Year: 1873

OAT IA1N EnI y AHEEAL


The following manly letter was


written by Captain Fry, Of the Vir-
ginius, to Captain General Burriel,
appealing for the lives of his crew:


With the permission Of the Consul,
l wish to say few words in favor Of
of the crew of the VIrginius snd the
mitigation of their punishment.


Tne first pilot had just escaped


from a shipwreck and needed an ad-
vance OF salary to buy clothes and


hsve them made. Nothing was said
to him in regard to blockade-running,


butt on the contrary, as had the
suIhOrizsiion Of the owners and had
prepared the papers of the vessel, /
notified every one that We were to be
occupied in trade with the islands,
with passengers forsPuerto Simones,
in Costa Rica, or taking cattle to
Cuba, as / believed that the vessel
might do go. From the time when
the arms arrived on board thought
that there would be no occasion for q
portion of the men tC see the Consul.
The Consul in Puerto Principe sent
for me, but / did not receive his
message until l was on board, having
been compelled 20 leave port by
order OF the authorities. There was
a guard on board to prevent deser-
ton by the passengers. 1 know that
some of them protested, but Varona
let them know that he would answer
propositions OF this class with the
pistol. Running blockade is consid-


cred risky business among sailors,


for witch good pay is received. For


years past it is notorious the number


of vessels that were employed in it


during the American war, although


captures were numerous, not single


life was lost. The greater part Of


the prisoners were set st liberty after


short Imprisonment. never heard


word before the night of my SEN
tenee Of the Cuban law and the proc


lamation relating to an attempt to


introduce arms into Cuba. If, with


superior opportunities, was ignorant


that the case could be decided by


any other law than international, how


complete must have been the igno-


rance of the poor people. ] was con-


tinually in the company of people


who ought to have known 1t, and not
one alluded to the fact. In q word,
/ believe that it is not known, and
that the world will be painfully sur
prised st learning the sacrifice OF
these lives.


The Consul knows well that / am
not pleading for my life. / have not
pray ed to God for it, nor even to the
Mother. / have neither
home nor country, a victim OF war
and persecution, the way of pros
peIity being closed to me to such q
point that / have not been able to
provide bread for my wife and seven
who know what it is to
suffer for the necessaries of life. My
life is one of suffering, and / look
upon what has happened to me as a
benefit of God and it is not for me,
therefore, to ask favors of any one.


The engineer, knight, know,
came contrary to his will. He was
bitterly opposed to it, as | learned
rom the person who obliged him TO
come.


Spaniards, the world is not so full
Of people who prefer honor to life.
Save him. Poor Bosa, poor gentle
man, with heart as tender and COM
passionate ss that of a woman, of
honor, his business
was that of charity. He was devoted
to others, and thought that he was
on board the vessel for the benefit of
their health. believe that he will
not make this appear himself. / do
it for him. 1 believe he would do no
harm to any one The man Bribon
was my servant, hired by the day,
when we were in port and not in
scribed on the roll. He wanted TO be
set on shore at Jeremias. He was
al Pslmitos and lost the
He is almost an idiot.
They call him Cibanillo, and he is Of
Venezuelan origin. He was a favor
ite on board, and ought not to suffer.
Another poor fellow was taken on
board to keep him from dying OF
sickness and hunger. He was sent
10 the hospital from the boat and
permitted to come on board through
charity. The greater portion of the
crew were entrspped by their lodging
house keepers, who gained possession
1f them and watched their oppOrtu.
lity to put them on board, receiving
advances on their wages. Spaniards,
believe / am the only one who dies
n the entire Christian faith of cur
loly religion. Consider the souls of
hese poor people. Give them time
md opportunity TO ask mercy of God.


know that you must fulfill your
iuty, but my blood ought to be suf-
icient, hecause innocent and defense
ess will suffer with my fall. That
hese considerations have influence
Yith the authorities, to whom | beg
o appeal. These poor people had
% knowledge OF what you think their
rime. Pardon Inc if / say that /
ont believe their death would have
4 the fate Of Cuba the good effect
he law foresees. Our civilization is
o opposed To- such a proceeding /
ont cay this in tone of complaint,
ut we are accustomed to at least
ientify the victims whom we are
Ding 10 sacrifice According to our
lew, there should have been some
of our government its
lfluence should have pronounced and
eIhaps IN that way many lives might
ave been saved without compro-
using the dignity of Spain. SsnOrs,
lreWell! / know that the members
the council who condemn me ac-
q painful duty. Let
hem remember US in their prayers
D God, ard ask their wives and chill
rem 10 do the same for US


Respectfully, JOHE FRY.


Written on board the Tornado,
vovarnbsr Z ISTg