The New York herald., 1873-12-11

quired in what manner that could be done, ana
Commander Braine replied. "By putting them on
board the ship have the honor to command"
The Governor stated that he could not do so with
out orders from his superiors. Commander Braine
asked II the people taken from the vrginius were
executed by the authority OF the highest ruling
power on the island or by the government here.
The Governor said 1t was by order OF the govern
ment at this place. .swell.n inquired Commander
Braine, "Could not the same power that ordered
their execution order their releaseS" The Gov
ernor replied in the negative. The people were
executed by an order previously issued by the Ad.
miral commanding the naval forces OF the island,
or were executed by virtue OF an order issued by
General de R0das. "But,n asked Commander
Braine, ''were there not passengers on board the
virgnus2' "But,n said the Governor, "you
must recollect that there were many Spaniards
among the passengers and one among them is
deserter from our army on the isand.n ayes"
observed Commander Braine, 'but they were
taken from an American steamer on the high
seas.u
The Governor stated that on the night Of the
arrival OF the ylrginlus in this port an order was
found issued by the late Captain General and 1t
was under his order that the trials and executions
took place. Commander Braine stated that he
would remind the Governor that both the United
States and British governments protested against
that order, and informed the Spanish government
that they would not allow any such interference
while state Of peace existed. At most the Span
isn government could only con6scate the vessel
and cargo.
At the conclusion OF the interview Commander
Braine handed the Governor his protest, in which
was forciby pointed out the unquestionable viola
tiOn OF International law and the outrage de-
nounced in appropriate language. The protest
closed with demand to see the official records
setting forth the names, nationality and occupa-
J! tton OF the prisoners now incarcerated.
THE VISIT TO THE PRISONERS.
At four O'Clock we proceeded to the city prison,
which was thronged with officials Commander
Braines request included all the persons now liv-
ing that taken from the virginius, irrespect-
i've of nationality, but there seemed to be some
misunderstanding on this.point. as the Acalde de-
clined to allow any OF the prisoners to come for
ward except those claiming American citizenship.
The Governor was finally appealed to; but, it
seems he also misunderstood the request. In ref
erence to the capture OF the vrginius, the prison.
ers were not allowed to be interrOgated, but on all
other points tree scope was allowed. In all
THIRTEEN PRISONERS PRESENTED THEMSELVES
namely:-Henry Knight and Charles A. Knight,
of Greenwich street, New York; William Wilson, or
Baltimore; Alfred Parker Baltimore; Edward
Scott, Salem N. j.; Leopold Rlzo, New Orleans; /;
Arthur Rivera, Hudson street, New York. Henry
Canal, Second avenue, New York; Philip Meitz-
ler, Charleston, 8. c.; Ramon Ardiamos, New York
Manuel Nemesis, Philadelphia; Silbeno Escarel,
New Orleans; Francis v. Tapia, Houston street.
New York. The prisoners were wretchedly clothed.
many OF them being barefooted, and all wearing
traces OF deep anxiety and privation Henry
Knight, in response to several interrogatores,
stated that ne was 16 years OF age; lived at "A
Greenwich street, New York; went on board the
yirginius more by invitation than anything else !;
worked in the engine room. In response to the
interrogatory, ''What do you needs" he an
swered II need food more than anything else." He
said the prisoners were fed poorly, on beans and
rice and had no means of keeping themselves
clean. There was only one tub in the prison yard
for 100 men. Had neither soap nor towels. He had
already been tried, but did not know what his sen.
tence was.
Charles A. Knight, brother OF Henry Knight, said
he was an engineer and substantially c0rroborated
the evidence of the previous witness Had no
clothes and could hardly eat the food given IN the
prison.
William Wilson. aged "a years, was q seaman on
the yirginius. Had no clothes except what he
stood in and said he could not eat the rice and
beans given In the prison. 1t served out twice
day. He had no shoes. All the clothes and pa
pers belonging to the people on the Virginius
taken away in the Virgnius and never returned.
He had already been tried on the Francesca de
Borge. Could not speak Spanish and did not
know what he was tried for. Nobody appeared in
his behalf. The trial lasted ten minutes, but he
could not understand what it was oil about. He
was not asked any questions. Did not say any
thing. They asked Captain Fry If he recognized
me as one OF the crew and that was all.
Alfred Parker (c0lored), aged 81 years, or Balti-
more, said he was q seaman on the virgnius.
Corroborated the others as to food and clothing,
and said there no beds to lie on. The prison
ers were not allowed to speak loud, but they were
permitted to converse in low tones in the cell.
There we're between 40 and so persons in one cell,
which was about 30 by 40 feet.
Edward Scott, o young lad Of 10 years, OF Salem,
N j., said he acted as pantryman on board the
vrginius. Had no clothes. There was plenty to
eat, such as 1t was, but he could not eat it.
Leopold RizO, 25 years old said he lived In New
Orleans. Had studied law In Havana. He went
on board the virginius as passenger at Kingston.
Ja. bound for Port Lmon His clothes had been
taken away.
Arthur Rivera Henry Canal, Philip Meitzler,
Ramon Ardiamos Manuel Nemesis, Silbeno Escarel
and Francis v. Tapia were also passengers for
Port Limon, and were in the same predicament
as the others in respect OF clothing.
BETTER FOOD AND CLOTHING ORDERED.
Those were the only persons permitted to come
forward, as none others, it was said, claimed
American citizenship. An order was subsequently
issued by Governor De Los Rios, providing better
food Tor the prisoners and also authorizing the
Alcalde to furnish them with suitable clothing.
EXAMINING THE RECORDS AT THE JAIL.
The following morning communication was re-
ceiyed by Commander Braine from the Governor,
authorizing him to visit the Jail and examine all
the records so far as related to the age, BIRTH
place and occupation of the people taken
from the Virglnius. 1 cannot say that
the officials were 0verjoyed at our presence, but
they submitted with all possible grace. can
assure you the feeling towards US Is by no means
encouraging though they manage to smother their
insOlence in praiseworthy manner. II is the in
tention Of Commander Braine to visit the jail to-
morrow, and ascertain whether the orders Of the