that I am deeply hurt by what those in Manila are imputing to me.

            Have you sent the book to Virgil?

            Please let me know if I still have some Noli there.  I want to take some home.

            Do not suppose that I am holding aloof from you for I am still with you; I just wish to let the tempest pass away.

            This is all and command me.

Your friend

Rizal

P.S.

            The enclosed letter is for the Propaganda Committee.  Inasmuch as the letter was sent through Selo, the reply ought to go through him also.

_____

            (01) Marcelo H. del Pilar.

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267. Rizal, Ghent, 26 August 1891 || To José Ma. Basa

Rizal will leave for Hong Kong with his work already printed – How to send copies of it to Manila.

9 Rue de Hainaut

Ghent, 26 August 1891

Mr. José Ma. Basa

Hong Kong

My dear Friend,

            I write you hurriedly to tell you that my work (01) is progressing.  Within one month you will have it, and me with it.  I am studying the way of introducing it into Manila.

            Graciano has arrived.

Affectionately yours,

Rizal

_______________

            (01) El Filibusterismo.

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268.  Graciano López Jaena, Barcelona, 26 August 1891

On the alleged conflict between Selo and Rizal – The members of the Hermanda de San Patricio regret the incident – Selo’s letter which twists the facts – López Jaena and Moisés Salvador defend Rizal – Meeting of Basilio Teodoro and Jaena – “Nothing from Spain” – To obtain redemption – Proposal to Rizal – Basa’s explanations – Jaena with 40 Peso allowance – His impressions of the Propaganda Committee – Order for his arrest – Jaena in favor of the publication of a revolutionary newspaper , El Baguio – Only through revolution – He is studying English.

Barcelona, 26 August 1891

Mr. José Rizal,

Ghent

Dear Rizal,

            I received your letter of the 20^th instant.  I am answering it to explain the purpose of the conference. 

            The conflict between you and Marcelo has caused deep sensation in Manila and within the committee of the Hermandad de S. Patricio it was regretted.  They asked me for the cause and motive of the conflict, but, as I did not know it, I could only tell them conjectures and what I have heard from others.  The majority in the committee, being influenced by Marcelo, blamed you.  I defended you.  In Marilao, at the Doroteo José’s daughter-in-law, where I attended a meeting to which I was invited, a very long letter of Marcelo addressed to the committee was read.  It gave an account of the origin of the displeasures that arose between you and him and the Filipino colony of Madrid.  The facts were so twisted by him in his favor that my companion at the meeting, Moisés Salvador, intervened and defended you warmly.

            But this was not the only object of the meeting.

            On the one of my four unlucky days stay in Manila, Mr. Basilio Teodoro requested a secret interview with me and for that purpose we went in a vehicle to the Luneta at night.  There he asked me what I thought of the attitude of the Spanish Government toward the Philippines.  I answered him that nothing can be expected from Spain or from its government, that if the Philippines wishes to enjoy rights and liberties, she herself must work for her redemption.  And speaking about you, he entreated me to explain to you the following proposition:

            For you to stay in Europe and America traveling to find out the opinion of the governments of other nations on the Philippines and their idea of her. 

            For this they will give you two hundred pesos monthly in addition to your traveling expenses.

            Such was the purpose of the interview.  If you are agreeable, write Basilio Teodoro secretly, for this gentleman says that he is doing this at his own and some friends’ initiative and not in behalf of the committee.

            Another thing. 

            Basa asked me to tell you his relation to this new committee.  The old committee took from him all the copies of Morga you sent him and the new committee seems to evade their payment.  Until now Mr. Basa has not received a cent for the Morgas in spite of the many letters he has sent the committee asking it for an accounting.  They replied that it will investigate the matter and will send him the money as soon as it can collect from a gentleman, former member of the committee, now out of it, in whose possession is the money from the Morgas. 

            He also requested me to tell you the idea of the telegram sent you at the beginning of June and drafted by me: That for the printing expenses of the second part of the Noli you may get money from a commercial firm of Brussels which has relations with one in Hong Kong and charge it against him.  He did not send you a draft because he had the impression that you would immediately be on the way home.

            The committee, without my request, is giving me an allowance of forty pesos monthly.  It is little, very little, for the work I am engaged in, politics, because you know very well that to move among distinguished personages and to be in politics entail much expense.  This allowance is also uncertain, for to tell you the truth, I distrust greatly that committee as it has neither base nor foundation; it is moreover as a whole, the image of Marcelo and considering Basa’s experience with it.  If I accepted this modest allowance, it was because, while at Manila, it was the first offered to me and in order to get out as soon as possible from that life of perils and sudden assaults in which I was found.  Within 24 hours of my stay in Manila, everybody knew about my presence and despite my precautions, the members of the same committee who hid me and tried to conceal me were the same ones who told their friends sotto voce [= in a quiet voice so not as to be overheard – rly] that I had arrived so that it was an open secret, and everybody wanted to see me, greet me, and shake my hand.  While still in Manila, I was sought extra-officially by the Government and hardly had I left, an order for my arrest was issued. 

            If I could have stayed a couple of weeks at Manila, and had not the committee spontaneously made the offer to me, I could have obtained a little more for the father of Moisés, Capitán Ambrosio, with other friends, planned to give me an allowance.  I am still negotiating so that Capitán Ambrosio and other friends may carry out that plan, because I foresee that the committee would fail to fulfill its commitments with me.  Already I have observed its first failure.  While I was at Manila, it promised to send me funds at Hong Kong for traveling expenses from Marseille to Brussels to see you confer with you and from Brussels to Madrid to see Marcelo in order to pacify both of you.  And it has not fulfilled it and other things besides; for this reason, I am uneasy about my future.

            And those people want me to write a book, but they do not understand that without tranquility and without freedom, one cannot produce a meritorious work.  I do not know what their idea of writing a book is; they fancy that writing a book is like drinking a glass of water.  So that, if you can convince them that I need more than the allowance in order to travel and to search libraries and to write a book.

            Captain Beltrán of the steamer Don Juan whose boat I boarded wrapped up, sends you regards and embraces.  He tells me that he remembers you very well.  Thanks to this good tao [01] I escaped the danger.

            The committee, in its letter to Basa, says that in its letter of June it sent you four or five hundred pesos which Marcelo will deliver to you and it will continue giving you one hundred pesos provided you do not go to Hong Kong or Japan.  I do not know if you have received the money.

            With regard to the Philippines, I observe that there is more fear there than anything else.  The friars are emboldened before such timorous attitude of those who are said to be the guides of the future of the Philippines.  A proof by the side: I requested the committee to send three or four of its members to Hong Kong for a conference of notables in order to guide the campaign and put a base to that committee, and they did not dare to do it for fear.  Chairman Cortés was the first to be filled with fear.

            What do you think of the enclosed two works of mine?  They did not dare allow one of them to circulate in Manila, the small one, for excessive fear.

            With regard to what I think, I have proposed to Basa that he negotiate with the rich in Manila, outside of the committee, about the maintenance of a newspaper that I plan to establish here or abroad [03] with the name El Baguio under the auspices of the revolutionary party, because, according to my criterion, the Philippines cannot get anything except through revolution.

            Also I have noted that our names and above all yours are being exploited by some, since they have told Basa, Olaguivel, Lozada, and others that those of Batanges are giving you much money in Manila but these sums do not appear.  Basa will tell you about it when you get to Hong Kong.

            If you can, before you leave, pass through Barcelona.  If I can I will bid you farewell at Marseille.

            I beg you to keep secret all that I have written.  Let it be only for guidance, so that I will not be discredited before the eyes of the committee.

            Moisés has asked me to tell you that the Morgas are in the Civil Government and he will write you.

            I am now studying English, for if things go badly with me here, perhaps I may return to Hong Kong.

            Basa with the entire colony in Hong Kong and also Lecaroz send you regards.  Answer me.

Yours,

Graciano

______________

[01] Tao in this sentence means man.  It is a Tagalog term that also means people.

[02] Doroteo Cortes, chairman of the Propaganda Committee.

[03] Outside of Spain.  He was writing from Barcelona 

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269.  Antonio Luna, Madrid, 12 September 1891

Regrettable situation of the staff writers of La Solidaridad – “Man’s exploitation of man” -- Luna is indignant.  – Reports many injustices and anomalies – There’s money but there’s none – On the other hand, a lot of waste, useless trips, no initiative, dead campaign – Complaints sent to the Propaganda through Rizal against the administrators of the newspapers.

Mr. José Rizal

Ghent

Dear Rizal,

        Today I have learned that you are leaving for Manila this coming month of October for very sad reasons, according to information I have gathered.  The prize for this work of ours is the destruction of our future and speaking jestingly and seriously, we serve as a screen so that others may be able to pillage in the shadow.  In sort, I speak artificially of the exploitation of one against another.  I refer particularly to the situation of the staff writers of La Solidaridad, I being one of them.  They say that the society has money and sends much money to Spain to pay those who work and write.  Letters they read to me say so.  Consequently, if this is true, it seems that we are playing the part of simpletons, inasmuch as in the Philippines they give in the belief that La Solidaridad pays and remunerates.  And it is not worthwhile to talk here of patriotism, for what happens here is the following: Personal enthusiasm and activity are exploited for the simple reason that what is assigned to one is taken away from him.  All this has made me rebel, for here I am told that I am playing a rather sad role, according to the news received from Manila.  As a special favor that comes from you, they assigned me 8 duros a month.  It is exactly one year that, despite my fulfillment of my duties and working more than is required; I have not yet received any promotion that will encourage me to continue.  I write two, three, or more articles for each issue, as you will see, and nevertheless, despite stealing time from school duties, I find myself with the salary of a carromata driver (as I call him) without hope of rising further.  If it is true that they are sending thousands of duros, on what are they spent, where are they invested?  My book is dying of laughter, neither books nor pamphlets are being printed, the pay is wretched . . . what is this?  On the other hand, there is a great waste of money, useless trips, complete abandon, no initiative, and what amounts to a dead campaign.  This is complete suicide.  This very day the fortnightly is in my hands and the two issues published while I am here have only one article by Naning.  Here in its true light is all the work of the labors of the Propaganda.  Today it has been truly scandalous. There was almost no material and I have had to write on one day four articles, because both del Pilar and Naning are doing absolutely nothing.  This is a blessing.  The question of the prizes would not have stirred up if it were not for your letter and all those projects for encouragements would have evaporated in the midst of this passive resistance that is the best rampant.  What is more natural, correct, and pleasant than for me to have been initiated in the mysteries of the Propaganda, if it has mysteries.  Well, no.  It is a complete monopoly, so that we may remain in the lucky doubt about money, boasting that we count on large funds to say later (our Director’s words): “There’s money, but to whom I it going to be given?Is any one doing any work?  Anybody understands this zambra. [01] This absolutist administration is worse than that of the State: It wants employees to work and sacrifice and it does not find a person to pay.  Tableau!  In view of all these anomalies, it will be become necessary to resole the present situation in one way or the other, and we have almost agreed to go on a friendly strike, but a strike nonetheless.  Now that we encounter passive resistance we will quit work as friends and each one goes his own way and it will not be strange that one day you will be surprised with the following news: Mr. So and So, I and others have ceased to be members of the editorial staff.  We shall then see the monopoly and the gratuitous exploitation.  Letters from Manila say that the Asociación H. P. ought to receive funds from there, for they owe the treasurer some money and they are not paid and there they blissfully believe that here we work faithfully, diligently patriotically, disinterestedly and . . . . monopolistically.  If our campaign will consist of this, if the ideals I believe in and have believed to be holy and sacred have impious worshipers in the style of the Chinese clistianos, [02] I prefer to disavow completely my opinions, because, before such a great enormity, it is necessary to remove one’s shirt and pull out the last hair.  Pity the efforts, the rights, and the liberties, to my regret, that we are not worthy either of liberty or of anything.  We will live a long time as an enslaved people, being the humble servant of our masters who will hack our faces with the whip.  It is sad, but it is true.  I am anxiously awaiting the coming of Graciano in order to examine things together and when we are informed and we are loaded with arguments, we will begin our general attack along the entire line. We shall see how they will defend themselves.  I am ready to give up writing in La Solidaridad, for if I should continue, it would be to consent in good faith and knowing they will continue to treat us like servants.  In brief it is: “work, come patriotism, intellectual work; expose your skin, put yourself in front, that from time to time I will give you something with which to buy biscuits and with these I shut your mouth.”  Man of God, by the nails of Christ, this is not funny and it is very insulting!  Biscuits for the patriots?  What will it be for those who work?  Ensaimadas.  [03] With butter or without it?  I do not know yet how this affair will turn out, but it is taking on such large proportions that its limits cannot be defined.

        Enough for today; if the Philippine Propaganda has an interview with you, you may read these lines I am writing you line by line, with a smile on your lips, but with sorrow in your heart and disabuse in your mind.

        In short, lad, until the next.  I suppose you will write me before you leave.  I have received your last letter; I will try to leave as soon as possible.

        Regards to Alejandrino, Evangelista, and Abreu.

        An embrace from your friend.

Antonio

______________

01 A Moorish festival with dancing and music.

02 Cristianos pronounced clistianos by the ordinary Chinese.

03. Sweet, light rolls a common delicacy in Spanish speaking countries.    

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270. Rizal, Ghent, 18 September 1891 || to José Ma. Basa

Going to Hong Kong with 800 copies of Filibusterismo as soon as he receives money – Advanced copies for Basa and Sixto López – They must not make noise so that the books’ entry in Manila will not be prohibited – Rizal declines the offer of the Propaganda of a monthly pension of 100 pesos.  It comes so irregularly, that is to say, it does not come at all.  “I prefer to work and live on my own.”

9 Rue du Hainaut

Ghent, 18 September 1891

[Mr. José M. Basa]

My dear friend Basa,

        By this mail you will receive two copies of my Fili, one for you and the other for my friend Sixto López, [01] in case he is still there.

        If by the following mail I receive passage-money, I will sail on 4 October and will arrive there on the 4^th or 5rh of November, bringing with me some 800 copies.  It is fitting then for you there to read these two volumes without making much noise in order that they may not be able to prevent the entry of the remainder into Manila.

        I thank my friend Sixto and you and I hope that we see each other soon.  I cannot accept the offer to me of the Propaganda to give me 100 pesos monthly, because they come so irregularly, that is to say they don’t come at all, and as you know I can’t live on hopes or promises.  Despite what they have promised me, until now I have received only three hundred pesos for the months of February, March, and April.  They owe me for the months of May, June, July, August, and September.  I prefer to work and live on my own.

        I am very sorry that business is going badly.  In case you lack money the copies of my Morga and my Fili will answer for what I owe you.

        Friends Aristón Bautista and Abella have been here and have gone to Germany.  If I receive some 100 pesos, I will surely leave on the 4^th of October.

        This is all for now.  Receive an embrace of

Yours affectionately,

Rizal

Regards to my friend Sixto

_______________

        01 A wealthy patriot from Balayan, Batangas.

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271. Rizal, Ghent, 22 September 1891 || To Marcelo H. L. del Pilar

El Filibusterismo of parallel tendency to La Solidaridad – Rizal indifferent to any criticism of his work – Notice from Manila to send Luna the prize of 50, transmitted by Rizal to del Pilar – Rizal retires completely from politics – In Manila or Hong Kong he will write.

9 Rue du Hainaut

Ghent, 22 September 1891

Mr. Marcelo H. del Pilar

[Madrid]

My dear Friend,

        Now we are sending there some copies of my work El Filibusterismo.  I inscribe to you one copy.  If you want more, you only have to write me.

        I do not need to give you explanations, because you, yourself, will understand the purpose of the work whose tendency is parallel with that of La Solidaridad.

        Needless to tell you, I do not want La Solidaridad to praise it or take notice of it.  You can have it judged by one who may find it worse or not judge it at all.  That depends on you.  Once a work is published it belongs to the public domain.  It is even desirable that my work attacked in La Solidaridad so that it will appear as opposed to revolutionary ideas and achieve its purposes.

        I have received a notice from Manila date10 July which repeats the notice to send Luna 50 pesos. [01] If you have received it, I request you to send it to me because I have already notified Manila that I have received from you two hundred pesos, and as La Solidaridad has made it known that the prize is not mine, it is good that things be in their proper places.

        I am leaving next month, the 4^th, I believe; if you have something to send along, prepare it.  La Solidaridad may or may not announce my departure but it is better for it not to announce it, for, as it does interest any one, it is useless.

        I am retiring completely from politics, as I have already announced to you, and I believe I am doing right.  I need peace and tranquility, and as you are already doing well, and nothing is lacking, why should I interfere?  In Manila or Hong Kong, I write my works and I will never lose sight of your progress to keep up with you.

        This is all, receive an embrace of your friend who cherishes you and wishes you success in all your undertakings.

Affectionately yours,

Rizal

=====

272.  Juan Luna, Paris, 23 September 1891

The Fili touches the Filipino wounds of his first novel – Exposing the social cancer – Rizal creator of The Philippine novel – His writings should be sent to the Philippines – But he himself must remain in Europe for the good of the native land – The friars will remove treacherously a man with “noble and lofty ideas.”

Paris, 23 September 1891

Mr. José Rizal

Ghent

Dear Rizal,

            Ventura brought me your new book and the copies for Trinidad and Felix which I have already delivered to them.

            I congratulate you on your new masterpiece, for in my poor opinion, you continue touching the Filipino wounds of your first novel that describes the state of our poor Philippines and in your ideas are assimilated thousands and thousands of unfortunates.  In short, you are the creator of our novel who will establish with his writings the freedom of thought, which is the foremost liberty, if not the only one that humanity possesses.

            Now I hope and I predict that the many writings done by you will go to the Philippines while you remain in Europe to work for the welfare of millions of Filipinos.

            With the new law on banditry, they will hit you with four shots in a quarter of an hour of bad humor and vengeance of the sergeant-major of the Civil Guard and what is done is done.  In short, you think it over well.  One cannot go there with noble and lofty ideas, because the friars do not have them and they will remove a nuisance treacherously in order to continue their iniquities.

            If you come here, save one or two copies for me, inasmuch as you are so kind as to offer it to me.

            Doña Juliana is one of your admirers, in her own way, and I believe you ought to inscribe one for her.  I tell you this because she said that you had presented her a copy of your first book.  Do not say that I have told you about it.  Antonio is coming soon.

            I send my regards to our countrymen there and congratulations to the engineers for their studiousness.

Yours truly,

Luna  

=====

273. Trinidad H. Pardo de Tavera, Paris

Sincere congratulations – When is the third part coming? – Barrantes may again say that the work is printed in Germany.

Mr. José Rizal

Ghent

Dear Rizal,

            Yesterday I received your book; today I have just devoured it.  Hardly have you begun sending out copies of it and I am already asking you when the third part is coming out.

            Please accept my congratulations, my sincere and moving felicitations, and as God has given you talent and energy for it, continue on the path that He has traced for you.

            Receive an embrace of your friend and countryman,

Trinidad

P.S.

            I cannot walk well yet.  What do you bet that Barrantes or somebody else will deduce that your book is again printed in Germany?

=====

274. Valentin Ventura, Paris, 26 September 1891

Offers Rizal funds – El Filibusterismo is perfect, vigorous, poetic, and with feeling – He likes Isgani best – Basilio is not bad – He can identify Juanito Paláez and Ben-Zayb – Grateful for the rough draft inscribed to him.

Mr. José Rizal

Ghent

Dear Friend Pepe,

            At this moment I received your letter of yesterday and without losing time I am answering it, so that you can do what seems to you best, without thinking of the question of funds.

            Yesterday I sent you two hundred francs and in the letter I wrote you, I told you to let me know if you needed more.  You can count then on one hundred fifty pesos and some more, if you need it, without having to resort to anyone. Precisely I am well off now with funds that I do not need.

            Telegraph me if you want to send there the one hundred fifty pesos or only part of it.  Do not bother about the amount you have already taken, because I do not need it.

            Concerning your return to Manila or Hong Kong, come over and let us talk about it.

            Without doubt it must have shocked you that I have not told you my impression of your work, El Filibusterismo.  Frankly, I read it once and I am thinking of reading it again to see if I will find something which will permit me to make some small observations.  It is not worthwhile to only tell you that I have found it perfect, good, correct, vigorous, poetic, and with feeling as you must have already been told.  Knowing of our friendship, it must be supposed that though these are my impressions, it is unnecessary to tell them to you.

            Of all your personages or characters, the one I like best is Isagani, who is gentle and poetic when dealing with Paulita, energetic and consistent when he talks with his enemies and for his county.   Basilio is not bad either; only it seems to me that he deserves everything that happened to him for being so indifferent to the things pertaining to his country.  Juanito Peláez and Ben Zayb are two characters whose originals, it seems to me, are two countrymen of ours; one that we knew in Barcelona, then was with us in Madrid and presently is in the Philippines; the other we met here during the Exposition.  Do you recognize them?

            I appreciate very much your having inscribed to me the rough draft, but you already know that we are like two brothers and that for that reason I ought to be the last; so that if you have any other commitment, you may dispose of it without any . . .

            When you come, bring three or four copies.  Do you not think you ought to inscribe a copy for Ramirez?

Your affectionate friend,

V. Ventura 

=====

275. Juan Luna, Paris

A postal card from Antonio Luna informed Rizal that he has received the fifty prize from del Pilar – Acknowledge receipt of complimentary copies of Rizal’s works – sends paintings, image of the Virgin of Lourdes, fans, and photographs to Manila through Rizal.

Paris, 30 September 1891

Mr. José Rizal

Dear Rizal,

            At this moment I received a postal card of Antonio for you, which I am not forwarding to you, not knowing if you are still there.  It says:

Dear Rizal:

            Through the kindness of Marcelo, I received, day before yesterday, a draft in my name for the value of 50.  It is the prize they have given me, accompanied with a letter.  I endorsed the draft to Marcelo so that he may send it to you.  I do not know if he will do it immediately.

            You may, therefore, telegraph him so that he may send it to you wherever you are for you will need it for your trip.

            Happy trip and an embrace from

Antonio

Madrid, 28 September, 1891

            I have telegraphed Ventura asking him if you are in Paris.

            I have just received the books for Doña Juliana and Tula and the three you are sending me for which I give you a million thanks.  Don Juliana asks me to affectionately thank you.  I will give the book to Tula when she comes back from Bereck, which will be in two or three days.  Tell me when you are going to sail.  I am going to bother you by sending through you a little thing for my family in Manila.

            Regards from the family, kisses from the children, and an embrace from your affectionate friend.

Luna

X X X

Addendum: Luna’s instruction to Rizal concerning the objects for Manila.

            Enclosed is the invoice of the fans for the customs house.  Collect the customs duties and other expenses from Mrs. Trinidad de Zobel.

            Invoice of the paintings that you are taking along and those that you will get from Urbano’s house.  These prices are for the braggarts and the reduced prices are for the genuine amateurs.

            Collect all the expenses for the image of the Virgin of Lourdes from José Luna.  Value of the image is 12 duros.  Freight paid until Marseille.

            I beg you to collect all expenses, for this is a little business that we have with Trinidad Zobel and José Luna.

            You get 10% of the sale of my paintings.  If you do not get it, I will never again send through you anything for sale.

            Give the photos to my brother, Pepe.

            If you are not going to Manila, you may forward the box of the Virgin to Pepe and the fans to Trinidad.

            There is no hurry about any of these requests.

            A million thanks.

Yours,

Luna

P.S.  Pay a visit to my old captain.  He is a true Filipino and he knows many Portuguese from Macao in Hong Kong.  He was my captain in the Brig Rivadavia; the pilot J. Margques, and a second pilot.

            They told me he is an agent of the Compañia Tabacalera in Singapore and an agent of other cigar factories.

=====

276. Juan Luna, Paris, 2 October 1891

Luna asks Rizal to do some errands for him.

Paris, 2 October 1891

Mr. José Rizal

Dear Rizal, 

            When you come tomorrow, Saturday, please pass by my house of the gunsmith and pick up the French foil that Antonio left there to have a new leaf put on.  Pay him what it costs.  If you can, and if it is not too heavy for you, please also pick up the Italian foils.

            Please tell Valentine Ventura that if he can come with me to the Consulate tomorrow, Saturday, we will meet at the Café Durand at 2:00 o’clock; if he cannot, would you ask that he send me a telegram.

Affectionately yours,

Luna

Friday

=====

_______________

            01.  Words are missing.

=====

278. Graciano Lopez Jaena, Barcelona, 2 October 1891

A critical appraisal of El Filibusterismo superior to the Noli.  Exquisite style, sublime thoughts.  At the beginning, “light, alluring hopes; at the end shadows of doubt and despair” – Simoun ought to have succumbed like a hero, shot with bullets, or, like Porthos or Bernardo el Carpio – Another work which soles the problems and hastens the day of our redemption – Those of the Madrid Colony do not understand one another – Luna at the point of rebelling against del Pilar – El Baguio is not yet published.

Barcelona, 2 October, 1891

Mr. José Rizal

Ghent

My dear Rizal,

            I have received from Vicente Reyes a copy of your new inscribed to me.  I thank you for the present and I sincerely congratulate you.

            Candor and frankness prevailing among friends and countrymen, I send yo9u my impartial and personal opinion of your recent production inasmuch as you ask me for it in your letter to Vicente.  It is as follows:

            El Filibusterismo is a superior novel to your Noli me tángere in its exquisite, delicate literary style, its easy and correct dialogue, its clean, vigorous, and elegant phraseology, as much as for its profound ideas and sublime thoughts.

            The development is magnificent and contains original effects.

            I am charmed by the whole, having surpassed my expectations.

            However, you begin the novel very alluringly like Dumas and you conclude it dryly like Sué. [01]

            Here is the defect, if it is a defect, of your great work.

            Your beginning in your recent production is sublime, poetic like the red clouds of dawn that spread on the horizon, brilliant, clear, announcing a good and beautiful day; however, your conclusion is like the evening twilight, saturated with a heavy mist.

            You begin by encouraging heroic passions, infusing, inspiring, alluring, beautiful hopes, golden illusions, dragging the masses towards glory, and you end by filling the mind with black shadows, making the heart overflow with cruel anguish.

             Your beginning, like Dumas’, is light, much light, magnificence, hope, gay dawn of day, rose-colored future, glory, immortality; but your ending, like Sué’s, shrivels the heart, plunging the mind into the nebulous abyss of despair.

            In my opinion, I believe that, as you present to the eyes of the Filipino people, Simoun, attractive, great, generous, though depraved in certain stages, but behind his depravity and feigned conventional wickedness, you endow him with a brave heart, full of noble desires, you ought to have killed him at the end of the novel, converted into a hero, either killed in some battle or in the flames of a formidable fire, or wounded by a thunderbolt, or crushed by the cataclysm of an imposing earthquake, and you would have succeeded to giver your work a magnificent crown.

            You have left the problem unsolved.

            As a political novel, your ending is not a worthy conclusion of so beautiful a work.

            I would have liked to see Simoun succumb magnanimously, if not shot by the bullets of the invading enemy, as you rightly call the Kastila, under an immense mass like that Porthos of the immortal Dumas, preserving until death his iron energy and Herculean strength; or like Bernardo el Carpio, according to Philippine folklore, pressed between the cleft of two mountains that are drawing to each other, preventing the violent clash of both with his strong arms, and shouting upon seeing the approach of death he calls out with a head held high and a serene face, “I haven’t come to fight nature’s commotions; I’ve risen, I’ve wished to fight not the thunderbolt or the lightning, but the imbecile and stupid Spanish Government, the friars debased by their vices, the tyrant and oppressor of my people; but nature crushes me, annihilates me!  Let it be!  I submit to its inscrutable design!”

            I should like to see your novel end thus for having sustained and encouraged the Filipino people’s mettle that can still be developed.

            But now I understand that you wished to leave to the Filipino people the solution of their social and political problems.  Besides, in your magnificent work you have closed the doors, the exit, with your ingenious resort to confusing argumentation, sowing, at the conclusion, anxiety in the hearts, darkness, doubt, and incredulity in the minds, easy of being dissipated, clarified, and comprehended by brains accustomed to think, but impossible of being understood by minds which have just opened to the light, like those of our people.  I am afraid that our countrymen over there may not be able to guess right or hit upon the solution of the enigma and they may languish in their despair.

            This is how I feel: it is desirable that you write another book, solving quickly the problem in order to hasten with it the advent of the beautiful day of our redemption.

            Such is my personal and friendly opinion, sincerely expressed, on your new work whose end plunges its readers into despairing skepticism.

            As to the book review that I am going to publish in the Spanish press, I will stress the beauties of the book.  If I have not yet published it, it is because some countrymen friends, your admirers, advise me to hold over its publication until after a large number of copies of the work have been introduced in Manila.  Now, I am awaiting your decision and advice so that I can publish it in La Publicidad.  I should like another copy to present to Corominas.

            This colony has drafted and signed a congratulatory letter to you.

            Let me know in advance your departure for Hong Kong so that I can go to see you at Marseille.

            From Madrid I have heard that the Filipinos there do not understand one another.  Luna is at the point of revolting against Marcelo.

            El Baguio is not yet published, because I am awaiting orders from Hong Kong and Manila.

            I am entirely in accord with your ideas expressed in your work.

            Regards to Alejandrino and Evangelista.

Always your friend,

Graciano

_______________

            01.  Alexander Dumas and Eugene Sué were both French novelists.  One of Dumas’ works was The Count of Monte Cristo.  Sué’s lengthy novel, Mysteries of Paris [The entire work in the original French and parts in an English translation may be had by clicking here (NOTE: search for Sue, Eugène) -- rly] was widely read by educated Filipinos. 

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279.  Rizal, Paris, 3 October 1891 ||  To José Ma. Basa

En route to Hong Kong with 600 copies of El Filibusterismo – Will practice his profession and earn a small capital. – Hopes to be financially independent.

4 bis Rue Chateaudun

Paris, 3 October 1891

Mr. José Basa

Hong Kong

My dear Friend Basa,

            I cannot sail on this mail boat because the boxes of books that I have forwarded from Ghent do not arrive at Marseille until after a few days.  I have already my ticket for the Melbourne, so that without failure I will arrive there aboard the following mail boat.  I will bring with me 600 copies of the work.  I have sent you two copies by way of the previous mail.

            I will practice my profession [as an ophthalmologist] until I shall have earned a small capital to live on, free and not dependent on chance.  Very probably in the first months I will earn very little until I get to be known.  In short, there we will see.

            Enclosed is a letter for the Propaganda.

            Until within fifteen days.

Affectionately yours,

Rizal

=====

280.  Rizal, Paris, 7 October 1891 ||  To Marcelo H. del Pilar

He will respect any criticism of his work El Filibusterismo – Reasons why Rizal stopped writing for La Solidaridad – It is a private enterprise – It has published ideas contrary to Rizal’s – He hopes La Solidaridad will lie under del Pilar’s leadership – He regrets the attitude of some Filipinos at Madrid toward him.

[Mr. Marcelo H. del Pilar]

My dear Friend,

            I received your letter with me the 230.50 francs that you sent me, the balance of the 1,000 pesetas that they ought to send me.  I thank you for everything.  With this the sum I have received from the Propaganda since the month of February amounts to three hundred pesos.

            I appreciate the benevolence with which you treat my work, and by this time you have already formed your opinion of it.  Whatever it may be, I must respect it, because one who publishes must patiently endure all the criticisms that are made of him.  I also appreciate the rant that La Solidaridad dedicates to me, such as, “distinguished Filipino literary man,” and “author of various works on the Archipelago that have merited general applause.”  It is good to be known that José Rizal writes also about the Archipelago, in case it may not be known the Philippines among the people who know Spanish.

            You talk to me of writing again for La Solidaridad.  I appreciate your invitation but frankly I am going to confess to you that I have not the least desire to do so and you must have guessed the reason.  I have written for more than a year for the fortnightly when I believed it was a Filipino organ and with this idea in mind I have not even wanted to inquire how it lives nor why it lives.  I believe in a national enterprise and I bore resignedly the silence of the fortnightly over its mysteries, in so far as I was concerned. Now you tell me that La Solidaridad is a private enterprise and you will understand that I cannot work under these conditions for a private enterprise.  I do not know whom I serve or how I serve him or how he takes my services.  Here is the reason that you must have guessed without any doubt.  Moreover, in La Solidaridad have been expressed not only ideas but also whole articles against my opinions and convictions and I cannot introduce duality in that fortnightly.  I prefer to remain in solitude and isolation rather than to disturb the harmony and peace of its staff writers.  I will do everything I can, except writing, in order that the fortnightly may continue its existence.  You will probably find me very susceptible; I confess that I am, but when one has harbored only good will, love, and abnegation towards his friends in return he encounters recriminations and attacks, believe me, he ought to alter his behavior and modify his manner of working.  The scratches of a friend hurt more than the wounds inflicted by the enemy.  I have outlined for myself the norm of conduct and that is to let the Filipinos of Madrid direct the policy that they know and understand so well.  What can I do with my impatience and despotic pretensions?  I understand the desire of every Filipino to do as he pleases and I give up my idea of forming with my countrymen the tight fagot of which I was dreaming.  Perhaps it is the iron of compressed molecules.  I have made a mistake and I present my resignation.

            You continue there, and inasmuch as you are already at the top, use your power to put into practice your ideas so that nothing will remain to be probed.  Since the beginning, I have wished to introduce scrupulousness in political practices: I present my resignation at the first sign of discontent.

            You will receive a copy of the Morga that I inscribe to you.

            As I believe that this will be the last that I will write you, for I leave on the 18^th, I bid you farewell, sending you an embrace in memory of our old friendship.

Yours,

Rizal

P.S.

            I sent Naning some open letters for Manila to be delivered to you.  Haven’t you received them?  He has not deigned to answer me.

=====

281.  Mariano Ponce, Madrid, 11 October 1891

Rizal’s letters sent to the Propaganda – Ponce informed Pillar of its contents – Ponce has answered Rizal’s letter to him – El Filibusterismo, an excellent book, like all the products of Rizal’s brilliant pen – “It will wound the enemy deeply” – “May you reach safely our unfortunate country. . . . .”

Rubio, 13 pral. Madrid

11 October 1891

Mr. José Rizal

Paris

My favorite Friend,

            I have learned that you are already in Paris en route to our beloved country.  May you arrive there without any mishap is my vehement desire. 

            You told Selong that I have not acknowledged your letter with two open letters for Manila.

            When I received those letters, Selong was not here.  In order that they would not be delayed I sent along those addressed to the Propaganda and I wrote Selong only, informing him, more or less, about their contents.  With respect to your letter to me, I remember that I asked Cor to enclose my reply in his letter to Alejandrino, so that I was fully confident that you have received it through this friend.  In it I informed you of the sending of your letters to the Propaganda in Manila.

            I have already read once the El Filibusterismo and now I am reading it again.  It is truly excellent; I cannot find any other praised but to say this: It is really excellent, like those that come from your brilliant pen.  It is a very worthy sister of the Noli.  Accept my heartfelt praise.  I am sure that your new book will wound our enemy deeply, already wounded, thanks to the publication of the Noli.

            This is all.  May you reach safely our unfortunate country, and you know that you will always find me a true friend and an admirer of your brilliant writings.

            A close embrace of

Naning.

Our house now is at Rubio, 13 principal floor.  Selong and I are keeping house.  It is now late in the day.

=====

282.  Rizal, Madrid, 13 October 1891 || To Marcelo H. del Pilar

Rizal knows about del Pilar’s ambition to outshine him and knock him down so that he would become the sole leader – But he is not resentful – He withdraws to leave the ground free for del Pilar – He considers this decision a blessing to him – His esteem for del Pilar is undimmed – He agrees with del Pilar’s opinion that El Filibusterismo is inferior as a novel to Noli me tángere.

Mr. Marcelo H. del Pilar

Madrid

My dear Friend,

            I have just received your letter, I have read it, and I am going to answer it in order to put things in their proper places before I leave Europe.  Between us two we can explain ourselves clearly because fortunately our relations date far back and our displeasures are of a recent date, perhaps a product of that Madrid atmosphere.  Let us explain ourselves then.

            You were the one who said that the review Solidaridad belonged to a private enterprise, which dealt with you alone.  You said this when I wanted to give the Responsible the power to prevent the publication of this or that article.  I told you then that I believed it was a national enterprise.  Witnesses are the Filipinos present at the discussion of the by-laws.  Whether it is a national or private enterprise, you fear that my active and rightful interference in its police will outshine yours.  If this is not a little confidence in my political leadership, then I do not know to what to attribute it.  I prefer to give this explanation rather than search for another offensive to the feelings of both.  You say: “It’s not this, it’s not this.  I answer you: Let it be that, because it is not desirable to look for another reason, at least in my opinion.

            I am not offended that, impelled by others, you have wanted to overthrow me.  It is natural for everyone to see his glory, precisely we were in a country were everyone dissents in order to make himself head of a party or a group.  Before, the way you allowed yourself to be used to overthrow me hurt me; but now, when I am more calm, I smile and consider that your opposition to me has been for my own good, because if they had elected me unanimously, I would have remained, and in what hardships I would be afterwards!  My power being curtailed due to systematic opposition, with so many cares and duties incompatible with the few rights that they wished to leave me, with advisers hostile at bottom, what would have become of me?  I would have conflicts and I would be completely discredited.  Today I give thanks to Providence who has sought my welfare, and I am grateful still to those who continued voting against me until the last moment in order not to give me the unanimous vote that I was wishing!  You are right in saying that time makes one see clearly many things.  Today I see clear and what I considered bad, now I consider a benefit.  Well, I would have had not a few conflicts with the students who had been suspended from their schools, with debts, gambling, and wherewithal pawned!  With my firm and impatient character I would have broken with everybody before allowing any regulation to be ignored!

            What a pity that the work we two have undertaken has been cracked!  I understand that at bottom you esteem me and I esteem you always, even more than you perhaps believe, because with all feelings, all affection, hate, or grudges are lasting, I do not say eternal!  I have this defect, I forgive but I forget with difficulty and no, as I do not forget that you had been my best defender and my best champion, likewise I remember that you had been the first man whom they have wished to use to knock me down.  What a pity that we have not been able to continue side by side, and though I represented until a certain point the head of the Filipino colony, you have wished to bet me down and raise yourself and become the first leader!  But this is natural in the human condition.

            My policy, if the life I lad has a policy, is to withdraw gradually from Philippine politics and leave you at its head.  So that I would write again for La Solidaridad it is necessary for the representatives of the Filipino people to order me and tell me that I submit my policy to yours.  Otherwise, no.  By my own will, no.  I cannot, I ought not to commit suicide, and I await my execution.  La Solidaridad in these last months has treated me like a stranger.  I cannot therefore go to it and humble myself.  I await orders from Manila.

            I appreciate what you say about my work and I value highly your opinion that considers my Filibusterismo inferior to the Noli, so that I receive cum grano salis [01] the opinion of those who tell me that the Fili is superior to the Noli.  Blumentritt, all those at Paris and Barcelona, for their benevolence towards me, say it is superior.  I attribute it only to their benevolence.  You are the first one to tell me the truth and you coincide with my manner of thinking.  This flatters me as it proves that I still know how to judge myself.  Well, now, it is another thing with respect to unity, ideas, depth, etc.  I understand that you find it strongly written.  I have done it on purpose, so that the objectives of La Solidaridad may stand out and appear less red: I believed that I would not need to give you these explanations, but this gives you the key.  So that I believed it might even be desirable that you attack it.  For this reason, I say that I work along parallel lines with La Solidaridad.  Reflect on it well.

            I am not abandoning you or leaving you alone; on the contrary, I believe that you are now better accompanied than ever before.  The clay idol that a bottle of champagne has melted, if it is really of clay, what does it matter if it disappears?  Time will tell who is right.  I want to make it of record that never do I oppose the rise of anyone, even thought it may cause my downfall.  I leave the ground free to all those who want to triumph and I withdraw.

            May this currishness that seems like the quarrels of slaves disputing among themselves about the relative merit of their chains not erase altogether the remembrance of past years when we had not yet met under the sky of Madrid!  I will continue keeping my esteem and friendship for you, rather friendly than indifferent to La Solidaridad and you may rest assured that never will I join any plot or conspiracy to overthrow you or to kill your periodical.  For me to withdraw is not to wage war against you.

            I will write Naning from Marseille.

            I send an embrace, and let there be peace among old friends.

Yours,

Rizal 

_______________

            01. With a grain of salt.

=====

283.  Graciano López Jaena, Barcelona, 15 October 1891

The Filipinos at Barcelona wish Rizal a “Happy trip!” – Both Rizal and López Jaena are victims of their envious compatriots – “Let us join together to knock down those who exploit patriotism for their own benefit” – Recommends to Rizal the Asociación Filipina at Hong Kong, founded by him – Luna has separated from La Solidaridad – Jaena, candidate for deputy of a district in Cataluña – The Philippines must win with blood her rights as well as her independence.

Mr. José Rizal

Marseille

Dear Rizal,

            I have received your letter for the Filipino colony of Barcelona and your letter to me in particular.  Everyone appreciates your courtesy and wishes you a happy trip and prosperity.

            With regard to what you tell me about displeasures and disappointments you have been receiving from the Filipinos I, like you, have experienced and experience them, as you well know.  I, who have done nothing but good, you and I who have done nothing else but give everything, the little that we are worth, to those who envy you and envy me, we are a sustaining loss.  You have lost everything for them, and I am in misery.  I am not an optimist as you say; I, like you, am a pessimist.

            Well then, you know those envious ones who now are heaping ignominies on you, have done the same thing to me.  I was everything to them when they arrived here in Spain; I have done something for them; I have introduced them to the associations, to political personages, and when they believed they could frisk about by themselves, they abandoned me to whom they owe everything, even their worth in Spain.  They starved me to death; they declined to give me lodging when I could take shelter.

            You well remember that you sent me twenty pesos on behalf of Basa through Mariano Ponce by means of a postal card.  Well, Marcelo and Mariano hid it from me.  Six months later I saw your card and I felt ashamed for not having written Basa to thank him.  You must have been told about it by your cousin Galicano and others.  I was the founder and editor of La Solidaridad in Barcelona, but I was treated like a criminal, an editor in name responsible to the law rather than editor in fact.  And I did not know that a Committee of Propaganda existed in Manila until I got there.

            In Manila these envious men have divulged that I was dissolute and a gambler; I who never had any desire for gambling.

            And so I write you in the month of the Paris Exposition asking you for money to go there, because here in Barcelona I was considered their servant, despite the fat that I was then the editor of La Solidaridad.

            So then, you and I will join together to knock down those pseudo-patriots who exploit patriotism for their own benefit.

            Before, I kept quiet because I was alone.  Today, you, like me, experience the disappointments, the anguish produced by envy.  By all means let us then vow to impede the triumph of pseudo-apostles of the redemption of the Philippines.

            Having said this, I have nothing more to tell you.  Until another letter I cannot give you my views of your new work.  You will receive that in Hong Kong.

            In Hong Kong you will find a handful of enthusiastic young men, not yet contaminated by mean passions that divide us in Europe.  I founded for them the Asociación Filipina, which is working well.  Develop their enthusiasm; guide their ideas along the right path.  With your exquisite tact you will get out of them much good for the Philippines.

            Above all, prevent Kastilas and foreigners from joining the Association as members.  The members should be pure and genuine Filipinos, so that our lofty purposes may be realized.  I recommend to you strongly that the Association; may it not fail.  Make of those young and old men in that Association a Pleiades [a cluster of stars in the constellation Taurus, including six bright stars -- rly] of heroes.  I have already written them and they will receive you at Hong Kong as a teacher and counselor.

            Before you leave, answer me if you have received this letter.

            I have transmitted your request to Vicente.  Luna tells me that he has separated from La Solidaridad.  Well done.

            As I live here in Spain, I have joined a revolutionary party which is in consonance with my learning and convictions for the Philippines as well as for here.  Well then, the republican parties of Barcelona have agreed to make me select one of three electoral districts for deputy to the Cortes so that when the general elections come I may present my candidacy.  You know that in these things one has to work beforehand and spend something.  Certainly, if I want to be a deputy in Spain, it is only to satisfy my personal ambitions, nothing more; I do not pretend, once invested as deputy, to give the Philippines rights or liberties.  She has to win them by her blood, the same as our independence.

            If I want to be a deputy, it is just to enable me to say proudly that a Filipino has been elected by the Kastiulas themselves in a Spanish district, as is a district in Cataluña.

            Such is my personal ambition: very personal.  For this reason, encourage the Filipinos there to help me in some way, to see to it that I become a deputy and I can say to my envious enemies with the face elated with pride that the time I have spent in Spain has not been in vain; that I am not a lost man, nor am I depraved as they are spreading stories, but a man who has won with his own efforts the place that I am going to fill in the Cortes, if I would be lucky.

            Never believe that I connect the fate of the Philippines with my election as deputy.  That would be madness.  I always think that the Philippines would obtain her separation by means of an uprising.  Tell that to everybody, that I wish to be a Spanish deputy to satisfy my personal ambitions, nothing more.

            I write you at night and at a late hour.  Pardon my handwriting, if it is not too legible.

            Answer me before you sail.

            Regards and an embrace for Basa, his son Emilio, and compliments to his other sons and daughters.

            I send an embrace for E. R. de Luzuriaga and for Y. R. Laurel of your province who has dismissed from Procuración because of you.  Give my embraces to all the members of the Asociación Filipina and to Beltran, the captain of the steamer Don Juan.

            And to you, I wish you a happy trip, prosperity, and riches.

Yours,

Graciano

=====

284. Rizal || To Baldomero Roxas, Marseille, 18 October 1891

Rizal knows his name is being exploited in the Philippines – He regards the Filipinos at Madrid as his friends – He is not resentful – He is sailing for the Philippines.

Hotel de Castile, Marseille

18 October 1891

My dear Friend Roxas,

            At last I have received a letter from you and I give you a thousand thanks for what you tell me in it.

            I am very sorry for what is happening to you, but what can we do?  I advise everyone to be very prudent, to avoid scandal.  I also knew that my name was being exploited in the Philippines, but I hope things will be placed in their proper places.  I am going to look into this also.

            It is not that I am resentful of the [Filipino] colony of Madrid; no, very much to the contrary.  I owe it vary many courtesies that I shall never forget.  I disregard completely its policy, but never its members.  They are always my friends.  I pay no attention to its policy because I foresee that it is leading us to our perdition, and frankly I do not want to be ruined by some foolishness.  I want to save what remains.  I ignore its policy and its present organization, but my friends, never!

            Please tell my dear cousin Riznzares that I am sorry that he is resentful because I have not thanked him for the bogoong.  When I received it, I was told only by Alejandro that Tomás was sending it to me.  Afterward, when Abreu came, I learned that Ruiz was also sending it, and I wrote to the latter thanking him for it.  Now I learn that Pablito also is one of the donors, but only now, and I hasten to thank him likewise.  Just in case, I thank Sucgang also.

            Please tell Mamang Tetoy that I received the books and that Cord de Cruz will pay for them.  Gratías amigus. [01]

            This afternoon I embark for our country.

            Regards to Aguilera and tell him that I received what they had promised me only that, on account of the exchange fees at Barcelona and from Barcelona to Paris, the 500 pesos were reduced to 360 pesos, more or less.  What a pity to waste such money on bankers.

            Many regards to Doña Matilde, Elenita, Mme. and Mille. Angéle, also to our orator, the future judge, and to Homero dormitanti. [02] Goodbye!

Affectionately yours,

Rizal

______________

            [01] We give thanks.

            [02] Literally, "sleeping Homer" (i.e. an inactive poet)/

=====

285. Rizal, Europe, October 1891 || The recipient is unknown

Fragment of a letter in Tagalog signed “Laong Laan,” a Rizal pseudonym – written in metaphorical language: “It is true that the times are bad, the ground is not fertile, there are many locusts, frequent typhoons, and the wind blows away the seeds; but with devoted care there will always be found there some fish, as D. M. says” – Expresses loss of confidence in the campaign for reforms in Europe – The fight should be in the Philippines.

Europe, October 1891 (?)

… of the plants that may grow.  In case I shall no longer be living when the seed yields its fruit, perhaps those who will inherit it will have it harvested.  It is true that times are bad, the land is unfertile, there are many locusts, frequent typhoons, and the wind blows away the seeds, but with devoted care there will be found there some fish, as D. M. says.

            You who will have hope of the palay that has been wet by the rain, it is good for you to hope, just in case; I, whose eyes have become dim for reading the writings on the sky, am no longer very credulous.  My purpose is only to use the rain, the locusts, the typhoon to fertilize the ground; the stone that are scattered are to harden the mire, the heat of the sun is to dry the mud.

            If our countrymen are counting on us here in Europe, they are very much mistaken.  I do not want to deceive anyone.  If there is no money, we cannot do much: We can help them with our life in our country.  That general error that we here in this distant country is very, very wrong.  Medicine should be brought near to the patient.  If I did not only wish to shorten my parents’ lives, I would not have left the Philippines whatever might happen.  Those five months that I spent there were a vivid example, a book very much better than Noli me tángere.  The battlefield is the Philippines: There is where we should meet.  May God will that my parents not die and you will see me then again in our native land.  There we will help one another; there together we will suffer on triumph perhaps.

            The majority of our compatriots in Europe are afraid, they flee from the fire, and they are brave only so long as they are far from danger and they are in a peaceful country!  The Philippines should not count on them; she should depend on her own strength.

Laong Laan

[José Rizal] 

=====

286. Moises E. Salvador, Manila, 1 November 1891

Transmitting resolutions of the new Committee of Propaganda – Creation of a new organ under Rizal – Reiterates full confidence in Rizal – Orders del Pilar to deliver to Rizal certain funds.

Manila, 1 November 1891

Mr. Dimas Alang (01)

Our dear Brother,

            I transmit to you literally the decisions of the Board of Directors which met in a plenary session:

      “In view of the letter of Brother Dimas Alang of 14 August last, this Committee has agreed on the following:

      “(1) To give satisfaction to the said Brother Dimas Alang stating that the country had never doubted his patriotism, much less his condemn his conduct in Madrid and that the news to which he refers in his above-mentioned letter were completely unknown to the majority of the Board.

      “(2) That for his complete satisfaction and as proof of the veracity of what is stated in the first paragraph, this Committee, separated from the old one, is functioning independently from now on with its private funds and is creating another organ with its own editors,

      “(3) This Committee, using its right, unanimously appoints Editor-in-Chief of the new fortnightly the said Brother Dimas Alang, Assistant Editor, Graciano Lopez Jaena, and authorizes the first to name his associates.

      “(4) The sum of one hundred pesos monthly is appropriated for the Editor-in-Chief, forty pesos for the Assistant Editor, and seventy-seven pesos for the Associates, printing expenses, and other contingent expenses.

      “(5) It leaves to the decision of Brother Dimas Alang the establishment of the fortnightly, as well as the choice of a name for it.

      “(6) The sum appropriated in paragraph 4 will be sent in advance quarterly to the Editor-in-chief and to a place he may designate.

      “(7) This Committee, being separate from the old one, withdraws from it funds contributed for representation expenses which are in the possession of Brother Carmelo. (02)  An order-letter will be sent him through the first mail boat so that he may hand over to Brother Dimas Alang the sum of seven hundred pesos and a draft to London for £18.73 to be applied to the monthly salaries provided in the previous paragraphs.

      “(8) That a copy of this letter be kept by the Board.

      “The undersigned brothers have made this painful decision to vindicate Brother Dimas Alang who was ignored by the old Committee, entreating him to accept this satisfaction that his brothers are giving him who cherish him and are very grateful to him.”

For the Brethren,

Copa (03)

_______________

(01)  José Rizal.

(02)  Marcelo H. del Pilar

(03)  Moisés E. Salvador, Lodge Simb, Araw, 3^o .

=====

287. Moises E. Salvador, Manila, 3 November 1891

Del Pilar’s brother-in-law (Deodato Arellano) frustrates the resolutions; making use of Cortés, opponent – Collection of new funds – The only supporter of del Pilar is his brother-in-law.

Manila, 3 November 1891

Mr. José Rizal

Dear Friend,

            As a continuation of my former letter dated 1^st instant I must tell you that the things that are happening here are unspeakable.  As I told you in my first letter an order was being given to Marcelo to deliver to you seven hundred pesos. That was agreed upon and ordered by the members of the Board of Directors as a result of the petition presented by the donors of those funds; but Marcelo’s brother-in-law has placed obstacles, using Cortés, who has noting to do with the Propaganda; but as they hold the money, they employ brute force, and we cannot do anything.  I say so, because after the resolutions, Cortés meddled and opposed and for fear that he might be displeased and things reach unpleasant extremes, we have preferred to collect new funds, which will be at your disposal as soon as we know the exact place where you are.

            All were disgusted with what they have just done.  It can be said that the only one who remained on Marcelo’s side was his brother-in-law.

            Again I entreat you in this letter to approve what we have done, for they have already made us suffer considerably in times past.

            Your attentive and affectionate friend and servant who kisses your hand.

M. E. Salvador

Simb. Araw, gr. 3

P.S.

            The enclosed official letter is very deficient because apparently it appoints you only Editor-in-Chief of the party.

The same

=====

288. Moises E. Salvador, Manila 17 November 1891

Rizal’s admirers and supporters in Manila form a Rizal Party – They want to prevent Rizal’s separation from Philippine politics – If he is going to Japan, let Jaena establish the fortnightly in Barcelona with Rizal’s name as editor-in-chief.

Manila, 17 November 1891

Mr. José Rizal

Dear Friend,

            I am the first to admit that my previous letters were deficient and until a certain point incongruous for having been written under nervous excitement.  So I beg you not to mind the defects of its style but the good intentions that animated us, for we were obliged to o what we did as we were not entirely agreeable to your isolation nor to your separation from Philippine politics, however relative it may be.

            Moreover, we have taken the liberty to form ourselves into your party, because we cannot agree with the procedure used against you by some members of the old Board of Directors.  For this reason, I beg you again in this letter to approve all that we have done d accept our proposition in the understanding that you are willing to submit to the will of your country, as stated in your letters.

            If you are thinking of spending some time in Japan, you may authorize Friend Jaena to immediately establish the fortnightly in Barcelona without forgetting to place your name as editor-in-chief and without prejudice of sending him your articles.  Please notify him that we are very much under obligation to publish the said fortnightly.

            For the present our constitution is unknown to the members of the former Board of Directors and thus, in case you plan to answer the letters they have sent you, say nothing about our proposition.

            I beg you also that in approving our manner of procedure to authorize us to come to an understanding with persons who are unconditionally attached to you, sending us in writing the said authorization.

            You may address our mail in this manner.

                        Inside envelope

            Mr. Timoteo Páez

                        Manila

            Through the kindness of Messrs.

                        J. M. Tuason & Co.

                        Outside envelope

                        Islas Filipinas

            Messrs. J. M. Tuason & Co.

                        Manila

            As to the money-orders, you may indicate to us the manner and form of sending them.  Our plan is to remit to that city in your name and form there you can make the withdrawals that you believe are necessary for the expenses of the fortnightly.

            Your attentive and affectionate friend who kisses your hand.

M. E. Salvador

P.S.

The enclosed are copies of the letters written by this Partido Rizalino since its organization.  Only the letter addressed to Mr. Luzuriaga is missing among them, for Friend Páez had no more time to make a copy at the time the originals were sent.

The same

=====

289. Rizal, Hong Kong, 26 November 1891 || To Manuel Camus

Arrival at Hong Kong – Luna’s letter – Remittance of 20 Filis, 6 Morgas, and 4 Nolis at 25% commission – If Camus could send copies to Manila.

Remedios Terrace, Hong Kong

26 November 1891

Mr. Manuel Camus (01)

Singapore

My dear Sir and Friend:

            We arrived here without any trouble on the 20^th of this month and here you have me at your disposal.

            Enclosed is a letter to you of our friend Luna, a letter that I did not know I had among my papers.  You will excuse me then if there is anything in it requiring prompt action.

            I am sending you also the receipt for a package that I am sending you by parcel post.  Inside are 20 Filis, 6 Morgas, and 4 Nolis.  To make up for the loss in exchange, here they sell the Fili at two dollars a copy.  It is understood that you get 25 percent commission, a condition sine qua non [an essential condition -- rly], if it does not bother you.  If from there you can send copies to Manila, I would appreciate it.

            José Basa sends you his compliments.  He commands your servant and friends.

José Rizal

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            (01) Manuel de Camus, Filipino patriot, was the leader of the Filipinos at Singapore who met Rizal when, en route to Cuba via Spain, he stopped there.  These Filipinos tried in vain to persuade Rizal to remain and give up his plan of continuing his trip.  Camus was the nephew of the captain of the steamer Tabo in El Filibusterismo.  See Camus’ letter No. 290.

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290. Manuel de Camus, Singapore, 5 December 1891

Acknowledgment of the letters and books of Rizal – Will try to introduce them in the Philippines – El Filibusterismo will regenerate the Philippines – Hopes that it will foment hatred of the friars and the pro-friars. 

Singapore, 5 December 1891

Mr. José Rizal

Hong Kong

My dear Sir and Friend:

            I have before me your letter of 26 November and I am very glad that you have arrived safely at that Colony.

            I thank you for forwarding the letter of our mutual friend Luna.  There is nothing in it that demands prompt action.

            In my possession are 20 Filis, 6 Morgas, and 4 Nolis, and I will try to sell them or introduce them in the Philippines.  But you give me only the price of the Filis. . . . At what price shall I sell the others?       

              I have read your last work, that is, El Filibusterísmo.  Although the opinion that I have formed of it would not augment or nor detract from it merit, permit me to tell you that it has pleased me very much, and as a good Filipino, I am very grateful to you for your book that will regenerate that unfortunate country (Philippines), fomenting in some of its inhabitants and making germinate in others hatred of the friars and the defenders of their policy.

            I must also thank you for the accuracy of the portrayal of the captain of e steamer Tabo.  He was my uncle!

            Begging you to give my compliments to Mr. Basa, I remain,

Your servant and friend,

M. de Camus

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291. Sixto Lopez, Emuy, 11 December 1891

What Fr. Francisco said about Rizal – The friars fear that upon his return the people of Kalamba would agitate – Rizal has the “face of a rascal” associated with other rascals who are in Madrid writing for La Solidaridad.”

Emuy, 11 December 1891

Mr. José Rizal

Hong Kong

My very dear Friend,

            Though of very little value, I will tell you what my fellow passenger Montero learned from Father Francisco when he went to the convent or Procuración to bid him goodbye.  Vincent (Vicente) promptly informed the friars that he wanted to annoy you because you did not like to go personally to Consulate, and Father Francisco was alarmed believing that, should you come to Manila, the people of Kalamba would again agitate; for they have been loosing 40 thousand pesos annually since the litigation began.

            Father Francisco told this to Montero as he inquired about you, if you were already here or if he had seen you on the boat. Montero replied, out of fear, that he did not know you even by name.  He told me many more things; that Father Francisco has seen you several times on the street, that you have the face of a rascal and that you are associated with other rascals in Madrid who are writing for La Solidaridad unless things that altogether form a comical scene, and, in short, many Filipino subscribers are being deceived.

            It was at three o’clock when he told it to me; and I wanted to write you this letter, though it is full of blots for being so hastily written, so that I can leave it here in Emuy.

            From there to here I stayed in the berth and ate in bed.

            I send my regards to all of you, especially your parents and brother and command you affectionate friend.

Sixto López

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292. Lorenzo Miclat y Castro, San Nicolas, Manila, 30 December 1891

An unknown admirer Cabeza de Barangay of Binondo offers to help Rizal with a monthly quota – Asks for his address.

San Nicolas, [Manila]

30 December 1891

Mr. José Rizal

Hong Kong

My dear Sir,

            Without any claim to your friendship except our mutual love for our native country, for whose liberty you are spiritedly fighting with legal weapons, I take the liberty to greet you availing myself of the propitious occasion of your presence in that neighboring port, hoping that you are exceedingly well in the full sense of the word.

            Without doubt the present letter will surprise you and will disturb the tranquility that you are enjoying there, but I hope you will understand that the one greeting you is a humble son of the country and therefore your brother, who, without knowing you, distinguished you with his admiration and esteem for a long time.  This esteem becomes more intense each time your illustrious name is mentioned in the gatherings of respectable persons praising our deeds for the benefit of our native country.  Carried away by the enthusiasm for the laudable patriotic labor that you are doing for our welfare, I offer myself as one of your humble servants, aiding you with a monthly or annual quota and hoping that you will deign to give me your address for the remittance of my quota.

            Should you wish to honor me with your friendship I would esteem it highly, and, of course I am at your command.  In case you deign to answer me, please address your letter to the Tribunal of Natives of the district of Binondo.  At present I am Cabeza de Barangay having been so since the time of Gobernadorcillo Lanuza.  Or if not, you can send it to my humble little house, which is yours too, at No. 40, letter B, Barcelona Street, Binondo.

            Let it be of record that my firm and loyal desire is to be your subordinate who kisses your hand.

Lorenzo Miclat y Castro