27 November 1885

Calamba

Calamba, 27 November 1885

MR. JOSÉ RIZAL

DEAR BROTHER,

We received your two letters, one by mail and the other through the kindness of Mr. Basilio together with an image of Christ and a chess set. I accept all your censure therein, so much more justifiable as I believed myself with sufficient strength to support our family, which was nothing more than a vain presumption on my part. But you should have taken into account any laziness and aversion to writing especially with regard to disagreeable things which cannot be remedied. With respect to my opposition to your trip to Paris, it was due rather to the critical situation that we were going through then than to strictness towards you. What was one hundred pesos more or less, but when the Chuidian firm refused to grant us a loan and we had none of our own, it seemed to me there was no reason to disapprove that trip, not because of its purpose but of what it would cost. On the other hand, once permission to go to Europe was granted, one step further, forward or backward, mattered very little to one who does not know those latitudes. Moreover, you would be the first to feel sorry should anything happen to our family, like what is happening to all here (with the exception of four) whose properties have been all confiscated or neglected. They hardly have enough to meet their liabilities. From all this is deduced that you there and we here still live in these times of trial when patience and more prudence are necessary, because it is nonsensical not to eat having jewels to pawn, for I believe they were sent to you precisely for that purpose. You made our mother shed copious tears with this letter.

With this letter I send you a draft for ₱200. Probably by February I shall send you another ₱200 which will be the proceeds of the sale of your chestnut horse, and if I don’t find a trusted person to bring to you the chronometer watch that I intend to give you as a gift and which is worth ₱300 with the chain, I shall sell it and send you the proceeds.

Today we received the news that the king[1] had died. I don’t know if you are still there. It is convenient for us to have your exact address so that letters, and especially drafts, would not be delayed in reaching you.

Though sugar has no price, we begin work on the sugar cane in the midst of envy and with many bandits and more landlords’ collectors around. Despite everything, I still feel strong enough and I persist in my error that I can still support our family.

In this town nothing important happens, unless it be the robberies and the effrontery of that one who called on us one day. If he could be made to jump the river, now that things have altered, it would have been a worthy act.

Your brother,

PACIANO

01-135 [Family]