DOCUMENTS OF THE Katipunan
HOME Mataas na Sangunian Demand for donations, c. December 1896 Source: Archivo General Militar de Madrid: Caja 5677, leg.1.128. Introduction This document, a typeset form used by the Mataas na Sangunian to solicit donations, highlights one of the Katipunan’s most critical dilemmas. Without funds the revolution would fail, and the only Filipinos able to make substantial contributions were the well-to-do. Most wealthy Filipinos, however, were reluctant to donate, either because they believed the revolution to be mistaken or because they feared exposure and Spanish reprisals. Gentle, polite requests for donations were therefore unlikely to elicit much response, and Katipunan leaders had to employ a degree of coercion. Support for the revolution, they insisted, was a patriotic obligation whose avoidance or refusal would be harshly judged and duly punished. The danger inherent in this intimidatory approach, of course, was that it would antagonize more potential donors than it persuaded.
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MATAAS NA SANGUNIAN --------- HARING-BAYANG KATAGALUGAN ---------------------- Sa Kay Ginoong Minamahal na kababayan: itong Mataas na Sangunian sa kadahilanan ng malaking pagkakailangan ng salaping maibibili ng mga baril at iba pang sandatang nagiging kakulangan sa ipagdiriwang ng nangag sisi pagtangol ng katuiran at puri nitong katagalugan ay nag atas at minarapat ng lahat na iluhog sa mga kababayan nakaririwasa ang kanilang boong kaya, at ang di magkaloob na umabuloy ay ipalalagay na kalaban at karakarakang lalapatan ng nauukol sa mga sukabang tumatalikod sa mga kalahi at tunay na kapatid. Sa bagay na ito aming minarapat na kayo’y tungkulan umambag ng halagang __________ at sa katunayan nito, ay aming tinalaan ng tunay naming pangalan at tinaktakan itong kasulatan, sa lubos na pagasang di ipagkakait sa gipit naming kalagayan ang inyong mahalagang tulong. Hilagaan ika ____ng ___________ng taong 189__ Ang Mataas na Pang-Ulo Ang Mataas na Kalihim