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Letters Exchanged Between José Rizal and Other Reformers - 1891 (July to December)
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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 3rd 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 4th 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
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 _______________ (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: 1st, I need time to work on my book; 2nd, I wanted other Filipinos to work also; 3rd, 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 _______________ (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 5th 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 2nd
Mr. José Rizal Ghent
Dear Cousin, I received your letter of the 12th 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 . . . . . . . . _______________ (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 20th 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, |
50,
transmitted by Rizal to del Pilar – Rizal retires completely from
politics – In Manila or Hong Kong he will write.