The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1850-1873, 1873-12-05
PrasIdentGran Message.

Next week we will give our read
crs the Presidents Message in full
In the meantime, we will publish
that portion of it referring to the
Cuban difficulty, which is the only
matter of interest in it, and even thai
is vague and obscure. The Presi
dent saws:
THE vIRGINIUs LEAVES THE UNITED
STATES.
The steamer NIrgInius was on the
9th day of September, 1870, duly
regis cred at the port of New York
as part of the commercial marine
OF the United States. On the 4th of
October, 1870, having received the
certificate OF her register in the usiI-
al legal forms, she sailed from the
port OF New \ Ork, and has not since
been within the territorial iurisdic-
ton OF the United States.
SHE Is SEIZED BY SPAIN.
On the 3lst day of October last
while sailing under the flag of the
United States on the high seas, she
was fOrCibly seizad by the Spanish
gUubOat Tornado and was carried
into the port of Santiago de CUBA,
where many of her passengers and
crew were inhumanIy, and, $50
far at least a relates TO those who
were citizens of the United States).
without due process of law, put to
death.
THE QUESTION OF LAW.
II lisa well established principle, as
serted by the United States from the
- 4.
pCudenCe, recognized by Great Brit
ain and other maritime powers, and
stated by the United States in a resOlu
I0upaSs Unanimously on the l6ihor
June, 1858. that American vessels on
the high seas, in time Of peace bear
ing the Am nriCan flag, remain under
the Jurisdiction of the country to
which they belong; and thereto G
any v'sr tttjOu, mnleStariOu or deter.
zion of such vessel bv fore on tie
part Of foreign power is in dero
cation of the sovereignty of III,
United States.
SPAIN : HONORABLE PREPARATION.
Ia accordance with this principle.
the restoration Of the Virgiuius. ana
the surrender of ne survivors at |
her passengers aud crew, aud "A dur
reputation to the flag. and the pun |
ishmeut OF the authorities who had |
been guilty OF the Illegal ac's Of vio- |
leuCe, were demanded. The Spaui-l |
Government has recognized the ins- |
tiCe of the demand Rnd has arranged |
for the immediate delivery of the |
vessel, and for the surrender OF the |
survivors Of the passengers and |
crew, and for salute to the flag. and |
for proceedings looking tn the punish
mCnt of those who may be proved to
have been guilty of illegal acts OF
violence towards the citizens of the
United States, and also towards in
Identifying those who may be shown
entitled TO indemnity. A copy of
the protocol of interference between |
the Secretary of State and the Span
ish Minister, in which the terms of
this arrangement were agreed to, Is
transmitted herewith. The CORES
pOndence on this subject with the Ie-
cation of the United States in cipher
was by cable, and needs the veritica-
ton of the actual text of the cor
yespoDdeDCe. 1t has seemed to me
20 be due to the importance of the
case not to submit this correspOn-
denCe till the accurate text can lie re-
ceiYed by mail. 1t Is expected short
ly, and will be submitted when re-
ceived.
THE SEEDS OF TROUBLE.
In taking leave of this subject for
the present, | wish 20 renew the ex-
preston of my conviction that the
existence of African slavery in Cuba
is a principal cause OF the lameDtable
condition of the island. l DO not
doubt that Congress shares with nc {
The hope that il viii soon be made TO !
disappear, and peace and prosperity ,
may follow its abolition. The en-