[297] Blount, p. 114.

[298] Taylor, 42 AJ.

[299] Blount, p. 111.

[300] P.I.R., 974. 3.

[301] “December 20, 1898.

“To the Honorable President of the Revolutionary Government.

“The undersigned residents of the barangay of D. Francisco Querubin and D. Melchor Balueg, of Bucay, of the province of Abra, appeal to you with the utmost subjection from their place of residence and state:  That their heads or representatives, D. Francisco Querubin and Melchor Balueg, respectively, force them to pay two pesos each as a war tax, your humble vassals above cited being hardly able to earn their own livelihood and support their families, and, notwithstanding their labor, some of them cannot get anything to eat without appealing to the charity of their richer neighbours; but notwithstanding this sad situation, they offer a peseta each as a mark of gratitude to the mother country, Filipinas, but said gentlemen, the representatives mentioned, have not the slightest pity and worry us to the extent of having kept us in our houses a day and a night without anything to eat, not even permitting us to go out to get a drink.

“We must inform you that the head of the barangay, D. Melchor Balueg, when he gathers the supplies for the troops stationed in his town, said supplies consisting of rice, pigs, chickens and eggs, uses one-half of what is gathered, and then again orders his assistants to save.”

“In fact, the undersigned request you to direct that the peseta which they offer be accepted and that the said Don Francisco Querubin and Don Melchor Balueg be relieved of their duties, in order to put a stop to the abuses constantly committed by them; and if this be not done, the petitioners will be obliged to leave their homes and property in the town and take up their residences in the mountains with the Negritos and Igorots, in order that the others may remain in the town and live tranquilly.

“This is a grace which we do not doubt we will receive from you, whose life may God preserve for many years.

“Bucay, November 12, 1898.” (26 signatures)

(In blue pencil in the handwriting of Aguinaldo:) “It will be approved.

“Dec. 20, 1898.

“E.  A.”

—­P.I.R., 991. 4.

[302] P.I.R., 849.

[303] Blount, p. 130.

[304] Ibid., pp. 130-131.

[305] P.I.R., 1142. 4.

[306] Ibid., 2002. 3.

[307] P.I.R., 964. 3.

[308] On November 30, 1898, the commander in Alaminos, Zambales Province, telegraphed that his soldiers were all about to desert as the head of the town would not furnish rations or pay without orders from the governor.”—­P.I.R., 2002.3.