The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-01-10
The ECHOES OF The SPANISH PRESS.

The D1nrio de In Marina ON the Opinion
Of Attorney General Williams Anent
the Vtrginius.
The DiarsO Of the Cd inst. has long editorial on
the opinion OF the United States Attorney General
from which the following paragraphs are taken:-
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL.
The decision OF George H Williams, Attorney
General OF the United States Is found In these very
brief words:-'1 decide that the vlrginius at the
moment Of her capture had not the right to carry,
and she unduy carried, the American nagn Why
had the vlrginius not the right to carry the
starry 1aa2 Because the Spanish government had
proved in the palnest manner, according to the
words OF the Attorney General that the ship ''be
ionged to Quesada and the Cubans whom he repre-
sented, and that Quesada disposed OF the vessel
and ordered her voyages IN all cases. as If she were
his property that the oath OF Patterson was false.
and that the register obtained in his name was
fraud committed against the marine regulations
OF the United States"
This criterion being established 1t appears I'M
possible that the same functiOnary. after deciding
that the virglnius had no right to carry the Amer
can nag, las she had not been registered according
have been visited on the high seas BY another power
founding his opinion in the same reasons that ne
had to make the assertion II she had been legally
registered" The application kOf this doctrine,
which is the most absolute denial OF the right OF
visit with regard 10 every ship that might fy the
with pirates.
Spain has not even thought Of adjudging to her.
sell the rghs OF capturing ship apparently an
high seas some OF the United States laws.
But Spain does think that she has the right OF
visiting On the high seas, and with stronger reason
near the coasts OF country at war, every ship
that causes suspicion, matter what nag may
cover her, because the nag might very well be
disguise.
spain knew in the most undouhted manner that
the Virginius had left Kingston on the 23d Of Octo
board, taking with her q good number OF expe-
dltlonlsts, arms, ammunition, horses, provisions,
clothing, with the decided intention OF dIsembark
ing them the south coast Of the island to aid the
rebellion Spain knew that the night OF the 26tn
and 9th Of said month the vrginius touched our
shores, not dischargng any OF her cargo, because
the presence OF gunboat prevented her. Spain
began in that night in the waters under her own
jurisdiction, the effective chase Of the steamer VIZ
ginius, and, when she chased and captured her on
the 3lst or the same month, she did not proceed
through mere suspicion, but was operating under
IuH CONVICTION that she was going to capture q
ship not an American, but one which belonged to
Manuel Quesada and the operatives OF New York.
The denial OF the right OF visit the high Is
a national and childish vanity. II spanish man
oi-war visit on the high seas ship, to all appear
ances mercbantman-whether covered by the
English German, Austrian, French or American
nag-because she may be suspected. or that she
be conveyed to Spanish port, where 1t is proved
that the detained ship is bona fde q merchant
vessel, would this bring about more damages than
what might be occasioned by fihbuster disem-
barking eXpe dtionlsts arms and ammunition to
AID rebeihonf We think not, and every honest
person Is OF our opinion.
II the Spanish nan-oi-war made mistake Spain
Will pay costs and damages, and more should not
be exacted. because there can never be any
reason to think that a friendly Power wishes to
suppose an onence 10 her nag from any other with
which she is on terms OF good relations.
Let us conclude. The Attorney General denies
to Spain all right to inquire whether the virginius
has violated or not the laws OF the United states,
but adds that 1.-The United States can do IT. and
that, acc )rding to my mode OF understanding the
protocol, they have undertaken to do sou Here
we see the Indication of the necessity OF an nvesti-
CATION.
We see that, practically it s impossible 70 proee-
cute the perjurer Patterson because more than
two years have passed SINCE he committed the per-
jury; that the dispositions OF all the pirates Of the
Vrginius have been taken, and then they were re-
leased so that they can embark again, If they are
brave enou0n 10 do 1t; that the nlibuster ship has
been sunk n escape, In this way the duty OF re-
turning her. using the same tact.ea as was done in
the case OF che Florida This has been the judg-
ment; this the chastisement this the reparatiOn
this American Justice. Let rs corer our eyes to
see not, and ears to hear not, and ask the
Divine Providence to take away our lives or give
Life to poor spain.