The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1873-12-23
Commander Brasne's Pluclty Behavior
Ut Santiago.

WAsulSGroN, December 2l.-Commlnder
Braine. in his letter to the Secretary Of the
Navy dated Santiago de Cuba, November 80,
communicating information which he Oh
tanned about tie Fircinius, says:
You will sec by my letter TO his Excel
lency senior Brigadier COMMUNICATIONS
Morales, and protest, that protested against
any further punishment to any of the OFF,
GERS, crew, OF passengers of the Nirginius,
irresnectiye Of their nationality; and II any
more were ordered | must be informed
before II took place, as | claimed that the
American flag protected all
7 have taken means TO circulate it here in
the city that If any OF the prisoners taken
from the VirginiuS are executed will sink
every Spanish gunboat and other Spanish
msu.of.war that | can get at. / feel assured
that this ru,nor has bad good effect, and |
believe that should our Government demand
the persons taken from the Firginius yet
alive the authorities here will surrender
them.
You will observe by my interview that !
said to the General that an easy, partial sOlu.
ton to this already complicated affair would
he 10 deliver up all the people now alive be-
longing to the TIrginius. BE replied: In
what manner can that be done?" leading
me to believe tito be really wish Of his to
deliver them all up to tue United States.
replied: .'By putting them In boats and
hitting then, aboard the ship have the
honor to command, restoring them under
that flag from which they were taken"
The Governor replied that he could not do
20 without orders from his superlors.
Commander Brs,iuc asked II the people
taken from the American steamer FlrSlnlus
were executed by the authority OF the high
est ruling power on the island or by order
of the Government officials herc!-
The Governor answered.: "By the Gov
ernment here
Commander Brane said: "Could not the
same power that ordered their execution
order their release and delivery to him :"
The Governor answered in the negative.
The peoplc taken from the Firginus were
cyrcu,ed bv an order previously issued by
the Admiral commanding the naval forces
If the island, and were executed under the
authority of an order issued by General de
Rodas. .,.
passengers on board the American steamer
Virginiusf 49,.
The Governor: You must recollect that
there were many SmUiards among the pas
seneers. and one among them IS uesefter
from our army on this island.
Commander Braipe: Yes; but they were
taken from an American steamer on Inc
high seas.
The Governor: On the night OF the arrival
of the Elrginlus ut this pert in looking over
the rupers an order was found issued by the
late Captain, General, aud 1t was under MS
order that the trial and executions TOOK
place.
Commander Braine But | have to re,
mind you that both the United States ana
British Governments protested against that
order, and told the Spanish Government
that they would not allow any such inter-
ference, and that the most thut the United
States Government could admit would be
the confscatiou OF the vessel aud cargo.
Commander Brainc, having received as.
surances that bis dispatch to the United
States Government would be forwarded
without interruption, thanked Tue Governor
for his courtesy, and withdrew after deliver
Ing In person written protest relative tc
the the officers, crew, and passengers OF thu
| American steamer Virginius.