Manila
P130 from S. Lopez to settle accounts in Hong Kong; the balance to pay for copies of Filibusterismo – All refuse to accept the 25% commission offered by Rizal – Rizal’s circular will be taken to Balayan – Mrs. Trinidad Zobel advises Rizal not to return to the Philippines for he would be killed – Many Batangueños are awaiting Rizal’s report on Borneo.
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Manila, 18 March 1892
MR. J. RIZAL
Hong Kong
MY DEAR FRIEND,
You will receive the enclosed draft for the value of 130 pesos in the name of Basa with the request that you please settle my account with Mr. Robinson and the balance is in payment for the copies of Fili in my possession. No one of the many who helped me in selling it would accept the 25% commission you offer, so that if you will give it to me, I would be embarrassed and would get some money without having taken any trouble at all to earn it. In the next trip I will send you the list of persons who helped me for your sake.
I have your circular and I will take it to the province tomorrow afternoon. I hope to be able to dispose of it in one day or else I will go there to visit you in the second trip instead of spending the Holy Week here.
I have taken the fan to Doña Trinidad. When she saw me downstairs, she shouted, asking me what it was, for whom it was, and from [who] it was. I answered all her questions and afterwards she asked why you are there. I replied that you are coming here. She demonstrated upon hearing this and she told me to change you not to come because they will kill you here.
My sisters Clemencia and Juliana wish to be remembered to Trining, if she has not forgotten them yet. Solis is also sending you regards and says he is going to write you when he gets back to Lipa. Regards to your family and command your friend who kisses your hand.
S. LOPEZ
P. S.
Send me 12 copies of Fili through the majordomo, and a dozen and a half through Ciriaco and the boatswain, because I need them.
By me also dril, any kind that you think is good. Someone has asked me to order it.
I consider it advisable for you to go to Borneo inasmuch as you wish to see it. Here in Batangas many are waiting for your report on it.
The draft for P35 is for Basa, value of the chest of drawers. I will write him when another boat sails.
Tell Robinson that I am always sick, so that I have not been able to write him. This is true. I am often sick when I am in Balayan and so I have done nothing or little for the country as I have promised you.
02-713 [Blumentritt V.2]