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.

"Just previous to his departure, I had a second and last interview
with General Aguinaldo, the particulars of which I shall give you by
next mail.

"The general impressed me as a man of intelligence, ability, and
courage, and worthy the confidence that had been placed in him.

"I think that in arranging for his direct cooperation with the
commander of our forces, I have prevented possible conflict of
action and facilitated the work of occupying and administering the
Philippines.

"If this course of mine meets with the Government's appro