8 October 1890

Calamba
From: Matias Belarmino
To: Jose Rizal

The Tagalog translation of William Tell by Rizal – Dispossession of tenants is approved – Appeal of the tenants concerned – If the case reaches the Supreme Court, Mr. Marcelo H. del Pilar will defend the tenants – High rent discourages the farmers – Reprisal in the form of administrative proceedings against the appellants.

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Calamba, 8 October 1890

MR. JOSE RIZAL

MY DEAR SIR,

In accordance with Don Paciano’s letter I am sending you the manuscript of William Tell. The envelope is addressed to Mr. Pedro Cor de Cruz, No. 43 Alcala, Madrid.

As a result of the complaint against me and Mr. Cayetano de Jesus presented by the lay brother [uldog] to the Justice of Peace, Mr. Vicente Laureola Roque, on the 1st of the month, October, we have been sentenced to be ejected from our land. We have appealed to the Court of First Instance, but perhaps we are going to lose there also. If the case reaches the Supreme Court there, please tell Mr. Marcelo H. del Pillar that we have chosen him as our defender and we will send him one of these days a draft to cover the expenses of the litigation.

There are many people here in this town who are already exasperated with the Hacienda and are waiting for the decision of the court there.

The rice planters are complaining against the high rent exacted by the friars. They are not allowed to taste the fruit of their labor.

With regard to our case, Tano and I presented a complaint to the Government. The plaintiff is the agent of the Estate. Because of this, we have heard that administrative proceedings are being readied to eject us. Please tell this to Mr. Pilar.

The old couple[1] are both well; they are living in Narcisa’s[2] house.

Regards to you, Don Marcelo, and all the Filipinos there.

MATIAS BELARMINO

P. S.

C. writes that the order to the five of them is now in Manila, but is being held up.

03-580 [Reformists]