having been informed
that when captured the _Compania de Filipinas_ was flying the Spanish
flag abstained from interfering in the matter and handed the French
Consul's protest over to me, affirming at the same time that _he and
his forces were in no way concerned in the matter_.

This incident, which was soon settled, clearly demonstrates the
recognition of and protection extended to the Philippine Revolution
by Admiral Dewey.

The _Filipinas_ (as this steamer has since been styled) was again
despatched to Olongapo and on her way back landed troops in the
provinces of Cagayan and the Batanes islands for the purpose of
wresting the government of those districts from Spain. This steamer,
whose name has more recently been changed to _Luzon_, is at present
ashore in the Rio Grande, in Cagayan, where she was beached owing to
some damage to her machinery.

When our steamers were leaving the harbour with troops for the
provinces they dipped their ensigns in passing Admiral Dewey's
flagship _Olympia_, performing this act in conformity with the rules
of international courtesy, a demonstration of friendship that was
invariably promptly responded to in the usual way.

CHAPTER X

The Proclamation of Independence

The Dictatorial Government decided that the proclamation of
Independence should take place on the 12th June, the ceremony in
connection therewith to be held in the town of Kawit. With this
object in view I sent a Commission to inform the Admiral of the
arrangement and invite him to be present on the occasion of the
formal proclamation of Independence, a ceremony which was solemnly
and impressively conducted. The Admiral sent his Secretary to excuse
him from taking part in the proceedings, stating the day fixed for
the ceremony was mail day.

About the end of that month (June) the Spanish gunboat _Leyte_
escaped from the Macabebe river and reached Manila Bay, where she
was seized by General Torres' troops. She had on board part of the
troops and volunteers which were under the command of the Filipino
Colonel Sr. Eugenio Blanco, but on being sighted by an American
gunboat she voluntarily surrendered. Admiral Dewey delivered to me
all the prisoners and arms on board the vessel, which latter, however,
he took possession of; but after the fall of Manila he demanded that
I should give back the prisoners to him.

On the 4th July the first United States military expedition arrived,
under command of General Ander