Barcelona
Sends Rizal copy of Fr. Font’s review of Noli – Reports of insurrection plotted by the friars – Resignation of the liberal-minded governor general Emilio Terrero – Filipino colony at Barcelona eagerly awaits Rizal – M. H. del Pilar (Plaridel) is still in the Philippines.
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Barcelona, 2 August 1888
Mr. Jose Rizal
My dear Friend and Countryman:
I received your letter dated 27 July and I thank you very much for the account of your journey.
I have the pleasure to enclose a true copy of the articles which compose the analytical part of Fr. Font’s review. In the next mail you will receive the continuation.
I am enclosing also an article entitled Filipinas ante la opinion.
I do not know what truth there is in the news which I read in a daily newspaper in this city, El Noticiero Universal, entitled “Noticias de Filipinas,” a clipping of which is enclosed. If the news is true, we have reason to rejoice. What intrigues me is that in the letters that the last mail brought me they did not tell me anything about this.
After Terrero’s[1] departure, black clouds appeared in the Philippine horizon. Muffled rumors regarding a sham insurrection prepared by the friars to ruin their enemies spread all over the capital and provinces. All of which confirmed the friar threats and beforehand the future victims marked, assuring that Molto’s[2] administration would leave a dreadful memory in the country.
Luckily, he was sick, or pretended to be so, upon seeing the resolute attitude of the country and gave up the command to General Lobaton. Weyler arrived some days later and the country breathed. The monastic sham collapsed. General Weyler has not yet expressed his views. It is not known to which side he will lean. That is what friends write me from there.
Are you not planning to come to Barcelona and see the Exposicion Universal? The Philippine colony in this capital is yearning to embrace you personally and has asked me to give you the message.
Marcelo del Pilar is in the Philippines, in the province of Bulacan, from which place he sent me the articles. In the letter I sent him in the last mail, I had the pleasure to convey your message.
All our countrymen greet you.
Your affectionate friend and countryman embraces you,
M. Ponce
02-319 [Blumentritt V.1]
[1] Emilio Terrero y Perinat, governor general, 1885-1888, was liberal minded and liked by the Filipino reformists.
[2] Anotnio Molto, vice-governor (Segunda Cabo) became acting governor for a very short time. He resigned on account of ill health and Federico Lobaton took his place until Valeriano Weyler arrived.