Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1873-11-19
CUBAN AFFAIRS.

The late United States Consul at Kingston,
ly arrived in New York, brings definite in
formation in regard to the arrival and depar
tare of the Virginius at Kingston. The ship
came down to Kingston in charge of Cap
tain Williams. Soon afterward Captain Frye
arrived from New York with authority from
the owners Of the ship, given in the name of
. Mr.. Patterson OF New York city, to take
command and take the vessel and cargo into
. Cuban port. About half the crew deserted
when the preparations began for loading and
sailing. All transactions were perfectly open
and matters Of common notoriety. Arms,
ammunition and warlike stores of various kinds
were gathered and shipped. All intelligent
persons on the ship understood the true char
acter of the vessel and of her mission. Mr..
Pearne had two interviews with Captain Frye
in regard to his expedition and protested
against his undertaking and gave it as his
opinion that if the Spaniards captured him he
would surely be shot, and that every man on
the ship took his life in his hand when he
Joined the expedition. To these protests
Captain Frye replied that the Spaniards could
not shoot him; that it would only be case of
blockade running, and as he had been Con-
federate blockade runner he reasoned that as
the United States did not shoot persons cap
tured in this business the Spaniards would
not do it. Afterwards M. pearne sought
nd in AFT fpI IN
dissuade him from sailing. The captain re-
piled that to him the whole matter was ques-
ton OF bread for his family. If he could sue
coed in landing his cargo where it was wanted
it would give him large sum of money, and
he was determined to make the attempt at all
hazards. There were about dozen Ameri-
cans or Englishmen among the seamen
shipped, and it is doubtful whether all of these
had Il very clear idea of the character of the
enterprise. Captain Frye's papers were
American and in all respects regular in form,
though the real status of the vessel was a
matter of common notoriety.
Admiral Porter has been interviewed He
says that at present the Spanish navy has
twenty five vessels carrying one hundred and
forty guns, twenty -four carrying ffty-two
guns, and twenty-five carrying five hundred
and eighty-two guns. There are also ten
transports capable of carrying guns, and fifty
gunboats with one heavy gun each. Fifty
three of these vessels are stationed on the
coast of Cuba, carrying three hundred and
twenty guns with nine thousand men all told.
The admiral thinks that with the present con-
cope successfully with that of Spain. lie
said the question now at issue between the
United States and Spain was that of repairing
the insult to our flag. The Virginius was
sailing under regular papers. She had got
into waters other than those of the United
States and was captured. 1t was the duty of
the Spanish government to have hello her for
trial. II she had violated any law this gov
eminent was the proper one to punish her
for it.
Mr.. Evarts Is reported as saying that SO far
a. he had seen the information in regard to
the character of the Virginius, her lading,
and the people on board, was very meager.
1t was evident, however, that she was trying
to escape, and was seized after a chase, SO
the plea could not be raised that they were
actual invaders, as was the case with Lopez
and his party. There were many difficult
questions involved which he hoped would be
settled satisfactorily. 1t was undoubtedly
fact that the Spanish Home Government could
not control its agents in Cuba, yet this did
not relieve Spain from responsibility for the
actions of her agents, especially as they de-
rived their strength from the troops sent by
the Cortes. Undoubtedly but for this assis-
lance to the Spanish element in Cuba, the in
surrection would have been successful before
this time. The var was one between two Cd.
posing systems on the Island, the one favor
ing the Spanish Government and Spanish in
and the other thoroughly opposing
them: the better class Of the native popula-
lion are undoubtedly with the patriot cause.