Miscellaneous Letters of Jose Rizal from January to June of 1892

074. Mrs. Ada Pryer, Sandakan, British North Borneo, 13 January 1892

Mrs. Pryer hopes Rizal can go to Borneo – A Filipino colony as Rizal plans would be welcome.

075. A. Linharés Rivas, Madrid 17 January 1892

Attorney Linarés Rivas deplores the afflictions of the Rizal Family – Will work to mitigate them – Politics delay the remedy – He has conferred with the Minister of Colonies on the outrages of Kalamba.

076. Mallunko, Hong Kong, 1 February 1892

He issues a receipt to Rizal for payment of rent.

077. Rizal, Hong Kong, 6 February 1892 || To Sixto López

Rizal announces to Mr. López his clinic at Hong Kong – He asks him to write him a “scolding” letter to see if will pass the censor.

078. Rizal, Hong Kong, 22 February 1892 || to Sixto López

Rizal informs López about certain orders of his.

079. Edward Boustead, Biarritz, 21 March 1892

Felicitations on the salvation of his family – Aid of the Throne of Grace – May Rizal escape friar intrigues – And attain success as a physician – Fire in Manila – Biarritz is very lively – Remembering the excursion with Rizal to St. Jean de Lux – The mumps or orillons – Business from bad to worse – Fall of the peseta -- impending financial crisis.

080. Rizal, Hong Kong, 21 March 1822 || To Governor General Despujol

Rizal’s second letter to the governor general of the Philippines – Reiterates his offer of cooperation to bring about peace and tranquility – Informs him of his Borneo project – Requests permission to change nationality and emigrate for himself and his friends.

081. W. B. Pryer, Sandakan, 3 April 1892

Rizal’s project to lease land in British North Borneo entailed considerable correspondence, as this and the following letters show. Mr. Pryer is the manger of the Dunlop Corporation in Borneo.

082. W. B. Pryer, Sandakan, 4 April 1892

Mr. Pryer is willing to act as agent of Rizal on a commission basis.

083. W. B. Pryer, Sandakan, 5 April 1892

Another business note from Mr. Pryer.

084. W. B. Pryer, Sandakan, 5 April 1892

Mr. Pryer invites Rizal to tea to talk over business matters.

085. W. B. Pryer, Sandakan, 6 April 1892

The governor of British North Borneo will receive Rizal and Mr. Pryer

086. Lorenzo P. Marquez, 18 April 1892

Rizal’s friend, the Portuguese physician, Dr. Lorenzo P. Marquez, sends him a gift of three birds with a suggestion on how to cook them.

087. Mrs. Ada Pryer, Sandakan, 29 April 1892

Mrs. Pryer thanks Rizal for a gift of Japanese curtains. – Hopes he will come back.

088. W. B. Pryer, Sandakan, 29 April 1892

The Borneo governor refuses to give 5,000 acres of land free.

089. W. B. Pryer, Sandakan, 19 May 1892

Rizal’s draft “Bases” sent to the Directors in England – Pryer tells him North Borneo is the best place for Philippine Colonization.

090. Henry Walker, Sandakan, 20 May 1892

Encouraging information: very great local demand for rice – Available water for irrigation and to operate rice mills.

091. Hugh Hughes, Sandakan, 21 May 1892

He extols the Sugar Estate – He is acting as real estate agent. H. Hughes & Co.

092. W. H. Pryer, Sandakan, 23 May 1892

He would like Rizal to buy land of him – He does not recommend the Laluk Estate.

093. Rizal, Hong Kong, 21 June 1892 || 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.

–—

074. Mrs. Ada Pryer, Sandakan, British North Borneo, 13 January 1892

Mrs. Pryer hopes Rizal can go to Borneo – A Filipino colony as Rizal plans would be welcome.

Sandakan

B. N. Borneo

13^th January, 1892

Dear Don José Rizal

It is very unfortunate that the steamers have not been running quite as usual and that the correspondence between you and my husbandhas been delayed in consequence. Still we hope all will turn out well and we hope you may be able to come to Borneo by the next voyage of the Memnon and see for yourself.

Pryer has taken on some Manila men here to go and form the nucleus of a Philippine Colony on the Byte River at no distance to the North of the Place; it is very accessible, and during this N. E. monsoon Gabangs have been able to get there quite easily.

It will be a great advantage for B. N. Borneo if you are able to bring us a large Philippine contingent and we shall hail your advent with great pleasure.

Hoping you are well and with all best wishes for your undertaking.

I remain,

Yours sincerely,

Ada Pryer

P.S. My husband has so much writing to go through today that he is quite unable to find time to send you a big cover [letter ?].

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075. A. Linharés Rivas, Madrid 17 January 1892

Madrid, 17 January 1892

Mr. José Rizal

Hong Kong

My esteemed Sir,

I have received the various letters that you have kindly written me and, believe me they have profoundly impressed me.

I am very sorry for the great troubles you and your family are suffering and I believe I have to contribute greatly towards mitigating them as well as preventing other new ones from occurring.

You are keen enough to understand how such things occur without the knowledge of the governments and afterwards they cannot remedy them as soon and energetically as they would like. A thousand official considerations hinder them, and it is the same in Spain as in England, Holland, and other colonial powers.

But rest assured that there is someone who takes interest in you and your family and is preparing all that is in his power to rectify so many outrages.

For your information and satisfaction, I wish to say that I have seen the Minister of Colonies concerning the Kalamba affair and I have informed him about all its details and also acquainted him with the exposition drafted by me and is found in that ministry.

My impression is that the Minister comprehends the injustice of the procedure and he will seek means to repair so much damage done without hurting the authority and prestige of the governor general.

I, as your former lawyer, knowing the outrages that in no way I excuse, will continue giving you my support until satisfactory results are achieved which, though difficult, are not impossible.

I acknowledge the receipt of 56 pounds sterling.

Have patience and be assured that you are esteemed by your servant who kisses your hand.

A. Linarés Rivas

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076. Mallunko, Hong Kong, 1 February 1892

He issues a receipt to Rizal for payment of rent.

Hong Kong, 1^st February, 1892

Received from . . . . . Dr. J. Rizal . . . . the sum of Dollars . . . . . Thirty-five . . . . being amount of rent. . . due . . . . on the premises A-2 . . . Rednaxela Terrace from 1^st . . . to 31^st . . . January, 1892 . . . and . . . month’s taxes ending . . . . . . . . .

Rent $ . . . . . .

Taxes $ . . . . . .

Q. Mallunko.

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077. Rizal, Hong Kong, 6 February 1892 || To Sixto López

Rizal announces to Mr. López his clinic at Hong Kong – He asks him to write him a “scolding” letter to see if will pass the censor.

Hong Kong, 2 Rednaxela terrace

6 February 1892

My dear Friend:

Through the kindness of Don Pepe [01] I received 317 copies corresponding to No. 148 of the magazine that I recommended to you. Of course I delivered to Don Pepe 49 to which he is entitled. I am very sorry that you did not take as many copies for yourself. Do not send me any more, for with what you have sent me I have enough and even more

Write me by mail a “scolding” letter to see if it will reach me. It is not necessary that you sign it.

I am established here as physician and ophthalmologist and my office is on Duddell Street, No. 2 where Robinson [02] is. You can send letters to me there.

My family is well and sends you regards. On my behalf give also my regards to your brother and friends.

Yours truly,

Cabisa [03]

Has Doña Trinidad [04] received the fans?

_______________

[01] Meaning Mr. José Ma. Basa, Filipino exile residing there.

[02] Mr. López’ physician.

[03] Tagalog version of the Spanish word cabeza meaning “head.”

[04] Mrs. Trinidad Zobel. See López’ letter, 18 March 1892 here The fans were sent by Juan Luna. See Letter # 275 (especially the addendum) here.

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078. Rizal, Hong Kong, 22 February 1892 || to Sixto López

Rizal informs López about certain orders of his.

22 Rednaxela Terrace,

Hong Kong

22 February 1892

My dear Friend Sixto:

I have not been able to find the brand of whiskey John Pomer and Sons and for that reason I have not dared to buy any. A bolt of drill (jipijapa) [a plant (Carludovica palmata) of a family (Cyclanthaceae, order Cyclanthales) whose leaves yield a flexible, durable straw used for hats, etc. - rly], 40 yards, costs 20. I believe that it would be better because this jipigapa is not very common there among the students. A bolt of linen drill with diagonal stripes costs 23; I do not want to buy you the ordinary kind.

As I have not yet seen the majordomo [01], I do not know if I should buy the canaries; I am afraid they might die during the voyage. I will decide when I see the majordomo. With regard to the biscuit you are ordering, I will also send it through this same majordomo, for it is difficult for me to take it along with me.

Order whatever you like.

Affectionately yours,

Rizal

_______________

[01] The majordomo of the ship making trips between Manila and Hong Kong.l Apparently Rizal’s friends took advantage of his excessive kindness.

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079. Edward Boustead, Biarritz, 21 March 1892

Biarritz, 21 March 1892

Mr. José Rizal, M.D.

2 Rednaxela Terrace

Hong Kong

Dear Friend Rizal,

How glad we were to receive news about you and your estimable family! You have reason to praise and give thanks to God for having saved your father and other members of your family from their enemies. We have thought a great deal of you and since we heard of the happenings in Kalamba, we have not ceased to commend you to the Throne of Grace asking its aid for you and for those who navigate the seas. Now we can join our praise to the Omnipotent God to yours, thanking Him for your salvation. But my friend, I think the friars are very treacherous and can even do you harm in Hong Kong, for it is known that they have many partisans and other orders (many of them) in Hong Kong and its environs. For this reason, you have to take precautions, my friend. It has been really providential that you left Europe just in time to be of use to your parents and relatives and I am glad that your medical profession serves now to defray their expenses and attend to their needs. I wish you all health and prosperity. I understand that your parents and relatives cannot be very much satisfied with living in Hong Kong as they do not know how to speak the language of the country, but perhaps in time they will have useful occupations which will entertain them. We learned by telegraph on the 14^th instant that there was a great fire in Manila and that the best Chinese stores have been burn down and many commercial firms suffered loses. But perhaps for business this may be a boon, the stock in hand will thus be cleared. I say no more because you must be well informed of what has happened.

Friend Ventura left on the 6^th and before this reaches you, you have embraced him already. I hope he will be careful so that they will not lay their hands on him at his arrival in Manila.

This winter has been very likely in Biarritz. All the hotels and private houses are full. More than four hundred English families are here. The weather is magnificent. It is almost a year ago that we went to St. Jean de Lux and we climbed Mount Ruhne together. What a distance separates us now!

For a time I had some bad moments this winter, for everyone in the house was sick of orillons in French, mumps in English, which is papera in Spanish. It started with Adelina, later Nellie, then Dolores, the boy, Isabel, and Miss Johnson; the last one had it serious with complications. Fortunately we had a Mr. Juan on a visit, a young physician, now established in Madrid. Some of the servants got it also. I was the only one who did not get it. Now all are well and will know how to appreciate better the blessings of good health. Dolores keeps busy arranging the house; she has made various improvements; but I o not know if we can profit much from them, for we occupy it only when it is cold and I am afraid that this would be of very short duration.

Many are complaining about business, the exchange in Spain is going from bad to worse. Today they say that the peseta has lot from 20 to 21 per cent, so that the commerce between France and Spain is paralyzed. I fear that the ruin may be general in all countries and that we are not far from great events, monetary crisis, anarchy, war, and the like. One has to console himself. When we see everything going badly, we know that God will save His own from the great universal cataclysm, separating them from all this.

Your sincere friend and servant who kisses your hand.

E. Boustead

All join in sending you many regards and give our sympathy to your parents and relatives.

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080. Rizal, Hong Kong, 21 March 1822 || To Governor General Despujol

Hong Kong, 21 March 1892

2 Rednaxela Terrace

To the Governor and Captain General of the Philippine Islands

Most Excellent Sir

Towards the end of last year I had the honor to write Your Excellency offering you my humble services. Several persons have assured me that Your Excellency, faithful to your courteous habits, has deigned to answer me, but as until this moment I have not received your letter, I have to admit that it must have been lost.

The object of the present letter is to insist on my offer. Since Your Excellency has taken over the reins of government you have known how to win by yourself the sympathy of the people and to buttress the vacillating confidence of the country in the government, so that it can be said that if God gives you three more years of life, for three years the Filipinos will have peace and tranquility. The people besides are very easy to govern; with a little love they quickly forget past grievances and Your Excellency will surely know how to strengthen love for Spain in such a way that, when afterwards bad years come, there shall be no need for squadrons, or armored soldiers, or increasing the contingent of Spanish troops. It will be enough for the people to remember Your Excellency and of your story according to which Filipino rulers would be like canned sardines -- alternatively placed in opposite position.

As the thought of my whole life has always been love of my country and her moral and material development, and as it seems to me now that this development is very well begun under your administration, I consider it my duty not only to respect your administration but also to get, should it be necessary, the adherence to Spain of all the Filipinos. Nevertheless, as there are prepossessions and prejudices in every society, as in every man there are diverse tendencies, distinct ways of thinking, originating in passions, errors, and at times hatred -prepossessions and tendencies that we cannot always resist - I permit myself to make to Your Excellency a proposition.

In my previous letter I declared to you that opinion in the Philippines placed me at the head of the progressive movement -- to some "progressive" has a bad connotation, to others it has a good meaning, depending on whether they are enemies or not of progress. I am not going to discuss here either the value or correctness of this opinion, for I almost always avoid defending or praising myself. It is that some consider me a disturber and up to a certain point they are right, for I have perturbed many in their peaceful exploitation of their fellowmen and the laws. Your Excellency perchance shares this opinion, because it is not always easy to remove oneself from the influence of one's environment. I will not be the one to modify your beliefs, only indeed I wish for the good of my country to insure, in so far as it depends upon me, that you may be able to administer it in complete peace. Towards this end I have the intention of founding a colony in North Borneo on the land which that State offers me and where there are already found many Filipinos. If those who can make my country happy believe that my presence and that of my friends and relatives are prejudicial to the peace of the Philippines, so much so that they are obliged to resort to violent means, always and oftentimes unjust, such as deportation and exile, we have no inconvenience in exiling ourselves forever accepting the offer of the English Government. In this case, I request Your Excellency to grant us the necessary permission to change our nationality, to sell our little property that has been left to us by the many disturbances that we have had, and to guarantee the emigration of all those who for some reason or other have incurred the unfavorable criticism of more or less powerful persons who will remain in the Philippines even after Your Excellency's administration. No one will stain his conscience with unjust banishments, no one will be obliged to apply harsh punishment, the people will have fewer occasions to murmur, and the government can say to the discontented. "The doors of the country are always open."

The just and honorable administration of Your Excellency cannot deny the justice of our petition without bringing discredit upon itself. As no government should prevent its subjects from seeking elsewhere what they cannot find in their own country, much less would the Spanish Government, which permits the emigration of useful and active workers who abandon a free country and the lands that had belonged to their forefathers for thirty centuries to seek others in the meadows of agitated South America! China and Japan, though they have been most despotic countries, now concede on this point ample liberty to their inhabitants. We only ask to live and not disturb the tranquility of the government.

If Your Excellency concedes us this permission, as I have no doubt you would, for justice and honesty which seem to motivate all your acts cannot counsel you otherwise,

I am going to the Philippines to pay respects to Your Excellency and to thank you and to sell our few properties, and take along with me persecuted friends and relatives.

In the hope that your courtesy will not deny me a reply, I pray God to preserve your life for the honor of Spain and the welfare of the Philippines.

I am, very respectfully your attentive and faithful servant, who kisses your hand,

José Rizal

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081. W. B. Pryer, Sandakan, 3 April 1892

Rizal’s project to lease land in British North Borneo entailed considerable correspondence, as this and the following letters show. Mr. Pryer is the manger of the Dunlop Corporation in Borneo.

Sandakan, 3 April 1892

Don José Rizal

As representative of

The Tagal Syndicate

Sir:

With reference to our various conversations as to the purchase of land by you, the following is the arrangement which I understand at which we have arrived.

You are to have the option for eight months of purchasing 1000 acres of the Corporation lands situated on the Byte, Gum Gum Kabeli or Dewhurst Bay.

During the next ensuing three years you are to have the option of buying a further 5000 acres of land at the same places.

The conditions on which this land is purchased are:

1. The price is to be $6 an acre payable 1/3 when the arrangement for purchase is completed 1/3 within six months from that date and the remaining 1/3 within 12 months.

The leases are to be for 950 years.

The selection of the particular lots of land is to be subject to the approval of the Manager of the B. N. B. Dunlop Corporation Limited and also to there being no previous claim of any kind to any part of the land or arrangement to lease it to anyone else.

All the land is subject to the Land and other laws and regulations in force in British North Borneo.

Should there be any improvements on the land so purchased by you, you must repay to the Dunlop Corporation the cost of such improvements without any profit being added thereto.

During the next three years (from this date) you are to have the option - with a proviso as noted below. -of purchase of a further area of land up to 10,000 acres in extent on the Benjuya and Maroap Rivers, and if the railway concession falls through on the Moaund as well at $4 an acre the terms and stipulations the same as in the case of the Byte lands already mentioned above. -- provided however that a 4 month notice is given that this option is proposed to be exercised during which 4 months the Dunlop Corporation is to have the power of confirming or disallowing this option.

You are further to have the right during the next 3 years of settling on the Dunlop Corporation land up to 20 families to begin with, on the following conditions.

The Dunlop Corporation will fill and rough clear the land, build houses and rough plant gardens, and also, if so required, provide food not exceeding in value a total of $27 a family, the amount spent for house & food to be a loan, the total not to exceed $57, repayable within 3 years with out the addition of any interest for that period. The lease is to be for 21 years, the rent to be one third of a picul [a unit of weight equal to 100 catties, about 133 pounds (60 kilograms), used in various countries of Southeast Asia -- RLY] of Manila hemp (worth $9 per picul) per acre per annum or other produce of an equivalent value in lieu thereof.

The settlers can commence on as small an acreage as they like, taking up more land afterwards at any time within the said period of 21 years, the total amount so taken up not to exceed 20 acres per family. Should any of these settlers wish to buy the land so leased to them at any time within the period of 21 years they are to be able to do so paying $10 an acre for clearing and filling plus the price of the nearest block of land bought by you under this agreement. Should the settlers themselves have filled and cleared the land or any portion of it they are not to pay the $10 an acre for improvements for such portion.

Any alterations in this agreement as proposed to be made hereafter to be a matter of arrangement between the various parties interested.

I am, Sir

Yours faithfully,

W. B. Pryer

Manager, B. N. Dunlop Corporation

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082. W. B. Pryer, Sandakan, 4 April 1892

Mr. Pryer is willing to act as agent of Rizal on a commission basis.

Sandakan

4 April 1892

Dear Don José,

I shall be very happy to accept your agency here on the terms arranged between us yesterday which I now confirm: namely, should I purchase any land for you my charge will be 2 per cent if the amount of purchase money is not more than $20,000; if more than $20,000 then 1-1 /2 per cent. On all other business I do for you my charges for commission will be at the ordinary Sandakan rates less 15per cent discount, on which terms I shall be very happy to fell and clear forest land and make gardens and houses thereon in readiness for any settlers or farmers you may send down here.

Yours very truly,

W. B. Pryer

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083. W. B. Pryer, Sandakan, 5 April 1892

Another business note from Mr. Pryer.

Sandkan

5 April 1892

Dear Don José,

Herewith the two letters we arranged on Sunday, I have the reply from Mr. Cook in hand and will talk it over with you when you come up.

Yours very truly,

W. B. Pryer

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084. W. B. Pryer, Sandakan, 5 April 1892

Mr. Pryer invites Rizal to tea to talk over business matters.

Sandakan

5 April 1892

My Dear Don José,

We wanted tiffin [= British tea time in the sense of a light lunch served with tea – rly] for you for some time. I have two or three documents for you, will you come up to tea at 4 p.m. and talk them over?

Yours very truly,

W. B. Pryer

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085. W. B. Pryer, Sandakan, 6 April 1892

The governor of British North Borneo will receive Rizal and Mr. Pryer

Sandakan

6 April 1892

Dear Don José,

The governor will see us at 9 a.m. so I will call you at, say, quarter of nine o’clock.

Yours very truly,

W. B. Pryer

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086. Lorenzo P. Marquez, 18 April 1892

Rizal’s friend, the Portuguese physician, Dr. Lorenzo P. Marquez, sends him a gift of three birds with a suggestion on how to cook them.

18 April 1892

Mr. José Rizal

My dear Friend,

I take the liberty of presenting you with three birds that I caught this afternoon. Cooked with a tiny piece of ginger and a little pepper they will make a god cup of soup.

Garlic can be added for relish.

Believe me.

Your devoted colleague and friend,

L. P. Marques

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087. Mrs. Ada Pryer, Sandakan, 29 April 1892

Mrs. Pryer thanks Rizal for a gift of Japanese curtains. – Hopes he will come back.

Sandakan

28^th April 1892

Dear Don José,

It was very kind of you to have sent me these nice Japanese curtains. I admire them very much and they look very pretty: I have hung them up at the front doors of the house and they make a great effect there. My best thanks for them.

We hope that your friends are satisfied with your reports on Borneo and that before long we may see you back again and many of them with you. [01]

The weather during the last 3 or 4 days seems to be improving so now we venture to hope for some good sunny days to dry the fallen forest and then my husband will burn on the Byte.

With our united kind regards I remain.

Yours sincerely,

Ada Pryer

_______________

[01] Rizal’s Borneo project failed because of the refusal of the Philippine government to grant the necessary permission.

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088. W. B. Pryer, Sandakan, 29 April 1892

The Borneo governor refuses to give 5,000 acres of land free.

Sandakan

29 April 1892

Dear Don José,

The governor refuses to confirm Cook’s action in offering you the 5,000 acres of land free – so you will not be able to have it.

Yours in haste,

W. B. Pryer

P.S. He intimates also that the government price of land is $3 an acre and tht he has no favor to sell at any other price.

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089. W. B. Pryer, Sandakan, 19 May 1892

Rizal’s draft “Bases” sent to the Directors in England – Pryer tells him North Borneo is the best place for Philippine Colonization.

Sandakan, 19 May 1892

Dear Don José,

Yours of 11 May is duly to hand. I saw Mr. Hughes last night, he is going to send on to me the letter you wrote him. I have not seen the governor since I received your letter, but I believe he has sent to England for consideration by the Directors your Bases.

Your Colony being represented at the Council, meetings are not often held; they are rarely held above once a month.

As for quite free land unclaimed by any government, there is never in the world that I know of, do you? It was only the threat of sending the British fleet to Manila that made the Spanish drop their claim to North Borneo, while the Dutch claims have only just been settled after a 14 year dispute during which both English and Dutch showed each other their men of war frequently. If you tried to make a settlement on Celebes or New Guinea, where are the men of war to back up your claim? No, North Borneo is the only place you can come to and you can make better terms with us than you can with any body else.

I am going on with my plantations and settlements and am planting Manila Hemp, sugar cane and Liberian coffee as fast as I can. I have made an agreement with two Manila men on the lines you suggested to me and will see how it works out. I am told that all the men I have are "deportados" [That is, persons who have been exiled to the area for some cause. - rly] and two or three of them are "tulisanes" [= bandits - rly], not very promising material to deal with, and I should much prefer having two or three families of good people to settle on farms if you can get them for me, I will pay their passage moneys and start them in good houses with gardens and plant up Manila Hemp and other things for them.

Let me know as soon as you can which lands you prefer and I will try and get them for you on the best terms obtainable, and as everything is very bad here now, land is to be had very cheap. -

Yours very truly,

W. B. Pryer

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090. Henry Walker, Sandakan, 20 May 1892

Encouraging information: very great local demand for rice – Available water for irrigation and to operate rice mills.

Sandakan,

20 May 1892

To Rizal

Hong Kong

Dear Sir,

Body The Returns for the year 1891 have just been made up and I send you the figures of value of food imported into British North Borneo.

I am particularly anxious to see a Rice growing population and you will see by the Returns that there is a very great demand, local demand in North Borneo.

The quality of the paddy would be improved by irrigation and our rivers would supply water power for the Rice Mills –

I hope to hear again from you.

Yours truly,

Henry Walker

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091. Hugh Hughes, Sandakan, 21 May 1892

He extols the Sugar Estate – He is acting as real estate agent. H. Hughes & Co.

Architects, Contractors, Valuers, Timber Merchants, Accounts, etc.

Late contractors to Her Majesty’s Army & Navy,

Also the C. N. Ry Co., the N. E. Ry Co., etc.

Sandakan, British North Borneo,

May 21^st, 1892

J. Rizal Esq.

2. Radnaxela Terrace – Hong Kong

Dear Sir,

I have your letter of the 11th inst. Sufficient time has not yet expired for me to have received definite instructions from the owners of the "Sugut" Estates, but by the next Memnon [01] I shall hope to be able to make you a firm offer. -Having had great experience in such matters, both at home and abroad, I have considerable knowledge of the value of land and of this I feel sure that you will not find a better Estate in Borneo than the "Sugut", while the large area which has already been cleared assures the health of those who may have to reside on it. - Should you require a good Steam Launch I have on offer now several which from personal knowledge I could recommend.

I have the honor to be dear Sir

Your obedient Servant

Hugh Hughes

_______________

[01] the name of the steamer plying between Hong Kong and Borneo.

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092. W. H. Pryer, Sandakan, 23 May 1892

He would like Rizal to buy land of him – He does not recommend the Laluk Estate.

Sandakan 23 May 1892

Dear Don José.

Mr. Hughes has shown me your letter to him, he is waiting the receipt of a letter from home with particulars.

The Laluk estate (officers in Hong Kong) has been offered for sale here at $12,000 everything included, steam launch, houses, etc. and there is some Manila Hemp growing, There is another estate of 25,000 acres alongside it, I will inquire the price of it by next Memnon and let you know. I do not recommend the Laluk. Every winter and sometimes in the summer there are heavy floods and all the flat land gone under water. - I would rather you would buy 1000 acres of us with 20,000 acres option behind in addition to which I am writing to the Railway Syndicate in England as to what price they will sell or give the refusal of an additional 80,000 acres adjoining for. As this is situated in the peninsula between Sandakan Bay and Laluk Bay there is not space enough for enough rainfall to cause floods. I have felled some forest on a small river with small hills on its banks and flat land close by, it is nearer Sandakan than the Manila river you visited about two miles this side of it. I have also a good harbour with lots of land behind it, good forest, right dam to the sea waters edge to a nice Sandy Beach, further on.

The Bases have been submitted to England and there cannot be a reply under two months at the soonest. –

I hope to hear about the Segalind land shortly, Mr. Roberts here, is asking too much for it.

Yours very truly,

W. B. Pryer

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093. Rizal, Hong Kong, 21 June 1892 || 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.

Most Excellent Eulogio Despujol,

Governor General of the Philippines

Manila

Most Excellent Sir:

The object of the present letter is to inform Your 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 its 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,

José Rizal