Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1873-12-09
Captain Fry's Appeal for the Lives of His
Crew.

The following manly appeal for the lives Of
the Virginius crew was addressed to the council
of war by Captain Fry This appeal was writ.
fen on board the Tornado on November 7.
with the permission of the council desire
to say few words in favor of the crew of the
Virginius, to the end of mitigating the punish
ment which has been Inflicted upon them. The
first pilot had just escaped from shipwreck, and
needed the advance of salary which [ gave him
to purchase clothes, and time to do so. [ said
nothing to him of blockade-running but on
the contrary, as | had the authorization of the
owners and had prepared the papers OF the
bark, notifying all that the vessel would be oc-
cuped In the passenger traffic from the islands
Puerto Limones. in Costa RIGA, or carrying
merchandise to Cuba, as [ believe the steamer
could do From the time that the arms were
taken on board do not believe he had az OPP
portunity 20 part from the people to see the
consul. The consul in Puerto Principe sent for
me, but [ did not receive his message until
had started, having been compelled to leave
port by order of the authorities had guard
on board to prevent the desertion of passengers
Some of them protested, and Varona respond
ed to manifestations of this class with pistol
1t was considered matter of risk among mar
liners to force a blockade, for which they are
paid large salaries.
'For years it has been notorious that q great
number Of vessels were engaged in it during the
American war, and, Notwithstanding many
prizes we're taken, not single life was sacrificed.
On the contrary, the greater part Of the pri-
soner5 were liberated after a short imprison-
ment. Of the law In Cuba, aud the proclama-
ton referring to the introduction Of arms into
Cuba, | had not heard until the night Of my
conviction. If, with superior opportunities,
was ignorant of case decided by other than
international law, how completely ignorant
should be these poor people. was continual
" in company of persons who ought to have
known it, yet the fact was never once alluded
TO. La word, believe that they were igno-
rant, and that the world will be grievously sur
prised to know their lives are sacrificed. The
council well know that am not pleading for
nv life; [ have neither home nor country-a
victim Of war and persecution-I being shut
out from the road to prosperity until | am IN
able to provide bread for my wife and seven
children, who know what it is to suffer from the
vicissitudes of my life. Ny life is one of suffer
ing, and it is not for myself that [ implore. The
rnachinist Knight came against bis will =
Standards the world is not SO full of persons
that prefer honor to life The poor Bosa, poor
gentleman, with heart as tender and com pas
sionate as that of woman, who thought more
of others than Of himsef-pardon him The
poor fellow is my servant, hired to wait upon
me in port, and is not inscribed on the roll. =
He desired to go ashore in Jeremie, but miss
ed the opportunity. He is nearly an idiot he
is called Cubanillo. and is Of Venezuelan origin,
He was favorite 10 the ship, and should not
be made to suffer. Another unfortunate man
was taken on board to save him from death
through fever and hunger. had sent him to the
hospital from the ship, and he was afterwards
permitted to come on board for his health
Spaniards, as believe | am the only one who
will die 10 the embrace of cur holy religion.
consider the souls of these people. Give them
time and opportunity to seek the mercy of God.
Thus only can you comply with your duty, and
my blood ought to be sufficient. These poor
men had no knowledge of their crime Pardon
me if tell you that do not believe that their
deaths will tend to the benefit of Cuba. Ac-
cording to our method of viewing matters [
should have had the Intervention of our gov
eminent, whereby would have been saved many
lives without having compromised the dignity
of Spain. Senores pray God that the mem
bers of The Council of Judgment perform their
duty regrefuIly and that they will remember
US in their prayers to God, and will ask their
wives and children to beseech for us also.
captain JOSEPH Fry"