“The Admiral replied that he ’was delighted at my sincerity, and believed that both Filipinos and Americans should treat each other as allies and friends, clearly explaining all doubts for the better understanding between both parties,’ and added that, ’so he had been informed, the United States would recognize the independence of the Filipino people, guaranteed by the word of honor of the Americans,—­more binding than documents which may remain unfulfilled when it is desired to fail in them as happened with the compacts signed by the Spaniards, advising me to form at once a Filipino national flag, offering in virtue thereof to recognize and protect it before the other nations, which were represented by the various squadrons then in the Bay; although he said we should conquer the power from the Spaniards before floating said flag, so that the act should be more honourable in the sight of the whole world, and, above all, before the United States, in order that when the Filipino ships with their national flag would pass before the foreign squadrons they should inspire respect and esteem.’

“Again I thanked the Admiral for his good advice and generous offers, informing him that if the sacrifice of my life was necessary to honor the Admiral before the United States, I was then ready to sacrifice it.

“I added that under such conditions I could assure him that all the Filipino people would unite in the revolution to shake off the yoke of Spain; that it was not strange that some few were not yet on his side on account of lack of arms or because of personal expediency.

“Thus ended this first conference with Admiral Dewey, to whom I announced that I would take up my residence at the Naval Headquarters in the Cavite Arsenal.” [46]

Further on, in the same document, Aguinaldo advances the claim that on the occasion of the visit of General Anderson and Admiral Dewey the latter again promised him independence.

He says:—­

“In the same month of July, the Admiral, accompanied by General Anderson, presented himself, and after greetings of courtesy said to me:  ’You have seen confirmed all of what I promised and said to you.  How pretty your flag is.  It has a triangle, and it looks like Cuba’s.  Will you give me one as a reminder when I return to America?’

“I replied to him that I was convinced of his word of honour and that there was no necessity whatever to draw up in documentary form his agreements, and as for the flag, that he could count on it, even at that very moment.

“Dewey continued:  ’Documents are not complied with when there is no honour, as has happened with your agreement with the Spaniards, who have failed in what was written and signed.  Trust in my word for I hold myself responsible that the United States will recognize the independence of the country.  But I recommend to you [plural.—­TR.] to keep everything which we have talked about and agreed upon with a great deal of secrecy for the present.  And, moreover, I entreat you [plural.—­TR.] to be patient if our soldiers should insult some Filipino, because, as volunteers, they are yet lacking in discipline.’” [47]