By the President:
JOHN HAY,
Secretary of State.
EXECUTIVE ORDERS.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, Washington, May 7, 1898.
DEWEY,
Care American Consul, Hongkong:
The President, in the name of the American people, thanks you and your officers and men for your splendid achievement and overwhelming victory.
In recognition he has appointed you acting rear-admiral and will recommend a vote of thanks to you by Congress as a foundation for further promotion.
LONG.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, Washington, May 19, 1898.
The SECRETARY OF WAR.
SIR: The destruction of the Spanish fleet at Manila, followed by the taking of the naval station at Cavite, the paroling of the garrisons, and the acquisition of the control of the bay, has rendered it necessary, in the further prosecution of the measures adopted by this Government for the purpose of bringing about an honorable and durable peace with Spain, to send an army of occupation to the Philippines for the twofold purpose of completing the reduction of the Spanish power in that quarter and of giving order and security to the islands while in the possession of the United States. For the command of this expedition I have designated Major-General Wesley Merritt, and it now becomes my duty to give instructions as to the manner in which the movement shall be conducted.