ing 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