1 January 1885

Calamba

1 January 1885

DEAR BROTHER,

We received your letter dated 16 November in which you tell us, among other things, that you are planning to return for the sake of the family. As this is somewhat a delicate matter, it is necessary to think it over before deciding on it. As for me, if I am asked my opinion, it seems to me, as no one will guarantee that your return will not cause our old parents any displeasure, as it is still easier for me to send you your monthly allowance than to send you at once the cost of your passage, and in short, as I have not given up hope of better times to come, I think that you should continue your studies there and end them when our resources are exhausted. And then I’ll see if our parents will be allowed to visit you at Hong Kong, and I say Hong Kong, because as you know English or it will not be difficult for you to learn it, it will be easy for you to establish yourself there. In the meantime, if you find an opportunity to get a decent employment (writing, for example) there, without hurting your studies, you ought to take advantage of it. First, it will be in harmony with our interests and then for what might happen. It is difficult to get one, more than difficult it is impossible, but one must live on dreams, otherwise real life is enough to kill one. I say this because I nourished myself with illusions, notwithstanding the turn of business, only that, instead of those beautiful and grandiose ones that I cherished before, I am now satisfied with what is purely necessary and without deceiving any one, as many of our fellow townsmen do.

If you think of writing us, tell me something about the sugar beet that is raised in Europe, gathering first reliable information in order to know what to expect. As it is the only one competing with sugar cane, if the owners there hold out for two or more years, we have no other course but to admit defeat. But if, as they say, many have already abandoned this business, because it is no longer profitable, or they are already bankrupt, then it is incumbent upon us to enforce the law. It is important therefore that your information be as accurate as possible.

With reference to the disadvantageous position in which Philippine sugar has fallen due to the new rulings of the ministry of colonies, one has no reason to complain much. First, because before this decree, Cuban sugar paid at the Spanish ports four fifths more than Philippine sugar, and it is right that we now suffer the law of compensation; then, 15 pesetas more or less per ton (which I believe is the customs duty imposed on Philippine sugar) will neither impoverish nor enrich the farmer; and lastly, because he who rules gives the orders, cartuchera en el cañon.[1] Our real misfortune is that we are located at a considerable distance from the great commercial.

I suggest that you write our parents about things that can make them happy, even though putting a wrong construction on them, and in this way you will compensate them for your absence, so regretted by these old folks. Our duty is to sweeten in every way possible their remaining few days.

After the Three Kings, I’ll begin the milling; perhaps it will last until May. During this time, I shall be out of the house, except Sundays. Hence, maybe I’ll not be able to write you. We have plenty of cane and therefore a big crop, but as crops become losses, according to the present course of business, the greater the crop, the greater will be the loss.

We are all in good health.

Your brother,

PACIANO

04-115 [Misc.]