“Emilio Aguinaldo.

Given at Cavite, May 24, 1898.”—­P.I.R. 206.6.

[57] “The great North American nation, the cradle of genuine liberty and therefore the friend of our people oppressed and enslaved by the tyranny and despotism of its ruler, has come to us manifesting a protection as decisive as it is undoubtedly disinterested toward our inhabitants, considering us as sufficiently civilized and capable of governing ourselves and our unfortunate country.  In order to maintain this high estimate granted us by the generous North American nation we should abominate all those deeds which tend to lower this opinion, which are pillage, theft, and all sorts of crimes relating to persons or property, with the purpose of avoiding international conflict during the period of our campaign.”—­P.I.R., 43. 3.

[58] Of this extraordinary occurrence Taylor says:—­

“Invitations to the ceremony of the declaration of independence were sent to Admiral Dewey; but neither he nor any of his officers were present.  It was, however, important to Aguinaldo that some American should be there whom the assembled people would consider a representative of the United States.  ‘Colonel’ Johnson, ex-hotel keeper of Shanghai, who was in the Philippines exhibiting a cinematograph, kindly consented to appear on this occasion as Aguinaldo’s Chief of Artillery and the representative of the North American nation.  His name does not appear subsequently among the papers of Aguinaldo.  It is possible that his position as colonel and chief of artillery was a merely temporary one which enabled him to appear in a uniform which would befit the character of the representative of a great people upon so solemn an occasion!”—­Taylor, 26 A J.

[59] P.I.R., 451.4.

[60] P.I.R., 451.4.

[61] See p. 50.

[62] “They are aware that a Government has been established here from the beginning:  first the Dictatorial, and afterwards, when several provinces had been freed from Spanish domination, there was implanted in the same a proper organization, and thus a new Government was established in the form best adapted to the principles of liberty; but notwithstanding all this and in spite of their protestations of friendship, they have always refused to recognize that government.

“The things they request involve the recognition of a right which we cannot and ought not to grant, unless they recognize our Government and unless the limits of the powers of both sides be defined.  If they wish us to recognize them in Cavite, let them recognize our rights in Paranaque.

“The United States are our creditors more than any other nation; not only are they due the gratitude of the Filipino people, but also they should be allowed to profit by the advantages this people can grant them without loss of our legitimate right to a free and independent life.  Therefore we are disposed to make a treaty or convention with them.  They will be no longer able to allege the lack of national character, for in the near future there is to be assembled the Revolutionary Congress composed of the Representatives of the provinces.