New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-12-30
CLOSE OF THE EXAMINATION.

THE OWNERSHIP AND ERRAND OF THE VIRGINIUs
THE SUBJECT OF INQUIRY RATHER THAN THE
SCENE OF HER CAPTURE
The examination of the passengers and crew of
the virainius. which begun on Sunday on board
of the Juniata by Dstrict-AttOrney Bliss and his
corps of assistants, was concluded yesterday. The
evidence will be written out The District-Attorney
declines to make public the evidence which he has
taken. 1t is understood however, that he took the
statement of the Cubans who are the owners Of the
vessel. whether she is entitled to the immu-
mites of the American flag. and whether
or not the Neutrality laws have been viola
ted. The Virginius, it is said, will be seized
by the Collector of the Port, and libeled by Dis
trict-Attorney Bliss she reaches this port
This will be done in accordance with general in
structions from Washington. The District-AttOney
was given discretionary power to proceed in the
as he thought best. If, on a judicial examination
before competent legal tribunal it is found that
the vessels register was obtained by fraud, that
in her subsequent movements the Neutrality laws
have been violated. the vessel will be condemned
and sold. If it be established that Patter-
son, the reputed owner of the vessel,
was guilty of perjury when he procured
clearance for the Virginius in 1870 he cannot be
punished because the Offense has been outlawed by
the statute of limitation. The of the vessel
will be required to explain how it was that the
steamer which left Kingston, Jamaica, bound 0sen-
sibly for Point Limones. Costa RIGA, which is south
west of Jamaica, should have gone due east to Port
au-Prince in Hayti. The excuse is that the vessel
was leaking The question Is whether she could not
have been repaired to better advantage at Kingston
which port she could have easily reached by turning
back. Not beng able to get what was needed at
Port au- Prince she went to CametO, whence it was
short run to Cuba. Here the Virginius only
remained "A hours, and apparently the repairs made
on her were very slight. When sighted by the Tor
nadO she was in the channel between Hayti and
Cuba. and she attempted to escape by running for
Jamaica. The question whether she was captured
within marine league Of Jamaica, thus bringing
here within British waters, is point that has not
been touched on in this examination, for that con-
Germs the British authorities alone.
It is understood that two copies Of the testimony
taken will BIO written out. One will be used by the
District-Attorney. The other will be forwarded to
Warrington for the use of the authorities there.
The testimony taken by Commander Braine and
DistrictAttorney Bliss is understood to be all that
will bo required for the use of the Government.
The fact that the prisoners on the Junata were un
condtionally released yesterday is accepted as .
conclusive proof that the Government officials have
all the evidence which they deem necessary.
THE RELEASED CUBANS ON SHORE.
QUIET REMOVAL or THE PRISONERS FROM THE
JUNIATA AT THE CLOSE OF The EXAMINATION
THEIR JOY AT REGAISING THEIR FREEDOM-Hos-
PiTALITY OF THEIR FRIENDS AND YELLOW
COUNTRYMEN.
Yesterday morning no visitors were allowed on
board the Juniata, the orders which had been re-
ceived the day before too late to be carried into
effect now being strictly enforced Meanwhile the
investigation by United States District-Attorney
Bliss was continued the prisoners one by one giving
their testimony. This examination was concluded
early in the afternoon and Mr. Bliss announced that
they were all at liberty to 90 where they pleased.
while the Juniata was made accessible to the friends
OF the prisoners. and to any who might wish to
converse with them. committee from the Cuban
Junta Of this city few ladies and representatives
Of the press were snxiously awaiting this decision.
Early in the forenoon number Of Cubans visited
the Navy-Yard for the purpose Of asking those on
board the Junista of what they might be in need.
and supplying them with the same Although no
trouble was experienced at the Nsvy-Yard gates.
yet when the applicants reached the landing they
found no boat by which they could reaeh.the Ju-
nistA The officers in the yard told The Csbans |"