Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1874-01-06
The VIRGINIUs CORRESPONDENCE
The Presidents Message

the official correspondence concerning the Nir-
ginius, together with a brief message, which
consists OF a recapitulation of the history OF
that vessel up TO the time of her capture, and
then proceeds as follows:
alt is not disputed that she made the vsyage
according TO her clearance, nor that, from thai
day 10 this, she has not returned within the ter
rltOrial iurisdicti of the United States. IL J.
also understood that she preserved her Amer
lean papers, and that, when within foreign
ports, she made the practice of putting forth
claim 70 a mericsn nationality, which was Zee
OgnlZed by the authorities of such ports. when
therefore, she left the port of Kingston in OctO-
Der last, under the flag of the United States
she would appear TO have had, as against all
Powers except the United States. the right %
fly that flag and TO claim it's protection a. en-
joyed by all regularly documented vessels reg
istered as part OF our commercial marine.
NO state of war existed comforting upon
maritime power the right to modest and detaiu
upon the high seas documented vessel; and it
cannot be pretended that the Nirginius had
placed herself without the pale OF ali law by acts
OF piracy against the human race. Ii her papers
we're irregular or fraudulent, the offense was
one against the laws of the United States, iusti-
fable only in their tribunals WheR therefore
ii became known that the Virginus had been
captured on the high seas by Spanish man-of-
war; that the American flag had been hauled
down by the captors; that the vessel had been
carried to Spanish port, and that Spanish tri-
bunals were taking jurisdiction over the persons
OF those found on her. and exercising tn at juris-
dction upon American citizens, not only in vio-
OF the provisions of the treaty of 1895, directed
demand to be made upon Spain for the resto-
ration OF the vessel, and fer the return Of the
for salute to the flag, and for the punishment
of the offending parties.
The principles upon which these demands
rested could not be seriously questioned; out it
was successfully the Spanish government that
there were grave doubts whether the Virginius
was entitled to the character given her by her
papers, and that, therefore. it might be proper
he mil Cd of oNsZ 1, -.
vessel and the survivors, to dispense with the
salute to the flag, should such facts be estab
lshed to their satisfaction.
This seemed TO be reasonable and lust. /
therefore assented to it, on the assurance that
Spain would then declare that no insult TO the
flag OF the United States had been intended. I
also authorized an agree ment to be made that
should it be shown to the satisfaction of this
government that the Nirginius was improperly
bearing the flag, proceedings should be inst-
tuted in our courts for the punishment of the
OFFENCE committed against the United States
On her part Spain undertook to proceed against
those who had offended the sovereignty OF the
United States or who had violated their treaty
rights.
The surrender of the vessel and the sur-
yivers TO the jurisdiction OF the tribunals of the
| nited States was an admission of the prin-
ciples upon which our demands had been
founded. 1 therefore had no hesitation IN
agreeing to the arrangements finally made
between the two goyernments-an arrangement
which was moderate and just, and calculated
W lIc gOtu fcldtlOns winch nave so long
existed between Spain and the United States
Under this agreement the Virginius, with the
american flag flying, was delivered to the navy
of the United States at Bahia Honda in ths
Island of Cuba, on the 10th ultimo. She was in
an unseaworthy condition. In the passage TO
New York she encountered one OF the most
tempestuous of our winter storms. At the risk
of their lives the officers and crew placed in
charge of her attempted to keep her ahoat
Their efforts were unavailing, and she sunk of,
Cape Fear. The prisoners who survived the
h.
Cuba on the 18th ultimo and reached the port
of New York in safety. The evidence submitted
on the part of Spain to establish the fact that
the Virginius at the time of her capture was
improperly bearing the flag of the United
States is transmitted herewith, together with
the opinion of the Attorney General thereon
and copy of the note of the Spanish minister,
expressing on behalf of his government dis
claimer of any intent of indignity to the dag OF
the United States"
THE CORRESPONDENCE
On the l4th OF November Mr.: Fish notified
Mr.. Sckes that this government de manded the
return Of the Nlrginius, the release of her pris-
oners and the salute TO the flag, and If Spain
did not accede to the American demands in
twelve days the legation at Madrid should be
abandoned.
On the 18th OF November Mr.. Sickles notified
Mr.. Fish that he had received an ill-tempered
note that day from the Minister of State reject
ing the protest, aid saying Spain would never
theess consider and decide questions according
to law ard her dignity.
On the goth of November Mr.. Sickles com
plains to Mr.. Fish that Spain holds one attitude
in Madrid and presents another in Washington
on the SAME day, which he thinks is sufficient to
implicate her sincerity He desires to withdraw
from Madrid and adds that the Italian overn-
ment has kindly consented to allow Count Mat
Tin, charge d'affaires of Italy In Madrid, to take
care of American interests there, and accent
the custody of the library and property of this
legation, on application being made On his au-
thority through our minister in Rome He
hopes that the request will be made, and that
the courtesy will be duly acknowledged.
On the 2lst of November Mr. Fish REPLIES 10
Mr.. Sickles that the President decides that
public interests require that he shoald remain
at his post until further orders. s.If differ
ence exists. as you suggest, the President feels
1t his duty to take into consideration the repre-
sensations made at Washington, which ap-
proach most nearly to compliance with our lust
demands, and he depends upon you to co-Ope-
rate with our efforts to induce Spain to make
such concessions as may avert a rupture be-
tween the two republics without questioning
the sincerity OF the Madrid cabinet"
November 25, Mr.. Fish telegraphed Mr.
Sckles: If no accommodation is reached by
next day he is to leave. If pro position is sub
mitted, he will refer it to Washington and await
action
On the 2Gth, Mr.. Sckles transmits the sub
stance Of a note received from the Spanish min
isfer OF state, containing a proposal for adjust
ments, and ON the 2sth he again telegraphed
ment will yield to our terms, and that he hopes
to announce the result that afternoon.
On the same lay, MIR. Fish telegraphs MT.
Sickles that supposing he had left Madrid, the
answer TO the last Spanish proposal had been
made TO Admiral Polo at Washington
The correspondence between Secretary Fish
and Admiral Polo is also given, commencing
November 10Th, 1873, and ending January I'd,
1874. The correspondence with the United
States consuls in Cuba is also submitted. The
lat of the list is under date of January 5, 1874
Admiral Polo to Mr.. Fish, expressing on behalf
OF his government, disclaimer of any intent of
indignity to the flag of the United States
A FINANCIAL CONFERENCE INVITED. The
Committee on Banking and Currency have
agreed to invite the leading economls.s Of the
country to appear before them to give their
views upon the subject of our currency, and the
means of bringing its value to higher standard
on the basis Of the value of gold. The invita-
ton will be in the form of q circular letter and
addressed to all the leading financial minds in
the country.
REPRESENTATIVE ELLIOTT, (colored,) of
South Carolina, in the House to-day delivered
his speech in advocacy Of Gen. Buffers civil
rights bill. The galleries were well filled, par
the portion usually occupied by
the c0lOred people. Mr.. Elliott read from man.
uscript. He has q clear ringing voice, which
etin oil I'D