The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1899-05-26
Headquarters First Brigade.
United States EXpeditionary Force:
LANA.- 1911

"Philippine Islands, July 4, 1898.
"Senor Don Emilio Aguinaldo, Commanding
Philippine Forces Cavite, - l
have the honor to inform you that the United
States of America, whose land forces l have the
honor to in this vicinity, being at war
with the Kingdom of Spain, has entire sympathy
and most friendly sentiments for the native
people of tt e Philippine Islands.
''tor these reasons | desire to have themost
amicable relations with you, and to have you
and your people co operate with us in military
operations against the Spanish forces.
In our operations it has become necessary
for us to occupy the tow of Cavlte as a base OF
operations. In doing this l do not wish to in
terfere with your residence here and the exercise
by yourself and other native citizens of all func-
lions and privileges not inconsistent with mill
tary rule.
81 would be pleased to be informed at once
of any misconduct OF soldiers under my COM
mand, as it is the intention of my Government
to maintain order, and to treat all citizens with
justice, courtesy and kindness.
II have therefore the. honor to ask Your Ely
celency to instruct your officials not to inter
fere with my officers in the performance of their
duties and not to assume that they cannot
visit Cavlte without permission.
assuring you again OF my most friendly
sentiment and distinguished consideration, l
am with all respect.
Thomas NJ. Anderson,
"Brigadier General, United States Volunteers,
Commanding"
On the same day Aguidaldo sent the
following response:
"Brlgadier General Thomas NJ. Anderson,
Commanding the United States Volunteers
General: Interpreting the sentiments of the
Philippine people, l have the honor to express
to Your EXcelleuCy my most profound CRATE
fitness for the sympathy and amicable senti-
mpOtS which I hr natives of thaSp islands ipSDira
the great North American nation and Your EN-.
cellency.
IL also thank most profoundly your desire Of
having friendly relations with us, and of treat
ing us with justice, courtesy and kindness, which
is also our constant wish to prove the same,
and special satisfaction whenever occasion rep
resents.
Il have already ordered my people not to in
to- ere in the least with your officers and men,
orders which ! shall reiterate to prevent their
being unfulflled. Hoping that you will inform
me of whatever misconduct that MAJ be done
by those in my command, so as to reprimand
them and correspond with your wishes, l beg of
Your EXcellency to accept in return the as
surance of my most respectful consideration.
l remain, respectfully, Emilio Aguinaldo."
Fifteen days later General Anderson
addressed the following letter to
Aguinaldo, and the request therein
contained was promptly complied Win:
Headquarters First Brigade,
United States EXpeditiOnary Forces,
Cavite Arsenal,
"Philippine Islands, July 10, 1898.
General; The bearer, Major j. F. Bell, U.
S.A., was sent by Major General Wesley Merritt.
I. S. A.. to collect for him, by the time OF his
personal arrival, certain ~formatio concern
ing the strength and positions of the enemy and
concerning the topography OF the country sur
rounding Manila.
81 would be obliged il you would permit him
to see your maps and place at his disposal any
Information you may have on the above sub
jects, and also give him a letter or pass ad-
lan1oaadto your subordinates which will author
TO furnish him any information they
kssubjects. and TO facilitate his pas
a lines upon a reoonnoissance
(which propose to send him,
ma respect. your obedient
REEhemAE IN. Anderson,
E&xY0lpnteers, Command.
Ehihppine Forces,
<t1Atsin this cor
Si8stncoinrnandi