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HISTORY OF THE GIFT OF 
 SIX HUNDRED NATIONAL 
 FLAGS TO THE SCHOOLS OF 
 PORTO RICO 
 
 BY LAFAYETTE POST, NO. 140 
 DEPARTMENT OF NEW YORK 
 GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC 
 
 1898 
 
 ARRANGED BY 
 
 WILBUR F. BROWN, Adjutant 
 
 ^ 
 
 NEW YORK 
 
 PRIVATELY PUBLISHED BY THE POST 
 
 1899 
 
Press of J. J. Little & Co. 
 Aster Place, New York 
 
 In exch. 
 D. of C. ?')b. Lib. 
 
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 V*,.. 
 
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THIS VOLUME IS AFFECTIONATELY DEDICATED TO 
 JUNIOR VICE COMMANDER 
 
 ALLAN C. BAKEWELL 
 
 BY HIS COMRADES OF LAFAYETTE POST 
 
 AS A TESTIMONIAL OF THEIR APPRECIATION OF 
 
 HIS SERVICES AS THEIR REPRESENTATIVE IN 
 
 PRESENTING IN PERSON THE NATIONAL 
 
 FLAG TO THE "SCHOOLS OF 
 
 PORTO RICO. 
 
HISTORY OF THE GIFT OF 
 SIX HUNDRED NATIONAL 
 FLAGS TO THE SCHOOLS 
 OF PORTO RICO : : : : 
 
 New York, January, 1899. 
 
 Dear Comrade Bakewell: 
 
 At a special encampment of Lafayette Post, held 
 December 30th, 1898, following the reading of your 
 report upon your mission to Porto Rico to present to 
 the schools of that island the National Flag in the name 
 of Lafayette Post, it was resolved that the report, your 
 address of presentation and the several documents in 
 connection therewith, should be published for distribu- 
 tion and in a manner befitting the important occasion. 
 This action was unanimous, and was intended not only 
 to record the patriotic work of the Post in fulfilment of 
 its self-imposed task of encouraging reverence for the 
 flag among the youth of our land, but to testify as well 
 to your unselfish devotion to the interests of the Post 
 and your loyalty to country. 
 
 9 
 
The desire of your comrades to show appreciation of 
 your disregard of the dangers to health in performing so 
 meritorious a service, and of your voluntary gift of time 
 and the expenses of the journey, will, I am sure, be 
 manifested more in consonance with your wishes by this 
 tribute than by any other they could devise. 
 
 This little book is sent forth as a sequel to your mis- 
 sion, with the hope that it may carry an influence with 
 it that shall bear fruit to the credit of the Grand Army 
 of the Republic and be an heritage to those who shall 
 live after we have finished our labors. 
 
 With it is sent a blessing to all kindred societies who 
 labor for the welfare of others, and with it is added sin- 
 cere expressions of thankfulness that neither disease nor 
 disaster befell you amid the perils of your journey. That 
 your years may be long and your cup of happiness full 
 is the wish of all your comrades of the Post. 
 
 Yours in F., C, and L., 
 
 Commander. 
 To Comrade Allan C. Bakewell. 
 
 10 
 
Extract from Post Minutes of August 5, 1898 
 
 " Comrade Holly addressed the Post on a proposition 
 to send flags to public schools at Porto Rico . . . 
 and it was resolved to send at least two flags to Porto 
 Rico to General Miles and a flag to Santiago. This 
 motion was carried, and the subject was referred to the 
 Standing Committee on Flag Presentation with power." 
 
 II 
 
CIRCULAR 
 
 Lafayette Post, No. 140, 
 Dept. of New York, G. A. R. 
 
 New York, Atigust 29, 1898. 
 
 Comrade: 
 
 This memoranda with regard to flags for Porto Rico 
 is enclosed separate from the Post order that the whole 
 matter may be clearly understood and comrades may 
 act their pleasure in contributing. 
 
 Feeling that the committee could not authorize ex- 
 penditures on account of the Post without formal resolu- 
 tion and action of the Post, the Commander offered to 
 bear the expense of the whole affair, but it was thought 
 better if it could be made under the auspices of the 
 Post by voluntary contributions from comrades to do 
 so.* There was not time for delay. Cable advices from 
 General Miles, Porto Rico, gave the number of public 
 schools at 548, and private schools at 38. Further cables 
 announced schools as opening August 15th. The propo- 
 sition to supply these schools with flags has met with the 
 approval of and has been accepted by the Government. 
 
 The necessary flags are being made of approved ma- 
 terial and pattern by responsible contractors. They 
 will be personally presented with appropriate remarks 
 to each school in Porto Rico by the Junior Vice-Com- 
 
 *The latter course was the one pursued. 
 
 13 
 
mander Bakewell, accompanied by a learned and ex- 
 pert interpreter. 
 
 Any comrade who may desire to contribute will 
 please send his contribution to Comrade E. A. Whit- 
 field, care of Tiffany & Co., Union Square, New York, 
 with the enclosed blank clearly filled out. Each com- 
 rade contributing can have, for each two dollars sub- 
 scribed, his name, or that of his wife, or any member of 
 his family or friend, inscribed on the canvas edge hoist 
 as presenting the flag so marked to the school to which 
 the flag is given, thereby connecting the individual with 
 the work as well as the Post. 
 
 It is necessary that contributions should be made 
 promptly. 
 
 It is not doubted that comrades, if they so decide, will 
 find others who would be pleased to join, and blanks to 
 fill up for others are enclosed herewith, to be sent in with 
 the names and contributions to Treasurer Whitfield. 
 
 Full authority having been given by the committee to 
 the Commander to carry out the whole matter as he 
 thought best, it will be carried out completely as herein 
 indicated — this opportunity being given to comrades to 
 join if they so desire. The flags will be sent without 
 delay and without regard to whether contributions suf- 
 ficient are received or otherwise — of course the Com- 
 mander will be very glad if every comrade can join in 
 the matter. 
 
 Yours in F., C, and L., 
 
 Commander. 
 14 
 
General Headquarters, 
 
 State of New York, 
 
 Adjutant-General's Office. 
 
 Albany, October i8, 1898. 
 
 Special Orders, No. 1 89. 
 
 I. Lieutenant-Colonel Allan C. Bakewell, Assistant 
 Adjutant-General, having volunteered for the patriotic 
 service, is hereby authorized to report to Major-General 
 Daniel Butterfield, Commander of Lafayette Post, No. 
 140, G. A. R., Department of New York, for the purpose 
 of distributing to the public schools of the new United 
 States Territory of Porto Rico the United States flags 
 furnished for the purpose by that Post, in accordance 
 with its custom and usage in promoting patriotic educa- 
 tion and loyalty among school children. 
 
 n. Lieutenant - Colonel Bakewell is hereby granted 
 leave of absence. 
 
 in. It is understood that no expenditures or charges 
 are to be incurred thereby on behalf of the State of 
 New York by Colonel Bakewell. 
 
 By order of the Commander-in-Chief. 
 
 C. Whitney Tillinghast, 2D, 
 
 Adjutant- General. 
 Official. 
 
 I. F. Handy, 
 
 As sis tan t Adjutant- General. 
 
 To Lieut.-Col. Allan C. Bakewell, 
 Assistant Adjutant-General, 
 
 15 
 
War Department, 
 Adjutant-General's Office, 
 Washington, October ^2, li 
 
 Commanding General, Department of Porto 
 Rico, and other Officers of Military 
 Posts in that Department. 
 
 Sir : Lieutenant-Colonel A. C. Bakewell, U. S. Vol- 
 unteers, visits Porto Rico for the purpose of distributing 
 flags to the schools in that island generously donated 
 by the Lafayette Post of New York. Secretary of War 
 directs that all officers extend to Colonel Bakewell every 
 facility to carry into effect the mission on which he 
 comes. 
 
 Very respectfully, 
 
 H. C. CORBIN, 
 
 Adjutant- General. 
 
 i6 
 
Army Headquarters, 
 Ponce, Porto Rico, August 21, 1898. 
 
 Major Allan C. Bakewell, 
 
 Vice- Commander Lafayette Post, No. 140. 
 Union League Club, New York City. 
 
 Dear Major: I have received your letter with the 
 type-written copy of the letter from General Butterfield, 
 for which I wish to express my thanks. I shall be very 
 glad to see you here with the oflficer who is to accom- 
 pany you, and assure you that I will render you every 
 assistance possible in the way of transportation to carry 
 out your most praiseworthy and patriotic work. I am 
 sure that the raising of these flags on the schools of this 
 beautiful island will add much to the patriotic feeling 
 that exists now, and tend to endear our country more 
 to its people, now a part of our own. It may be pos- 
 sible that I may be called away before you arrive, in 
 which event I am sure that General Wilson or General 
 Brooke will do all they can to assist you. With best 
 wishes, believe me, 
 
 Very sincerely yours. 
 
 Nelson A. Miles, 
 
 Major- General. 
 
 17 
 
Headquarters, 
 Department of Porto Rico. 
 
 San Juan, December i, 1898. 
 
 To THE Commanding Officers of U. S. Troops 
 IN Porto Rico : 
 
 This will be presented to you by Colonel Allan C. 
 Bakevvell of New York, who has a mission to fulfil in 
 Porto Rico. It is desired by the Major-General com- 
 manding that you give Colonel Bakewell such assistance 
 as he may desire whenever it is possible to do so. 
 
 Very respectfully, 
 
 W. V. Richards, 
 
 Assistant Adjutani-General, 
 
 18 
 
479 Fifth Avenue, New York. 
 
 December 30, 1898. 
 
 To Major-General Daniel Butterfield, 
 
 Commander Lafayette Post, No. 140, Dept. of N. V.,G. A. R. 
 
 Dear Sir and Comrade: I have the honor to report 
 upon my mission to Porto Rico to present to the schools 
 there the flags donated for that purpose by and through 
 Lafayette Post. 
 
 Accompanied by Lieutenant H. K. Bird of the 171st 
 Regiment, N. Y. N. G., who acted as my aide and secre- 
 tary, I embarked on the transport Berlin, on November 
 1 6th, having understood that that vessel would proceed 
 direct to San Juan. Pursuant, however, to orders, the 
 vessel proceeded to Santiago to land passengers and sup- 
 plies. During the two days' stop at Santiago I visited 
 the battlefields of San Juan and El Caney, and stood by 
 the empty grave of Comrade Wetherell of our Post, one 
 of the most picturesque spots in the vicinity of the 
 battlefields. From Santiago we proceeded to Ponce, ar- 
 riving in the harbor on the morning of November 26th, 
 but were detained on shipboard twenty-four hours under 
 Government quarantine regulations. We were released 
 
at 9:30 A.M. and landed. After paying my respects to 
 the officer in command of the military district (Colonel 
 Castelman of the First Kentucky Volunteers, now Briga- 
 dier-General) and making a hasty survey of the town, 
 we reembarked, and the same night proceeded to San 
 Juan, arriving there on the morning of November 28th. 
 Immediately on landing I reported to General Brooke at 
 his headquarters and presented to him my orders and 
 letters from you and from General Miles and Adjutant- 
 General Corbin. 
 
 General Brooke received me with the utmost cordiality, 
 and we freely discussed my mission and the adoption of 
 plans best calculated to insure its success. He caused 
 orders to be issued to all officers in command throughout 
 the island, instructing them to afford me every needed 
 facility and to cooperate with me in every suitable way 
 in furtherance of my work. He detailed an efficient and 
 accomplished interpreter with instructions to report to 
 me and serve as my special interpreter during my stay 
 on the island. He sent me with an introduction to Dr. 
 Carbonell, the Secretary of the Interior of the former 
 Spanish Government, who had been retained in office by 
 General Brooke. Dr. Carbonell is a gentleman of high 
 character and exceptional ability, and in entire sympathy 
 with the new order of things. The public school system 
 of Porto Rico is a part of the Department of the Interior 
 of the island, and while the individual schools in each 
 town are under the immediate supervision of the Alcalde 
 or Mayor, each Alcalde is under the supervision of the 
 Secretary of the Interior (Formento). 
 
 Dr. Carbonell manifested the keenest interest in my 
 mission, and at once tendered to me his hearty coopera- 
 tion. 
 
Assured of the hearty, enthusiastic, and lively sym- 
 pathy of all the authorities, civil and military, that 
 greatly exceeded my most sanguine expectations, I 
 arranged for the first presentation ceremony to take 
 place at the Plaza Alfonso XII., San Juan, on the morn- 
 ing of December 4th at nine o'clock. 
 
 Promptly at the hour named the schools formed in a 
 hollow square. Thus grouped about your representa- 
 tive were the principals, teachers, and pupils of the 
 several schools in the city. There were rich children 
 and poor ones ; all were bright, cleanly, cheerful, and ex- 
 pectant. They numbered about 1,200. 
 
 The ceremony was opened by the band of the 
 Eleventh United States Infantry playing " My Country, 
 'tis of Thee." Then each principal in order of his or 
 her seniority was presented with an American flag and 
 certificate, which were received with much enthusiasm. 
 I then delivered a brief address, telling of Lafayette 
 Post and its patriotic motive in presenting to them 
 " Old Glory." 
 
 A Spanish translation of this address was read, and 
 at its conclusion Dr. Carbonell called for three cheers for 
 the United States, President McKinley, Lafayette Post, 
 and General Brooke, and even the undersigned was in- 
 cluded in the call. Everybody heartily responded. 
 
 In conclusion the band played " The Star Spangled 
 Banner," when every male head was uncovered and re- 
 mained so until the last bar was rendered. 
 
 The schools were then dismissed, and each, headed by 
 its standard bearer, their steps keeping time with the 
 music of " The Stars and Stripes Forever," marched 
 homeward. I cannot express my feelings as I realized 
 the accomplishment of this important mission. 
 
 23 
 
Among those present were General and Mrs. F. D. 
 Grant, his staff, and members of the Insular Cabinet. I 
 also noticed the British, French, and many other consuls 
 and representatives of foreign nations. 
 
 From San Juan, at which place I established head- 
 quarters, I made several trips to the remote parts of 
 Porto Rico by boat and on horseback, inspecting the 
 several companies of New York State troops stationed 
 at Fajardo, Isabel Segunda on the island of Vieques, 
 where the soldiers are garrisoned in old mediaeval bar- 
 racks. Humacao was also visited. Many of the towns 
 were located inland about four or five miles from the 
 coast, because the early settlers desired to hide the 
 towns so they could not be found by the buccaneers 
 who then sailed the Spanish Main for the purpose of 
 robbing and pillaging the seaboard villages as well as 
 the merchantmen. 
 
 At Fajardo Playa a significant and very gratifying in- 
 cident happened. I noticed in the crowd of urchins, or 
 muchachos, as they are called, a bright-eyed little chap 
 whose attire was even more scant than that of his com- 
 panions. He held in his hand a flower. Now, there is 
 one peculiarity about Porto Rico, which seems strange in 
 so fertile a country, and that is the scarcity of flowers 
 which is peculiar to this locality at that season of the 
 year. The blossom which this lad held in his hand was 
 the first flower I had noticed on the island. It was this 
 that attracted my attention to him. Seeing that I was 
 remarking it, he came forward and gave it me, and I put 
 it in my buttonhole. In return I gave him a silk flag 
 that I happened to have in my pocket. He looked at it 
 a moment, turned it over, and again stared at it. Then 
 suddenly, without a word of thanks, he scampered away 
 
 24 
 
up the street as fast as his bare feet could carry him. I 
 watched him run to the door of his hut, call his mother 
 and deliver his prize to her. He then ran into the 
 woods at the back of the house and shortly emerged 
 with a long stick of bamboo. Well, in less time than it 
 takes to tell it the flag of the United States floated over 
 Fajardo. 
 
 The next large function was held on December 9th, 
 in the city of Mayagiiez. Mayagiiez is one of the 
 wealthiest, most aristocratic, and progressive of all the 
 Porto Rican cities. 
 
 On my arrival I called on Lieutenant-Colonel Carr, 
 of the Fifth United States Cavalry, commanding the 
 district and province of Mayagiiez. He assured me of 
 his earnest cooperation. I then visited the Alcalde, and 
 delivered to him seventy-seven flags to be distributed to 
 schools in his district outside of the city of Mayagiiez, 
 and received a receipt for them. 
 
 At four o'clock Saturday afternoon there were as- 
 sembled at the Plaza twenty-seven city schools and 
 about one thousand scholars, the Alcalde and City Coun- 
 cil, Lieutenant-Colonel Carr, and all the ofificers on duty, 
 Mr. Gerhardt Monefeldt, the British vice-consuls, the 
 bands of the Fifth United States Cavalry and of the 
 firemen. 
 
 My address was read in Spanish. Mr. F. Cubas, a 
 leading citizen, replied in English, stating that, at the 
 request of the Alcalde, and on behalf of the people of 
 Mayagiiez, he wished to cordially thank me for coming 
 to that city, and for the patriotic action of the Lafayette 
 Post in sending the flags ; that they desired me to 
 assure my comrades that their gift would always be 
 cherished by them ; that " the people of Mayagiiez stood 
 
 25 
 
ready to become loyal citizens of the United States, and 
 were waiting for a chance to attest that loyalty by de- 
 fending our flag with their life's blood, whether it be on 
 the green hills of their native land or on the white, snow- 
 clad plains of the mother country." 
 
 I presented to the principal of each school a flag, and 
 was thanked by each one in a very graceful and polite 
 manner. The schools paraded past the stand and were 
 reviewed by the assembled dignitaries. After the review 
 sweetmeats were distributed among the children. I re- 
 turned the next day to San Juan by way of Aguadilla 
 and Camuy, at which places I visited the schools and 
 witnessed the exercises which were being held. I sub- 
 sequently furnished these schools with flags. 
 
 Before finally leaving San Juan I had a long interview 
 with Dr. Carbonell, and together we reviewed the work 
 which had been done, the feeling manifested by the 
 teachers and children, and the general population as 
 well, over the presentation of the flags, the moral effect 
 already produced and likely to result, and, generally, 
 the influence of this remarkable enterprise of Lafayette 
 Post in inculcating among the youth of Porto Rico 
 loyalty to the Union of the United States of America 
 and veneration for the flag as the emblem of liberty, 
 equal rights, and national unity. 
 
 Dr. Carbonell was most enthusiastic over the results 
 already achieved and most sanguine of the permanency 
 of the influence of the work upon the youth of Porto 
 Rico. Indeed, he expressed his entire confidence that 
 the schools of Porto Rico would all speedily adopt the 
 reception and salutation of the flag as part of their 
 daily curriculum, and conjoined with patriotic exercises 
 suited to the sex and age of the pupils. 
 
 26 
 
He had made a careful estimate of the number of 
 flags required to provide each school with a flag, and 
 showed me data justifying a total of 600. Indeed, 
 before leaving him, he exacted from me a promise that 
 Lafayette Post would send him the additional 300 (I 
 having brought out 300 with me). I earnestly recom- 
 mend that these flags be sent as soon as possible.* I 
 have no doubt whatever that Dr. Carbonell will regard 
 their delivery as a sacred trust, and that he will promptly 
 and properly distribute them. Indeed, before I left 
 Porto Rico he had caused to be distributed a consider- 
 able number of flags, which I delivered to him for the 
 purpose, to various schools in the country districts which 
 I could not personally visit. 
 
 As I was to sail from Ponce on my return to New 
 York, Dr. Carbonell sent orders to the Alcalde of that 
 city to arrange for a public ceremonial for the presenta- 
 tion of flags. 
 
 I proceeded to Ponce by way of the military road. A 
 report of my journey would be incomplete without a 
 description of this road. The construction of it was 
 commenced in 1880; finished in 1888, and cost several 
 million dollars. It was built entirely of macadam, and 
 as much care is bestowed upon it as on those in our 
 prominent parks. It might be a road through the 
 Garden of Eden, so verdant and beautiful is the sur- 
 rounding scenery, so fertile the plants and plateaus. 
 Every turn of the road disclosed some new caprice of 
 nature, some rare blending of light and shade. On every 
 side, over every hill and vale, nature's green tapestry is 
 
 * These flags were forwarded to Dr. Carbonell after the sub- 
 mission of this report. — A. C. B. 
 
 27 
 
spread and draped in all its virgin purity. The air is 
 fragrant and soft like that of a huge conservatory. The 
 poverty of my words prevents me from doing justice to 
 the resplendent beauty of this portion of our Emerald 
 Isle. 
 
 On my arrival at Ponce on the 19th I found the prep- 
 arations well under way. The presentation of the flags 
 at Ponce took place on the 20th of December. 
 
 Here I distributed flags to twenty-one schools, and 
 some 800 scholars were assembled. Again the flags 
 were received with unbounded enthusiasm by officials, 
 teachers, and scholars. 
 
 Through the courtesy of Comrade and Lieutenant- 
 Colonel Burke, commanding the district of Ponce, the 
 band of the Nineteenth Regulars was present and 
 played patriotic music to the delight of the multitude. 
 I made an address and then presented the flags. 
 
 On receiving the flag and certificate, many of the 
 principals responded with brief addresses full of patriotic 
 sentiment and gratitude. The following is one that was 
 delivered in English by the principal of the boys' 
 primary school : 
 
 " Sir: Believe me that I will always keep this hand- 
 some flag with love. I will defend it during all my life, 
 and I will teach my pupils to respect and love it always. 
 When you return to the United States tell how the 
 Porto Ricans have received the American flag." 
 
 The Alcalde called upon the children for three cheers 
 for the flag, which were given with a will ; after which 
 they marched by me in review and were dismissed. As 
 
 28 
 
the last school passed I realized with regret that my 
 mission was ended. 
 
 Many of the schools in cities are located on the sec- 
 ond floor of a house, and are hired by the principal. In 
 some cases the teachers have to pay the rent of the 
 schoolroom out of their salary. The evil of this system 
 is apparent. 
 
 Schoolrooms for the most part are cleanly, but scantily 
 furnished. Books are scarce, and in the primary schools 
 many of the lessons are taught from placards, which line 
 the walls. In the smaller towns the schools occupy huts 
 containing but one room. 
 
 The wages paid the teachers vary from $40 to $100 
 per month, Porto Rican currency. During the Spanish 
 occupancy the days of payment were very uncertain, 
 but I am happy to say that the instructors are now paid 
 promptly. Children go to school at about four years of 
 age and leave at thirteen, unless they go to the institute 
 which corresponds to our high school. 
 
 There is one college on the island which is conducted 
 by a Roman Catholic order, and was heavily subsidized 
 by the Spanish Government. I was told that none 
 but Spaniards, or strong Spanish sympathizers, were 
 admitted. 
 
 General Guy Henry, who is at present military gov- 
 ernor, has, with the cooperation of Dr. Carbonell, already 
 begun to reorganize the entire school system. 
 
 I was astonished at the scarcity of our flag every- 
 where. Wherever I stopped, as soon as my mission be- 
 came known, I received requests for flags from military, 
 naval, and civil authorities. Many of these it was 
 impossible to refuse, and your flags are now flying at 
 the naval station, commissary's and paymaster's of^ces 
 
 29 
 
in San Juan, and the army posts at Cayey, Caguas, 
 Guayama, Toa Alto, and others. 
 
 We sailed from Ponce on December 21st on the Red 
 D Line steamer Philadelphia, arriving in New York at 
 6 P.M., December 26th. 
 
 Much of the success of my mission was due to the 
 active and hearty cooperation of the army officers in 
 every city and town I visited, and especially to the con- 
 stant and zealous aid rendered me by Lieutenant Bird, 
 my secretary. 
 
 In conclusion I desire to put on record the opinion 
 that of the many good deeds and patriotic works for 
 which this great Post is famous, there is none which is 
 likely to exert a more lasting influence or be productive 
 of greater good than the presentation of American flags 
 to the schools of Porto Rico. 
 
 Respectfully submitted, 
 
 Lieutenant-Colonel and Assistant 
 Adjutant-General, S. N. Y. ; 
 Special Flag Commissioner for 
 Lafayette Post. 
 
 30 
 
ADDRESS OF COMRADE BAKEWELL ON 
 PRESENTING THE FLAGS 
 
 Mr. Chairman, Teachers, and Scholars. 
 
 Ladies and Gentlemen ; Thirty-five years ago the 
 people of the United States of America were in the 
 midst of a terrible war — a war which lasted four years, 
 engaging from the beginning to the end over two millions 
 of men in active service. 
 
 It is not pertinent to this occasion for me to make 
 mention of the causes of that war, or to deal with it, 
 except for the introduction of the Grand Army of the 
 Republic, an organization born in the travail of war and 
 growing into a society having more than 300,000 mem- 
 bers. No one may belong to it unless he served in the 
 army and navy of 1861 to 1865 under the banner of the 
 Stars and Stripes. 
 
 The Grand Army of the Republic is a parent civil 
 organization, having for its offspring State departments 
 which are composed of smaller bodies called posts. I 
 represent one of these posts — Lafayette Post, No. 140, 
 of the Department of the State of New York — one of 
 nearly seven hundred in the State, banded together for 
 patriotic purposes. 
 
 31 
 
The Grand Army of the Repubhc is a fraternal 
 and charitable order, dealing with fraternity and 
 charity chiefly within its own membership ; but the 
 corner-stone of its foundation is loyalty — loyalty to 
 the Government of the United States and the flag 
 which is the emblem of its sovereignty and the ensign 
 of freedom. 
 
 In many ways the Grand Army of the Republic has 
 been instrumental in emphasizing patriotism and in incul- 
 cating a spirit of loyalty among the youth of the country 
 which holds its position in the family of nations, sup- 
 ported by the principles of liberty, and shelters its citi- 
 zens under the protection of the flag ; and if I recite 
 only the incidents connected with Lafayette Post it is 
 not because it has been alone in the labor of loyalty, but 
 because I am more familiar with its own history and 
 achievements. 
 
 Ten years ago the educational institutions of the 
 United States were devoted to geography and history 
 and other branches of study from books — regardless of 
 object lessons of patriotism — but a spirit of usefulness 
 was moved to action within the minds of my comrades 
 of the Post, and we presented a beautiful flag to the 
 College of the City of New York. It was publicly done 
 in a manner befitting the dignity of the college and the 
 character of the men composing the Post. Following this, 
 during short intervals of time, other flags — many of 
 them — were presented by the Post to other schools, in 
 different localities in the State, even beyond its borders. 
 On these occasions whenever the glorious flag floated to 
 the breeze and was kissed by the zephyrs which came 
 across our abundant lakes and down the sides of our 
 majestic mountains, an inspiration was wafted across the 
 
 32 
 
continent that touched the patriotism of our people and 
 fanned into fervor the noble feelings of love for the 
 country where liberty is queen and whose throne is 
 equality, until to-day this splendid flag climbs the staff 
 on every schoolhouse in the land whenever the children 
 assemble, and waves its benediction and asserts its pro- 
 tection to the growing youth who are inspired by its 
 grace and power, to cherish and defend it. Beneath this 
 flag, not only flying above — but draped on the walls 
 within the enclosures — the preceptors teach reverence to 
 the Almighty and loyalty to freedom ; and the scholars, 
 inspired by its presence, learn of the noble duties of life 
 and become educated to resist to death the advance of 
 oppression. 
 
 Lafayette Post is the parent of military instruction 
 in public schools. It has erected a pedestal of granite, 
 with mottoes and emblems and prayer set in bronze, 
 from which rises a staff piercing the air 150 feet above, to 
 fly the flag over a university where a thousand young 
 men are finishing a course of study just as they step 
 from youth to manhood to take their places among the 
 people who rule — from whose body a hundred threw 
 away the gown and cap and sprang from the lap of 
 luxury and refinement, full panoplied for the war just 
 closed, that they might carry to the " isles of the sea" 
 the liberty that reigns on a continent of seventy millions 
 of freemen ; it has gone into the humbler section of my 
 own great city of New York, and supported a class in 
 civics ; it has planted on the highway winding through 
 the places made historic in the period of the Revolution 
 of 1776 a memorial to Lafayette, the noble French mar- 
 quis who left his own land to come to ours to help tis 
 establish liberty and break in two the yoke of thraldom. 
 3 33 
 
I might tell you more. We feed the hungry and clothe 
 the poor; we minister unto the sick and we bury 
 the dead, with the flag for a winding sheet as we 
 lower them away covered with flowers to sleep the 
 soldier's sleep of peace. And the last deed which 
 the Infinite God placed within our reach to perform 
 was to place in the Volunteer and Regular Army of 
 the United States, then in camp for active service, 
 nearly 4,000 men to add their strength and courage to 
 the forces gathered to go into the fortified places of an 
 acclimated foe and drive inhumanity away from the 
 peaceful neighborhood of our own happy and contented 
 country. 
 
 And now, my friends, in the line of duty which the 
 soldiers and sailors of the republic have laid upon their 
 lives; in the name of Lafayette Post, No. 140, Depart- 
 ment of New York, Grand Army of the Republic ; in the 
 name of more than 300,000 veteran soldiers of our own 
 war; in the name of the great United States, which has 
 acknowledged our mission and aided us to perform it, I 
 have been sent to you by the Post in which I hold a 
 command, fully cognizant of the sublimity of the price- 
 less gift I have brought to raise over your schools and 
 to festoon upon your walls — the flag of the United 
 States. 
 
 If, as with my own people, it shall be an object 
 lesson that shall teach what it implies and lead you 
 on to the day when you, like us, will recognize all 
 the power it stands for, all the mercy it carries, all 
 the security it guarantees, and inspire you to rever- 
 ence it and obey its silent but superior admonitions, 
 and you follow its beckoning to a high standard of 
 conscientious regard for law and government, my mission 
 
 34 
 
will have been holy, and the end your own happiness 
 and comfort. 
 
 In the United States we not only fly the flag over the 
 schools — we have broadened out into a wider sphere of 
 usefulness : we have been taught by the flag that there 
 is yearning for all knowledge of those who fought for it 
 and died for it — of all the blessings brought with its de- 
 fence and preservation ; and we have established in the 
 schools special days for the recital of heroic deeds and 
 the eulogy of the bravest men. With tableaux, and ora- 
 tion, and song, and parade the scenes of national victory 
 and national glory are spread before the youth to teach 
 all that they represent. The national hymns are sung ; 
 the children beat time to martial music ; the stories of 
 noble lives are told, and with this grand object in view 
 all are directed to the God of the nation which governs 
 in His name and lives by the precept of the Golden Rule 
 of Christ. 
 
 Teachers, I commend the flag to you as a text-book 
 of freedom. Tell these children of its birth, its his- 
 tory, its glorious achievements ; tell them that under 
 its government every child is of noble birth and every 
 son may become a ruler. 
 
 And scholars, I have been sent here by veteran sol- 
 diers who want you to share their comforts, their hap- 
 piness, their liberty. They have fought on many a 
 bloody field for the supremacy of this flag ; not because 
 they were valiant alone, but because the flag would pro- 
 tect their hearthstones and the sanctity of their homes. 
 They left homes of comfort — their fond mothers, lov- 
 ing wives ; they tore themselves away from their cling- 
 ing children, and endured hardships, and suffering, and 
 pain. Many left their limbs on the field of battle, and 
 
 35 
 
thousands have borne for thirty years physical suffering 
 and poverty that this beautiful flag might be preserved. 
 And now they send it to you with all the blessings it 
 represents, to cheer you on the way of life. Cherish it, 
 I beseech you, as you should esteem honor and purity ; 
 and never forget that it was human love which sent it to 
 you, and divine love which gave it birth. 
 
 Fellow citizens — and I address you thus advisedly — 
 my duty on this occasion is done, and in the fulfilment 
 of the mission there has been laid an obligation upon 
 you that can only end with your lives. Whoever holds 
 up that flag is a benefactor of the human race ; whoever 
 hauls it down is a master of oppression and a curse to 
 his kindred. 
 
 36 
 
c/2 ej 
 
 o S 
 ►J u 
 
 O A 
 
To 
 
 in charge of School 
 
 at , Porto Rico. 
 
 Dear Sir : The National Flag of the United States of 
 America is presented herewith to the school in your 
 charge, by Lafayette Post, No. 140, Department of New 
 York of the Grand Army of the Republic, a national 
 organization composed entirely of veterans who saw ser- 
 vice in defending the flag in the Civil War, 1861 to 1865. 
 
 Lafayette Post is a prominent part of such organiza- 
 tion. It contains many conspicuous and brilliant soldiers 
 among its members, including several Generals who have 
 participated in the war with Spain. 
 
 Many retired soldiers and prominent and distinguished 
 citizens of the United States are, or have been, mem- 
 bers of the organization ; among them the following 
 Presidents of the United States : Generals U. S. Grant, 
 Rutherford B. Hayes, James A. Garfield, Benjamin 
 Harrison, and William McKinley ; also Generals W. T. 
 Sherman, P. H. Sheridan, Joseph Hooker, H. W. 
 Slocum, Daniel E. Sickles, O. O. Howard, Russell 
 A. Alger, now Secretary of War; Nelson A. Miles, 
 now Commander of the United States Army, and 
 Daniel Butterfield, Commander of Lafayette Post, and 
 others. 
 
 Lafayette Post inaugurated a system of presenting 
 
 39 
 
the flag of our country to the Pubhc Schools in the 
 United States. 
 
 In common with all our citizens, it feels a deep interest 
 in the welfare of the people of our beautiful island of 
 Porto Rico. It desires that Porto Rican youth should 
 speedily follow our custom to venerate and love this flag. 
 This flag ensures not only the protection of liberty and 
 the rights of all who live under it, but also religious 
 freedom, security in rights of property, with the happi- 
 ness and prosperity that come from honest work. 
 
 I come to see that you receive this flag as the custo- 
 dian and guardian on behalf of the donors, my comrades 
 of Lafayette Post, and the school and scholars to whom 
 it is now presented. It is to remain in your custody 
 and that of whomever succeeds you in the care of the 
 school property. 
 
 Hoping you will accept this as a sacred trust, and that 
 it may prove serviceable in making good citizens of the 
 youth under your charge, I am 
 
 Your friend and servant, 
 
 Lt.-Col. and A. A. G. Staff 
 of Governor of New York, 
 Junior Vice- Commander of 
 Lafayette Post, and Special 
 School Flag Comtnissioner 
 to Porto Rico. 
 San Juan, Porto Rico, 
 
 December 17, 1898. 
 
 [The foregoing is a copy of the certificate, printed both in English and Spanish, 
 that was presented with the flag to each school, in suitable form for framing, in the 
 centre of which was a beautifully embossed flag, of which the outside cover of this 
 book is a facsimile.] 
 
 40 
 
CIRCULAR OF INSTRUCTIONS, PRINTED IN ENG- 
 LISH AND SPANISH, DISTRIBUTED TO ALL 
 THE SCHOOLS 
 
 The general form of presentation of the United States 
 flag in most of the pubhc schools is substantially as fol- 
 lows : At the given hour in the morning the pupils are 
 assembled and in their place in the school. A signal is 
 given by the principal of the school. Every student or 
 pupil rises in his place. The flag is brought forward to 
 the principal or teacher. While it is being brought for- 
 ward from the door to the stand of the principal or 
 teacher every pupil gives the flag the military salute, 
 which is as follows : 
 
 The right hand uplifted, palm upward, to a line with 
 the forehead, close to it. While thus all standing with 
 the palm uplifted and in the attitude of salute, all the 
 pupils repeat together slowly and distinctly the follow- 
 ing pledge : 
 
 " I pledge allegiance to my flag and to the republic 
 for which it stands. One nation indivisible, with liberty 
 and justice for all." 
 
 At the words as pronounced in this pledge, " to my 
 flag,'' each one extends the right hand gracefully, palm 
 upward, toward the flag until the end of the pledge or 
 
 41 
 
affirmation. Then all hands drop to the side. The 
 pupils still standing, all sing together in unison the song, 
 "America," " My Country, 'tis of Thee." 
 
 In the primary departments, where the children are 
 very small, they are taught and repeat this instead of 
 the pledge as given for the older children : 
 
 " I give my hand, my head, my heart to my country. 
 One country, one people, one flag." 
 
 42 
 
Yauco, Porto Rico, December 27, 1898. 
 Colonel Allan C. Bakewell, 
 
 Junior Vice- Cotnmander Lafayette Post, No. 140, 
 G. A. R., New York City. 
 
 Dear Colonel : Enclosed please find an address read 
 by Senorita Ines Caparros Soler at the turning over of 
 the flags to the schools in this city on the 25th day of 
 December at 9 A. M. The presentation was made in the 
 city hall, a large number of the representative citizens 
 of the place, the teachers of all the schools in the dis- 
 trict of Yauco, and the pupils of the city schools being 
 present. The city band discoursed our national airs. 
 After the speaking was over, the whole party marched 
 to the oldest school in the place, on which a flag was 
 raised, the band playing " The Star Spangled Banner," 
 the men uncovering, after which three cheers were given, 
 and the ceremony was over. Hoping you had a pleas- 
 ant voyage to New York, and with kind regards, 
 
 Yours very truly, 
 
 C. A. Vernon, 
 
 Captain Nineteenth Infantry, 
 
 Commanding Post. 
 
 43 
 
To President McKinley, 
 
 General Henry, the American People, Her Gallant 
 Army and Navy, and All Persons Who Have the 
 True American Heart — Greetings. 
 
 In receiving this flag that symbolizes Hberty and prog- 
 ress, the great federation of 45 states, with 70 millions 
 of inhabitants all living in law and democracy my heart 
 is filled with untold joy in feeling that in receiving this 
 beautiful emblem I am becoming baptized as an Ameri- 
 can and thus becoming in possession of all liberties that 
 our new father country enjoys and which are those to 
 which she owes her greatness and power and against 
 which must ever crumble all tyrannous governments. 
 
 Please bear to President McKinley the testimony of 
 our profound admiration for him personally, the great 
 leader of that onward movement of human liberty whose 
 light is being shed upon us to day, also to the great 
 American people of whom we are so proud to call our- 
 selves fellow-citizens, to the adopted country of Lafay- 
 ette, immortal name that recalls to us many historic 
 events of your independence war. Say to those who 
 have sent us that flag that it shall ever stand in the place 
 of honor in our school and that our scholars shall be 
 taught to love and venerate it, trusting our fathers, sons 
 and brothers to defend it against all enemies whatsoever. 
 
 44 
 
May this beautiful star spangled banner ever wave 
 over the land of the free and the home of the brave and 
 may we ever live under its folds. 
 
 INES Caparros Soler. 
 
 School mistress. 
 Yauco 
 P. R. 
 W. I. 
 
 U. S. A. 
 
 45 
 
War Department, 
 
 Headquarters Department of Porto Rico, 
 
 Secretary of Fomento. 
 
 San Juan, January ii, 1899. 
 
 Mr. Allan C. Bakewell, 
 
 New York. 
 
 Sir : I had the honor to receive your favor, dated 
 December 30th, and see that Christmas festivities have 
 been an impediment for that patriotic Canton * to meet. 
 
 I must inform you that I had the pleasure to distrib- 
 ute twenty flags to the schools of Arecibo, and the 
 festivity resulted splendid, my speech being much ap- 
 plauded, as in same I exposed why it is our duty to love 
 "The Old Glory." 
 
 The Arecibo people send their most enthusiastic 
 thanks to the Canton Lafayette for their patriotic gift. 
 
 The same day, five flags were distributed at Camuy 
 with the greatest pomp possible. 
 
 Yours respectfully, 
 
 Dr. S. Carbonell. 
 
 * Post. 
 
 46 
 
Extract from the Report of Committee on Military 
 Instruction 
 
 " Resolved, That the Committee on Military Instruc- 
 tion and Patriotic Education in Schools, to which was 
 referred the report of Comrade Bakewell upon the pres- 
 entation of flags to the schools of Porto Rico, beg to 
 report that, after its reading and careful consideration, 
 we feel that the thanks of the Post are due to Lieuten- 
 ant-Colonel Bakewell for the very thorough manner in 
 which he performed this service, and that we approve 
 the carrying out of the recommendation therein con- 
 tained as to forwarding 300 additional flags. We also 
 take this occasion to thank Commander Butterfield for 
 the manner in which he has carried forward this work 
 since the committee referred it to him with power." 
 
 47 
 
U. S. A., Department of Porto Rico, 
 Office of Justice of Juana Diaz. 
 January 7, 1899. 
 
 Mr. Allan C. Bakewell, 
 
 School Flag Commissioner to Porto Rico. 
 
 Sir : The town council, in special session held to- 
 day, resolved to address to you a message appreciative 
 of our gratitude to you, as the representative of Post 
 Lafayette, for the valued gift which the said Post has 
 been pleased to make to the schools of this district. 
 The act of distribution took place upon the first day of 
 the present month, accompanied by public ceremonies, 
 with the attendance and assistance of the authorities 
 and the Governor-General of the island. Please to ex- 
 tend to your honorable associates of the Post our great 
 gratitude. 
 
 Most respectfully, 
 
 E. Froenceschi, 
 
 The Chief Justice. 
 
 48 
 
Don Jose Cordoves y Berrios 
 
 Secretary of the Town Cotcncil of Hato Grande, Porto Rico^ 
 
 Certifies that this Council, in regular session, on the 
 i6th of December, passed the following: 
 
 The President said that in the capital a day had been 
 appointed for holding a beautiful civic festival, with the 
 intention of delivering to the schools the flags which 
 had been patriotically dedicated by Post Lafayette, No. 
 140, of the Department of New York ; and that there 
 were in this municipality five schools, whose teachers and 
 scholars had the same love for the " Old Glory " of the 
 United States as those of the capital ; and that we 
 should earnestly request for these educational centres 
 the glorious ensigns now being carried about Guanica 
 and San Juan with so much acclamation ; and that we 
 pray and hope for their unfolding, with all the affection, 
 admiration, and devotion which this majestic symbol 
 of American liberty is deserving of. The council by 
 unanimous vote, placed on record their request to said 
 Post, which has shown a proof of its refining affection by 
 the gift of flags that lighten our people with their stars, 
 and bind us together fraternally with red and white 
 bands. 
 
 4T 49 
 
And to remit a copy of this resolution, which is 
 filed December 22, 1898, at Hato Grande, to the 
 President of Post Lafayette. 
 
 Jose Cordoves y Berrios, 
 
 El Alcalde Aporte. 
 
 CONCURRING : 
 
 The President, 
 
 Fernando Aponte; 
 
 Alderme7i or Councibnen, 
 
 Federico Seltes, 
 Felipe Gonzales, 
 Luis Seltes, 
 Domingo Suarez, 
 Sebastian Aponte, 
 Rafael Coton, 
 Fernado R. Rodriguez, 
 Jose Rodriguez Seyo; 
 
 Secretary, 
 
 Jose Cordoves y Berrios. 
 
 50 
 
Office Purchasing and Depot Commissary, 
 U. S. Army. 
 San Juan, Porto Rico, February 25, 1899. 
 
 Colonel Allan C. Bakewell, 
 
 New York City. 
 
 My dear Colonel Bakewell: Upon receipt of your 
 letter of the 9th instant in regard to the distribution of 
 the flags contributed by Lafayette Post to the schools 
 of this island I called upon Dr. Carbonell and found that 
 he was out of the city. I found out last evening that 
 he had returned, so I looked him up this morning, and 
 he informed me that he had received the flags and had 
 turned them over to the new Secretary of the Interior ; 
 that he had distributed some of the flags that he had re- 
 ceived from you in person, but at the time of his res- 
 ignation from ofifice still had fifteen of these flags in 
 his possession, and these he also delivered to the new 
 Secretary of the Interior, making 315 that he turned 
 over ; and that he had written you. I then hunted up 
 the Secretary of the Interior, and from him learned that 
 all these flags had been turned over to General J. B. 
 Eaton, Superintendent of Public Instruction in this 
 island. I then hunted up General Eaton, whose ofifice is 
 in this city, and he informed me that he received these 
 flags and is now distributing them as rapidly as can be 
 done, in a way to insure that all will reach their proper 
 
 51 
 
destinations. I know you will be pleased to learn that 
 General Eaton seems much interested in this matter and 
 is going to see that the schools get them. The Assist- 
 ant Secretary of the Interior told me this morning that 
 he tried to get one of these flags for his building, but 
 General Eaton refused, saying that he needed them all 
 for his schools. 
 
 So I think, Colonel, that you can rest assured that 
 the good work you began will be most satisfactorily 
 completed by General Eaton. It will always be a pleasure 
 to me to do anything for you or your Post, Colonel, 
 and I trust you will not hesitate to call upon me. 
 
 Sincerely yours, 
 
 John Little, 
 
 Major, U. S. Army. 
 
 52 
 
Lafayette Post, No. 140, 
 Department of New York, G. A. R. 
 New York, February 14, 1899. 
 
 Major-General Guy V. Henry, 
 
 Commanding Department of Porto Rico, 
 San yuan, Porto Rico. 
 
 Dear Sir: As you may be aware, Lafayette Post 
 undertook to furnish an American flag to every school 
 in Porto Rico, and to that end Lieutenant-Colonel 
 Allan C. Bakewell visited Porto Rico with several hun- 
 dred American flags. 
 
 Under the direction of General Brooke, Dr. Carbonell, 
 Secretary of the Interior, assisted Colonel Bakewell in 
 the distribution of these flags ; and such flags as Colonel 
 Bakewell had not time to personally distribute before 
 returning North were left in his charge, since which time 
 Lafayette Post has forwarded 300 additional flags to his 
 care. 
 
 Inasmuch as the newspapers report that Dr. Carbonell 
 no longer fills that position, we respectfully request that, 
 if you have made no other arrangement, you will des- 
 ignate Major George W. Fishback, Chief Paymaster, 
 Department of Porto Rico, as the ofificer to direct the 
 distribution of these flags among the schools in the 
 
 53 
 
Department of Porto Rico. Major Fishback is about 
 to sail from New York, and we understand he is willing 
 to undertake this mission. 
 
 By complying with the above suggestion you will con- 
 fer a favor upon the Post, and, as we believe, assist in the 
 proper distribution of the flags. 
 
 Very sincerely yours, 
 
 Commander. 
 
 54 
 
War Department, 
 
 Headquarters Department of Porto Rico. 
 
 Secretary of Fomento. 
 
 San Juan, February i6, 1899. 
 
 Colonel Allan C. Bakewell, 
 
 New York City. 
 
 Dear Sir : The 300 flags recently shipped us, through 
 the courtesy of Lafayette Post, for use by the public 
 schools here, have been received, and will shortly be 
 distributed to schools not yet supplied throughout the 
 island. We find your circular letters and order of exer- 
 cises also enclosed. 
 
 General Eaton, Superintendent of Public Instruction, 
 directs me to thank the Post and you personally for 
 your patriotic efforts in behalf of our schools. So far as 
 he has been able to observe, the ceremony of saluting 
 the flag is performed daily in all of the schools here. 
 
 Very truly yours, 
 
 Victor S. Clark, 
 
 Deputy Superintendent. 
 
 57 
 
War Department, 
 
 Headquarters Department of Porto Rico. 
 
 Secretary of Fomento. 
 
 San Juan, February 28, 1899. 
 
 Commander J. J. Little, 
 
 Lafayette G. A. R. Post, New York City. 
 
 Dear Sir: I wrote Lieutenant-Colonel Bakewell* 
 recently, acknowledging receipt of flags. We shall wel- 
 come the cooperation of Major Fishback in the matter. 
 
 By order of General Eaton, Superintendent of Public 
 Instruction. 
 
 V. S. Clark, 
 
 Deputy Superintendent. 
 
 * Refers to letter of February i6th, appearing on page 57 of this 
 report. 
 
 58 
 
Office of Chief Paymaster, 
 San Juan, Porto Rico, March 13, 1899. 
 
 Colonel Allan C. Bakewell, 
 
 No. 479 Fifth Avenue, New York City, N. Y. 
 
 My dear Colonel: A hurried word to say that the 
 flags, and the three hundred certificates pubHshed in 
 EngHsh and Spanish, and signed by you, intended for 
 each school which secured a flag, were all received and 
 distributed. I saw General Eaton to-day, and have an 
 appointment with him for to-morrow afternoon. I will 
 write you fully after that interview. 
 
 ***** 
 
 Best wishes to you and Bird. Write me often, and I 
 shall do the same. 
 
 Sincerely yours, 
 
 Geo. W. Fishback. 
 
 59 
 
Anascer, Playa, 
 Porto Rico, February 12, 1899. 
 
 Colonel Allan C. Bakewell, 
 
 New York. 
 
 Dear Sir: On January first of this year, the flag, 
 which you had sent me, in the name of the " Post La- 
 fayette " was delivered. My scholars received it with 
 many expressions of endearment, and to excite their 
 enthusiasm the more, I improvised a procession about 
 the neighborhood of the school of my especial charge 
 and upon our return I told them that this flag is the 
 ensignia of protection and liberty and that we ought to 
 love and defend it, in order to belong to the grandest 
 and richest nation of the earth, and to have the assur- 
 ance that we are beginning an era of progress and pros- 
 perity. We are in fact Americans, rallying with ardent 
 enthusiasm under the starry banner, and to-day we are 
 Americans by right. Each day, after roll-call, I have 
 the flag presentation, according to your instructions, 
 and on Saturday, I give my scholars an open air lesson, 
 along by the shore of the ocean, always carrying for our 
 device, this flag, which as you said, secures not only the 
 benefits of liberty and the rights of all those who live 
 
 60 
 
under it, but also religious liberty, and the guarantee of 
 the right of property and the happiness and prosperity 
 which result from honorable employment. Men like 
 yourself and the members of the " Post Lafayette " are 
 the more beneficial to the Nation, because you succeed 
 in making everything very interesting, through your 
 object lessons, and most powerfully inculcating and en- 
 couraging the love of country among all its citizens. 
 
 I am sincerely yours, 
 
 Ulpiano Crespoy. 
 
 6t 
 
War Department, 
 Headquarters Department of Porto Rico. 
 Secretary of Interior. 
 
 Section of Education. 
 
 San Juan, March 21, 1899. 
 
 Lieutenant-Colonel Allan C. Bakewell, 
 
 479 Fifth Avenue, New York. 
 
 Dear Sir : We have received your favor of March 2d. 
 The flags are being distributed rapidly, to the schools 
 not supplied by you earlier, throughout the island. I 
 have personally made a trip through the country east of 
 the military road, and have distributed flags and United 
 States maps to most of the schools in that portion of the 
 island. As opportunity offers, we are sending flags to 
 interior points of the western part of the island every 
 day ; all but about 150 of the last consignment have been 
 placed in the schools. When the distribution has been 
 entirely finished, we shall take pleasure in sending you 
 a full report. Wherever we hear, the flags are received 
 with favor, and the pledge is made daily in the schools. 
 
 Yours respectfully, 
 
 Victor S. Clark, 
 
 Sub-Director of Public Instruction. 
 
 62 
 
Office of Chief Paymaster, 
 San Juan, Porto Rico, March 20, 1899. 
 
 Colonel Allan C. Bakewell, 
 
 479 Fifth Avenue, New York City, N. V. 
 
 My dear Colonel : I have your letters of March 3d 
 and 7th, enclosing a copy of a letter from Deputy-Super- 
 intendent Clark in regard to flags and circulars. 
 
 General Eaton reports very satisfactory progress in re- 
 gard to the distribution of flags, and the observance of 
 the ceremonies of saluting flags. I will adopt your sug- 
 gestion, and, after another interview with General Eaton, 
 during which I will get all the information that he has 
 in regard to the schools here, I will write and send to 
 you a letter, so worded that you may read it to your 
 comrades in the Post. It will please them, no doubt, to 
 see how thoroughly the work begun by you is carried on. 
 
 Give my kindest regards to Bird, and believe me to be. 
 
 Very sincerely yours, 
 
 Geo. W. Fishback. 
 
 63 
 
LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 
 
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