Manila
91 Malinta, Binondo,. . May 1886
MR. JOSE RIZAL Y MERCADO
MY DISTINGUISHED FRIEND AND NAMESAKE AND DEAR DR. CO-BABYLONIAN,
I had been confined in bed on account of piles for a month when I received from the hands of our dear friend and very loyal fellow countryman Mr. . . . [damaged portion] your letter dated in Germany in which you ask me to introduce the said gentleman to our old girl friends and to my acquaintances.
As you will understand, on account of my weak condition that did not permit me to go out, to my regret, it had not been possible for me to please our countryman and you too; but I hope for a better occasion. Had I not been in that condition I would have introduced your great friend to I. inclusive, because it is enough to be recommended by you to dispel my fear of consequences of any kind.
The beautiful but frail Question of the Orient remains in Dagupan, living beside her parents who dote on her. Our friend Sixto Lopez visited me about a month ago and he related to me that he had been in that town, lunching and dining at the house of those people during the few days he stayed there for the purpose of storing up rice. This young man is more enthusiastic than before about the Question whom he finds every day more precious and economical, for, according to him, now she no longer dresses so extravagantly as when we were boarders at their house. . . [Portion of the letter damaged]
Our Valenzuela girl friends remain in good health and so charming and so unaffected besides. Titay remains a widow with three children, if I am not mistaken. Candeng is merry and amused because she has not even half a child. Orang is surrounded by sighing Moros.
M. continues with her relations with Miciano.
The three cousins of Mabolo remain single. Mentang is pursued by Attorney P.; Tentay by the “Quevedo Pagsangeño”; and Oñang by S. de C., brother of Fr. Luis, native of Balayan, brother of Sebastiana.
The beautiful Feliza, granddaughter of the landlord, married some months ago Sixto Carlos of Biñang, widower and with children besides.
The elegant M. I believe has no fiancé. I am told that Vicente Jocson is in Manila studying law and already cured of his ailment, but he has not yet visited until now his former fiancée.
Well… [damaged] Gella is now a lawyer since the 12…
I am going to conclude this letter by bothering you. I have 14 years, more or less, of service to the State as clerk at the Indencia General de Hacienda Publica [General Administration of Public Finance] and nearly 3 years as aspirant, first class to [the] Official of the Central Administration of Revenues and Properties, under the aforesaid office. I have a salary of 800 pesos a year but I do not expect, nor do I want, any promotion, because the posts in the public administration of these Islands are not a career. However, there is an office which is the Territorial Exchequer whose employees have a permanent character and fixed promotion. I would appreciate it very greatly if you could speak at your convenience to our eminent painter Luna so that I may be transferred to the said Exchequer with an appointment as fourth class Assistant, Official, fifth class, with 300 pesos salary and 700 pesos additional pay yearly (total ₱1,000). I suppose that our celebrated countryman ought to enjoy the support of someone if not of all the ministers and therefore if he desires to please you, he could obtain my wish. Right now I remember that you, as well as Mr. Luna, must be on friendly terms with Mr. Moret, present minister of colonies overseas. I ought to warn you that in the Exchequer there is a section called Arrears which will be suppressed if they continue diminishing, it is heard. Therefore, I beg you to take care that I am not given any position in that section which is only a patch on the Exchequer, for it was created lately, and I believe that the arrears have already disappeared so that perforce they have suppress it.
It is a very great favor for which your Namesake will be eternally grateful to you. Wishing you every kind of prosperity,
JOSE M. CECILIO
P.S
This is written by my brother and not read by me afterwards.
01-153 [Family]