The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1873-12-04
THE STEAMER vIRGINIUs

was on the Goth day of September, 1870, duly
registered u t the port of New York as port
OF the commercial marine OF the United
States Gu the 4th of October, 1870 uaving
the certificate OF her register IN The usual
legal forms she sailed irola tue port of New
York and has not since been within the ter
ritarial jurisdiction CT the United States On
the 31sG OF October last, white sailing an
der the ilaS OF the United States on the
high seas, she was Iorcibly beizeu hy the
Spanish gul boat Tornado. and was carried
into the port of Santiago &c Cuba, where
many Of her passengers and crew were in
human!y, and, so far Rt least as relates 20
those who were citizens of the United States
WITHOUT DUE PROCESS or LAW
put to death. Tits well established prin-
ciple asserted by the United States from the
beginning OF the national independence,
recognized by Great Britain and other mar
aLiIne powers, and stated by the Senate in a
resoiut ion passed unauimO usly on the six
teenth day Of June, 1858, that American ves-
sells the high seas in the time of peace, bearing
the American flag, remain under the jurisdiction OF
the country t@ which they belong and therefore
any visitation, moleslation or detention OF such
vessel by force tn part of foreign power is In
derogatiOn IF the sovereignty ofthe United States
In accordance with this principle the restoration
OF the Virgiuus and the surrender of the survivors
OF her passengers and crew, and q due reparution
to the flag and the punishment OF the authorities
who haG been guilty of the illegal acts OF violence
were demanded
The Spanish government has recognized the JUS
ucc OF The demand, and has arranged Tor the IND
mediate delivery OF the vessel, and for tn surren-
der of the survivors of the passengers and crew,
and for salute 10 the flag, and proceedings look
ing to the punishment OF those who may be proved
TO have been guilty OF Illegal acts Cf violence to-
ward citizens Of the United States, end also to.
ward indemnifylng those who may be shown to be
emitted to indemnity. A copy of q protocol Of a
conf erence between the Secretary of s. ate and
the Spanish Minister in which the terms of This
Arrangement were agreed to, Will be transmitted
the Legation OF The United States is in cipher,
and by cable, ana needs the verifcauon vi the
actual text OF the correspondence. 1T has seemed
to me TO be due to the Importance of the case not
To submit this correspondence until the accurate
text can be received by mali
It is expected shortly, and viii be
submitted when received. In taking
rev the expression Of my conviction that the exist.
ence of African slavery lin Cuba is n
principle canse Of tho Iamentable condition OF
the island. J do n ct doub: that Congress shares
with me the hope thAtit will soon be made to Gis
appear, and that peace and prosperity may follow
its abolition. The emhargOing OF American cit
liens detected in no act of hostility TO the Span-
with ms III their h nds. and finally the capture
upon high seae vessel sailing under the Uni
ted States flag and bearing United States regis
try, has eliminated Ill an outburst Of indignation
that has seemed for II time to threaten war
Pending negotiations between the United States
Hnd the government OF Spain, on the subject Of
this capture, have authorized the Se retary ot
the navy TO put our navy on war footing 10 the
extent az least OF the entire annual appropriation
for that branch Of the service trusting TO Con
2ress and the public opinion of theAmericon peo
pie TO justify my action.