LOPEZ TO MILLER, DECEMBER 31, 1898

General Miller.

GENERAL:

I heartily concur in your wishes which is also ours, to arrange matters in a spirit of good friendship, but not having the power to surrender the City and the Port of Iloilo, which having been taken by our forces in the name of the Filipino Republic, whose Central Government resides in Malolos, I regret finding myself in the position of persisting in not consenting to the landing of your forces without the direct orders of the Central Government.

I trust that you will see the justice of our claim compacted by the will of the people explicitly declared last night at the great meeting called for the purpose.

May God give you ..............

The President,
(Signed) R. LOPEZ.

PRESIDENT'S HOUSE IN THE CITY OF JARO
December 31, 1898.