Emilia Casanova de Villaverde (1832-1897) – reading from her collection of letters, Apuntes biográficos de Emilia Casanova de Villaverde escritos por un contemporáneo. Nueva York, 1874.

(A feisty activist and supporter of Cuban independence, Casanova de Villaverde lived most of her life in New York City where she founded organizations and wrote articles in the Spanish language press. She addressed the Congress of the U.S. and visited the White House hoping to internationalize the issue of Cuba Libre! She devoted time to caring for needy Cubans and other Caribbean expatriots living in the city, many of whom were political exiles or workers in cigar and other industries of the times.) The translation of the letter written to her son is mine.

Mi Querido Hijo:

There are ladies here who beg to be with me with the idea of going to places where entry is forbidden to the common public. And I don’t doubt that being Americans they are surprised like that lady in Montreal when we went to see Victoria Bridge, of the easy way doors are opened for me. People offer me their respect. They are smothering me so much it bothers me instead of giving me pride. I don’t need formal entry to the wives of senators, ministers and other persons in Washington. In this, Enrique played a big role especially in the hotel, well he is so adorable and lively he attracts attention and people come to me to acariciarlo (hug, pet, or express endearments) and hear him speak in English and Spanish so well. People are anxious to serve me, bring me the paper, especially where there is news of Cuba. This is all great praise, but for someone else: not me. I wouldn’t change my casita del oeste not even for Mrs. Grant’s Blue Room in the White House. No, not even my dining room, which is more dear [to me] than all the dining rooms in the palaces of Washington. One cup of coffee there tastes better than [the] dozens of exquisite and costly plates that I’m served in Arlington.

I have to edit the talk I’m giving Congress in the name of Las Hijas. (goes on to ask Congress to support rights of belligerence. ) Assure your father I want nothing more than this. (for the U.S. to express support for abolition of slavery, encourage commerce, oppose oppression of Cubans, property, freedom) and basta! (enough), it’s late and my eyes and arms hurt me. Adios! loving son of my soul. Don’t forget my advice to be loved and respected by all. Recibe el cariño y bendición de tu madre,

Emilia

Washington, February 2, 1872