The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1873-12-27


Attorney General Williams, to whom the
papers furnished by the Spanish authorities
! in reference to the real character OF the Nir-
ginius were submitted, has made public the
result of his examination, and gives the opin.
ion that she had no right to carry the Ameri-
can flag This, however, he holds does not
Justify the Spanish war steamer in Selling
her on the high seas while bearing the Amer
lean flag, but makes it incumbent upon the
| L. S, upon the arrival of the Virginlus at
| Norfolk, to place her and her surviving priS-
oners in custody to be tried on charge for
violating the neutrality laws of the United
States. This the L. 5. are also obliged to do
by the Fish Polo protocol, under which the
| llrginius was surrendered to the U. s.
The delivery of the Virginius prisoners to
commander Braine was not done with the cheer
full alacrity that would have characterized
apeople ofordinary civilization under like cir
cumstances. \ Tribune correspondent who
was present when the delivery took place
furnishes a vivid account Of the scene. "With
a refinement of cruelty peculiarly Spanish,
he says:
The authorities, to the last moment kept
the poor wretches in ignorance of their pros
pective release, and with base inhumanity led
them to suppose that they were to be eXecut-
ed Friends were with them, taking their
confessions and dying declarations, and i'm.
ploring them to look to God for pardon.
They were taken out of prison in despair but
on their way to the slaughter,pens, Gas they
supposed their eyes fell upon the Junata
flying the flag of the United States. When
they realized the truth, a scene occurred that
bcggars description. The enthusiasm knew
no bounds. They were speedily transferred
to the deck Of the Juniata, and gave vent to
most eXtravagant, but touching demonstra.
tons Of Joy, embracing each other, some cry
ing, some kissing and audibly Offering thanks
to the Almighty for their deliverancc from
the horrors Of their dungeon and the pros
pcct of an gnominons death On the night
before the surrender, the officers and crew Of
the Junata were stationed at quarters, her
guns being turned on the city. The Spanish
volunteers having been excited to open riot
by the TumOr that the surrender was to take
place, a large number Of volunteers went in
body to the Governors Palace and begged
permission TO attempt the capture of the Ju.
nlata, saying that they could do it with
knives alone. The Governor refused to grant
the permission. Our officers believe that the
application was made in earnest. and not
few regret that it was not fayorably entertain.
ed rs the Juniata alone, not so to speak of
the Kansas and Pinta, would have been more
than match for their assailants.
On the arrival OF the Pinta at Santiago, or
ders came to the ship from Commander
Braine for the Paymaster to issue all the
blankets and peajackets in his department to
the prisoners, who were hardly fit 10 be seen
in their rags.
This was speedily done; but as there was
still great restitution, orders came for every
man on board to give their own blankets and
wearing apparel in the good cause, the prom.
Use being made that all would be replaced on
the arrival of the ship at Key West The
officers and men cheertully complied with
this order, only preierring that it should be
issued as request, in which case they would
have obeyed with just as much alacrty.
Every heart was touched by the pitltul con-
ditiOn of the prisoners. The poor fellows re.
port that they were barbarously treated.
The surrender took place at Moro, Castle,
six miles from Santiago. A receipt was Civ.
en- for the prisoners. 1t was reported in San
tago that when ii was found that the Virgin.
ius had been lowed out of the harbor of Ha-
vana, Il large number ofnaval officers of high
grade rendered their resignation to the Home
Government by telegraph.
These Spanish gentlemen are, in vulgar
breeding scabs on their noses
This sort Of insolence cannot last forever.
We have no idea that anotherdecade can pass
before this sort OF insolencc will breed such
. feeling of hostility that the government it.
clf will be unable to restrain cur people
rom taking signal vengeance on these inso,
cnt volunteer rufians in Cuba