10 March 1891

Calamba

At last the eviction — Unfortunate fellow townsmen of Rizal thrown out to the street — Deprived of their lands, homes, farm animals, and crops of sugar, rice, and all the other fruits of their labor — More than 300 families, almost the whole town, punished — Even boys and girls of 12 must buy cedulas at 4 reales — A shepherd hit by a civil guard on the mouth with the butt of the gun loses two teeth — Calamba is dying: Picture of hunger and death — The persecuted clamor for justice before the Supreme Court.

* * *.

Calamba, 10 March 1891

MR. JOSÉ RIZAL

MY DEAR BROTHER:

I’m writing this to inform you clearly of the happenings during the last two months, January and February, inasmuch as you have not received any news concerning our fellow townsmen who have been despoiled of all their lands, homes, animals, and crops of sugar, rice, and other fruits of their labor. Those who are suffering this outrage number more than 300 families without counting the small families that live in faraway fields, farm workers of the evicted tenants. Some live under the shade of trees and those who are on the seashore, on the beach, and those inside the towns, some are on the street, through the fault of those who have authorized the lay-friar administrators to prohibit the giving of lodgings to evicted fellow townsmen. We suffer this very sad and painful situation and we keep quiet because the authorities do this to us by force. What are we going to do? We are now in a town very much persecuted by all the authorities, among them the civil guards who are everywhere, bothering everyone. Boys and girls of 12 are compelled to buy cedulas in the town hall that cost 4 reales. They stop all calesas,[1] carts, and horses whether or not they have the corresponding papers in order to set something for their own pocket.

The act of eviction was very painful. The authorities, the justice of the peace, the lieutenant with two or three pairs of civil guards, and the judge of first instance – were all there to take over everything that the evicted owns, and if they don’t find him or his work animals there, then they maltreat his manager, the shepherds, or the barrio lieutenant. And in proof of this, there was one of them who lost two teeth as a result of the blow he received on the mouth from the butt of a gun. There were others who at times fell unconscious because of such dreadful punishments.

In view of these ferocious abuses, the unfortunate ones are almost without means to earn their daily bread. Believe me, if this outrage continues, Calamba is going to die. The well-to-do can move to other towns, but those who can’t, naturally, will have to suffer poverty, hunger, and all kinds of calamities, or death, etc. There are numerous things that I’ll not write down here in order not to mortify you too much.

The only thing that the people expect from you there, as they have power of attorney there, is for you to file in the Supreme Court a complaint against this iniquitous outrage.

The farm animals of the evicted are deposited with Quintero and Córdoba.

We lead here a fair life in the midst of….

Your affectionate sister,

NARCISA RIZAL

02-606 [Blumentritt V.2]