MARCUS MILLER WRITES TO ESTADO FEDERAL DE BISAYAS, DECEMBER 28 1898
TO INITIATE COMMUNICATION WITH FILIPINOS OCCUPYING ILOILO CITY

HEADQUARTERS FIRST BRIGADE, EIGHTH ARMY CORPS,
ON BOARD TRANSPORT NEWPORT,
Iloilo Harbor, P. I., December 28,1898.

TO THE COMMANDING OFFICER OF THE TROOPS AT ILOILO, ISLAND OF PANAY,
AND THE PEOPLE OF ILOILO AND THE ISLAND OF PANAY:

The troops under my command appeared here under an order of the President of the United States of America promulgated by Major-General Otis, commanding all of the troops of the United States in the Philippine Islands.

It is accompanied by the United States naval ship Baltimore, sent by Admiral Dewey, commanding the United States squadron in these Asiatic waters.

When these orders were communicated to me it was supposed that the troops of Spain were still in possession at Iloilo, and that the transfer of possession and governmental authority would be by them to representatives of the Government of the United States, which has succeeded, by virtue of conquest supplemented by treaty stipulations, to all the rights heretofore exercised by Spain in these islands.

Upon arrival I find that the city of Iloilo is in the reported possession of native troops. The intention of this letter is to place myself in communication with those now exercising authority at Iloilo, with the view to the accomplishment of my mission to this place as above indicated.

Lieut. M. K. Barroll

This communication will be handed you by my aid, Lieut. M. K. Barroll, Third Artillery, who is accompanied by four gentlemen, former residents of Iloilo, who will make known to you more in detail the purpose of the presence of my command at this place.

There accompanies my command, on the steamship Union, certain Spanish soldiers, natives of the island of Panay, whom it is my purpose, at a later date, to release with the privilege of returning to their homes, an act which it is hoped will be interpreted as an evidence of the good will of the major-general commanding in the philippines, under whose orders i am acting.

I shall be pleased to receive a call from representatives of those to whom this communication is addressed on board the transport Newport at as early an hour as your convenience will allow.

Very respectfully,

M. P. MILLER,
Brigadier-General, U. S. V.,
Commanding First Separate Brigade, Eighth Army Corps.