The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1874-01-16
Presidents Message In Reference 10
the virginius.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 5.-The President
to-day sent the following message To the
senate and House of Representatives
In my inaugural message OF December last,
gave reason 20 expect thar when the full and ac-
curaie text of the correspondence relating 10 the
steamer Nirgnius (which had been telenraphed
In cipher should be received, the papers con-
cerning the capture of the vessel and execution
of part OF its passengers and crew and the re-
storaiiOn OF the ship aud survivors, would be
transmitted 10 Congress. In compliance with
expect atoms then held out, now transmit the
paper5 and CORES pOndence ON the subject.
OFFICIAL HISTORY or rnE VESSEL
ON the 10Th of september, 1870. the Nirginius
was registered In the turtom-house AZ N.w iok
IA the property OF ciiiz,n OF the United sta cs,
he having d ~ made the oath required by law that
he was the true and only owner OF the said ves-
sci and that there was no iubject or citlzsn
OF any foreign province or state, directly or inui
r,cilV, bN way of trust, cOnudcncc or 9th, rwlse
interested therein Having complied with th-
requisites OF the statutes IN that behalf, she
cleared Ia the usual way Tor the port OF Curacao,
and on about The fourth of october, Is a. sailed
for that port. II Is not disputed that she made
the voyage according 10 her clearance, nor that,
from tina day 10 this. she has not returned within
the territorial jurisdiction of the United states.
II rs also understood that she preserved her
American papers, and that when within foreign
ports she made "A practice of putting forth "A claim
10 American nationality, which was recognized
hv the authorities at such ports. when, there
fore She left the port OF Kingston In October
last under the flag OF the United states, she
would appear % have had, rs against all powers
except the United states, the right to Ny that
flag, and 10 claim its protection enjoyed
by all regularly documented vessels, regis
tered as part OF our commercial
marine. No stale of war existed comforting upon
maritime powers the right 10 modest and retain
upon the high seas dOcumented vessel, and II
cannot be pretended that the Nirginius had placed
herself beyond the pale Of law by acts Of piracy
against the human race II her papers were ir-
regular or fraudulent the onrnse was one ainst
the laws OF The Unised states, Justifabie only IN
their tribunals.
THE RECLAMATION.
When. therefore, II became known that the Nir-
ginlus had been captured on the hugh seas by
spanish man-of-wari that the American nag hal
been hauled down hy the captOrs; that the weasel
had been carried to a spanish port, and that
spanish tribunals were taking Jurisdiction over
the persons OF those found on her, ana tNercis-
ing that jurisdiction upon American cilizens, not
only IA violation OF international law, but IN
coniravrntion oil the provisions of the treaty OF
l7yl, directed a demand 10 be made upon spain
for the restoration OF the vessel and tc return OF
the survivors 20 The protection OF the United
States Tor "A salute 10 the flag and Tor the punish
Iient Of the offending parties.
THK PROTOCOL
The principles ON which these demands rested
could not be seriously questioned; hut 10 was sug-
gested bv the spanish Government that there were
grave doubts whether the Nirginils was entitled
to the character given her by her papers, and that
therefore IL might be proper for the United states,
alter the surrender OF the vessel and survivors,
T. dispense with "A salute 10 the Nag, should such
facts be established TO their satisfaction. This
seemed % bee reasonable and lust. therefore
assentcd 10 IL on the assurance that Spain would
then declare that insult to the flag OF the
United states had been intended also author
lied an agreement 10 be made that, should II he
shown TO the satisfaction OF this Government mat
the Nirginlus WAS Improperly bearing the nag,
proceedings should be instituted In courts Tor
the punishment OF an Onense committed a2 tinst
the United states. On her part, SPAN undeit Ok
o. proceed against those who had offended the
sovereignty VI the United States who had
violated their treaty rights The surrender OF
the vessel aud survivors 10 the u.sdig ton OF the
tribunal OF the United states was an admission
Of the principles ON which our demand had been
founded.
THE sURRhDDER.
therefore had no hesitation Ia agreeing 10 the
arrangements finally made between the two
GDycrnments--an arrangement which was mod
eraie and just and calculated TO cement the good !
relations which have long existed between /
spain and the United States Under this agree |
ment the Nirginius with the American iiag n.y. !
ing, was delivered 10 the Navy OF the United |
states al Bahia Honda, IN the Island OF CUBA on |
the 18Th ult She was IN an un-eawOrthy cOndi- !
ton ON the passage 10 New York she enc0un- |
tered one OF The most icmpc-tuous OF our winter |
storms. At the risk of their lives, IN. officers /
and crew placed in charge Of her. attempted TO l
Keep her ahOat Their efforts were unayaing /
and she sank OF Cape Fear. The prisoners who |
survived the massacre were surrendered AT SAN
tiagO de Cuba on the 18th ult., and reached the |
port OF New York In safety.
ACCOMPANYING DOCUMENTS
The evidence submitted on the part Of spain 20 |
establish the fact that the Nrginius the time OF
her capture was Improperly bearing the Nag of /
the United states Is transmitted herewith to-
gehcr with the opinion of the Attorney -t,eneral \
Minister, expressing, on behalf of his Govern
ment. disclaimer OF any intent Of indigniiy to
the dag Of the United states.
Isignedl L.. s. GRANT