London
A brother-in-law of Rizal banished to Bohol — Without due process of law — The beginning of reprisals? — Booklets for and against Rizal sent to Blumentritt — Geler’s book says many truths — “And if we cannot take revenge, our children and our grandchildren will do it.”
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37 Chalcot Crescent, Primrose Hill, N.W.
London, 13 October 1888
Dear Friend,
Let us trust that our dreams about my brother may not be a bad omen! Well, this evening at 7:30 I received a telegram from Hong Kong informing me that the husband of my eldest sister has been banished to Bohol! Imagine that this sister of mine has four children, the oldest of whom being only six years old! I imagine he has been banished without due process of law, for otherwise my parents would have written me something about the matter. General Weyler and all the generals exile anyone against whom some friar files an administrative charge. Mr. Manuel Hidalgo — this is his name — is a lawyer. At least he studied law at the university; he had been a substitute justice of the peace; and he enjoys much social consideration. May that not be the beginning of the revenge against me? With this letter I am sending you Geler’s book[1] and booklets for and against me. If I can get a copy of the book in Spanish against me for which the archbishop granted 80 days of indulgence, I shall send it to you also. You may keep the booklets, but Dr. Regidor is sorry he cannot give you Geler’s book, for it is the only copy he has seen. It is believed that the whole edition was bought and destroyed. I beg you to read it; it is written by a Spaniard and tells many truths. If only there were 50 Spaniards like Geler, I would give and shed the last drop of my blood for Spain. Of this Spain can be sure; but those persons who banish and imprison anyone without the right to do so, can count only on our hatred, and if we cannot take revenge, our children, if not our grandchildren, will do it. How easy it would be for Spain to win our love, if a voice like that of Geler were not alone. Vox clamantis in deserto! But, sic fata voluerunt . . . .[2]
They write me from Barcelona that La Oceanía of 3 August mentioned you together with me and Paterno in an article; aside from this I do not know any more. I am afraid that the newspaper had said something malicious against you. If you would listen to me, I would beg you [not] to write any more in our defense, because it would pain me that, for our sake, you would hear or read something unpleasant. We are no longer fighting on an arena but in a dirty swamp. It is repugnant and you will get no other thing but mud and filth. Write the history of the Philippines in peace and without nuisance. Only do not forget that the Spaniards never knew us well. They never knew how to behave properly towards us; otherwise they could reign forever over an obedient, faithful, and grateful people. I repeat: Withdraw from the fight!
I believe that my happy days are already gone. My life is a burden on my family.
Your friend greets you,
Rizal
03-335 [Reformists]
[1] Raymundo Geler, Spanish author of the work, Islas Filipinas, Reseña de su organización social y administrativa. Cf. page 218.
[2] “A voice crying in the desert. But, thus would fate . . . .”