The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1873-11-22

when her capture by the Spanish cor
vette Tornado on the night of Octo-
Der 3lst was announced. On board
her were several persons prominently
connected with the insurrectionary
government, lot of horses, guns, a
mittraileuse, ammunition, provisions,
clothing, ETC., etc. These supplies
we're thrown overheard during the
chase, and, as to the cargo, it was a
yalueless capture. She was flying
the American flag at the time she was
captured. Upon being boarded this
flag was hauled down by Spanish
officer and the emblem of Spain run
up to the peak.
On the 4th instant four of the pas
sengers were taken out and executed
upon the charge of treason to Spain.
On the 9TH inst. the captain and thir-
ty-six of his crew were executed upon
charge of piracy. On the 8th inst.
some twelve Cuban volunteers, found
also ON board, were shot for treason.
These are the circumstances, the
history of the affair, SO far as now
Known either officially or through
private sources of information. The
Slate Department is making every
effort to gain full and complete infor-
nation as to the details in order to be
able to decide on the proper future
action.
| There can be but one sentiment as
to the execution of the men. 1t was
done in haste, in unseemly haste. 1t
is characterized as barbarous, afro
cDus. The effect will certainly be to
apuse greater sympathy in this coun-
try for the cause of the Cubans. Gen.
RYAN, one of those executed on the
4h, was well known here in Wash
ington. Though he was a bully and
swaggerer he was entitled to trial
before his life was taken from him.
Captain Fry, the commander of the
Virginius, was a citizen of Florida
and, so far as we know now, gen.
tlsman entitled to respect.
| There is every reason why our .pri-
yate sympathies in this mattersshould
be with the Cabans. Bnt before the
government can act officially some
thing more tangible than mere symp-
atiiy must be had as basis of action.
It as alleged that the capture of a
vessel sailing the American flag upon
the high seas, or, as is supposed by
some, in British waters, by a vessel
of the Spanish navy is national af-
front, and as such must be resented
If this allegation be true Spain will
certainly be compelled to restore the
-~-y,si s...1 s-p~ieSize. but there IL q
good deal of question as to the char
acter of the Virginius. She did Ger
tainly fly our flag. She carried papers
certified by our consular officers. Blu
it is alleged, on the other hand, tina
she had no right to protection on ac
count of carrying the flag, as she wa
engaged in q business which forfeited
the right of protection. She was as
sisting the enemies of a nation will
whom we were on terms of friendship
and by SO doing she made herself LA.
BILE to capture. 1t is further alleged
that her clearance papers were OBJ
tanned through fraudulent represen
tations.
There is, therefore, a good deal O
doubt concerning the character of the
vessel which can only be cleared NJ
by the official investigation. 1t ii
also a question whether or not the of
ficers and crew were entitled to the
protection of our government. I
they were engagedin aiding and abet
ting the enemies of Spain they have
done so at their own risk. If, upor
investigation, it is proven that the
Yirginius was bona fde American
merchant vessel, and that the. crew
or any of them, were bona tide Amer.
can citizens, there will be but one
course for our government to pursue.
But we must not act hastily.
| A rumor is in circulation this after
noon that the Spaniards have muir
dered every soul captured on board
the Virginius and that not single
American witness of the affair is lief
aliva This y,.n,o,. ,,a~,,1c o.1,, e L. =