Conversations across the Pacific: Masonry, Epistolary, and Journal Writing

Abstract

In 1897, the Filipino Mariano Ponce, a propagandist leader and representative of the Revolutionary Committee in Hong Kong, sent a letter to his Cuban friend, José Alberto Izquierdo. The content of the correspondence indicates the close friendship they had established over many years (Ponce calls Izquierdo “my dear friend”). One of his purposes is to request a copy of Martí’s “Manifiesto de Montecristi”:

I would appreciate if you could provide us with any pamphlets or publications about the revolution that you believe can enlighten and educate us, especially official documents such as the Manifesto of José Martí and General Gómez at the beginning of the war and others.

le agradecería nos dé cuantos folletos y publicaciones tenga acerca de la revolución que crea pueden ilustrarnos y enseñarnos, sobre todo los documentos oficiales, como el manifiesto de José Martí y Gral. Gómez á principios de la guerra y otros.

(Ponce 7)

The letter shows that Ponce was well aware of the ongoing war of independence in the other colony in the Caribbean.