Paris
23 November 1888
Valentin Ventura
Dear Friend,
I shall seldom write you inasmuch as when I write you my letters cost me very much, for with this as well with the previous one are enclosed English bank notes with five hundred francs each. I still owe you two hundred francs, the amount I collected from the firm that sent it to me from the Philippines. I shall appreciate it if you would let me know when you need it so that I can remit it to you.
I repeat to you what I have always said that I am very grateful to you for having furnished me with funds. I have not yet received from Manila the sum I have asked to deposit it here for urgent needs. I expect to receive it in December. Then I trust that if at any time you would need funds, you are at liberty to call upon me.
The project that I had in my portfolio which I mentioned to you in my previous letter was the trip that I have made to Barcelona.
I was away from Paris fifteen days, I have seen everything there is to be seen at the Exposition, which is certainly worth a trip, for there is much to see. There I met many compatriots, the majority of whim being students, our Graciano among them. I found this one very much changed, with a great desire to work. He was there hoping to be placed on the editorial staff if La Publicidad, on the recommendation, it seems, of Morayta. Concerning your going to Madrid to take charge of a periodical, I agree with you that if it is to prevent the colony from breaking up, it is necessary for you to go and make a sacrifice. Nevertheless, you ought to find out beforehand what means of support the periodical has, for one cannot count on subscriptions, because what there are in Europe are not enough to maintain a newspaper and what may come from the Philippines cannot be depended upon, because, in addition to the fact that its entry will not be allowed, no one would want to subscribe in order not to be branded.[1]
I am now going to tell you my personal opinion on whether it is useful or not to have a newspaper in Barcelona. I think it is useless. First, because the propaganda being done is useless there, because we Filipinos who are in Europe are almost all agreed on what should be done and as I have said before one should not count on the Filipinos in the Philippines, because the authorities will forbid the entry of the periodical in the Philippines. Second, I think that what has been done in the Philippines and outside of the Philippines is enough for our plea for more rights should they wish to grant them to us. To insist further is already fawning.
As I tell you, this is my opinion which I shall not tell anyone else, for, not because I am disheartened I want all to be likewise. May each one serve his country in the best way he thinks.
Regards from Elisa and command you affectionate friend who esteems you,
Valentin Ventura
03-353 [Reformists]
[1] That is, to be branded a filibuster by the authorities, the friars. Every enlightened Filipinos was dubbed, and that means he could be arrested, thrown into jail or exiled, and his property confiscated.