"On my return to Puerto Principe I found the country in insurrection, _dragged on_ by two or three men who were led wrong by their ill-digested ideas of liberty or by their own _private interest_, and whose only wish was _revolution in whatever way it could be brought about_. I grieved at this mistake, but without losing heart, and always firm in advancing the prosperity of Cuba, I called a meeting which was held at Clavellinas. There I made known the result of my observations during my trip to Bayamo; and after some discussions, the force of my arguments _prevailed_. With _one_ exception all agreed that we should _adhere to the Cadiz programme_. I was afterwards appointed General-in-Chief with _especial charge_ (thus it was set forth in the record) _that I should have an interview with General Valmaseda for the purpose noted above_. "In a conversation with that gentleman he manifested the _best of intentions_ in favor of a pacification, but stated that he was not empowered by his government to make any concession. He offered nevertheless to grant _effectual ones_, so soon as he could obtain the power. He called my attention to this; that whatever the liberties which should be granted to Cuba, the rights of the Cubans would have to be regarded as attacked if they did not _send representatives_ to have a hand in everything that might be done in regard to this country. "I knew too well the _reasons_ of General Valmaseda, but fearing that my fellow countrymen might not seize the force of his reasoning, we agreed upon a truce for four days which I requested in order to call another meeting more numerous and one which should decide the matter. This meeting _took place_ at _Las Minas_; and there as well as at Clavellinas, the majority was _not for a continuation of the war_ but for _accepting the Cadiz programme_. Had a vote been taken, it is certain that this choice _would have carried_; but I refrained from calling a vote in order to be consistent with the Caunao district which had made known through its delegate, Don Carlos L. Mola, Junior, that it wished to have no voting; because in case thereof they would be bound to its result; and that district was only in favor of _accepting_ whatever the government _chose to grant them_.