Aguinaldo himself made the charge in his “Resena Veridica” [18] in the following words:—­

“In this interview Consul Pratt told me that because the Spaniards had not complied with the agreement of Biac-na-bato, the Filipinos had a right to renew their interrupted revolution and advised me to take up arms anew against Spain, assuring me that America would give the Filipinos the greatest advantages (mayores ventajas).  Then I asked the Consul what advantages the United States would concede to the Philippines, suggesting, when I had the proper opening, the propriety of making an agreement in writing, to which the Consul answered that he would report, by telegraph, on the subject to Mr. Dewey, who was the chief of the expedition against the Philippines, and who had ample powers from President McKinley.

“On the following day, between 10 and 12 in the morning, we again took up the matter, Consul Pratt saying that the admiral had answered my inquiry by saying that the United States would at least recognize the independence of the Philippine government under a naval protectorate, but that there was no necessity to put it in writing, as the words of the admiral and the American consul were sacred and would be fulfilled, not being like those of the Spaniards, and finally, that the Government of North America was a very honourable Government, a very just and very powerful one.” [19]

On April 27, 1908, Pratt telegraphed the Secretary of State as follows:—­

“General Aguinaldo gone my instance Hongkong arrange with Dewey cooeperation insurgents Manila.

“Pratt.”

On the 28th he wrote the Secretary, explaining how he had come to meet Aguinaldo, and stating just what he had done.  He said:—­

“At this interview, after learning from General Aguinaldo the state of an object sought to be obtained by the present insurrectionary movement, which, though absent from the Philippines, he was still directing, I took it upon myself, whilst explaining that I had no authority to speak for the Government, to point out the danger of continuing independent action at this stage; and, having convinced him of the expediency of cooperating with our fleet, then at Hongkong, and obtained the assurance of his willingness to proceed thither and confer with Commodore Dewey to that end, should the latter so desire, I telegraphed the Commodore the same day as follows, through our consul-general at Hongkong:—­

“’Aguinaldo, insurgent leader, here.  Will come Hongkong arrange with Commodore for general cooperation insurgents Manila if desired.  Telegraph.

“‘Pratt.’”

The Commodore’s reply read thus:—­

“’Tell Aguinaldo come soon as possible.

“‘Dewey.’”

Pratt adds:—­

“I received it late at night, and at once communicated to General Aguinaldo, who, with his aide-de-camp and private secretary, all under assumed names, I succeeded in getting off by the British Steamer Malacca, which left here on Tuesday the 26th.