De Alexander: “I look upon my life, busy as it is, as a waste," he wrote, in 1847.”

More valuable still is his exposition of the Philippine question in its bearings on American life and politics.

In his text he explains the controversy so that the plain man may understand it, while in the notes he adduces the evidence that the specialist requires....

He had been an honest lawyer as well as an upright public official, and the people believed that his stubborn independence and sturdy integrity would make him a real governor, the enemy of rings and bosses, and the foe of avarice and…

Referring to the fraudulent practices, he said: "No one claims, no one believes, that I had lot or part therein, or previous hint or suspicion thereof.