Hong Kong
From: Jose Rizal
To: Governor General Eulogio Despujol
Rizal informs the governor general of his return to the Philippines – Expresses confidence in the justness of the government – at Manila he will await the pleasure of the Governor General.
* * *
Hong Kong, 21 June 1892
MOST EXCELLENT EULOGIO DESPUJOL
Governor General of the Philippines
Manila
MOST EXCELLENT SIR:
The object of the present letter is to inform You Excellency that on this mail boat I am going to my country, first, to place myself at your disposal, and afterwards, to settle some private affairs of mine. Friends and strangers have tried to dissuade me from taking this step, reminding me of the hidden dangers to which I am exposing myself; but I have full confidence in Your Excellency’s justness which protects all Spanish subjects in the Philippines, in my just cause, and in the tranquility of my conscience, and God and the laws will know how to protect me from all intrigues.
For a long time now my aged parents, my relatives, friends and even persons unknown to me have been cruelly persecuted on my account, they say. I present myself to gather upon me so much persecution, to answer the charges that they want to bring against me, to end this question, bitter to the innocent and unfortunate for the government of Your Excellency, which is interested in being known for justness.
In view of Your Excellency’s silence over my letters – silence that I can only attribute to the great distance that exists between your most lofty position and my humble person – for your courtesy is well known, I do not know if Your Excellency would consider it proper for me to present myself to Your Excellency without being summoned. Consequently, then, I shall wait in one of the hotels in Manila, perhaps at the Oriente, in case Your Excellency wishes to command me or to inform me of your orders, and after three days, if Your Excellency shall not prevent it, I will use my liberty to arrange our few interests, convinced that I have complied with my duty towards the Government and my countrymen.
Sincerely wishing that God preserve Your Excellency many years, I am, Sir, very respectfully, your attentive and faithful servant,
JOSE RIZAL
04-751 [Misc.]