Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1874-01-01
THE VIRGINUJS AFFAIR.

Attorney. General Williams has rendered
his opinion in the Virginius case, and decides
that the vessel was improperly sailing under
the American flag, her papers having been
obtained by false pretenses, and the title to
the vessel being vested in foreigners, it con-
sequently had no right to American protec'
ton. BY the terms of the protocol, the de-
cision relieved Spain from making reparation
for an insult to the United States flag, and
will compel this Government to institute pro-
ceedings against the owners of the Virginus
and the survivors of the crew and passengers
for violation of the neutrality laws.
The true history of the Virginius, as ap,
pears from the opinion of the Attorney. Gen
eral, shows that the vessel was registered in
New York on the 26th of September, 1870,
in the name of Patterson, who made oath rs
required by the law, but dispositions abun'
dainty show that in fact Patterson was not the
owner at the time, but that the vessel was the
property of certain Cuban citizens in New
York, who furnished the necessary funds tor
her purchase ]. Z. Shepherd, who comman'
ded said vessel when she left New York, with
certificate of her register in the name OF
Patterson, testified positively that he entered
into an agreement to command the said yes
sci, at an interview between Quesada, Mora
Patterson and others, at which it was distinct
ly understood that the Virginius belonged tc
Ouesada, Mora and other Cubans, and he
said Mora exhibited to him receipts for the
purchase money, and for the repairs and sup
plies upon the said vessel, and explaining tt
him how the said funds were raised among the
Cubans in New York. Adolpho de Varona
who was the Secretary of the Cuban mission
in New York, at the time the Virginius wa'
purchased, and afterwards sailed in her al
Quesada's chief of staff, testifes that he wa
acquainted with all the details Of the transac
tion, and knows that the Virginius was pur
i chased with the funds of the Cubans, and with
the understanding and arrangement that Pat
tcrsou should appear as the nominal owner
because foreigners could not obtain a United
States register for the vessel. Francis Bowen
Charles Small, Ed. Greenwood, John McCann
Matthew Murphy, Ambrose Rawlings, Thos
Gallagher, John Furlong, Thomas Anderson
and George Miller, who were employed upor
the Virginius in various capacities after she
was registered in the name of Patterson, tes
tify clearly to the effect that they were in
formed, and understood while upon the yes
sci, that she belonged to Quesada and the
Cnbans represented by him, and that he navi
gated, controlled and treated such vessel in
all respects as though it was his property.
As result of the decision of the Attorney
General, the Spanish press is clamorous for
the demand by Spain for the restoration o.
the vessel and all the surviving prisoners
The Havana Diario infers from the decision
that the Virginus was pirate, and the Uni
ted States Government, besides restoration
must give Spain satisfaction adequate to the
offense of requiring the surrender. The
Diario demands that the same vessel which
received the Virginius at Bahia Honda return
her there and the Juniata bring the prisoners
back to Santiago, because the Virginius was
the legal prize of the Tornado, and the priso
ners can and should be tried only by Spanish
tribunals. Spain is advised to be clement
with them and not employ the full force o.
law. The Diario concludes with the hope
that Gen. Sickles will not withdraw his resig
nation.