[Original in Tagalog. Unsigned Document. P. I. R., A.]
PHILIPPINE REPUBLIC, OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT.

Honorable PRESIDENT OF THE REGIONAL GOVERNMENT OF BATANGAS.

Having been elected President of this Republic by the Assembly of Representatives of the people, at a meeting held at Malabon on the 24th inst., I have entered upon the performance of the duties thereof. In addressing myself to you on this occasion, my first words are to convey my hearty salutation to yourself and those under your command as well as to those who, under vour authority, are holding offices there, who have intrusted me with this high office.

In this connection I will recommend to you and your associates not to fail to use or lessen any efforts to insure the happiness and welfare of those who are under your authority, for I, on my part, shall devote all my energies to the attainment of the aspirations of our country and to the success of our struggle against the enemy and those who are siding with him. I sincerely regret that they have succeeded in retaking some of the pueblos which were freed by us from domination and were under our control until recently. But, with the favor of God, I firmly trust that the bravery and gallantry of our troops and the valor and skill of their chiefs will, before long, accomplish the reconquest of the places which we have lost, and of the other towns as well, until we have conquered all the territory of this Archipelago, and established a government of our own, thanks to our efforts in overcoming our foe. It is well known to everybody, that in order to attain this successful state of affairs, we must all, without exception, be united in rendering our services and giving our support for the success of our arms, and to this end I shall point out to you your duties and the services which you will be requested to perform.

You must encourage the education of the people and give vour support to every measure which will tend to better the conditions in the newly organized pueblos.

You must render assistance in the establishment. organization and management of the hospitals, and in taking care of the sick and wound ed, for although said charitable institutions are being conducted very well just now, the time will come, when, on account of engagements with the enemy, your services will be needed in the same.

You must endeavor to perfect the organization of our army, because as everybody understands, the strength and perfect organization of our military establishment will largely be responsible for the success of our ideals and the advent of peace and welfare of the country.

Everybody shall enjoy the blessings of liberty, but shall never fail to obey and comply with the commands of those in authority, and nobody shall, under any pretext whatever, trespass upon his neighbor's dwelling nor appropriate his property.

The official business of every pueblo shall be properly conducted.

Freedom of thought, of worship and of other manifestations of liberty, which will demonstrate the culture of the people, is hereby: established and shall be strictly respected.

Commerce, industry and the arts shall be protected and encouraged.

In other words, you are under the obligation of using your best efforts for the advancement, welfare and betterment of the financial conditions of the pueblo.

As soon as a Chamber of Deputies has been properly elected and assembled for the enactment of laws, this Government will request it to make the necessary appropriation to carry out the program above set forth.

Once more, I wish to impress upon your minds, the fact that the Government in its efforts to carry out its purposes must be supported by everyone, and that if you give it your assistance you will deserve not onlv the thanks of the whole country but mine as well; but, on the other hand, if you should fail to give me the assistance which I request of you my regret will be great, for I shall consider your indifference to matters affecting our country as a sign of a lack of patriotism which the Nation should punish with utmost severity and without delay.

God preserve your life many years. NAIC, April 24, 1897.

( No signature.)

[Original in Tagglog. Unsigned draft. P.I.R., A. 4.]

Secretary of the Interior to the mayors of the towns of

- Rough draft of circular sent to the latter, communicating to them the formation of a new government as follows: President, Emilio Aguinaldo, Vice-President, Mariano Trias y Closas: Commander-in-chief Artemio Ricarte: Secretary of War, Emiliano Riego de Dios; Secretary of the Treasury, Baldomero Aguinaldo: Secretary of the Interior and of Fomento, Pasucal Alvarez; Secretary of State, Jacinto Lambreras; Secretary of Grace and Justice, Severino de las Alas.
NAIC, April 24, '97.