Microhistory Project Summary - Resident Commissioner Benito Legarda, William Howard Taft, and the case of the Philippines. 1901 - 1915

As a result of the Spanish-American war, the Spanish government ceded the Philippines to the United States at the turn of the 20^th century. An Insular Government was set up known as the Philippine Commission which was an extension of American executive power. The 2^nd Philippine Commission was nicknamed the Taft Commission as it was headed by William Howard Taft who acted as General-Governor. Distance coupled with cultural, militaristic, religious, and political issues proved taxing on the Philippine Commission and the insular government.

The Philippines were recognized as an American territory during its executive control and thus required Congressional representation. Benito Legarda, a local Philippine statesmen, was appointed to the office of Resident Commissioner in which he gave voice to Philippine concerns and partnered with the Philippine Commission. Legarda and Taft quickly developed an intricate political partnership and a solid friendship.

The Library of Congress houses the original and microfilm collection known as the William Howard Taft Letters that span the entirety of his career. In the collection there exists a multitude, over 100, letters between Taft and Legarda discussing a plethora of issues and interests between them over the lifespan of the insular government. Legarda and Taft stayed in communication even after Legarda resigned as Resident Commissioner and up until his death in 1915. These letters illustrate anything but a distant political relationship. They cover topics of local Philippine events, celebrations, crime, Spanish religious hegemony, guerrilla rebellions in the provinces, and even intimate details of the personal lives of both men. These letters are but a small slice of the pie, yet cut very deep. They give great detail and insight into the political and cultural issues facing both men.

Such a rich and vibrant source, though I have yet to thoroughly read all the letters, proves to be an invaluable source that gives us a small lens through which to view large issues. Examples include, American imperialistic tendencies which come into the scene as the Philippine Commission attempts to deal with its control over the people of the Philippines. Such an exertion is seemingly simple yet realistically complex. Though the insular government claimed to control all of the Phillipines, it becomes clear that they only control the capitol, Manilla, and continually exert their influence into the provinces. The biggest problems early on are rebels and Spanish Catholic Friars who exert religious hegemony over sections of the population. Though Legarda resided in Manilla, he even mentions concerns for his life and relays a story to Taft about a friend suggesting he purchase a pistol since the rebellion was pushing its way towards the capitol.

In terms of sources, I would say this project will be similar in methodology to Thornton (Kongolese Saint Anthony) and Harms (Diligent). I feel like Harms uses sources extraordinarily well and similar to my own tactics in utilizing, for the most part, a single primary source while filling in the gaps with other secondary/primary sources to give a powerful and accurate representation. Legarda, though still utilizing professional and political language in his letters, proves to be much more intimate than Robert Durand. Something Harms would have been thrilled about. Though Harms uses a diary instead of letters, the difference in approach is miniscule. In fact in some ways I would say letters can be richer since they provide probing dialogue.

I also compare my project to Thornton due to the material being covered. Thornton deals directly with imperialistic notions, though Africa was not colonized at such a point, through the exertion of European/Western influence. Thornton also deals with the relation between secular local governments, civil war, and religious hegemony which are extremely similar to the fragmented Philippines of the early 20^th century. In some ways, it is the flip side of Thornton’s view as well since he observed a strange case of rebellion, though through western sources, I am viewing my project from the insular government’s perspective.

Though I have a lot of reading to do, both of this primary source and secondary ones to help me ascertain a better understanding of the context, it is evident to me that this source is extraordinary. Wondering if ‘Historians love to much’ I knew when I gathered this source, nearly 2 years ago for another project, that when I almost broke into tears at the last line shared between Taft and Legarda, Legarda would pass away a couple months later, that this was a powerful source indeed. It exists on the fringe of the large political spheres and yet at the center of its own. It gives a well-rounded and in-depth source which proves perfect for a microhistory, one in which I am excited to explore.