Francis Burton Harrison

(December 18, 1873 — November 21, 1957) , former congressman, Governor-General of the Philippines, and adviser to Philippine presidents.

February 28, 1936

Visit to office of the usual series of men wanting me to get them jobs. Great relief when Rafferty arrived–he has forced his partners in

February 29, 1936

Air of repose in the Executive Building—when Quezon is in Malacañan the whole place is like a beehive. Visit from Sandiko. An interesting type, apparently

March 1-2, 1936

March 2, 1936

Traffic congestion during Carnival intolerable now over, thank God! Besides, cracks are reported in the north pier of the Ayala bridge, so heavy trucks arc

March 3, 1936

Reception at Japan Club. Saw Mrs Quezon who is just back from Java, and is much thinner. Talk with Speaker Montilla, a refined type of

March 4, 1936

Talk in the office with Dr. Schay, a Jewish refugee who escaped from the Nazis; he was the editor of the second largest newspaper in

March 5, 1936

Reporters who accompanied Quezon on his northern trip said that at the dedication of the Bayambong bridge and in three other speeches, Quezon stated that

March 6, 1936

Palting, who is an Ilocano, says of his people that they are never satisfied without some sum of money in the bank, while the Tagalogs

March 7, 1936

Photographed by Arellano for Malacañan. Quezon wishes to hang up photos of Taft, myself and Murphy as the three Americans most closely connected with significant

March 8-9, 1936

March 9, 1936

Trip with Doria to Atimonan; stopped en route to see Lukban, where we were greeted by Tolentino who was Presidente there on my last visit

March 11, 1936

At office. Hartendorp uneasy because his appointment is as “technical assistant,” and not as “adviser”; fears he will be reduced to mere routine work, and

March 12, 1936

Long talk with Prautch on credit for poor people in provinces. Quezon off to Baguio. Anderson and Clyde Dewitt at the hotel. Dewitt says Colin

March 13, 1936

Bridge tea for us at the Bocobo’s–five tables–Palma and Roxas there. Much interest in Franco-German crisis but no excitement.

March 15, 1936

Visit from Colin Hoskins–who said he was rather hurt that Quezon did not let him know before accepting his resignation as a director of the

March 17, 1936

Long talk at the office with Hartendorp, who is wearing down under his inability to see Quezon, or to do anything except routine matters. Fears

March 18, 1936

Lazy day at sea–rather rough in spots and no vessels sighted. Both girls seasick.

March 19, 1936

Arrived at Zamboanga one hour before the Mayon which brought Quezon, his daughter “Baby” and a considerable suite. Walk up to market place where Assemblyman

March 21, 1936

Back in Zamboanga. About 11 o’c off for Basilan, which was “non-Christian territory” in my time. Rough crossing to Isabela. I had visited there 20

Sunday, March 22, 1936

March 22, 1936

All day at sea and very rough–all hands more or less under the weather. Bridge in p.m. Quezon has, so far, won all the rubbers

March 23, 1936

We arrived at Marinduque at 9 a.m. on Arayat worn out by the voyage. We went off first and after fiddling about to get a

March 24, 1936

At the office. Miguel Unson, to whom I reported that Quezon told me he had instructed him (Unson) that I was to sit with the

March 25, 1936

Busy morning at office. Miguel Unson has seen Quezon and has received instructions that I shall work with the Government Survey Board. He came in

March 26, 1936

Off the coast of Masbate. Fishing was tried by Kerk etc, but the water was too rough. Arrived in the little harbour about 4 p.m.

March 27, 1936

Most of the party went off for the day to drive fifteen miles to IXL mine. There was a heavy rain and the weather is

March 28, 1936

At sea, bound for Manila. Quezon is trying to persuade Roxas and Alunan to go to Washington on the trade commission–they are holding back, probably

March 29, 1936

Doria in Baguio–quiet day at my desk at home.

March 30, 1936

Made the commencement address at the School of Surveying of the University of the Philippines, talking on the subjects of the Friar Land Estates in

March 31, 1936

Quezon telephoned asking us to the Commencement of the University of the Philippines at 8:15 a.m. I put on gown and hood for the first

April 1, 1936

Message from Quezon asking Babbitt, Andy Anderson and me to join him on Arayat. I accepted, Babbitt and Anderson declined–rather a job to get substitutes–Peters

April 2, 1936

Saleeby’s buffet supper at the Polo Club; then to Arayat with Peters and Wolff–leaving at 10 p.m. with Enaje and Avelino.

April 3, 1936

Absolutely quiet day at sea–on a painted ocean; arrived at sunset at the harbour of Sorsogon with the volcanoes Mayon and Buluyan on either side.