Madrid
Conspiracy against Rizal – Del Pilar, the tool – The Propaganda is against Rizal’s return – Project of establishing a school in Hong Kong with Rizal as director – To teach languages, science, and arts – Kunanan will be the manager and will leave for Hong Kong to choose a site and an adequate building.
* * *
Madrid, 21 January 1891
[Mr. Jose Ma. Basa]
MY DEAR FRIEND BASA,
Happy New Year and better luck!
Through the enclosed you will learn about the plot against me, using as a tool our friend del Pilar who allowed himself to be used unknowingly. I won however, but the incident disgusted me very much.
As the Propaganda did not want to go home, we have conceived here the idea of establishing a school or college in Hong Kong, directed by me, to teach languages, science, and arts, in the style of the Jesuit colleges. What do you think of the idea? On 8th February my friend Kunana[1] will leave for Hong Kong and study on the spot the project with respect to the selection of a site, building, and the like. He will be the manager and will invest part of his capital in it.
I am leaving Madrid soon.
This is all for now. I beg you to do me the favor of forwarding the enclosed to the Propaganda.
Yours affectionately,
RIZAL
03-599 [Reformists]
[1] Mariano Kunanan (Cunanan), wealthy Pampango capitalist, promised P40, 000 to start the school. Rizal drafted the regulations of the proposed school.