The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1898-02-26

The strained relations existing at the
present time between Spain and the United
States are not the first that has existed be.
tween the two countries. Twenty -three
wears ago they became involved in dis
pute that caused much excitement and for
a time it was thought that war would be
the result This breach of the peaceful
relations was caused by what has since
been called the Virginius massacre, an
outorowth of the Cuban rebellion of S6S-
IS.
The steamer Virginus was fitted out
early in the autumn of 1873, in New
York She left there on the 9Th of Octo
Der with a crew of 63 men and 103 pas
sengers, the latter including many we'll
known members of the Cuban revolutionary
party. She also carried cargo of 1000
Remington rifles, several gatlings, and
large supply of ammunition and provisions
The steamer was under the command OF
Capt. Joseph Fry, graduate Of the
Naval Academy and an ex-Contederate
officer. The Virginius reached Kingston,
Jamaica, the Oath of October, and then
spent some time in Haytien waters. On
the Both she steamed up for Cuba, and
had almost reached her destination when
she was sighted by the Spanish corvette
Tornado, which Immediately gave chase.
Now ensued a hot race Of nine hours,
the Virginus having tackled about TOR
the Jamaica coast The feed pump of the
Tornado's boilers broke down, but her
crew were set to work dipping water from
the sea, and night closed in on the chase.
A full moon, however, revealed the black
smoke pouring from the Virginius smoke
stacks. for the insurgents were plllnS their
fires with everything that was combustlble
on board of the steamer.
Slowly but surely the Spanish vessel
gained. and a blank shot was fired as a
signal for the steamer to stop. No heed
was paid to this warning as the Nirginlus
was only about eighteen miles from Eng
lish waters and hoped to gain their shelter.
Arms. ammunition. and everything that
could be spared was thrown overheard to
tighten the vessel, but the corvette steadily
gained on her. Three shells whistled over
the Virginius in succession, and, realizing
that he could not escape, Captain Fry
STONED the vessel between Cabo Cruz and
Santiago, and surrendered to the Captain
of the Tornado A spanish prize crew
was nut aboard and she was taken to san
tiagO.
Spanish revenue was quick and
bloody. On the 18th Of November
Jesus del Sol, Bernabe Narona, Pedro
Cespedes and Gen. w. \. c. Ryan
were condemned, with the farce of a
trial, as pirates and shot. Three days later
Captain Fry and 36 of the crew met the
same fate, and 100 of the passengers were
also shot. The executions were conducted
at the back wall of slaughter house. and
were carried out with barbarity character
istic of the tenth century instead Of the
enlightenment of the present period.
When the news of this murder reached
the United States wave OF anger swept
over the entire country and Indignation
meetings were held everywhere. The
Cabinet was called together by President
Grant. and immediate orders from Wash
ington set the men in the navy yards at
work night and day.
The feeling was nearly as intence among
the Spanish. In Madrid demonstrations
were made against Gen Daniel f. Sickles.
the American Minister, but they were
quickly suppressed by the government.
A demand was promptly made on Spain
for the release of the Virginius of those Of
her crew and passengers still alive and also
for an indemnity to the families of the
Americans murdered.
The Spanish government being very slow
in its answer, preparations for war began,
and the excitement grow more intense daily.
Spain asked for more time, and also
claimed at first that she had only followed
the example set by the United States dur
ing our Civil War in declaring all privateers
pirates. She also wanted to be convinced
that the Nirginius was an American vessel
On this point she was quickly convinced,
and Washington strongly limited that de
cision must be reached very quickly. 4
number of European nations were watching
the course of events, and with that per6dy
always characteristic of the ''blue -blooded
Castilian and Andalutian races, secret ne
gotiations were set on foot with several of
them for aid.
The United States, without any loss of
time, put every available war ship into
commission, and our patience was nearly
exhausted when Spain, with great reluc-
lance, agreed to the American demands
The Virginius and the survivors of her
crew and passengers were set at liberty on
the 10th of December \ United States
vessel was sent to accompany her to New
York and great preparations were arranged
for reception, but while off the coast of
North Carolina the l-fated vessel ran upon
rock and sank A number of her pas
sengers went down with her, but the sur.
vivors were given Il great reception when
they arrived in New York.
We give below full list of the Ameri-
can members of the crew who were muir
dered by the Spanish government:
Captain-Joseph Fry.
First Mate-William Barnard.
Second Mate--James Flood.
John Rose, Paul Kaumrer
j. C. Harris, Thomas Crigg,
b. p. Chamberln Frank Good,
Joseph Read p. Corrison,
Henry Frank, p. AltarO,
James Samuel, John Williamson,
William Rose, Edward Day,
Antonio Deloyo, J. S. Trajillo,
Ignacio Duenas, Ramon Larramendi.
George Thompson, Jose NJ. Teiran,
John Steuart Eusebio GariZa,
Henry Bond, EZekial Durham,
Thomas W. Williams Alfred Hatsell,
A. Arci, WI. Price,
Leopold Larose, Samuel Card,
simon Broyeur, John Brown
George Thomas, Barney Herald
Of the Cubans shot, COL Augusta Santa
Rosa, a naturalized citizen of the United
States, was an ardent revolutionist and
had had number of encounters with the
Spanish officials. Eumino Quesada, a
younger brother of Gen. Manuel Quesada,
was only II years old
Col. Juan Aguerro, Lieut.. Col Enrique
Castellanos and the brothers Trniilln were