The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1896-08-02
TO TRAITORS
The Spanish Government Offers to Pay
Americans Who VIII Turn InformerS.
IT WILL PAY TEN THOUSAND DOLLARS
For Information Loading TO the Cap.
ture Within Spanish Waters of
Any Vessel Carrying Aid 10 the
Cuban Rcbcls-A Protest WIFI be
Made to the Secretary orStafe.

Philadelphia. Aug. 1.-The Spanish
government is determined to prevent If
possible iilibuster:ng expeditions from
leaving this country for Cuba. To fur
tner guard against tilibustering Spain IS
ofering reward of $4,000 for informa-
uon leading TO the capture w.thln Span
:sh waters of a tilibuster!ns expedition.
CAPTAIN Murphy. commander of the I4au-
rada received the following letter from
the Spanish consul, Jose Corgor.o:
"ConsGlada De Esplna en- Philadelphia.
Ten thousand dollars viii be paid by
she undersigned ct mis- office In Phiiadel-
phia, Pa. for Information leading to the
capture within Spanish waters of any
military or naval expedition, or of any
vessel engaged IN carrying men and mu-
ntions ITO the isle of Cuba certain in
habitants OF whida are now in insurrec-
Ncn against the government of Spain.
Th!S offer ca1ries with Ill a promise of
immunity from arrest or apprehe nS.on to
any person or persons who shall give
such Information as IS mentioned above.
Wheihsr or not such peiSon OF persons
are participants in such expeditions
(Signed)
jose CoNGosTo, Consul for Spain. /"
July %, 1896"
This letter was delivered to Captain
Murphy by am adtache of the Spanish
consulate, who said that ne had been
sent by DR.. Congosto.
Captain Murphy, in speaking of the
letter said:
only IN the most kindly spirit do I
say that 1t Is an attempt TO brihe me.
wish TO assure him that / am not in
tNHe business OF surrender.ng secrets
which do not possess. and say ITO him
frankly. IT L We're, ten times ten thous-
ana dollars could not induce me to turn
'aifoi1ner. | do not feel insultcd by the
acmon OF the Spanish CONSUL: but l do he
lieNe that man serving in his honora BILE
cipaHlS ous'aN TO have a higher appre-
eiaELon OF the patriotism of American CIT
lNeHS uh2h 10 attempt to purchase him
lor cash Evidently he is only following
olSt the instructions of mis- government
ana am trying 10 carry out the orders OF
my employers"
captain Murphy handed the communi-
catlon to Captain w. w. Ker. counsel
Ior the j.. d: Hart Company, who will
forward II with protest to Secretarv oS
state Olney. Captain Ker. in snealSinT NJ
Inc offer said: -
Is an infamous act, and an insult
!" :Amerlcan citizenship. 1t Is a usur-
patlon OF authority on his part to do
care that those who violate the neu-
lrailtN laws of the United States will
receive immunity if they surrender Ger
'hni information, even though they be
not participants in the expedition. That
IL dangerous declaration for man 10
make luHt now. Ten thousand dollars
-, -, q oIS lhuuceinent for some person to
SteaI secretly into a vessel for instance
iylnS IN the Philadelphia port. bound for
Iupa. ana place munitions of war such
as dynamite on board. This individuoi
could inform the Spanish Government
anu 'he vessel would be seized the mo-
,lenl sne entered within the three mile
limit. j shall call the attention of Sec
retary Olney to the letter"