11 January 1891

Calamba

Mr. Felipe Buencamino, attorney of the defendants in the Hacienda de Kalamba case, displays his talent in the defense of the poor tenants – Mr. Doroteo Cortes and those of Sta. Cruz[1] and Pagsanjan are helping him – The dispossessed of Kalamba are not afraid of any adverse judicial action – They will fight for their rights until the end – “We feel encouraged whenever we receive a letter of Rizal and read the name of Blumentritt.”

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Calamba, 11 January 1891

MESSRS. JOSE RIZAL AND MARCELO H. DEL PILAR

Madrid

SIRS,

We wish to inform you that the lawyer of the defendants in the case of the Calamba Estate is Mr. Felipe Buencamino.[2] Though we are aware of his former attacks against us, we have been assured by him that he is now on our side and he is thoroughly repentant of what he had done. He said he pitied himself after that incident for no one would even speak to him. We have also observed that he is working indefatigably, even far into the night, preparing the papers for the defense of the twelve defendants . . . [illegible]. One of those who took pity on us was the procurator Mr. Mariano Buenaventura. We noticed nothing undesirable in both of them. Mr. Doroteo Cortes is also helping us greatly, as well as those of Sta. Cruz and Pagsanjan.

The people here are not in the least afraid of this case. They are going to fight to the end.

In addition to all this, we are very much satisfied and encouraged whenever we receive a letter from you, especially when we read the name of Mr. Fernando Blumentritt . . . . . [illegible].

This is all. Please greet on our behalf Mr. Fernando Blumentritt and regards and thanks to all the Filipinos. We shall let you know about the outcome of this case.

LUIS HABANA

03-597 [Reformists]