Year: 1873

view OF the prominence given II by the Message oi
President Grant, threatens to make or uhnake
the future of Cuba according to the way IL Is dis-
posed OF we gave Minister Soler precedence as
we supposed ne was more Intimately acquainted
with the subject than any other prominent official
on the island, having come here specially from
Madrid to investigate It's workings in Cuba
and devise plan for its speedy and
efrectua abolition. You have already had
the Minister'S views, and also those OF
Senior Zulueta the largest slaveowner on the
island. You VIII find In this letter the opinions OF
the Captain General not alone on the slavery ques-
tion but on variety OF other matters that are OF
more or less interest.


1t might be easy for the Palace OF the Cap
tain General to show o more imposing IN
terror and give better impression OF the
presence or somebody OF distinction than the
White House at Washington. Ascending by a
broad marble stairway to the antechamber OF the
Palace we found ourselves in room considerably
finer than the one where Brigadier General Dent
pays his obsequious obeisance to members OF the
national legislature who have occasion to call on
the President. Rodas, former Captain General,
had a iacetioas habit OF calling this room


Ell CIMENTERIo,


for here suspended round the walls portraits Of
all the Captain Generals who have come and gone
within 100 years, a period, wherein the art OF
painting has been known to the island OF Cuba.
There were prior Captain Generals but there was
convenient artist TO preserve their features IN
oil. Here we found an aide-de-camp OF Captain
General Jovelar, whose bulk recommended him,
for he Mt to be president OF the Fat MEMS AS
socation, and, lat men being as rule OF kindly
and bengnant ways, we were fortunate In
being kept but brief time waiting for an
dnterview with His Excenency. We passed
from the antechamber TO reception hall,
large and roomy as the projects room
in the old Hotel de Vile OF Paris. There
was a picture OF De Soto discovering the Missis-
one OF Columbus in parey with the aborgines of
st. Domingo arrested the eye by the sngulary
lifelike appearance OF the figures on the canvas.
Beyond this was smaller chamber where


THE CAPTAIN GENERAL RECEIVED Us STANDING.
after the custom here observed. He was dressed
with extreme plainness, and save sash Of crimson
embroidered in gold which he wore around bis
waist beneath his black frock coat wore nothing
10 indicate his position. He appeared to be man
OF 50, OF studous habits, thoughtful turn Of mind,
humane, unruffled and wearing an easy dignity
in his movements and address, He looked
thin ana frai though in the lustre OF his eye you
could detect mind IN active and healthy opera
tion. He bore a slight resemblance TO Senator





glasses on he looked up at his interlocutor with
that peculiar inquiring expression OF face SO no.
ticeable in The distinguished western politician.
There were two others present when we entered; ;
one was the private secretary OF the Captain Gen.
eral and the other Brigadier Francisco Acosta
Alvear, owner OF extensive plantation in the in
terror and Cuban by BIRTH


The conversation was conducted standing, and
as usual, was confined to the Spanish tongue 1t is
doubtful ii English Will be looked upon with much
favor for time come, considering that 1t is
the language OF the unholy race that has so humi-
lated the pride OF Spain In the matter OF the Vir
ginIus. The Captain General


SHOWED NO FEELING OF RESERVE IN SPEAKING
to your resident correspondent. He was quite dis
posea to talk and was candid enough throughout
the entire interview.


CoRREsPoSDEST-The NEW YORK HERALD is de-
sirous OF having the views Of Your Excelency on
various matters which Immediately concern the
Interests OF Cuba, as for instance, the question OF
slavery the insurrecton, the financial difficulties,
the surrender OF the yirginius, &c.


CAPTAIN GESERAL-In regard to the surrender Of
the virginius, while there was some cause for
alarm, reason to think she might not be given
up without peril TO the integrity OF the agreement
between the two countries, had strong faith
myself that in the end everything would come



and with the people generally had
more than an ordinary acquaintance. ] could
not ignore the fact that there was much painful
feeling abroad on this question OF the virginus.
The Spanards OF this island felt satisfied they had
both law and night on their side in what they did
They believed this vessel a lawful prize, If ever
there was one; that she was


NOTHING But A PIRATE, HOWEVER MUCH YOU MAY


QUOTE INTERNATIONAL LAW


TO the contrary. Eer antececents. her character
az the moment OF capture, bearing on her deck
recognized enemies OF the government; the subter-
tuge practsed In the procurement OF her register;
the sinister nature OF her movements in the waters
OF CUBA, all indicated that she had other than
legitimate object. The decision against us was
proclamation to the world that anybody who
chooses can buy vessel, and by trick. place
her under an American registry and under the
American flag. was satisfied fully that this ves-
sci had nc such claim as was asserted in her behalf
and the candid sense OF the civilized world en-
dorses this opinion. Your government seemed to
act without giving the subject the thought and
consideration IL demanded. We whose business
IL was TO find out the character OF the virginius.
made ourselves thoroughly acquainted with ner
antecedents, anG, mad The government at Wash
ington known much, 1t would have hesitated
before placing itself IL the questionable attitude
where IL now stands.


CoRREsPoNDESr-Did you apprehend any trouble
from the mob at Havana


CAPTAIN GESERAI-No. Had acted in a differ
ent way and lent my aid to ian the passions OF the
moment, in place Of seeking to repress them, It is
possible


THERE MIGHT HAVE BEEN Az OUTBREAK.
Your papers made IL appear OF a more serious
nature than 1t really was.


CoRREsroSDENT-You Excellency viii excuse
me for saying that the surface indications all
looked towards trouble. The principal dema.
gogues with whom l conversed declared they
would never surrender the virginius.


CAPTAIN GENERAl--That may be. 1t was only
natural there should be much feeling expressed
for there was q unanimous concurrence that the
prize was q lawful one. Then again our people are
emotional and when they think they are right