The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-01-19
THE STOLEN MURILLO.
The Seller OF the Fragment Goes
to Spain Voluntarily.
Official Report Of the Con-
sui General.

Our readers are aware that the missing portion
which had been stolen from the Cathedral at
Seville, Spain was recenty recovered through
MIR. Schaus, the well known dealer In pain tings
and articles OF art. The picture was purchased
Tor the spanish Consul General, Hipolito de
Urarte, and watch kept upon the person who
sold the precious fragment in hopes OF securing
the thief. since then report has gone forth that
the man who sold 1t had been kidnapped and sent
to Spain. The statement was. Of course, untrue.
as will be seen by the following report OF the
Consul General TO the spanish Minister at Wash
ington -
SIR have the honor 10 inform Your Excel
lency that have shipped 20 Havana that portion
Anthony OF Padua" which was cut from the
original IN the Cathedral OF Seville and stolen
away early In October nst, ana have caused Q
trusty person to accompany II, in order that it
MAP be surely placed in the hands OF the Governor
General OIL the Island OF Cuba, to be forwarded by
him, through the spanish Mail steamship Company,
to Cadiz.
ing, SO priceless among the treasures OF piety In
the Cathedral OF Seville. are these -
Mr.. Scnaus = picture dealer IN tins city. called
that ne nad IN ms possession painting which he
believed to he that which had been advertised as
stolen from the Cathedral, and ne wanted me TO
call and see 1t. THIS did on the next morning.
anu upon comparison OF IL with the photograph of
the shape OF the part cut out, winch had been sent
70 me from Spain, ! became satisfied IT was
the stolen painting and authorized Nj: Schaus to
person who offered the painting for sale could not
speak any language but spanish aud was accom-
birth. as an IN erpreter The negotiation OF pur.
chase having been accomplished for the sum Of
$3.50 and an hour nxed when those having the
painting ior sale would call on MIR. Schaus
Tor their payment. l requested person IN
whom l have confidence to be- present and
nhoor thQ m nd " how en-
municated after receiving the money. assuming
that II the seller was not the rhiei, as believed
he was, ne would go the thief once, II In his
city. hau been previously advised that. under
the laws OF New YORK, the seller of the painting
1t IN Spain and brought 1t into this city, and
that one could, perhaps, be indicted and punished
who ielonous!y received 1t here, knowing IT 70
have been stolen IN oreRn countiy. MY object
IN directing the seller to pe observed carefully was
to obtain evidence on which 10 decide what steps
10 iaKe. In q snort time the person whom
l had thus directed informed me that he
had taken the seller aud his "pal' TO
niea that he stole the painting, but, If his expen.
ses were paid, he would go to Spain and satisfy
the authorities as 10 the persons who were engaged
In tina robbery. TO make certain That this was
the fact sent careful clerk from he Consulate,
ana afterward went myself, TO see the seller and
ascertain II such was really his desire. and found
that he was sincere in ms wish, II MS expenses
were paid,to at once go back to spain from whence
he saia he had lust come. n, directed reply TO
money to send him unless he put his request or
statement IN writing In ms own nand.
This he old. and l enclose q copy After this
] directed that he be kindly provided for at
the hotel and | sent him ~ Cuba IN the same
steamer. the Vera Cruz which carried the paint
ing, and whCn yaIIuu from this city on the 9th
inst. accompanied oy person VINO could inform
the Governor General Of all tue facts.
NY aim ana object were TO collect the evidence
under wnich could appeal to the laws OF TINS
state to punish the mlscreant VINO had in his pos.
session the stolen painting. which has been so
ruthlesSly mutated ana which must have been
Struggled past the Custom HO use officers OF this
country, and 1t was only when the pretended
owner and seller OF the painting, who Is Spanish
subject, requested me to AFFORD him the means to
return to spain and expose his cOnfeoerates
that changed my purpose
lrastIng that my conduct will meet the apprO.
baton OF Your Excelency, am, &C..
HiPOLlTO DE URlARTE.
To His Excellency the Minister OF Spain &C Wash.
ington.
[Transation.]
In order to prove that am innocent in the rob-
berry o. the picture from the Cathedral OF Seville,
and That have been made victim OF those who
have committed it, declare, freely and spOnta-
neOusiy. that have no objection TO 20 to Spain
Tor the purpose OF helping 10 the arrest AID pun
ishment OF the culprits. provided all my travelling
and other expenses are paid. as am myself With
out pecuniary resources. the whole OF this de-
clare, freely and spontaneously, In New YORK, on
the 9Th day Of January, 1875.
do declare furthermore, that | am wiling to
20, at any time, IN the company OF any person, to
the place where It may be required.
FERNANDO GARCIA.