Los Angeles daily herald., 1873-12-24
Yos Angeles Nerala.
TeIegraphic News.
EASTERN.

telegram: From an account OF the sur
render OF the steamer Virginius'
prisoners to Lieutenant Commander
Braine, of the Juniata, it appears
that the Spanish authorities, to the
last moment, kept the poor wretches
in ignorance of their release, and with
base inhumanity led them to suppose
they were to be butchered. Priests
were with them, taking their confess
siOns and dying declarations and inn
plOring them to look to God for par
don. They were taken out of prison
in despair, but on their way to the
slaughter pens, as they supposed, their
eyes fell OH the Juniata flying a flag of
the United States. When they reali-
zed the truth, scene occurred which
beggars description. Their enthusi-
asm knew no bounds. They were
speedily transferred to the deck
of the Juniata, and gave vent to
the most eXtravagant but touching
evidences of joy. Embracing each
other, some crying, some kissing, and
Others audibly offering thanks to God
for deliverance from the horrors of a
dungeon and the prospect of an ignO-
minious death. On the night before
thC VAC OlIiCClo 0iu SACW Vi
the Juniata were stationed at their
quarters, her guns being turned on the
city. The Spanish volunteers having
been excited to open riot by rumor
that the surrender was to take place,
large numbers of them went to the
Governor and begged permission to
attempt u capture OF the Juniata, say
ing they could do it with knives alone.
The Governor refused to grant permis-
sion. Our officers believe the applica-
ton was made in earnest, and not a
few regrets were expressed that it was
not favorably entertained, as the Ju-
niata alone, not speaking of the Kan
sas and Pinta, would have been more
than q match for them.
On the arrival of ths Pinta at San
tiago, orders came to the ship from
commander Braine for the Paymaster
to issue all the blankets and peajackets
in his department to the prisoners,
who were hardly fit to be seen in their
rags. This was speedily done, but
they were still in a great state Of des-
titutiOn. Orders came for every man
on board to give his own blankets and
wearing apparel in the good cause,
and a promise that all would be refun-
died on the arrival of the ship at Key
West. The officers and men cheer
fully complied with the order, only
prefering that it should have been is
sued as q request in which cas, they
would have obeyed with just us much
alacrity. Every heart was touched
by the condition of the prisoners. kThe
poor fellows they were barbarOusly
treated. The surrender took place ut
Moro Castle, six mi!es below Santiago.
A receipt was given for the prisoners.
1t was reported in Santiago de Cuba.
when it was found the Virginius had
been tOwed out of the harbor of Hav-
ana, that large number of naval Off
GERS of high grade telegraphed their
designations to the Home Govern
ment.
Judge Davis to-day granted an Or
der returnable tomorrow against
Sheriff Brennan and Deputy Shields.
requiring them to show cause why
they should not be punished for con-
tempt in disregarding the order Of the
court to produce Genet. 1t appears
that last Saturday the Assistant Dist
riot Attorney wrote to Brennan assur-
ing him that Genet would attempt to
escape, and an order was given by the
c:,!ourt on Saturday for the confinement
of Genet in the TOmbs until sentence
was pronounced. The order of the
Court was utterly ignored by the Sher-
iff. The latest rumOr in regard to the
escape is that Genet embarked on his
own yacht, which had been loaded
with provisions and filled with friends.
The trial of exMayor Hall cOmmen-
ced to-day and the work of procuring
jury is progressing.
WASHINGTON. Dec. %.
Attorney General Williams has sent
to the Secretary of State a lengthy
written opinion to the effect that the
Virginius at the time of her capture
had no right to carry the American
flag, and her registration by Patterson
as an American ship was IN fraud OF
the United States. ..I#.,,5