Mr. Pratt, the United States Consul General at Singapore, took in hand Aguinaldo—­this was April 28—­and got him off to Hong Kong, having had this correspondence by cable with Admiral Dewey: 

Aguinaldo, insurgent leader, here.  Will come Hongkong arrange with Commodore for general co-operation insurgents Manila if desired.  Telegraph. Pratt.

The Commodore’s reply reading thus: 

Tell Aguinaldo come soon as possible. Dewey.

Mr. Pratt says of this: 

I received it late that night, and at once communicated to General Aguinaldo, who, with his aid-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.

And Mr. Pratt made the following report to the Secretary of State of the United States: 

Consulate-General of the United States,
Singapore, April 30, 1898.

Sir:  Referring to my dispatch No. 212, of the 28th instant, I have the honor to report that in the second and last interview I had with Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo on the eve of his departure for Hongkong, I enjoined upon him the necessity, under Commodore Dewey’s direction, of exerting absolute control over his forces in the Philippines, as no excesses on their part would be tolerated by the American Government, the President having declared that the present hostilities with Spain were to be carried on in strict accord with modern principles of civilized warfare.

To this General Aguinaldo fully assented, assuring me that he intended and was perfectly able, once on the field, to hold his followers, the insurgents, in check and lead them as our commander should direct.

The general further stated that he hoped the United States would assume protection of the Philippines for at least long enough to allow the inhabitants to establish a government of their own, in the organization of which he would desire American advice and assistance.

These questions I told him I had no authority to discuss.

I have, etc.,

E.  Spencer Pratt, United States Consul-General.

June 16th Secretary Day cabled Consul Pratt:  “Avoid unauthorized negotiations with the Philippine insurgents,” and the Secretary wrote the consul on the same day: 

“The Department observes that you informed General Aguinaldo that you had no authority to speak for the United States; and, in the absence of the fuller report which you promise, it is assumed that you did not attempt to commit this Government to any alliance with the Philippine insurgents.  To obtain the unconditional personal assistance of General Aguinaldo in the expedition to Manila was proper, if in so doing he was not induced to form hopes which it might not he practicable to gratify.  This Government has known the Philippine insurgents only as discontented and rebellious subjects of Spain, and is not acquainted with their purposes.