Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1873-07-23
The Cuban Blockade Runner Vir.
ginius.


SHARP coEREsPoNDENCE BETWEEN COM
MANDER REED AND THE COMMANDER OF A
SPANISH WAR VESSEL.
The official dispatches from Lieutenant Com
mander a. V. Reed, ofthe United States steamer
Kansas, to the Navy department, regarding the
Cuban blockade runner Virginus, set forth til at
the Kansas arrived at Aspinwall on the Dist of
June, and found anchored there the Virginius:
that on the evening of the day following the
Spanish gunboat Bazan arrived; that on the
day after her arrival letter was received bv
Lieutenant Commander Reed from Lieutenant
Autran, commanding the Bazan, asking to be
informed eff the steamer Virginius is an Ameri-
can vessel, and if, as such, she has all her
papers according to law; because if she has
there will be no doubt that in the United States
the law of nations is interpreted, at least in the
present case. in a very different way from what
It is in Spain; and therefore | will ask the
Spanish consul in Panama 20 transmit my re-
marks to the Spanish minister in Washington
IN order that this high officer may present to
the American government the proper observa-
lions and claims, so that the Virginius may
cease to fly the flag of nation at peace with
Spain; and that in case of covering that vessel
with her flag will compel Spain to take extreme
measures, or to ask the arbitration OF some
Eur pean power in the fllibustering question
am debating; because the beautiful example of
arbit alton we have contemplated between the
Union and England urges US to follow it."
Upon receipt of this letter Lieut.. Commander
Reed addressed a note to Consul Thorrington,
at Aspinwall, enclosing the above letter re-
questing information as to whether the Vir-
ginius was a United States vessel and author
ized to sail under the American flag. Consul
Thorrington replied that her papers were cor
rect and&hat she was authorized TO sail under
our colors. letter was then written by Com
mander Reed to Lent. Autran informing him
of that fact.
PROTECTION ASKED FOR THE vIRGINIUs.
subsequently Lieut. Commander Reed re-
rington, stating that the captain OF the Vir-
ginius had applied for protection from the war
steamer BazaD, and requesting him to see that
"the Virginius is not subjected to any unlawful
exercise OF force on the part of the Baxan, I" and
closing as follows: 81 also respectfully recon-
mend that, when the Virginius has completed
her repairs, which will be in few days, to see
her clear of possible interruption from the Ba-
IAN. Her papers are in complete order. feel
compelled to give my views as above. and to
place the affair where it properly belongs, in
the hands OF that service whose paramount duty
is the protection of American commerce."
The commanding officer of the Bazan was
Informed of the action of Consul ThOrrington,
and in addition was notified that the VrgInius
should have all the necessary protection.
NILD THREAT FROM THE SPANISH CON-
WANDER.
In reply the Spanish commander addressed a
communication to Lieut.. Commander Reed, to
the effect that Spanish war vessels cannot per-
NIT the Nirginius free passage whenever she
may wish to sail, or even to leave q neutral port
where she has found protection and supp {.
1t is not the fault of the Spanish government
thatthe United States has not withdrawn alto
gether its protection to the Yirginius; for it is
now many months that this vessel has been en-
gagged in business SO foreign to that of any other
merchant vessel as to require her to be con-
stantly watched by the Spanish cruisers. If
that protection is invoked for To- day. only be-
cause her papers appear in order, it is an arb-
trary act. But in the meantime he was con-
WINGED of his right TO resolutely prevent her de-
parture, and that he should do so in order 10
discharge his duty until he received instruc-
tons to the contrary from the authorities to
whom he was responsible"
CURT RESPONSE OF COMMANDER REED.
10 the threatening letter Commander Reed
replied that "the running of blockade and the
landing of contraband of war does not insure
the forfeiture of a vessel unless caught in the
act, and the penalty never travels further than
the end OF the return voyage"
THE SPANISH COMMANDER DENoUNcEs THE
VIRGINIUs AS A PIRATE.
Finding that threats would not intimidate
commander Reed, the Spanish commander
wrote the commanding officer of the Kansas in
substance, as follows: " In the name of the
Spanish government, / denounce the steamer
yrginius as pirate, and / ask Of you, taking
INTO consideration the good relations existing
between the two countries, that you will direct
the said vessel to be sent to the United States,
to be there judged before your own courts, to
which Spain will send the proofs she has In her
possession, with the understanding that if these
proofs be not sufficient to condemn the Vir-
ginius, then, as representative of the Spanish
government, l pledge that nation to pay all
damages growing out Of her detention"
the Navy department unqualifedly approves
the action Of Commander Reed. The present
status Of the Virginius will be investigated BY
the Treasury department..