Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1873-12-01
CLPTAIN IRIS LETTER.

The following touching letter was written
by Captain Frye Of the Virgnius for his
crew. He made no appeal for himself, but
used his last moments to beg for the poor fell
lows whom he had led into trouble
With the permission of the consul, wish
to saw few words in favor of the crew OF the
Virginius and the mitigation of their punish
ment. The first pilot had just escaped from
a shipwreck, and needed an advance OF salary
TO buy clothes and have them made. Moth
ing was said to him in regard to blockade run
ming, but on the contrary, as | had the author
zation Of the owners, and had prepared the
papers Of the vessel, / notified every one that
we were to be occupied in trade with the
islands, with passengers for Puerto Smones,
in Costa Rica, or taking cattle to Cuba, as
believed that the vessel might do so. rom
the time when the arms arrived on boaru
thought that there would be no occasion Ter a
portion of the men to see the consul he
consul in Puerto Principe sent for me- but l
did not receive his message until was on
board, having been compelled TO leave port
by order of the authorizes. there was u
guard on board to prevent desertloh oy '"e
passengers. / know that some OF them pro
tested, but Varona let them KNOW that ne
would answer propositions of this class with
a pistol. Running blockade is considered
risky business among sailors, for which good
nav is received. For years past It is notbrl-
ous. the number of vessels that were en-
Moved in it during the American war, ana
although captures were numerous, not SIN
ole life was lost The greater part of the
prisoners were set at liberty after short I'M
prisonment | never heard a word before
the night of my sentence OF the Cuban law
and the proclamation relating to an attempt
to introduce arms into Cuba. If, with supe-
rior opportunities, | was ignorant that the
case could be decided by any other law than
the international, how complete must have
been the ignorance of those poor people! l
was continually in the company otpeople who
ought to have known it, and not one alluded
TO the fact. In word, l believe that it is not
known, and that the world will be painfully
surprised at learning the sacrifice Of these
lives.
The consul knows well that am not plead
ing for life have not prayed to God for it
nor even to the Blessed Mother. | have
neither home nor country, victim OF war
and persecution, the way of prosperity being
close to me to such point that l have not
been able to provide bread for my wife and
seven children, who know what it is to suffer
for the necessaries of life. My life is one of
suffering, and look upon what has happened
me, therefore, to ask favors of any one.
The engineer. Knight, l knew came con-
trary to his will. He was bitterly opposed TO
it, as learned from the person who Obliged
him to come.
Spaniards, the world is not so full of peo
pie who prefer honor to life. Save him.
Poor Bosa, poor gentleman, with heart as
tender and compassionate as that of a woman,
of irreproachable honor, his business was that
of charity. He was devoted to others and
thought that he was on board the vessel for
the benefit of their health. believe that he
will not make this appear himself. l do 1t
for him. believe he would do no harm to any
one. The man Bribon was my servant, hired
by the day when we were in port, and not in
scrbed on the roll. He wanted to be set on
shore at Jeremias. He was disembarked at
Palmitos and lost the opportunity. He is
almost an idiot They call him Cubanillo,
and he is of Venezuelan origin. He was a
favorite 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
permitted to come on board through charity.
The greater portion of the crew were en-
trapped by their clearinghouse keepers, who
gained possession of them and watched their
opportunities to put them on board, receiving
advances on their wages.
Spanards, believe / am the only one who
dies in the entire Christian faith OF our holy
religion. Consider the souls of these poor
people. Give them time and opportunity TO
ask mercy of God. | know that you must
fulfill your duty, but my blood ought to be
sufficient because innocent and defenceless
will suffer with my fall. That these con-
siderations have influence with the authorities,
to whom beg to appeal. These poor people
had no knowledge of what you think their
crime. Pardon me if l say thar l don't be-
lieve their death would have in the fate of
Cuba the good effect the law foresees. Our
civilization is so opposed to such a proceeding.
don't say this in a tone of complaint. but
we are accustomed to at least identity the
victims whom we are going 10 sacrifice. Ac-
cording to our view, there should have been
some Intervention of our government; its
influence should have been pronounced and
perhaps in that way many lives might have been
saved without compromising the dignity of
Spain. Seniors, farewell ! / know that the mem
bers of the council who condemn me accom-
plished painful duty. Letthem remember us
in their prayers to God, and ask their wives
and children 10 do the same for us.
Respectfully,
JOIN FRY.
Written on board the Tornado, Nov, I, 1873.
IF||O RITTED TIEEED