Calamba
Hidalgo banished again to Tagbilaran — Now the negotiations for his release should be undertaken — The Superior of Calamba is under the command of the friars —- The Syndic’s threats — Hidalgo is accused of being responsible for the failure of the tenants to pay.
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Calamba, 28 November 1889
MR. JOSÉ RIZAL
DEAR BROTHER-IN-LAW,
I enclose the power of attorney you asked me for and a draft for one hundred pesos. You may be resentful because I have not written you for months, but I shall explain later. I do not know if you have received the letters which I sent you every fifteen days during my banishment, the last one being the one I wrote you as soon as I returned to Manila. I have not received any letter from you except one while I was still in Bohol, if I am not mistaken.
As you will see in the power of attorney, they are banishing me again to the same town of Tagbilaran, Bohol, as the governor of our province notified me in advance, in fulfillment of the decree of the governor general. This decree is based on the ground that having had enough time to gather my sugar crop and settle my business, I should return to that place. Consider the matter carefully before working for my release, because this first magistrate can commit barbarities on our persons when he finds out that we have complained against him. It seems to me better to ask first for his suspension by telegram or through a strong recommendation; in short, I leave it to your good judgment. Besides, you ought to ask for the suspension of my departure or return even without having sent the papers.
The superior here is always at the disposal of the friars. Since September, the lay-brother administrators have been announcing the arrival of the governor general at our town and the syndicate tells the tenants that the governor is his friend and when he comes, he would strip them and order the seizure of whomsoever he names. They announced it three or four times, but he did not arrive until the 15th instant, without previous official announcement and it came to be known only through the syndic, Father Gobeas. He was accompanied, among others by the friars, Father Echevaría, Rector of Santo Tomás University, and a professor of Letran College who carried the general’s raincoat when he strolled through the town and when it rained he covered him with it. The rector served as the nurse of the son. At the supper held at the Hacienda, the syndic showed to His Excellency the list of debts of the Calamba tenants from which can be deduced that nothing was being paid, thus the debts were increasing enormously every year. The governor general was scandalized, as if they were debts to the public treasury. The syndic and the lay brothers said that I was the cause of it all and of the restlessness in Calamba. The lieutenant of the civil guard, new in the town, — they have changed the one there at the time of my first banishment — and Curate Añonuevo confirmed it. On the 24th, when I was in Sta. Cruz on business, the governor warned me of what I have said to you about my banishment.
The family is well, Neneng and the three children are in good health. Alfredo and Adela go to Choleng’s school. Abelardo does not talk yet.
Our love and command your brother-in-law who esteems you sincerely,
MANUEL TIMOTEO DE HIDALGO
03-469 [Reformists]