The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1873-11-27
The Last statement OF Captain Fry.

"lou 10 say lew WOEO6 III I8VOr OK the
crew of the Vireinius and the mitiga-
ton Of their punishment.
The first pilot had just escaped from
shipwreck, and needed an advance of
salary to buy clothes and have them
gard to blockade running, but on the
contrary, asI had the authorization of
the owners, aud had prepared the papers
of the vessel, l notified every one that
We were to be occupied in trnde with the
islands, with passengers for Puerto ST.
moncs, in Costa Rica, or taking cattle to
Cuba, ns I believed that the vessel might
do so. From the time when the arms
arrived On board. Thought that there
would be no occasion Tor portion of
the men to see the Consnl The Consul
III Puerto Principe sent Tor ne, but did
not receive his mcsSuge uutil | was Oh
board, having been compelled to leave
port by order Of theuuthorltirs. There
Was guard on board to prevent dcser-
ton by the passengers. L know ttiut
some of them protested, but Naronn let
them know that Lc would answer propo-
sitions OF this class with the pistol.
Ruuning blockade is considered IL risky
business among sailors, for which good
pay is received. For years past it is no.
torlons the number of vessels that were
destroyed III itduring the \ American war,
and although captures were numerous,
nol Il single life was lost. The greater
part of the prisoners were set ut liberty
after II short imprisonment. l never
heard u word. before the night OF nv
sentence Of the Cuban law and the pro.
clamutiou relating to an attempt to in
troducc arms iuto Cuba Ii, with supe.
rior opportunities, l was isuorau, tina,
the case could be decided by any other
law than international, how complete
must have been the ignorance ut these
poor people. l was continually in the
company Of people who ought to have
known it, and not one alluded to the
fuct LII a word. believe that it is not
known, aud ;hat the world will be pain
fuliy surprised ut the sacrifice Of these
lives.
THIS Consul knows we'll that am not
pleading for my life. l have not prayed
to God for it, nor even to the Blessed
Mother. l have neither home nor coun-
try; victim Of war aud prosecutions.
the way Of prosperity beiug closed to
me to such Il point that have not been
able to provide bread for my wife and
seven children, who know what it is to
suifer for the necessaries of life. My
life is one of suffering, and look upon
what has happened to me as IL beuefit OF
Sod: aud it Id not for me, therefore, to
ask favors of any one.
The engineer. Knight. 1 know. came
contrary to his will. Hn was bitterly
opposed to it, as learned from the per
son who obliged him to come.
Spaniurds, the world is not so full Of
l.
him. Poor Bosa, poor gentleman, with
u heart as tender aud compassionate rs
that Of woman, Of irreproachabc
honor, his business was that of charity.
He was devoted to others, aud thought
benefit Of their health. l believe that
he will not make this appear himself.
do it for him. l believe he would do no
my servant, hired by the day when we
were IN port, and not inscribed on the
roll. He wanted TO be set on shore ut
Jeremias. He was disembarked ut Palm
ties, aud lost the opportunity. He is
almost an idiot. They call him Cuban
lilo, and he is Of Venezuelan origin He
was Il fnvorite on board, and ought not
to suffer. Another poor fellow was
taken on board to keep him from dying
OF sickness and hunger. He was sent
to the hospital from the boat, and per
mitted to come Oh board through cha
rity. The greater portion of the crew
were entrapped by their lodging house
keepers, who gained possession OF them
aud watched their opportunities to put
tLem on boarl, receiving advances OH
their wages. Spnninrds. believe [ am
the only one who dies III the entirc
Christian faith Of our holy religion.
Consider the souls Of these poor people.
Give them time and opportunity to ask
mercy of God. l know that YOU must
fulfill your duty, but my blood ought to
be sufficient, because ihe innocent aud
dcfcncclcss will suiler with my fall. Let
these considerations haze influence with
the authorities, to whom [ beg to np.
peal. These poor people had no know
ledge OF whit you think their crime.
Pardon me, if say that don't believe
their death would have in the tate Of
Cuba the good effect the law foresees-
onr civilization is SO opposed TO such il
proceeding. doD't say this in toue