New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-11-07
THE STEAMER yIRGNIUs.


WASHINGTON, Nov. 6.--Little is known in Official
quarters concerning the circumstances of the cap
ture Of the Yirginius by the Spanish man-of'war
Tornado, and therefore the Of the Adminis-
tration Is not yet defined. Further information IS
awaited from our Consul at Santiago, who VIII oct
in conjunction with the COnsul-Gcnera at Havana
under instruction Of the Department OF STATE III
will be recollected that within the past two
years this vessel was protected in several foreign
ports from the designs of Spanish men-of-war' and
to sea on the ground that her papers as an
American steamer ia perfect and legal order.
1t was maintained by our Minister resident at Colom-
bia, while the yirginius was lying at tho port Of
Colon and was menaced by the Pizarro, that tho
ONLY tangible matter capable Of proof appeared To
be that she ran the blockade of Cuba with an armed
party Of Cuban reyolutonists and car go OF NUM-
TONS, proceeding from some port IN venezuela ana
! making q landing in the Eastern Department. Oh
Cuba. This was about 20 months ago, and the act
has since been repeated by that vessel The law. as
he understood it to be- was that although the snip.
during such voyage, was liable to capture.
and could and would not be reclaimed
by the United States, such liability ceased when the
unlawful voyage was completed. and that no faint
attached to the ship which would in any way JUS
tfy forcble seizure and detention by Spanish
cruisers In that state of affairs if the ship pre-
scented herself in neutral port with her papers in
regular FORM it could not be permitted that
she should be captured in such neutral
waters upon the high seas for past act OF block
AIDE running He did not admit it to be en- oiiensa
against the Neutrality laws of the United States TO
charter steamer for the purpose named from Vene-
zuela to Cuba 1t certainly was not an ofense
for which Spain was entitled to capture the
steamer, except in the act. 1t docs not
appear from the diplomatic correspondence that our
1. ill., xraar and VI -
therefore probable they will govern in the present
case and care will be taken to be satisfied on az the
points now involved, the subject being one which
excites the closest interest
81. REJOICING AT HAVANA OVER THE CAPTURE.
HAVANA, Nov. 6.-The public rejoicings last
night over the capture OF the steamer Virgnus were
most enthusiastic The Governors palace, all the pub
Tic buildings, and private houses were Illuminated
Torchlght professions passed through the principal
streets, which thicky hung with flags and tapes
Try sereuades were given 70 the clptaia General and
TIE General OF the Marine. There will be gr9nd
parade tonight OF all the 0attaons Of Volunteers.
PARTIAL LIST OF PAs5ESGRIs.
A reporter of The TRIBUNE yesterday called
40 general headquarters Of the Cubans Of this city
for the purpose OF obtaining as far as possible. the
names Of the passengers the steamship vrginius It
there learned that the list included about
100 persons. of whom following were known Benz
beta, Jesus del sol, Gen. Ryan, Bolte Narona Casel-
ianos Carral, NJ. A. Aguro. The captain anu crew OK
the vrgnus said to be Americans but their names
we're unknown and particulars further than those
published had been learned
SIZE ENTITLED To THE PROTECTION OF TIE
UNITED sTATEsf
70 fhe Editor or The Trf6une
SIR: The telegraph in announcing the cap
ture Of the Vlrelnus states that and passen
gers i'll be tried pirates. The question now arises,
Was the Virginius American yesself Twice az
Aspinwa although 1t was well known that this steamer
was engaged in making on nation friendly 10 tha
United States did the American consus assert that her
papers were in Order. and obtained armed convoy
against threatened Spanish capture. In Venezuela, at
Curacao ut Savana in Colombia, all United States
Cousuls recognized this ship American. Has or not
the Yrgnius forfeited her title TO her regSteri May
not Spain exact land cite precedent the Ala0ams
Caims) at some future day indemnity for losses sus-
through the fundamentally Of this Americau
shipi
Tao yIrginius is of English build. and was originally
destined for Illicit trade. Captured blockade-run-
rer, she was sold and became natouahzed. and most
likely has Travelled under the register OBJ
tanned by her purchaser while really she may have bad
dozen different since aud every one OF these
owners aliens.
Some facts In history OF the yrginus during her
West India cruise serve to throw light on the sub
feet OF nationality. After having undergone re-
PAIRS at Aspinwa the expenses Of which we're borne
by Dutch merchant, who afterward BY hen became
the real owner OF the Ship the Vrginius, with tho
Cuban Gen. Qlesada, found refuge In the Island Of
Curacao and although there watched by numbering
Spanish frgate, she escaped TO Voneznela, with tina
United States ViceConsu az Curacao. Capt. Williams.
"A pilot The arms and supplies board intended foe
the Cuban patriots sold barteredof by Qaesada
to Guzmap the President OF Venezuela.
In tho Autumn OF 1862 this steamer returief to Gu
racao her all discharged and the same VII
liams became commander OF her. with crew from that
island-realy not American among them all VIII
ans is Dane 10y birth. aud has resided fo mo last IS
years at Curacao he Is citizen OF the place, and al
though claiming United citizenship. doubtful
IL he has any other title than that OF his protection
papers" when n common sailor in the United States.
From Curacao Williams left for ssvaua. Unted States
OF Colombia, ana from that port obtained permission
from Collector TO the Magdnena River whero
most OF the abandoned the vessel. The vrgnius
remained Ia these waters several months. while Qucsads
proceeded Bogota aud tried in every manner oct
successfully 20 dispose Of the vessel TO the Colombian
Government. claiming 20 be the owner, while tho
Dutcn merchant waited patiently at Ba-ranqua Tor
results. A crew of COlOmbians then shipped
at BarranQua, and with these Williams
made IRON Aspinwall successful run ~ CUBA. and
from there to jamaica where he left the ship sunc
doubt. hs United States Vice Consular duties at
Curacao Whether the United states ConSuls at Aspn-
wall and Sayanilla certified thai the Of tho
Virginius were Americans when they discharged
at Kingston Jamaica, the American Consnl Insisted ON
discharged IN foreign port. Tie Sc few aets
may permit ,hs public TO judge wnetner the vrsnius
belongs 10 the United States or not and nov .ar ocr
Government will be Justified Ia demanding VA. restors-
ton OF the vessel anu the release OF tue crew. Mr..
Nep- York, Nov. G, 1873.