A Storm of Persecution [Fermenting the Revolutionary Mind]
The effects of the Noli: Trials and Persecution of Rizal’s Family
- From the Philippines came news that Noli Me Tangere was reaching farther and farther every month. The
boo as setting the Filipinos on fire.
- The friars retaliated by persecuting Rizal’s relatives and town.
- The Spanish friar would not allow Mariano Herbosa to be buried in the cemetery, and he had to be buried
on a little hill outside the town.
- Lucia was hailed before the court and ordered to abandon the house she had been building since her
husband’s death
- The governor General in company with the rector of the University and two Dominicans intimidated the
tenants into paying their rents.
- Rizal’s brother-in-law who has been released from exile for good behavior has been ordered deported anew
– allegedly he incited the people to refuse to pay that cause the unrest in Calamba.
The next bad news came from druggist Elejorde of Calamba.
- The Spaniards chased the brothers-in-law of Rizal off their land and they have to do the same with your
supporters.
In August 1890, Rizal reached Madrid, his heart heavier than it had been ever been in sorrowful life – letters came on
every boat piling tragedy upon tragedy.
- From Silvestre Ubaldo, he had received a copy of the order of ejectment made by the hacienda of Calamba
against Francisco Rizal and others.
The Turkey Controversy
- A brother asks for a turkey and Francisco had to say that he had none to spare for nearly all of them died,
the brother was furious at this answer and ended saying “you will pay for this”.
- few days later the parents of Rizal received a paper written by the manager saying that he rental of the land
was increased to one-third. Francisco paid the rental without a word of protest.
- But, a few months he received another notice that since, Francisco realized so much income from the land
and that he had machines for making sugar the rental would be twice what it had been.
- Francisco appealed to the courts, and finally lost houses, land, and machinery – all for a turkey!
Writ of Eviction - From Saturnina came the terrible news, the parents of Rizal were ordered to get out of our home. They
were told that this action was required by the order of dispossession and ejectment against them.
- The family of Rizal took the road of banishment to Mindoro.
The Continuing Trials and Persecutions
- There is much wickedness, much mischief, in the ranks of our enemies. Rizal realized that they must not
regard them as lions, but as reptiles. So, we must arm ourselves and put on our gloves before we touch
them, there were so many reptiles.
From Europe to Hong Kong
- Rizal was convinced that he could accomplished nothing further in Europe. He sailed for Hong Kong on S.S.
Melbourne on October 18, 1891. with him he carried eight hundred copies of El Filibusterismo, hoping that
he might be able to introduce them into Philippines little by little, through ship captains, Chinese or other
travelers.
Appeal to the Queen
- Rizal send copies of the official letters and deportation and decrees ordering the deportation of twenty five
persons from Calamba.
- Rizal in his letter, relayed the injustices suffered by his family at the hands of the Spaniards.
The Borneo Plan
- Rizal was making a fine progress with a new plan.
- To take his families and relatives and three hundred families who had dispossessed in Calamba to Borneo
and there to establish a new Filipino colony under the free British flag.
- Rizal took a steamer from Hong Kong to Borneo. The British Governor of that island concede the Filipinos
100,000 acres of land, a beautiful harbor and a good government for 999 years free of all charges.
Governor Despujol: A Friend or a Traitor?
- A new governor general named Eulogio Despujol promulgated a fine sounding program of reforms.
- His first few months in office gave Filipinos ground for hope. In him, they thought they saw the reverse of
Weyler.
- Rizal wrote the Governor General a beautiful letter informing the injustices suffered by the Filipinos.
- The letter had reply and on the contrary the persecution of Calamba continued unabated.
- Rizal’s attempted to Change His Nationality
