h Pennsylvania, with the rest of the artillery,
landed at Malabon, north of the besieged city.

_July 23._ The transport steamer _Rio Janeiro_, bearing two battalions of
South Dakota volunteers, recruits for the Utah Light Artillery, and a
detachment of the signal corps, sailed from San Francisco for Manila.

_July 25._ Major-General Merritt arrived at Cavite. Secretary Long
forwarded to Admiral Dewey the joint resolution of Congress, extending the
thanks of Congress for the victory achieved at Cavite. The resolution was
beautifully engrossed, and prefaced by a formal attestation of its
authenticity by Secretary of State Day, the whole being enclosed in richly
ornamented Russia covers.

Secretary Long, in his letter of transmittal, makes reference to a letter
from the Secretary of State complimenting Admiral Dewey upon his direction
of affairs since the great naval victory, a formal evidence that the State
Department is thoroughly well satisfied with the diplomatic qualities the
admiral has exhibited. The letter of Secretary Long is as follows:

"NAVY DEPARTMENT,
WASHINGTON, July 25, 1898.

"_Sir_:--The Department has received from the Secretary of State an
engrossed and certified copy of a joint resolution of Congress, tendering
the thanks of Congress to you, and the officers and men of the squadron
under your command, for transmission to you, and herewith encloses the
same.

"Accompanying the copy of the joint resolutions, the Department received a
letter from the Secretary of State requesting that there be conveyed to
you his high appreciation of your character as a naval officer, and of the
good judgment and prudence you have shown in directing affairs since the
date of your great achievement in destroying the Spanish fleet.

"This I take great pleasure in doing, and join most heartily on behalf of
the Navy Department, as well as personally, in the commendation of the
Secretary of State. Very respectfully,

"JOHN D. LONG, _Secretary_.

"_Rear-Admiral George Dewey, U. S. N., Commander-in-Chief U. S. Naval
Force, Asiatic Station._"

_July 29._ The transport steamer _St. Paul_, bearing the first battalion
of North Dakota volunteers, the Minnesota and Colorado recruits, sailed
from San Francisco for Manila.

_July 31._ The transports _Indian