Letters Exchanged Between José Rizal and Other Reformers - 1895

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332.  Rizal, Dapitan, 15 March 1895 || To Dr. Lorenzo Marquez

Present of books on carpentry and wheel have been taken as revolutionary books – He will engage in farming – His clientele in Dapitan is poor – They propose to him to escape – But Rizal does not want to be called “a runaway.”

Dapitan, 15 March 1895

Dr. Lorenzo Marquez

My much esteemed friend Doctor Marquez,

       I take this opportunity to write you a few lines and to tell you how I am.  I continue living as a deportee, but free enough to engage in some abaca business.

       The books on carpentry and wheel that you sent me have been taken for revolutionary works and they have torn out the page with your dedication.

       I intend to engage in farming, for the place where I am is so poor that I even have to give free medicine.  I still do not know how much longer they intend to hold me as a deportee.  I am resigned, for the longer they hold me the worse for the government’s prestige.

       Some have proposed to me to escape; but as I have nothing to reproach myself, I do not want later to be called a “runaway.”  Moreover, this will prevent me from returning later to my country. (1)

       The friars sent a spy called Pablo Mercado; then they sent another; then they appointed the present district physician to watch me, according to his own confession.  A doctor appointed to spy!  Is it not sad?

       I do not write more because I will be in a bad humor.

       Your old friend, who misses your pleasant and intelligent company, sends you many regards.

Affectionately yours,

José Rizal

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       (1) Several patriots, desiring to free Rizal from his banishment, proposed to him that he escape, entrusting to Mr. Páez the chartering of a boat so as to help Rizal escape.  The patriot, Mr. Antonio Ma. Regidor, also recommended this means to rescue him from his banishment.  Rizal, however, rejected such propositions.

X X X

The following two letters deal with the proposed flight.

Manila, 26 May 1895

Mr. José Ma. Basa

Hong Kong

My dear Sir,

            I take the liberty of writing you this letter – and I suppose that you will be surprised by this boldness and bother at the same time – to introduce to you the bearer of the same, who is a fine man, Mr. Timoteo Páez, who is in charge of the risky mission of liberating my brother from his exile.  Mr. Páez will give you an account of everything we have proposed here for such an undertaking.  He is our good friend whom we owe many favors and who deserves your confidence.  He is going to that port to charter a boat and afterward . . . .

            I shall appreciate infinitely every attention and favor you may grant him and command at your pleasure your faithful servant who kisses hand.

Trinidad Rizal

P.S.

            My affectionate regards to all the family and kisses to your daughters.  

X X X

ANTONIO MA. REGIDOR JURADO

Spanish Advocate

23Billiter Street, London

7 June 1895

Mr. José Ma. Basa

Hong Kong

My dear friend Pepe,

            I received your letter of the 9 January on time in which you kindly suggest to me the negotiation for the freedom of our dear friend Rizal.  Now I must tell you that when I was in Madrid last year, without the encouragement of anyone, I attended assiduously to this matter and I was surprised that the large Filipino colony there thought that Rizal no longer wanted to leave the place where he is because he has invested there some six or eight thousand duros that he won in the lottery and he had with him several of his brothers, developing his agricultural lands.  That idea, though possible, seemed to me improbable and I ignored it.  Availing myself of the close friendship that bound with some of the ministers then, I explored the possibility of obtaining his liberty.  However, to my great regret, I became convinced that it was impossible to obtain it in Spain, for the ministers themselves told me that, and they said the truth, they did not believe any order of that kind would be carried out in Manila; that it must be worked out in Manila with the Captain General who should carry it out openly, cautiously, and without the knowledge of the Reverend Fathers until after Rizal is already on the way for abroad.  In the numerous efforts I made here I did not find anyone who wished, or better, who dared, to write on the matter to General Blanco.  All agreed that the best solution was Rizal’s escape; and as you know that I have always been a practical partisan of this solution.  I cannot understand why our friend whom I believed courageous and intrepid does not adopt it.  The sympathetic Mr. Blumentritt wrote me later that Rizal wanted to leave and, much later, I received your letter.  Unfortunately for me I have been very ill since 19 December until about fifteen days ago.  Nevertheless I have moved in the sense suggested by you, and though I do not despair, I do not think my mission is easy to realize.  In my opinion we ought to study and utilize for our purpose the political changes that occur in Spain.  Now there is the possibility and hope that new elections of deputies to the Cortes may be held in January or February and I believe that we should try ten to elect Rizal, very secretly, deputy, for one district in Spain.  If we succeed, they would have to let him go, for the president of the new congress would have to demand him from the captain general over the exactions and impositions of the Reverend Fathers.  Would there not be in the world en patriots who will contribute each one thousand duros for that undertaking?  If you succeed to get this, I offer to go to Spain to work and prepare a district and present Rizal’s candidacy with the least expense, without ostentation or noise, the latter being indispensable conditions, I reiterate, to get his election.  If the amount I mention is not obtained, reduce it to four or five thousand duros and work for the election of del Pilar or any other Filipino with sufficient qualifications who formally promises to work openly and secretly for the liberty of Rizal and of other exiled Filipinos, for the representation of the Philippines in the Spanish Parliament, and for the elevation and employment of purely and essentially Filipino elements.  And in making this suggestion, I wish to make it clear in advance that I do not count myself among those who are qualified for numerous reason, among them, which should not be concealed from you, that I can no longer inspire enthusiasm and confidence in those who are to take part in this campaign – twenty-three years of absence, the distance, the retired life I have been forced to lead in these last years for reasons too long to enumerate, place me logically out of that candidacy.  In order for it to be successful, those who ought to take part in it are only the modern saints, the spirited young men who know the youth intimately and inspire confidence.  We, the old ones, ought to retire now behind the curtain and the gallery and from there, like observes and advisers, inspire and suggest to those who enter freshly and anew in this fight for liberty and rights in which you entered and from which our contemporary friends came out so ill-treated.  Let us push forward and encourage that youth that I love and that makes me conceive of so many hopes if it marches through the tried paths trodden by us before them and with identical purpose, the same enthusiasm and the same generous faith that seize them, though with infinitely more limited means in an era of dejection and decadence which could rarely happen.  Work then in this sense, friend Pepe, which is the only means through which we may get, as it is commonly said, with one stone, not two but four or five birds.  We must not sleep.  Believe me, ever your very affectionate friend, compatriot, and comrade.

Antonio Regidor

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333. Rizal, Dapitan, 10 April 1895 || To José Ma. Basa

He is thinking of colonizing Ponot on the coast – As he will be in the forest, he is asking for his library – In Ponot one can have four or five thousand cattle and 40,000 coconut trees.

Dapitan, 10 April 1895

Mr. José Ma. Basa

My much esteemed friend Mr. Pepe,

       I am writing you this as I am determined for the present to remain on this Island of Mindanao and the government might accede to my petition and therefore I shall remain here forever.  I am planning to colonize Ponot on the coast of this island if the government grants me advantages or privileges; it will be very easy to begin the work next June.  Therefore, as I shall be in the forest among half-civilized people, I should like to have my library with me.  I beseech you for this reason to have my books ready because if the government will permit their free entry, I should like to have them in the month of June when I shall have a suitable house.  I hope that the governor general will grant me permission one of these days, for I asked him for it more than a month ago.

       In Ponot one can have four or five thousand cattle and plant some 40,000 coconut trees, etc.  It has a good port, water, plain, etc.

       With nothing more and wishing that you may have no mishap during the present black plague, I am ever your attentive servant and affectionate friend,

José Rizal

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334. S. Jugo Vidal, Capiz, 20 October 1895

A fellow reformist in Spain introduces an eye patient to Rizal – His sister, treated by Rizal, and has fully recovered.

Capiz, 20 October 1895

Mr. José Rizal

Iligan, Dapitan

My dear Friend and Comrade,

       You will be surprised that I write you only to cause you more trouble, but as I do not doubt your kindness, I dare to introduce to you the bearer, a resident of this locality and a friend of mine, who is going there to seek the aid of your specialty.  For a long time I have advised him to put himself in your hands.

       I hope you are in good health and you know you can command your friend and comrade who esteems you.

S. Jugo Vidal

P.S.

       My sister is completely cured.  I am grateful to you for the treatment.

The same.

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335. Rizal, Dapitan, 16 December 1895

Condolences for the death of Dr. Antonio Paterno – Minong and Rizal were such good friends – It is sad to live on memories – How many friends of one’s youth have passed away!

Dapitan, 16 December 1895]

Mr. Pedro A. Paterno

My distinguished Friend,

       Since I have been exiled to this corner of the world, news rarely reaches me and such reports as I get are often confused.  For this reason I do not know if your father is still alive (as I wish) and hence address this letter to you and not to him as I should.

       I have learned through the Oceanía that my old and good friend, Dr. Antonio Paterno, has died at Tambobong.” (1)

       You, who know the never disturbed friendship that had existed between him, Minong, (2) and I, of about the same age, can figure out how much the news has grieved me.  Old memories, occasions, circumstances, sensations, as well as ideas that we have led, felt, and experienced together -- all these arise before me.  He has died and I was not able to shake his friendly hands or to return to him so many good services that I owed him.

       Since I have been here, how many friends of my youth have passed away!  Abreu, Aguirre, del Rosario, Antonio Paterno.  I can repeat with Thomas Moore: (3)

       When I remember all

              The friends so linked together

       I have seen all around me fall,

              Like leaves in wintry weather,

                     I feel like one

                     Who treads alone

       Some banquet hall deserted

              Whose lights are fled,

              Whose garlands dead

       And all but me departed. (4)

       How lonely we, the living, are becoming!  I could say parodying Becquer; (5) because here I live alone and I live only on memories, the memories of good friends.

       I beg you to express my profound condolence to your distinguished family, to your father, sisters as well as to that unforgettable Minong.

       Command your most attentive servant and friend who kisses your hand,

José Rizal

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            (1) The old name of Malabon, then a fishing village north of Manila.

       (2) Dr. Maximino Paterno, brother of Pedro A. Paterno and Antonio Paterno.

       (3) Thomas Moore (1779-1852), an Irish poet.

       (4) The quoted text is a portion of the poem, “Oft in the Stilly [= Silent - rly] Night.”  It is also published under the title, “The Light of Other Days.”  [A few deviations from the original text may indicate that Rizal is quoting from memory - rly]

       (5) Gustavo Adolfo Bécquer (1836 – 1870), a Spanish romantic poet.