US Presidency
1899

They were accepted not merely by our authorized commissioners in Paris, under the direction of the Executive, but by the constitutional and well considered action of the representatives of the people of the United States in both Houses of Congress. I had every reason to believe, and I still believe that this transfer of sovereignty was in accordance with the wishes and the aspirations of the great mass of the Filipino people. From the earliest moment no opportunity was lost of assuring the people of the islands of our ardent desire for their welfare and of the intention of this Government to do everything possible to advance their interests. In my order of the 19th of May, 1898, the commander of the military expedition dispatched to the Philippines was instructed to declare that we came not to make war upon the people of that country, nor upon any party or faction among them, but to protect them in their homes, in their employments, and in their personal and religious rights.