Hong Kong
From: Jose Rizal
To: Eulogio Despujol, Governor General of the Philippines
Rizal is considered the head of the progressive movement – He offers his cooperation to Despujol – To point out the ills of the country – To heal the wound of the recent injustices – And preserve his native land for Spain – Liberal and just policy.
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Petition to the Governor General of the Philippines
7 Remedios Terrace
Hong Kong, 23 December 1891
MOST EXCELLENT EULOGIO DESPUJOL
GOVERNOR GENERAL OF THE PHILIPPINES
MOST EXCELLENT SIR,
Your Excellency, upon the assumption of your office, issued an appeal to all those who love the welfare of the Philippines, Filipinos as well as Spaniards. Your Excellency is in a deeply demoralized country which is on the eve of falling into a lamentable skepticism that may bring about a crisis. I consider your action the act of a prudent administrator and of a man of goodwill.
I too, Most Excellent Sir, am one of those who loves the welfare of their native country and I am ready to sacrifice everything for her, my past and my future, as I have been doing, suffering and waiting resignedly, because I have faith in the justice of her cause. For good or ill men have placed me at the head of the progressive movement in the Philippines and they have attributed to me a certain influence on her aspirations. If your Excellency believes that my humble services can be useful to you to point out to you the ills of the country and help you heal the wound of recent injustices, you have only to say so, and trusting in your word of honour that my freedom as a citizen will be respected, I will immediately place myself at your orders, and Your Excellency will then see and will be able to judge the loyalty of my conduct and the sincerity of my word.
If you reject my offer, Your Excellency will know better than anyone else what you are doing, but my conscience will be at peace in the future. I have done all that I ought to do to keep my country for Spain, without forsaking my love for her well-being, by means of a solid policy based on justice and common interests.
Hoping to have the honour of receiving a reply, I am, Your Excellency, with profound respect, your loyal servant who kisses your hand.
JOSE RIZAL
01-681 [Family]