Spencer Peate writes to his friend Stephen Van Rensselear Cruger of his efforts to convince the Filipino insurgents in the Philippines to ally their forces twith the American troops about to fight the Spanish: "...That having learned of the arrival here incognito of General Emilio Aguinaldo the chief leader of the Philippine insurgents and recognizing the importance of securing if possible his cooperation with our forces about to undertake operations against the Spaniards in those islands, I sought the General out and having convinced him of the mistake of independent action and obtained his promise to place himself and his followers at the disposal of the Admiral... he has already mustered and assumed command of some 30,000 natives with which force he will assist ours in attacking Manila and other Spanish strongholds...." This letter reached its destination after the sudden, unexpected death of Cruger, and widow has written a letter of transmittal, on mourning stationery, sending the letter to William McKinley, addressed "My Dear President." Mrs. Cruger had been abroad when her husband died, and the letter did not reach McKinley or the State Department until August 18th.