If you were Camilo Polavieja, what would be your response to this letter?
December 28, 1896
Teodora Alonso de Rizal, a resident of Calamba and born in Santa Cruz, Manila. With all due respect and esteem has the honor to your Excellency:
Excellency,
I am certain and it is most evident that my unfortunate son, Jose Rizal, who suffered with humility and resignation the exile to which he was sent five years ago by order of the highest authority of this archipelago, is innocent of the serious offense of which he charges and for which he has been sentences to suffer the extreme penalty. It is not my intention, Excellency, to censure or question in any manner the legality of the decision of a just tribunal but due to unfortunate and fatal circumstances, it has apparently made my unhappy son responsible for the most infamous crimes, when he is in reality innocent.
In view of the foregoing, Your Excellency, I beg you to deign take pity on the grief of a poor mother, who in the most crucial moment of witnessing the death of the fruit of her womb, turns to Your Excellency in the name of our God, beseeching him with tears of sorrow in her eyes and her heart in pieces to grant to her unfortunate son the commutation of the death sentence to which he has been condemned.
Teodora Alonso, Manila 1896
Dear Teodora Alonso de Rizal,
I received your letter with great sympathy for your situation. As the Governor-General of the Philippines, I understand the pain and anguish you must be feeling over the fate of your son, Jose Rizal. However, it is not within my power to overturn the decision made by the tribunal that sentenced him to the ultimate penalty.
I can assure you that every effort was made to ensure a fair trial and justice was served according to the laws of the land. While I cannot grant the commutation of the death sentence, I will do my best to ensure that your son is treated with dignity and respect during this difficult time.
Please know that you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. May you find comfort and strength in the love and memories you share with Jose Rizal.
Sincerely,
Camilo Polavieja, Governor-General of the Philippines