The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1877-04-12

soldiers and band OF music At the plac
: of execution the man was put upon his knee
: blindfolded, with his back to the soldier
and shot.
DEPARTURE FOR AND ARREST AT vIGO-l
LITTLE HARDER THAN THREE MIL
. LIONS BAIL.
At last he was permitted to engage passage
, for Vigo. which port he reached September
9Th. Here he found himself formerly ares
ted, his diary, papers and baggage were ia
ken from him, and after seven days in the
lazaretto he was ordered to be taken to the
castle or fortress as a prisoner of State
Tweed was taken from this little island oil
San Simon, where tine lazaretto stands, over
to the city, and in the custody of guard Of
Spanish soldiers he was marched up the hill
toward the castle or fortress that crowns the
city of Vigo. He desired to see the officer OF
the guard, or sthe governor Of the castle
But his efforts merely enabled him to have
permission to get temporary wants satisfied
from hotel or tavern. Food such as they
desired to pay for, with beer or wine and
some mating for the floor were provided,
and they started in with some idea of pa
tience and cheerfulness, waiting what might
next turn up. One morning, when the wo-
man who took charge of their room brought
their food from the hotel, she attracted at
tention by her gestures to the slop bucket
she had just emptied. After she left with
the sentinel, who alwas watched her when
she came, Tweed examined the empty buck
ct and found she had left him a note from
his son. Having failed in every other at
tempt to communicate he had succeeded in
this. An answer was put in the bed clothes
next morning, which the chambermaid as
duly found and also delivered.
| In this manner Tweed came to learn some
thing Of the new phase of his case. He learn
ed that he was held by order of the Spanish
Government, and supposed to be Secretary
Belknap, and this, at least, gave him the
| prospect of release, his imprisonment being
based on some mistake or Spanish blunder.
Another scene which grew out Of the new
postal arrangement was the finding of one OF
| the epistles placed in the bed clothes of the
! Soledad, the chambermaid. One of these
happened to fall into the hands Of Hunt, who
| observed that the address of John Secor was
| superseded by what had until then been I'M
known to him, the real name of his compan-
ION, W. NJ. Tweed. There was not much
comfortable feeling possible between them
for the remainder of the fourteen days Of
| their incarceration.
ON BOARD THE FRANKLIN.
By that time the Franklin had arrived and
they were duly taken on board, where ex-
ploration was more practicable. Hunt was
clamorous on the way to the ship, when he
learned of the presence of the United States
Consular Agent, protesting his American
citizenship, his rights and his entire igno-
rance of Tweed as such until the discovery
in the castle. Once on board the United
States steam frigate Franklin Tweed found
at last solid and Ineligible ground to occu-
py. The commander said as he received him
flom the Spanish soldiers and officers that
instructions were to bring Tweed to New
York, and to Tweed he also said what his
mission was, and producing photograph
said he was satisfied to receipt for him and
bring him back accordingly, assuring him of
his kindest feelings and of every courtesy
and attention on the voyage back, placing at
his disposal one of his best state rooms, and
extending to him the privileges of the off.
GERS mess. AS to Hunt, the commander had
no knowledge, and would, if requested, ex-
tend to him the same pledges or was free to
go ashore if he preferred. Mr.. Tweed's son
had liberty to communicate freely with his
father, which he availed himself of. As to
Hunt, he speedily took himself out of sight
and Tweed went off, returning, however, in
restored good nature with young Tweed
when he found there was no more danger of
| detention.
THE BEST OF THE STORY
| of Tweed up to his return to Ludlow jail
again has been widely published already.
He was handed over to the Sheriff on the 23d
OF November, 1876. Secluding himself lit
tie from lawyers and reporters he has main
| tanned as to the public an absolute silence
since his return. The following letter to
Charles O'Conner will show, however, that
he had adopted an intelligent though altered
course toward the public.
LUDLOW STREET JAIL, Dec. 6, 1876.
Charles o. Conor, Esq:
| Sm-f take the liberty of addressing you this
letter in view Of the fact that your position
as the counsel designated by the State au-
thorfties in my matter has professed solely
the public good, regardless of any factions
or personal interest. Heretofore have met
my troubles with every resource at my dis
posal. Possibly in mistaken sense CT duty
have stood up too long to shield others as
ishment as were melted out to my transgress-
ions and my misfortunes. 1t was truly more
in the interest of others than in my own
that litigation and resistance were pro-
.longed. Viewing the manner of my return
to the ward of this prison, realizing the
events in the city, in the State, and in the
nation which am brought here to confront,
it will not, hope, seem to be presumption
or insincerity in me to say that am indeed
| overwhelmed, that all further resistance be-
ing hopeless, 1 have none now to make and
only seek the shortest and most efficient man
ner in which may make unqualified surren-
der. 1t is not my purpose to dispute or ap-
peal or further resist the suits which you
have against me in the name OF the State and
the people. Ipropose forthwith to place at
your disposal a full surrender of all I have
left Of property or effects and respond at
once to such examination in this connection
as may assure the public of the good faith
of this assignment as we'll as have the entire
amount and disposition of ALL have possessed
50 far as you may wish it to be detailed.
am an old man, greatly broken in health.
cast down in spirit, and can no longer bear
my burdens. 10 mitigate che prospect of a
hopeless imprisonment which must speedily
terminate my life should, it seems to me,
make any sacrifice or effort. During the
early stages of the suits and proceedings
against me I was ready to make restitution
and reparation as far as in my power. En-
tanglement with the interests and counsels OF