The shrewd Filipinos with whom he was dealing understood this difference perfectly well.
It is a regrettable fact that there exists some reason to believe that his sympathy was not purely disinterested.

Aguinaldo claims that Pratt wished to be appointed "representative of the Philippines in the United States to promptly secure the official recognition of our independence" and that he promised him "a high post in the customs service." [25] It will be noted that several sentences and phrases in Blount's statement are enclosed in quotation marks.

From what were they quoted?
The next paragraph in his book tells us:-- "Says the newspaper clipping which has preserved the Pratt oration: At the conclusion of Mr.Pratt's speech, refreshments were served, and as the Filipinos, _being Christians, drink alcohol_, there was no difficulty in arranging as to refreshments." [26] The use of this clipping from the Singapore _Free Press_ illustrates admirably Blount's methods.

The _Free Press_ had at first displayed a marked coldness toward the insurgent cause, but its editor, Mr.St.Clair, was opportunely "seen" by Bray, who reported that as a result of his visit, both the editor and the paper would thereafter be friendly, and they were.

In other words, the _Free Press_ became the Singapore organ of the insurrection, and its editor, according to Bray, "a true and loyal friend" of Aguinaldo.
Blount claims to have made "an exhaustive examination of the records of that period." [27] Why then did he use as evidence a newspaper clipping from an Insurgent organ, instead of Santos's letter?
Blount endeavours to make capital out of the fact that Pratt forwarded to the State Department a proclamation which he says was gotten up by the Insurgent leaders at Hongkong and sent to the Philippines in advance of Aguinaldo's coming.