December 1891

Calamba

Pi y Margall against Hidalgo’s deportation — Asking about letters he previously sent Rizal – Asking for books on French, English, and German grammar — Appeal to the Queen — “If we are not heard we will ask Queen Victoria of England for protection in the name of humanity.” — Weyler does not revoke the order of deportation by his predecessor — Sending money for expenses of the case in the Supreme Court — Fabie, the pro-friar, fell and Romero Robledo rose up — Others banished to Jolo — Home news.

* * *.

Manila, December 1891

MR. JOSÉ RIZAL

DEAR BROTHER-IN-LAW,

I received your last letter in March of this year in which were enclosed some clippings from Madrid newspapers concerning this country. Through them I learned that the one negotiating the lifting up of my deportation is Mr. Francisco Pi y Margall.

I have recommended to several friends the purchase of the work of Mr. Margall, Las luchas de nuestros dias,[1] extolling it in the manner you tell me in your letter; but when we ordered for some copies, we received the reply that there was none.

It is desirable that when you write you mention the dates of my letters that you have received until then, so that I may be assured that they are received, for often the letters we send there are lost or are intercepted. I have sent some letters to Friend del Pilar and he has not received them. Last year I sent you three letters, one dated 7 September, another 2 November, and the other last 25 December; in the present year, with this letter, three, the first on 1 February, and the second on 1 April.

Tell me if you have bought the books that I ordered and if you have sent them to me. Until now I haven’t received any of my orders. Don’t buy me books on homoeopathy or homoeopathic medicine. I will buy them here.

Who are the best authors of grammars or of books which can more easily and perfectly teach French, English, and German? I would like you to indicate them, for I am very anxious to learn these languages to be able to read the good books written in them.

I enclose the report on what has lately occurred in Calamba. Through it you will learn about the critical situation in that town. I’m preparing a letter for the Queen Regent which Nanay2[2]will sign. I’ll expound in it all that Weyler has done to us and I’ll ask for justice. I’ll not only talk about the family but also about all of those from Calamba included in the last batch of deportees. If we are not heeded, we are going to write to Queen Victoria of England asking her for protection in the name of humankind. Attorney José María Gutierrez, Peninsular Spaniard,3[3]who is defending zealously the case of the tenants in their litigation against the Hacienda and negotiating the lifting up of the deportation of 25 persons from Calamba among whom are found Tatay, Neneng, Sisa, Lucía, Coya Ticio, Capitán Culás and Paciano and companions, has not succeeded to obtain from the new Governor General the revocation of the decree issued by his predecessor.

Months ago I wrote Mr. Francisco Pi y Margall and Mr. Pedro Govantes and until now I have not received their reply; I’ll write them again.

With this goes a draft for 56-12/100 pounds sterling sent by the citizens of Calamba for the expenses of their case which goes on appeal to the Supreme Court, perhaps about the middle of this month. The lawyer who will defend them there is Mr. Gumersindo de Azcárate. The defendants are 31, defended here by the same lawyer, Mr. Gutierrez.

Today Fabie, the pro-friar minister, has fallen and Romero Robledo rose up. Somewhat liberal, perhaps he may work for us now.

Capitán Culás, Coya Ticio, Cayetano de Jesús and Felipe Habacon Cañope, son of Cabesang Juliana of the shore district were put on board en route to Joló Saturday last.

They are looking for us with diligence, perhaps in order to send us to Joló. We are not afraid, we avoid being seen… tenetur, it says, tradere se ipsum,4[4]but if they catch us, we shall go unafraid, without anxiety, I’m determined, come what may, would Heaven crush me, I have done nothing wrong, and I do everything for the public welfare. Neneng, the same. Enclosed herewith is a letter of Capitán Matías.

Instead of the memorial that I told you about, I enclose copies of the decrees concerning the deportation of 25 citizens of Calamba and of the 5 who have been in Calapán. I’ll send you the memorial at the first opportunity; I could not finish it today.

Regards and command your brother-in-law who esteems you sincerely. Neneng sends you her love. My three boys are here with me.

MANUEL TIMOTEO DE HIDALGO

P.S.

Tell me who in Madrid has the document I sent you in January… for Mr. Pedro Govantes does not have it; he has returned and he left it to one Mr. Villalba Hervás. Please write there to find out who holds that document.

01-673 [Family]