As the nineteenth century dawned, twilight crept over Spain's golden empire. Revolutionary movements in the Americas took their toll. Galleons no longer linked Acapulco and the Philippines. Isolation enveloped the Spanish-held Mariana Islands. Spain's years in the Pacific were numbered, but her loyal sons continued to garrison the Philippines and the Marianas, denying them to others, thwarting the revolutionaries. Throughout the century, Spain directed her experts and officials to gather data, prepare studies, and make recommendations regarding the military importance and the possibilities for economic development in the Marianas.

This volume incorporates three reports prepared during the final decade of Spain's presence in the Mariana Islands.

Two were prepared by valiant officers, heroes of the Spanish-American War, who gave their lives in Spain's struggle to save the remnants of her empire. One led the naval forces against Commodore Dewey at Manila Bay. The second led the defense against Roosevelt's Rough Riders, at Santiago, Cuba.

The third was prepared by a man despised and threatened by those he governed, who found it best to resign and depart on the next ship.