Madrid
Infamous revenge to deny Rizal’s brother-in-law burial in holy ground – Bacerra has proposed abolition of Council of Overseas Colonies – Holds many fond memories of the Philippines — To progress, the Philippines need justice and good government – Blumentritt’s defense of Noli me tangere seems good.
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18—2 right Caranza, Madrid
30 July 1887
Mr. Jose Rizal
Entrance of Saigon Rizal-En route to the Philippines
My esteemed Friend Rizal,
I received your letter of the 17th instant by which I see that you received there my card announcing my new house that I sent you to London. As I did not know the address of your good friend Ventura, I did not send him any, as I should like. Now that you tell me that you live with him, I beg you to offer him my new house on my behalf and to give him my sincerest thanks for his regards which I return very affectionately in my own and my children’s name.
Rafael is really employed with a salary of 6,000 reales, but as I never wanted him to be an employee but rather to finish a professional course for which I have made all sacrifices possible, God willed that last April he finished the course of Assistant of Public Works and now he is waiting for his turn to be employed in that office.
With deep, with true feeling and sorrow I have read what you tell me about your brother-in-law, first for being snatched away from his family and afterward, and the most important, for having been denied holy ground because he was not able to confess.
If that thing has been done for revenge, for his being your brother-in-law, as you tell me, I agree with you that it is puerile and infamous revenge that God and with God honorable persons condemn. I have been and I am, you know it, a defender of the religious orders in the Philippines, because I consider them still necessary in that country, but my conscience, upon the word of good Catholic, rebels against these unspeakable actions that take place not only in the Philippines but also here in Europe and particularly in our peninsula. In no way can I defend or approve that a dead Christian, like your brother-in-law, be denied burial or one who lacks money to pay for burial or fail to be baptized or to be married for not having absolutely any money and cannot pay the parish fees. I do not believe that this is the doctrine preached by Jesus Christ. If these priests only hurt themselves in acting in that way, they may settle with their conscience. The bad thing is that they hurt religion and the country where they live, whether here or there. And enough of this, friend Rizal, for it is an endless story. I give you my sincere condolence for the death of your brother-in-law and its consequences.
Mr. Becerra has really proposed the abolition of the Council of Overseas Colonies. This is what compelled me to change house and retrench. The abolition has not been done yet, but I believe it will be carried out. However, whether or not I continue as adviser on the Philippines, you can rest assured that I shall never forget that beautiful country even for only the fact that a daughter of mine was born there. I have not some, as you say, but many sympathies and very great fondness for the Philippines whose prosperity and welfare I wish and which, in order to be happy, lacks only justice, good government, and good administration.
I received Mr. Blumentritt’s pamphlet in defense of Noli me tangere. It seems to me good and faithfully fulfills its objective, though in some points I find it slightly exaggerated.
With nothing more for now, wishing you good health, with the affectionate regards of my children to you and Ventura, I remain,
Your very affectionate and good friend who kisses your hand,
P. Ortiga y Rey
04-256 [Misc.]