continue
to hold, with dignity to himself, after the Madrid Government had
shelved his recommendations for reforms. His subsequent speeches in
the Senate incline one to draw this conclusion. The Colonial Minister,
Segismundo Moret (who became Prime Minister in 1905), warmly supported
the proposed reforms, but monastic influences were brought to bear
which Praxedes Sagasta had not the moral courage to resist.

Don Pedro A. Paterno, the peacemaker, was sorely disappointed, too,
that the Government had failed to remunerate him for his services. His
position will be best understood from the subjoined translation of
the letter which he addressed to a high authority on the subject. The
original document was read in public session of Congress in Madrid
on June 16, 1898, by the Deputy Senor Muro.

_Manila_, _23rd of February_, 1898.

_My Esteemed Friend_,--

As it appears that, at last, one is thinking of giving me something
for the services rendered by me, and as, according to you, the
recompense is going to be a title of Castile, I wish to speak
frankly, in secret, on the subject. I do not wish to fall into
ridicule, because in such a material and mercantile place as Manila
a title without rent-roll, or grandeur, or anything of the nature
of an employment, or Cross of Maria Christina, or rewards such
as have been showered broadcast by three Captain-Generals would,
in Philippine circles, make me appear as the gullible boy and
the laughing-stock of my fellows. To express my private opinion,
I aspire, above all, to the preservation of my name and prestige,
and if I were asked to renounce them for a childish prize,
even though it be called a title of Castile, despised by serious
statesmen in Europe, I think I should be obliged to refuse it. But
I am willing to meet half-way the state of Spanish society in
the Philippines, and as I belong to the family of the _Maguinoo_
Paterno, I must express myself in another way. That title of
Castile might become the cherished ideal in the Philippines if
it were valued as I desire.

In the first place, it _must not be less than that of Duke_,
because the natives have obeyed me as the _Great Maguinoo_, or
Prince of Luzon, and the ex-revolutionists call me the arbiter
of their destinies.

The reward from Spain must not be less than the Philippine public
already award to me.