Commodore George Dewey, Commander, Asiatic Squadron, to Secretary of the Navy John D. Long
United States Naval Force on Asiatic Station
FLAGSHIP OLYMPIA,
Manila, MAY 1, 1898.
Sir;
I have the honor to confirm the following telegram sent the department this date:-
Manila, MAY 1, 1898
SECNAV WASHINGTON
CRAQUEREZ REFRANANS VIJPVOETIG IMPAZZAVA PRENSABERE INTRUSIVE REGENBUI EDIFIERS RETAPIEZ DECRUSAMES IMPAVIDEZ RIBOTIEZ GOLDKRAUT RIONORAI SANSCRITO FLEMINGS BRAMIDO SUPERFICIE GALEFFAVA BOWLINE ALDERMEN ENTOILERAI WATERTHIEF DEFENSABIS DEFENSABIS GIFTMORD AGOURADA HONEYGUIDE EXCALABOR VORHASCHEN CONLUCETUR GAMETRIA PEZADA BRANDAL SAUKNOTEN DEARTURREM SILBATO ALEXICACIO EDITASEN SUSPIRARAS ECLUSIEZ UNTERHEFE APPACIO GROWLS HEXAPLA INCLEMENTA TURLERIN UNTERHEBEN ULTIMANUS GLADIATOR SQUILLANDO ABBONEREMO ORMILLE RITENTANDO GEFLOGEN GAMETRIA PEZADA BRANDELASE CRISUELA ASEMEJAR ABRIPIEBAR ADHIBEBIT STIRRING FORTNIGHT SIGNIFICAR APICULATED BRICOLAMES CRASENZA OMBRAGE SCHRATTEL ASOMBRAR SCHULPROBE MUGIOLINO ARGEMONE WEIBERRATH HAMAXANDOSX SETULOSE MENGSPATH BLUTNUSS ACHUCHARON ECUMENICAL LAVATORIO ROSOBODA ACCULATO INCLEMENTE MORINGA TODESBILD TRUNCARDES
DEWEY.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
Commodore, U.S. Navy,
Commanding U.S. Naval Force on Asiatic Station.
The Secretary of the Navy,
Washington D.C.
(Bureau of Navigation)
Manila May 1
Secretary of the Navy, Washington
The squadron arrived at Manila at daybreak this morning. Immediately engaged the enemy and destroyed the following Spanish Vessels: Reina Christina, Castilla, Don Antonio de Bilos, Don Juan de Austria, Isla de Luzon, Isla de Cuba, General Lezo, Marquis del Duaro, El Curreo, Velasco, one transport, Isla de Mandano,1 water battery at Cavite. I shall destroy Cavite arsenal dispensatory. The squadron is uninjured. Few men were slightly wounded. I request the department will send immediately from San Francisco fast steamer with ammunition. The only means of telegraphing is to the American Consul at Hongkong.2
Dewey.
Source Note: Cy, DNA, AFNRC, M625, roll 363. Document reference: “No. 237-D”. It appears that Dewey sent the Bureau of Navigation a copy of his coded message to the Secretary of the Navy. However, it is not clear if the decoded version of this message was prepared by someone at the Bureau of Navigation or if it was decoded in the office of the Secretary of the Navy and a copy sent to the bureau. Document on “United States Naval Forces on Asiatic Station,” stationary.
Footnote 1: Spanish cruiser Don Antonio de Ulloa, transport Manila, and gunboat Elcano.
Footnote 2: This cable is dated 1 May 1898, but was not sent until 4 May 1898. Dewey issued terms to Governor General Basilo Augustín y Dávila after the battle of Manila. These terms included that threat that Dewey would shell Manila if Spanish shore batteries continued to fire, that all torpedo boats should be surrendered, and that unless the Spanish permitted Dewey the use of Manila’s telegraph cable it would be severed. Dávila informed Dewey that the shore batteries would remain silent and that there were no torpedo boats in Manila, but he refused to allow Dewey to use the telegraph. Dewey sent the above communication to Hong Kong on the McCulloch and the Zafiro was ordered to cut the Manila telegraph cable on 2 May 1898. Dewey, Autobiography, 224-225.
