Year: 1873

THE YIRGINIUs.


The steamer Virginius was, on the Goth
day of September 1870, duly registered
at the port of New York as part of the
commercial marine of the United States
On the 4th of October, 1870, having re-
ceived the certificate of her register in
the usual legal forms, she sailed from the
port of New York, and has not since
been within the territorial jurisdiction of
the United States. On the 31st day of
October last, while sailing under the flag
of the United States, on the high seas,
she was forcibly seized by the Spanish
gunboat Tornado, and was carried into
the port of Santiago de Cuba. where
many of her passengers and crew were
inhumanly, and, so far, at least. as relates
to those who were citizens of the United
States, were, without due process of law,
put to death.


OUR FLAG ON THE HIGH SEAS.


1t is well established principle, as
serted by the United States from the be-
ginning of their national independence,
recognized by great Britain and other
maritime powers, and stated by the Sem
ate in a resolution passed unanimously
on the 10th of June, 1858, that American
vessels on the high seas in time of peace,
bearing the American flag, remain under
the jurisdiction of the country to which
they belong, and, therefore, any vista
ton, molestation, or detention of such
vessel by force on the part of foreign
power. is in derogation of the sovereignty
of the United States.


OUR DEMANDS COMPLIED WITH.


In accordance with this principle the
restoration of the Virginius and the sur
render of the survivors of her passengers
and crew and due reparation to the flag
and the punishment of the authorities
who had been guilty of the illegal acts of
violence were demanded. The Spanish
government has recognized the justice of
the demand, and has arranged for the
immediate delivery of the vessel, and for
the surrender of the survivors of the pas
sengers and crew, and for the salute to
the flag, and for proceedings looking to
the punishment of those who may be
proved to have been guilty of illegal acts
of violence toward citizens of the United
States, and also toward indemnifying
those who may be shown to be entitled
to indemnity. A copy of a proposal be-
tween the Secretary of State and the
Spanish Minister in which the terms of
this arrangement were agreed to, Will be
transmitted herewith. As the correspond
ence on this subject with the Legation of
the United States was in cipher, and by
cable, and needs the verifcation of the
actual text of the correspondence, it has
seemed to mezte be due to the impor-
tance of the case not to submit this cor
respondence until the accurate text can
be received by mail 1t is expected
shortly, and will be submitted when re-
ceived. 90


SLAVERY IN CUBA.


In taking leave of this subject for the
present, l wish to renew the expression
of my conviction that the existence of
African slavery in Cuba is a principal
cause of the lamentable condition of the
island l do not doubt that Congress
shares with me the hope that it will soon
be made to disappear, and that peace
and prosperity may follow its abolition


The embargoing of American estates in
Cuba, cruelty to American citizens de-
tected in no act of hostility to the Span
ish government, the numbering of pris-
oners taken with arms in their hands,
and finally, the capture upon the high
seas of vessel sailing under the
United States flag, and bearing
United States registry, has eliminated in
an outburst of indignation that has seem
ed for time to threaten war pending
negotiations between the United States





Spain on the subject of this capture.


THE NAVY.


have authorized the Secretary of the
Navy to put our navy on war footing,
to the extent, at least, of the entire
annual appropriation for that branch of
the service, trusting to Congress and the
public opinion of the American people to
justify my action.


SUGGESTIONS


1 would add to this a provision that
there should be no legislation by Con-
gress during the last twenty-foqr hours
of its sitting, except upon vetoes, in order
to give the Executive an opportunity to
examine and approve or disapprove un-
derstandingly; second, to provide by
amendment that when an extra session
of Congress is convened by the Executive
proclamation. legislation during the con-
tinuance of such extra session shall be
confined to such subjects as the Execu-
tive may bring before it from time to
time in writing The advantages to be
gained by these two amendments are OBJ
Vious. One session in each year is pro-
vided for by the Constitution, in which
there are no restrictions as to the subjects
of legislation by Congress. If more are
required, it is always in the power of
Congress during their term of Office to
provide for sessions at any time The
first of the amendments is to protect the
public against the many wastes of public
money which creep into appropriation
bills, and other important measures, dur
ing the expiring hours of Congress, to
which otherwise consideration can not
be given.


TREASURY DEPARTMENT.


ha of ha
all sources for the last fiscal year were
$3.50, ,73S, ,204, and expenditures on all ac-
counts 1920, 345, ,245, thus showing an ex-
cess of receipts over expenditures of
$43, ,392, ,959, but it is not probable that
this favorable exhibit will be shown for
the present fiscal year


ECONOMY DEMANDAD.


Indeed, it is, very doubtful whether,
except with great economy on the part of
Congress in making appropriations, and
the same economy in the administration
in administering the various depart
ments of the government, the revenues
will not fall short of meeting the annual
expenses, including the interest on the
public debt.


l commend to Congress such economy,
and point out the sources where 1T seems
to me it might commence, to wit, in the
appropriations for the public buildings
in the many cities where work has not
been commenced; in the appropriations
for river and harbor improvement in
those localities where the improvements
are of but little benefit to general com
merce, and for Notifications. There is
a still more fruitful source of expendi-
ture which l will point out later in this
message-I refer to the easy method of
manufacturing claims for losses incurred
in the suppression of the late rebellion.


GIVE EVERY ONE HOUSE.