17 November 1888

Barcelona

He regrets what is happening to Rizal’s brother-in-law – Banquet in honor of Morayta alarms the enemy camp – Desengaños (Retana) does not deserve the attention of the Filipinos – Laudatory phrases of Andres Avelino del Rosario.

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2-3 Rambla Canaletas, Barcelona

17 November 1888

Mariano Ponce

My very dear Friend,

I am sending you by registered mail the document and letter from your brother-in-law Mr. Manuel Hidalgo that Laktaw sent me in the last mail which arrived day before yesterday. I am pained by what is happening to Mr. Hidalgo and so much more for what it signifies to our unfortunate country, worthy of a better fate and for whom we all should work.

I suppose that this question will compel you to transfer to Madrid. In the affirmative case, I request you to communicate to us in advance and especially if you are going to pass through Barcelona.

The banquet that we gave in honor of Morayta has somewhat alarmed the enemy camp. La Voz de la Patria hurls an anathema to the banqueteantes and Champagniceantes – phraseology of the Voz – applying to us the taunt of filibusteros. Always the same thing! La Publicidad and Mr. Morayta in El Globo come out in our defense and the colony will join with an article that is being submitted to the scrutiny of all. I am sending you La Publicidad and El Globo that carry these protests.

In reply to your letter of the 9th, I should say that Desenguaños does not even deserve our attention, for we give him an importance he does not deserve; he is only worthy of our contempt.

I have had an occasion to speak in this city a few days ago with Mr. Andres Avelino del Rosario, former secretary of the Cuba. Asking him for news from Manila, he assured me that you have done an immense harm to the friars. An admirer of yours, he spoke of you in affectionate and patriotic phrases and of the valuable campaign you are undertaking, advising me of the necessity and of the duty of each one of us within our respective spheres to second your efforts. Mr. del Rosario is a Filipino by nature and at heart. I am relating this to you as additional confirmation that you are with the spirit of our country. Forward then; for we on our part are animated by the same sentiments and we are ready to work within our limited capacities.

We shall talk another time about the periodical. We respect your motives for not giving your vote, but if you cannot vote, we shall vote.

There are bad news about Weyler.[1] They say that he already eats at the convents.

An affectionate embrace of you friend,

Mariano Ponce

P.S.

I take the liberty of asking you, and do not take it as boldness, that we stop using the embarrassing usted, submitting for it the affectionate tu. I repeat, pardon my boldness.

02-351 [Blumentritt V.1]