Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1873-12-29
LATEST TELEGRAMS.
NEW YORK.

] NGN NOANha
Nav YoRK, December 2s.-The Vir-
ginius prisoners, who arrived yesterday
ON board the Juniata, still remain on
hoard at the Brooklyn navy yard, where
the vessel was taken. No communica-
lion is allowed with them, and may now
be considered United States prisoners.
They areA motley gathering, aud nearly
all OF them appear to have a dash OF
negro blood. Stories obtained from
some of them are pretty much the same
as have been published They deny
any knowledge Of an organized expedi'
ton, aud say they are peaceable men,
and that they we're on board Of the
steamer Virginius in the capacity
Of ordinary passengers. They we're
going, they say, to Port De-
man, 10 Costa Rica, and had paid fare
for their passage; they knew nothing Of
any arms being employed, and didn't be-
lieye there we're. Another heard it said
that some Of the crowd were members of
an organized expedition. The survivors
are in good health, except three who sut-
iered severely during the passage. They
are all mad at not being permitted to
90 ashore. Examination Of the prison
ers on board was commenced on yes
terday by the District Attorney and
United States Commissioner. A large
number of prisoners were called upon to
make statements, which were taken
down in full by the official stenographer,
and will be continued to-day. The
officers Of the Juniata state that
there appears to be concerted plan
among the prisoners to profess entire
ignorance as to the nature of the Vir-
ginius at the time she was captured, and
as to the transportation of arms for
Cuba. 1t is thought this action was
agreed upon with the view to avoid
trouble with the Government through
breach Of the neutrality laws. They say
the only intelligent ore Of the survivors
is Samuel Gray, alias Gratz, and he re-
fuses to make connected or intelligent
statement. HIS deposition during the
passage by Commander Braine has been
transmitted to Washington.
The Juniata left Santiago pm. on
the 18th, and when about 40 miles
from Cape Hatteras she encountered a
terrific gale from the northeast, which
lasted eighteen hours, and drove her
sixty miles southwest Of her course.
On the 18th she spoke tho sahooner Ed
die Waters from St. Helena, fifty two
days ont and short Of provisions, which
the Juniatia supplied. Commander
Braine intended to put into Norfolk in
consequence Of the storm but was unable
TO do so on account of an easteFly gale,
and SO kept straight here. Grave doubts
are expressed by the Juniatas officers
as to the ability of the 0ssippe to bring
the Virgiuius here in view Of the tenn
pestuous weather. The Virginius is in
poor condition to weather the rough
gales which the Junists encountered.
The Times Key West special OF De-
cember 2sth says: The Fortune and
Pena arrived this morning from Cuba.
All is quiet at Santiago, but the consul
apprehends violence if left without 9
man.ofwar. The Canandaigqa is still
there. The Pena brought back Blount,
who went to Havana on a mission to the
Admiral. 1t is stated upon trustworthy
authority that the Cuban insurgents
have 5000 men concentrated in the
mountains around Puerto Principe, nm
der General Goeria, and will soon make
a descent upon that place.
cespedes ia still President OF the
Cuban Republic, and the patriots are
preparing for a more vigorous campaign
than any heretofore.