London
La vision de Fr. Rodriguez is very well written – To be published by the Filipinos at Barcelona – Perhaps del Pilar may be able to put an end to dissidence and rivalry – Board of Directors of La Solidaridad association – Rizal’s letter, read at the banquet, received warm applause.
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37 Chalcot Crescent, Primrose Hill
London
8 January 1889
Mariano Ponce
Mr. Jose Rizal
My dear Friend,
La vision de Fr. Rodriguez is already in the press and its printing will be finished within 15 or 20 days. It is very well written. Receive my felicitation. I fear an accident may happen to Fr. Rodriguez when he reads it.
I am sending you Defense of Corcuera so that you may write a prologue and commentary as long as you deem convenient.
Instead of giving the 25 pesetas to Graciano, I am keeping them to prevent him from squandering them. You know what a spend thrift this unfortunate countryman of ours is, and so that he may not lack some day I have made myself his trustee, regulating his expenses.
Friend Pilar is here full of enthusiasm. He works hard and soon will publish little works in Tagalog and Spanish. Perhaps he may be the man we are waiting for to end the dissidence and rivalries that exist in the Madrid colony. I may go with him to Madrid after winter. He is insisting in taking me along and I am allowing myself to be convinced. He brings a most satisfactory and favorable impression of our cause, as he will write you.
Magdalena appreciates your regards.
Rogers told me that he has already answered you. It seems that he is determined not to abandon his retreat despite all sorrows.
I do not know if the secretary of the association that we have just established has already informed you of its inauguration. The Christmastide banquet that we gave in the evening of the 31 was at the same time its inauguration.
The board of directors is composed of the following: President, Mr. Galiciano Apacible; vice president, Mr. Graciano Lopez; secretary, Mr. Manuel Sta. Maria; treasurer, Mariano Ponce; auditor, Mr. Jose Panganiban.
Your letter was read and listened to religiously at the banquet and was much applauded afterwards.
Your La vision de Fr. Rodriguez is published by this colony reserving the copyright to you.
Your countrymen in this city return your affectionate regards.
Yours,
M. Ponce
01-347 [Family]