The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1873-12-19
THE VIRGINIUS.
CEREMONY OF THE DELIVERY.
FULL DETAILS OF THE EVENT
&c, &c, DC.

KEY WEST, December 1S.-Thc small
steamer Dispatch, Captain w. ID. Whiting,
which had been assigned by the United
States Government to the duty of receiving
the surrender, sailed from Key West Sunday
evening. and arrived in the harbor of Bahia
Honda the next morning, where she found
the Nirginus in charge Of the Spanish sloop-
of-war La Favorita, Senior De La Camara COM
handing. Shortly after noon the latter
came on board of the Dispatch and made ar
engagements with Captain Whiting for the
surrender at Q o'clock Tuesday morning.
His visit was returned later in the day by
Captain Whiting. The intercourse was of
the most cordial character.
On Tuesday the weather was bright and
clear.
THE ONLY SPECTATORS OF TIE SCENE
about TO take place were the men on the Dis
patch and La Favorita, and some ragged and
dirty Cubans in tishins-smacks, apparently
intent upon fishing alone.
At hafpast O'Clock the gig came over
from La Favorita to the Virginius, contain
ing oarsmen and single officer. AS the lat
ter stepped on deck petty officer anda hall.
dozen men. who had stood watch on the
Virginus during the night, went over the
side and remained in the dngy and awaited
orders.
THE AMERICAN FLAG on THE y1RGlNIUS.
PunctualIy as the bells on the Dispatch
struck for O'Clock, and before the echo died
away, the American flag few to the flagstaff
of the Virginills, and at the same moment Il
boat containing Captain Whiting and Lieu.
tenant Mark put away from the Dispatch.
As they assembled the accommodation ladder
of the Virsinus, a single man on deck, who
proved to be Senior De La Camara, advanced
and made courteous salute.
The officers then read their respective in
structionS, and Captain De La Canlara re-
marked that in obedience TO the require
mcnts of his Government he had the honor
to turn over the steamer Virginius 10 the
American authorities.
Captain Whiting accepted, and ascertain
ing that receipt would be acceptable, gave
one.
The Spaniard stepped over the side, sig
nailed his oarSmen, and in ten minutes was
again upon the deck of his own vessel, hay.
ing
DISCHARGED WITH BECOMING DIGNITY
the unpleasant duty imposed upon him by
his Government.
The engines of the Virginius We're found
to be in bad condition, and she had TO be
towcd to sea by the Dispatch. Both vessels
left the harbor at 8 o'clock 2. NJ, the Spanish
f1ig being displayed by the fort as they
passed.
At S o'clock z. NJ. they were met by the
naval tug Fortune. Steam was subsequently
got up on the Virginius, and she with the
Dispatch went to Tortugas, where they met
the Ossipee and coal-schooner.
Provisions will be transferred from the
Ossipce to the Firginius. and whatever coal
may be needed will be supplied by the
schooner.
DESTINATION OF TIE vIRGlSIUS.
When supplied with provisions and coal.
the Virginius will probably be sent to a
northern port Washington and Norfolk are
mentioned among the prize officers, much to
the disappointment of some of the officers.
The Federal courts arc now anxlously look
ing out for her arrival. She will not enter
the harbor of Key West at all, express
orders to that effect having been received
from Washington.
The Fortune proceeded to Key West,
where she arrived at O'Clock this after
noon with dispatch to Admiral Scott
giving full account of the surrender.
The officers and crews of the Dispatch and
La Favorita, the members of the prize crew.
and the correspondent Of the New York
Tribune IN. 7. Handy, were
TUE ONLY WITNESSES OF THE SURRENDER.
Not single person appeared on the bay.
and not an inhabtant Of the town OF Bahia
Honda or surrounding country felt sufficient
interest in the proceedings to walk or sail 10
the scene. Some Americans presented them
selves at the entrance of the harbor in a
chartered vessel, but not being provided
with clearance papers and passports were
stopped by the boat from the fort in several
attempts to enter the harbor, and finally
withdrew without witnessing the surrender
Aid for the Families of the victims.
NEW YORK, December 1S.-The Dramatic
Association gives performance next Wed,
nesday for the benefit of the widows and
orphans Of the victims of the Virginius mas
sacre The affair is under the management
of Mrs. Sheridan and Mr.. Shook, the pro
prietor Of the Union Square Theatre.