Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1873-12-18
ALEXANDRIA, VA.
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 49, 1873
Surrender Of the VirginiuS ana Her
Surviving Crew.

Surrender Of the FirgIniuS ana her
Surviving Crew.
The Government, yesterday received Official
information of the surrender of the Vlrglnlus
by the Spanish authorities at Bahia Honda
KEY WEST, FLA, Dec II, 1873
Georqe A. Robson, Secretary, &C.:
The Virginius was promptly put into our po-
session yesterday, at the appointed time. Inc
orders of the Department will be carried out
with all dispatch Further information will be
telegraphed Tomorrow. SCOTT,
Rear Admiral, &c.
The Washington Republican of this morning
says:
Further information received yesterday
from CAPTAIN General Jovelar gives the as
surance that the surviving members OF the Vlr-
giuius' crew were delivered on Tuesday to the
representative of the United States navy 10 the
barbor of Santiago de Cuba. Captain General
Joyelar had received no definite or authorize
tive news regarding this point, but trom his
knowledge of the preparations which had been
made for the purpose Of effecting it, aud OF the
readiness OF the Santiago authorities to execute
those preparations, he was warranted 10 giving
the assurance that the delivery had been ct.
fected. 1t is not impossible however, that the
vessel detailed by our Navy Department to re-
ceiye the prisoners did not reach Santiago III
time to perform her agreement. But, whether
she did or not the delivery may be accepted
as foregone conclusion. 1t may be explained
in this connection that our Government has
FROM the outset inisted that the surrender OF
the Virginius should be made in Cuban waters.
The principle involved 10 this point is apparent
to all. The idea of her surrender IN the harbor
of Havana was abandoned for the satisfactory
reason that such a proceeding would have need
lessIy endangered the safety Of American cltl-
zens temporarily resident in that city. The ex-
citemeut which would have been provoked
among the Volunteers and the mob of the
streets was obviated by the arrangement that
the surrender should be made at Bahia Honda,
aud at the same time the desire that it should
be maAk& Cuban waters was gratlhed
''Hhe official correspondence between the two
Governments will not be ready for submission
TO Congress until after the holidays. The great
er portion of the dispatches received have been
in CIPHER, the correct translation OF which has
been somewhat impeded by the bad telegraph
ing work and the bad condition of the cables.
AS soon as the regularly written copies of the
dispatches are received by mail the entire cor
respoHdence will be arranged aud sent to Con
gress, without waiting for resolution from
either House requesting it. 1t will show plainly
that the Government has consistently aud per-
sistently insisted that the Virginius was prlma
tacie an American vessel Although the Span
ish Government attempted at the beginning to
profer proof of her lllegtimate character, as an
offset to our demands tor reparatlon, we decar-
ed that we could not proceed with the negotla-
tons except upon the assumption that we had
prima facie case. Spain having conceded the
assumption. the negotiations proceeded, and
the result attained, it must be admitted while
it has not endangered the existence Of the Gas
telar government has obtained for the United
States one of the greatest diplomatic victories
In our history.
1.-The next step after the prisoners shall have
been received at an American port will be the
efforts of the Spanish Government to overthrow
our assumption of prima facie cause OF com.
plant This must be done to the satisfaction of
the United States: As we are our own judge
In the premises aud have 10 our possession pos.
tive proofthat the Virginius had not violated
either our own registry laws or any requirement
of treaty obligation, it is probable that the next
step will record another and still more salts
factory victory"
A special dispatch from Key West to the
New York Tribune; gives the following particu
lars Of the surrender of the Vlrginius
L
P. Whiting, which had been assigned by the
United States Government to the duty Of re-
ceiving the surrender, sailed from Key West
Sunday evening, aud arrived in the harbor Of
Bahia Honda the next morning, where she
found the Virglnius 10 charge of the Spanish
sloop-of.w war La Favorita, Senior De La Camara
commanding. Shortly after noon the latter
came on board the Despatch and made ar
rangements with Captain Whiting for the sur,
render at 9 O'Clock Tuesday morning, His
visit was returned latter in the day by Captain
Whiting. The intercourse was of most court
eous character. On Tuesday the weather was
bright and clear. The only spectators OF the
scene about to take place were the men on the
Despatch and La Favorita and some ragged
and dirty Cubans In fishing smacks, apparently
intent upon fishing alone.
''At half past eight the gig came over from
La Favorita to the Virginius, containing oars
men aud single officer As the latter step
ped on deck petty officer and half dozen
men who had stood watch on the Virgnius
during the night went over the side and re-
manned 10 dpgy awaiting orders.
"Punctually as the bells struck for 9, and be
fore the echo had died away the American flag
few to the flagstaff OF the Virglnius, and at
the same moment boat. containing Captain
the Despatch. As they assembled the accom-
mediation ladder, single man oB deck who
proved to be Senior De La Camara, advanced
and made courteous salute.
"Theoffcers then read their respectiveinstruc-
tons, and Capt: De La Camara remarked that
In obedience TO the requirements of his Gov
eminent he had the honor to turn over the
steamer Firginios to the American authorities. |
Capt. Whiting accepted, and ascertaiuiug re-
ceipt would be acceptable, gave one. A word |
or TWO more was civily spoken, and the Span
lard stepped over the side and signalled his
oarsmen, and 10 ten minutes was again upon
the deck Of hisown vessel, having discharged |
with becoming dignity, the unpleasant duty
imposed upon him by his Government. -.
Il The engines OF the Virgiuius were found to
be iu bad condition, aud she had to be towed
to sea By the Despatch. Both vessels lett the
harbor at 8 p. NJ, the Spanish flag being dis
played by the fort as they passed.
AT p. M they were met by the naval tug
II a.