The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1873-12-05

With permission Of the Consul | wish TO
say few words in favor of the crew of the
Nirginius and the mitigation Of their punish
nent. The first pilot had Just escaped from
a shipwreck, and needed an advance of saa-
~ 70 buy clothes and have them made
Nothing was said 10 him in regard 10 the
blockade running, but on the contrary, a
had the authorization Of the owners. and had
prepared the papers Of the vessel, ] notified
every one that We were 10 be occupied in
trade with the Islands with passengers for
Puerto Sim0nes in Costa Rico. or ia taking
cattle 10 cuba, a believed that the vessel
might do so.
From the time when arms arrived on
board thought there would be occasion tor
portion OF the men 10 see the Consul. The
Consul i'm Puerto Principe sent for me, but
did not receive his message until ! was on
board. having been compelled 10 leave port
by order Of the authorities. There was
guard on board 10 prevent deseTtion by the
passengers. | know that some OF them pro-
tested, but Narona lei them know he would
answer propositions Of this class with the
pistol.
Running the blockade is considered risky
business among sailors. for which good pay
l. received. IL j. notorious that great
number OF vessels were employed in IL dur
ing the American war, and although
captures were numerous, not a single lie
was lost; the greater part OF the prisoners
q
ment / never heard word before the
night OF my sentence of Cuban law and the
proclamation relative TO An attempt 10 in
troduce arms into Cuba. III. with superior
opportunities. was ignorant that the ease
could be decided by another law than inter-
national. how complete must have been the
ignorance OF these poor people. | was con-
tinusly in the company OF people who
ought TO have known II, and not one alluded
10 the fact. In word. | believe that il l.
not known. ana that the world will be pain
fully surprised at learning the sacrifice OF
these lives.
The Consul knows well that am not
pleading for my own life have not prayed
10 God for IL, nor even TO the Blessed
Mother. i have neither home nor country
"a victim of war and persecution, the
avenues to the securing of property being
closed to me TO such point that | have not
been able TO provide bread for my wife ans
seven children, who know what il j. TO suf-
fer for the neceesaries of life My life il
one Of suffering. and look upon what has
happened to me "a a benefit of God. and it is
not for me, therefore, to ask fayors of any
one.
The engineer. Knight, know. came con-
trary 10 his will. lie was bitterly opposed
TO IT, As learn from the person who obtained
him 10 come.
Spanards. the world is not 80 full Of peo-
poor Bosaw Poor gentleman, with heart
as tender and a. compassionate as that OF
woman, 81 irreproachable honor. hi~ bush
ness was that of charity. He was devoted
10 Others, and though he was aboard the
vessel for the benefit Of their health. be-
lieye he will not Use this advantage TO him
self.
The man Bribon was my servant. hired by
the day when we were in port. and not in
scribed on the roll. lie wanted 10 be set on
shore az Jamaica. He was disembarked at
Pamitor, and lost the opportunity. lie is
almost an idiot. They call him Cubancllo.
and he il Venezuelan. lie was a faVorite
fellow Was taken on board 10 keep him from
dying OF sickness and hunger, was sent 10
the hospital from the boat. and permitted to
come on board through charity.
The greater portion Of the crew were en-
trapped by their clearinghouse keepers, who
gained possession Of them and watched the
opportunity to put them on board, on receive
ing advances on their wages.
Spaniards, believe am the only one who
dies IN the entire Christian faith of our holy
religion. Consider the souls Of these poor
people; give them an opportunity to ask
mercy Of God. know that you must fulfil
your duty, bus my blood ought TO be sufii-
cient, because innocent and dcfcnccless peo-
pie will suffer with my fall.
May these considerations have influence
with the authorities To whom beg 20 APP
peal. These poor people had no knowledge
of what you think their crime. Pardon me
II | say that ] do not believe their deaths
would have on the fate OF Cuba the good
effect the law foresees-our civilization is so
opposed to such proceeding. do not say
this IN tone OF complaint. hut we are accus-
toned TO at least indentify victims whom we
are going TO sacrifice.
According To my view, there should have
been some Intervention. our Government,
10y its influence, should have been pro-
nounced. and perhaps i'm that way their lives
might have been saved without compromis-
ing the dignity Of Spain.
Senores, farewell. | know that the men,
bers OF the council who condemn me accom-
plishcd painful duty. Let them remember
us In their prayers TO God, and ask their
wives and children TO do the same for us.
Respectfully, JONI FRY.
Written on board the Tornado, Nov. I.
1873.