On the contrary, they brought him from Hongkong and assisted him in starting a revolution.

The negotiations in question were relative to the positions held by the Insurgents at the time the negotiations took place, and General Merritt's promise could not legitimately be interpreted to refer to anything else.
Had Aguinaldo accepted his offer, a most embarrassing situation would have resulted.

General Merritt was obviously not authorized to make such a proposition in the first instance, and the only honourable course left open to him would have been to advise Washington of his improper action and beg the Government to support him in it and thus save the honour of the country.
Fortunately, Aguinaldo did not act upon the promise nor accept the offer.

On the contrary, he promptly and indignantly denied that he was committed to anything, and sought to impose new conditions which were not acceded to.
Meanwhile some one doubtless got hold of General Merritt and called his attention to the fact that in making this offer he had grossly exceeded his authority, for in his reply to Aguinaldo's protest General Merritt says:-- "So far as any promises as to what should be done in the event of a conclusion of a treaty between the United States and Spain are concerned, it is utterly impossible for me as the military representative only of the United States to make any promises such as you request.

As you have already been informed, you may depend upon the good will of the Americans out here and the Government, of which you already know the beneficence, to determine these matters in the future." [179] Coming, as this statement did, after the offer made in the memorandum hereinbefore referred to, it must have aroused the suspicions of Aguinaldo and his associates, and in my opinion Merritt's conduct in making such a proposal in the first instance was inexcusable.
Before he could terminate the negotiations which followed he was called away, and turned this matter, together with other unfinished business, over to his successor, General E.S.