Los Angeles daily herald., 1873-12-06
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THE MESSAGE OH THE viRGiMlUS.

The steamer Virginius was, on the
25th day of September. 1870, duly reg
istered at the port of New York as
part of the commercial marine Of the
United States. On the 4th of October,
1870, having her certificate in the
usual form, she sailed from the port Of
New York and has not since been
within the territorial jurisdiction of
the United States. On the 3lst of Oc-
tober last, while sailing under the
American flag on the high seas, she
was forcibly seized by Spanish gum
boat, the Tornado,and was carried into
the port of Santiago de Cuba, where
many of her passengers and crew were
inhumanly shot, and so, at least as re-
lated to those who were citizens of the
United States, were without due pro-
cess of law put to death. 1t is q well
asserted principle, asserted by the
United States from the beginning Of
our national independence, and recOg-
nized by Great Britain and other ma
ritime Powers, and stated by the Sem
ate in resolution passed unanimously
on the 10th of June, 1858, that Ameri-
can vessels on the high seas in time of
peace, bearing the American flag, re-
main under the jurisdiction of the
country to which they belong, and
therefore any visitation, molestatiOn
or interference which such vessels, by
force, on the part of foreign Power,
may sustain, is in derogation of the
sovereignty of the United States. In
accordance with this principle, the re-
storation of the Virginius, and the sur
render of the survivors OF her passen-
gers and crew, and due reparation to
the honor of the flag and the punish
ment of the authorities who had been
guilty of the illegal act of violence,
were demanded. The Spanish Gov
ernment has recognized the justice Of
the demand, and has arranged for the
immediate delivery of the vessel and
for the surrender of the survivors of
the passengers and Grew, and for sa-
lutte to the flag, and for proceedings
looking to the punishment of those
who may be proved to have been guilty
ofillegal acts of violence toward citi-
zens of the United States; and also to-
wards indemnifying those who may
be shown to be entitled to indemnity.
A copy of the protocol of conference
tietween the Secretary of State and the
Spanish Minister, in which the terms
OF this arrangement was agreedto, will
be transmitted herewith, together
with the correspondence on this sub
ject with the Legation Of the United
States in cipher and by cable, and
which need the verification of the act
ual text of the correspondence. 1t has
seemed to me to be due to the import
ance of the case not to submit the
correspondence until the actual text
can be received by mail. 1t is expect
ed shortly, and will be submitted when
received. In taking leave of this sub
ject for the present, | wish to renew
the expression of my conviction that
the existence of African slavery in
Cuba is a principal cause of the la
mentable condition of the Island. ]
do not doubt that Congress shares
with me the hope that it will soon be
made to disappear, and that peace and
prosperity may follow it's abolition.
The embargoing of American estates
in Cuba; cruelty to American citizens
who have been detected in no act of
hostility to the Spanish Government;
the numbering of prisoners taken with
out arms in their hands; and, finally,
the capture upon the high seas of a
vessel sailing under the United States
flag, and having United States regis
try, has eliminated in an outburst of
indignation thathas seemed for a time
to Threaten war. Pending negotia-
tions between the United States and
the Government of Spain on the sub
ject of this capture, have authorized
the Secretary of the Navy to put our
navy upon war footing to the extent
at least of the entire annual approprr
alton of that branch of the service,
trusting to Congress and the public
opinion of the American people to
justify my action.
The finest assortment of Nicer
schaum pipes for holiday presents at the