Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1873-12-05


quarters one of his best. We cannot
make room for it all He commences by
alluding to the grave events of the coun-
try during the past few months, the
threatened war with Spain and the PAN
ic. Our relations with all European ma
tons are cordial and friendly.
CUBA AND SPAIN.
The steamer Virginius was, on the 25th
day of September, 1870, duly registered
at the port of New York, as a part of
the commercial marine of the United
States. Gu the 4th Of October, 1870,
having received the certificate of her
register in the usual legal form, she sailed
from the port of New York, and has
not since been within the territorial ju-
risdiction OF the United States. On the
31st day of October last, while sailing
under the flag of the United States ON
the high seas, she was forcibly seized by
the Spanish gunboat Tornado and was
carried into the port of Santiago de Cuba
where many of her passengers and crew
were inhumanly, and, so far at least as
relates to those who were citizens of the
United States, were without due process
of law put to death. 1t is well-estab-
lished principle, asserted by the United
States from the beginning of their ma
tional independence, recognized by Great
Britain and other maritime powers, and
stated by the Senate in a resolution
passed unanimously on the 10Th of June,
1858, that American vessels on the high
seas, in time of peace, bearing the Amer
lean flag, remain under the jurisdiction
of the country to which they belong,
and therefore any visitation, molestation
or detention of such vessels by force, on
the part of foreign power, is in dero-
cation of the sovereignty of the United
States. In accordance with this princi-
Pile, the restoration of the Virginius aud
the surrender of the survivors of her
passengers aud crew, and a due repara,
tion to the flag and the punishment OF
the authorities who had been guilty OF
the illegal acts of violence, were demand
ed. The Spanish government has recog.
nized the justice of the demands, and
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 pro
ceedings looking to the punishment Of
those who may be proved to have beer
guilty of illegal acts of violence TOWARD
citizens of the United States, and also
toward indemnifying those who may be
shown to be entitled to indemnity. A
, copy of protocol of conference be.
tween the secretary of state and the
. Spanish ministry, in which the terms Of
, this arrangement were agreed to, i:
, transmitted herewith. The correspond.
. ence on this subject with the legation Of
9 the United States, in cipher and by cable
needs the verifcation of the actual text
6 of the correspondence. 1t has seemed
to me to be due to the Importance of the
case not to submit this correspondence
. until the accurate text can be received
by mail. 1t is expected shortly, anc
will be submitted when received. II
taking leave of this subject for the pres
+, ent, | wish to renew the expression o
the conviction that the existence of AT
rican slavery in Cuba is principa
cause of the lamentable condition of tn,
island. do not doubt that Congress
shares with me the hope that it will
soon be made to disappear, and tina
a peace and prosperity may follow its alb
. clifton. The EMBRACING of American
estates in Cuba, cruelty to American cit
liens detect ed in no act of hostility t
t the Spanish government, the numbering
: of prisoners taken with arms in thei
K hands, and, finally the capture upon tn
e high seas of vessel sailing under tn
1t United States flag and bearing Unite,
n States registry, has eliminated in a
IT outburst of indignation that has scenes
e for time to threaten war. Pending
% negotiations between the United State
4 and the government of Spain on tn
l. subject of this capture, have authorize
h the secretary of the navy to put our nav
d on war footing to the extent at leas
Is of the entire annual appropriation 70
that branch of the service, trusting t
Congress aad the public opinion of tn
n American people to justify my action.
CoNsTITUNTIoNAL AMENDMENTS.
h Assuming from the action of the Las
l. Congress in appointing committee o
Is privileges and elections to prepare an
d report to this Congress constitutions
Is amendment to provide better metho
5. ofelecting president and vice president {
l. the United States, and also from the neces
D. ity of such an amendment, that there wi
n be submitted to the state Legislatures fc
u L