The New York herald., 1873-12-24
THE OWNERSHIP OF THE VIR-
GINIUE.

Question OF Her Nation Ality-Was She
owned or Chartered by Cubans Estate
ment OF an Eminent Patriot-Skctch
Of the Virginius' Career.
In view Of the recent decision Of Attorney Gen.
eral Williams that at the time OF her capture, the
Virgnius had no right, as against the United
States, to carry the American nag, q HERALD re-
porter was yesterday directed to visit certain
Cubans who had a knowledge OF the status OF the
steamer at the time OF her departure from New
York in 1870 and were interested In her subsequent
operations, and obtain their version OF the facts.
The reporter was fortunate in finding such an one,
and though the name cannot be made public his
utterances purport to be the authoritative state
ment Of that portion Of the Cubans in this
country In whose employ the Virginius
was. Attention being called to the At
torney Generals decision, the gentleman
marked 1--WE are well enough satisfied with that
decision as it declares that Spain cannot rtghtfuly
raise the question whether vessel is on the high
seas in violation OF the laws OF the United States.
Still the statement that she was not rightfuy
rying the American nag is absurd, and the decision
has been arrived at one purely eT parte evidence
and without the testimony of those who had the
best and indeed the only knowledge OF the facts.
Long before the Virgnus left the city, the Cubans
here, engaged In carrying arms to Cuba, had de-
termine to purchase no vessels and this steamer,
chartered by them. paying in proportion to the
risk such vessel might run. and OF course.
VERY LARGE sum.
Indeed, under the terms OF the charter, do not
doubt Mr.. Patterson has farther claim, as the
virginius made more trips to Cuba than was
.'How is it that no one takes any interest in the
ultimate disposition Of the vessel 7" SAID the re-
porter
because no one feels any, at least not among
the Cubans l do not pretend to speak for the
owner. She was chartered for certain purpose
which was accomplished. The owner understood
the risk she ran, and was paid accordingly. We
have no claim on her-never had. or course Gen.
eral Quesada controlled her, as he represented
those who chartered her, but neither he, nor any
other Cuban, ever owned to the value OF a dollar
we owned her and so testified, but they were
mistaken. You know the history OF the steamer ~
II have such knowledge as has been furnished by
'sWhy, the virginius cleared from New York to
Curacao without an arm on board and with 1S pas
sengers In 1870, remember, she was chartered
secretly after the Florida had been detained She
arrived at her destination on the 1lth OF October.
Here the General sent AuolphO Varona, upon
whose testimony Mr.. Williams relies, ana who is
now an enemy OF Quesada's, IN a boat
and verbal instructions in reference to
certain military matters. Nothing was ever heard
0terwards with scar rom bullet wound on h
breast and sabre cut on his forehead, having, as
IS stated, been shot and left for dead by the
Spaniards. The Virginius then sailed Tor Puerto
Cabello, where her commander resolved to await
the return OF varona- Guzman Banco was at that
de Jacto President. With his accustomed lawless-
ness he detained the vessel, and then with much
Kindness OF manner proposed to purchase the arms
Quesada, realizing that he was In the power OF a
bad and irresponsible man, who would stop at
nothing to accomplish his ends agreed to the sale
OF 1000 rInes some artillery and the re-
quisite ammunition. The virginius was sub.
BY ssnaa g
legitimate service. She remained there. seve-
m hon ailalf frn
Puerto Cabello, with arms and commanded by
Brigadier Rafael Quesada, brother to the General.
The cargo was successfully landed on the 10th,
when the snip was found to be in very leaky
condition, and she was % days In making Aspin-
more than four days. Thence She was sent ito to
Martinique ana placed in dock for repairs. On her
return to Venezuela she was
THREATENED WITH CAPTURE
lying at at Maracaibo CaI,egna and Aspinyal
@ can s consuls IKE RESPECTIVE se pnces
for protectlon, which was granted. Another
e Sa es on a this is
some difficulties Quesada met with. IL was found
necessary to send her again TO Martinique for
lett Aspinwal with arms which had mean
while been purchased the Spanish steamer
tected by the American man-of-war Kansas She
enected landing on the 7th again under the COM
mand OF Rafael Quesada. Tnis accomplished, she
until her last important trip SO you see that the
departure or the steamer from New ork and her
papers were perfectly regular. There was no need
OF their being otherwise; and by far the greater
portion OF the time she has been engaged In enter
prises the Legitimacy OF which no one can ques-
tion. She never carried an armed expedition to
Cuba; only such merchandise as she as an Ameri-
can vessel could carry under the Dominican laws,
subject OF course, to the municipal laws OF Spain
when within her jurisdiction.
The attention OF the gentleman was then called
away and the reporter, alter expressing his obli-
CATION for the courtesies extended him, withdrew.