19 January 1893

Dapitan

Dapitan, 19 January 1893

MR. MANUEL T. HIDALGO

MY DEAR BROTHER-IN-LAW MANENG,

Here I have formed a partnership with a Spaniard to supply the town with fish of which it lacks. In Dapitan alone there are six thousand inhabitants and in the interior some two or three thousands more and for so many people there is nothing but small sakag that catches little fishes of the size of the talaisá. Aquilino told me that with one pukútan alone like yours, the whole town can be supplied with fish, because here there is a good beach and fish abound a little distance away from the shore. If you wish to sell me your pukútan at an agreed price, and if it is still in good condition, I would buy it. If not, I appreciate it if you would buy me a pukútan in the same condition, good, strong, etc. Here nobody knows how to weave the mesh of a net.

I would appreciate also very much if you would look for me two men or families of the beach of Kalamba who understand fishing. If they come, their fare will be paid by me. They [should] take passage for Cebú on the mail boat that comes here without saying from where they are or whether they are going to Dapitan, and when the boat passes by here, the governor will disembark them. The fare from Manila to Cebú costs less than one-half of the fare from Manila to Dapitan and a curious thing, the boat touches at Dapitan before Cebú.

I would appreciate it also if you would tell me your arrangement with the fishermen, so that we would know how to deal with them. I will have a house and all they may need for their subsistence. I believe this would be a good business.

For the payment of the net, please ask our Father who holds for me some money.

Do me also the favor of telling our father or Antonino (anyone of the two) that if my money is not yet invested, to please send me ₱500 delivering them to the Professor Superior of the Jesuits of Manila, for I intend to engage here in the buying of abaca. If there is no money, paciencialo.[1]

With many regards to the esteemed Sra. Neneng, kisses to the children whom I should like to see here,

Yours,

RIZAL

If Policarpio and Eugenio, with their families, could come, even if I had to pay their debts.

The same.

04-774 [Misc.]