The letter following is the full expression by the author of this
volume of his purposes and principles in making the journey to the
East Indies.

_Going to the Philippines_.

Washington City, D.C., July 18.

With the authorization of the Military Authorities, I shall go to
the Philippine Islands with General Merritt, the Military Governor,
and propose to make the American people better acquainted with that
remarkable and most important and interesting country. The presence
of an American army in the Philippines is an event that will change
broad and mighty currents in the world's history. It has far more
significance than anything transpiring in the process of the conquest
of the West India possessions of Spain, for the only question there,
ever since the Continental colonies of the Spanish crown won their
independence, has been the extent of the sacrifices the Spaniards, in
their haughty and vindictive pride, would make in fighting for a lost
Empire and an impossible cause with an irresistible adversary. That
the time was approaching when, with the irretrievable steps of the
growth of a living Nation of free people, we would reach the point
where it should be our duty to accept the responsibility of the
dominant American power, and accomplish manifest Destiny by adding
Cuba and Porto Rico to our dominion, has for half a century been the
familiar understanding of American citizens. Spain, by her abhorrent
system, personified in Weyler, and illustrated in the murderous
blowing up of the Maine with a mine, has forced this duty upon us;
and though we made war unprepared, the good work is going on, and the
finish of the fight will be the relegation of Spain, whose colonial