The New York Herald Newspaper, December 5, 1873, Page 4

4 “CUBA. The American Press Decried. The Spanish Gazette and the Rebellion in 1869. @utrageous Onslaught on Min- isftr Sickles. How the Herald Leads Press Opinions—The Colonial Minister a Colonel of Volunteers— The Battle of La Sacra~Spanish Loss, 400 ~The Volunteers Want Fight HAVANA, Nov, 29, 1873. Inia dificult task to ascertain what is the pre- valling Spanish opinion in this city on the probable issue of the Virginius questiop, There are, in fact, two poweriul reasons tending to widen the scope of thus speculating. One is that they feei the enor- mity of thetr criminal proceeding and the undue haste with which it was carried out; and each fn- dividual argues, starting from such views as best in his estimation would excuse the butchery, thus giving rise to a variety of opinions, according to the passions, talents or ability of the thinker. Avother is that there Is no real, prevailing opinion entertained Dy the mass of the people, who are, in the Immense majority, too illiterate to form any. In the Uniled States, When any question of gen- eral interest is being discussed, it is easy to ascer- tain what the people of @ given locality think about it by merely going into any place where @ promis- cuous gathering takes place and openly inquiring ofevery one his opinion, This happens just be- cause that people is able to form a@ clear judg- ment; but Lere pass.on and ignorance are masters ot the mind, From various sources I have gathered the fol- lowing ‘collection’ of opinions, which I give, fear- ing that it will not edily the readers of the JLRRALD for its wisdom :— These Spaniards who hate Americans most bit- ‘erly give out that the West and South are but too eager to seize an opportunity for a general up- rising, and vhat, fearing this, the United States -overnment Will bave to evade all foreign troubles. ‘hose who manifest this illogical opinion are swayed by their hatred, and fear leads them to de- ve themselves as to the true state of affairs, choosing such arguments and pretexts as suit | them best, but entirely prompted by mosity to the United State be lost sight of by those American statesmen who will have to decide this question. Let them their ani- not forget that the Spanish people in Cuba are not | he Spaniards in Spain, whose struggles for a lveral government have won so much sympathy in the American Union. Another prevailing opinion ts that by paying to tne families or relatives of such American citizens have been executed a certain amount of dam- ages the excitement will cool down and matters continue as heretofore. Many of the “unconditionals’’ here assert that | the United states have not the necessary means to go to war with Spain, stating that the navy of that government is but little less than worthless, and that Spain would only have to issue 100 letters of marque, and Spanish privateers would swarm the seas, destroying the commerce of the United States, in which undertaking England would be but too | ready (o assist; and this would settle the affair on the oceans, and the volunteer force on the island would suMice for any iv. om. Finally, the mi- nority—men of some talent, who jully recognize | the strength and power of the United States—ac- | knowiedge that a war with that country would be (HE LOSS OF CURA AND PORTO RICO to Spain; but, upheld by their pride, they say that tuey are willing to accept even war and lose chese islands, st ng to the lust for the honor of Spain, War is, however, feared by all, and the best proof of this ts that they are abstaining from all public demonstration, althouzh excitement has ran high, and active preparations for an emergency are going on in the forts surrounding this city. The Diario dela Marina of whe 27th inst. gives, under the title of “Facts and Rights,” a long arti- cle (first of a series which it announ , dedicated to the question and issues of the Virginius, from which I make the following extracts:— We undertake tuis task in order to convince the world at iarge, Which is so given to muisjudge the events transpiring in this island, of the rignts which assist us—rights even acknowledged by many Americans wuo have on former occasions openly avowed their desire of seeing this island separated from Spain, as the first step to its ab- sorption by the United States. * * * . Before proceeding we must state here that the Spaniards have not cast into oblivion their past brilliant history; that in Spain we have protested against passionate and inconvenient exactions, and that the loyal people, of this island will not find themseives alone whould tue day arrive— waich we do not wish—of trusting to the force of arms for the defence of reason. We do not desire at any time tumultuous de- Inonstrations, and but a lew deys since we called attention to the striking contrast between the calm and collected bebavior of the Spaniards in Uhis isiand and the uproarious deciamations of the | American press. We advise the continuation of this dignified conduct, though sharing the same feeling which prompted the people of Madrid to protest against arrogant demands, We have given, too recently to require repeti- tion, the opinions of the American press and those | of noted men, relative to the international ques- tions which the capvure of the Virginius may bring forth, and will now present their synthesis. Spain, to prove the legitimacy of her proceed- | ings, needs Only to show that the steamer Virgin- jus had on board a filbustering expedition, in- tended to iand on Cuban soil, to join the rebels fighting against the Spanish government. ‘his is the piinciple fixed py pudlic men, whom we would c had they not openly avowed sympathy with the Cuban patriots and deplore a@ punishment so necessary and just, and that they would see with satisfaction the final triumph of the separatists of Yara. Caleb Cushing's opinion determines the three “points” which the American government should make clear before taking any action in the matter at all:— First, the question of flag; second, the situ tion o: the steamer at the time of her capture; wird, her mission. As to the first, it is not snfMficient that a flag covers the vessel; proofs must be adduced by ap- propriate documents that it had the nght to tue flag, As highwaymen generally carry passports in perfect accordance with the requisites of the po- lice, 80 may filibuster or pirate ships bave docu- ments in perfect order, which is not suilicient to give them an acknowledged nationality, since Marine Courts frequently disregard them and de- clare them lawful prizes, The Diario continues quoting the opinions of Mr. Cushing and Mr. Woolsey approving every- thing favorable to Spain manifested py these gentlemen, and referring to Mr. Sumner's let- ter to the sympathizers wuo met at Steinway | Hall, in which that gentleman qualifies the acts committed by the authorities in Cuba as “horrible | butebery."? The Diario says:—°Since Mr, Sumner | acknowledges that the executions were caused by an illicit expedition from the coasts of the United States he should not ask irom that government indulgence and sincerity, but atonement and jus. | tice.” ° * . * * * * In yesterday's issue the Diario gives the prom- {sed history of the Virginius, stating that it is taken mostly from the New York HeraLp—“that pa- per," it saya, “being above suspicion of being par- tal to Spain.” Inthe recapitulation of the history of the Virginius, so well known to the readers of the HeKaLp, the Diario appropriates to itself such parts and paragraphs given in the journal it refers to as are in accordance with the logic peculiar ‘to the leader of the Havana press, making all sorts of rhetorical efforts to prove that the Virginius was & vessel bought by Cubans and in the service 0 the separatists, and was not ent i to the protection of the fag she bore at the time of her capture. ! La Legatidad (liberal), which has hitherto been [very Cautious in its productions in regard to the Virginius affair, and has not sustained the authori- fies in the slaughter of the expeditionists, has the following article, which shows that in its eyes, as in those of the entire Spanish press. it makes great . And this should not | difference “whose ox ia gored.” When in the early part of the American unpleasantness a Con- federate cruiser was captured, and it was rumored that the oficers and ciew were to be ha®zed as pirates, no one raised louder cries ‘Against the sup- posed atrocity thau the Spanish press and peopic, or with greater emphasis applauded the ALACRITY AND ENERGY OF MR, DAVIS im announcing to the United States government that he held a number of colonels of its army for | the safety of the privateer’s men. Spain being at present in @ somewhat similar predicament, nas materially altered the opinion of Spaniards in general and the press in particular :— The following article trom La Legalidad, on ac- count of its views and the manner in which they are stated, I have translated almost entire :— By the advices, correspondences and editorials we have recently published, re.erring to the aifair of the Virginius, our readers will have seen the effect which that event has caused in ihe neigh- boring Republic, and all the advantage which 13 | endeavored to be obtained from it by the Cuban | Cmigrcs and those who syiupaliize with them on | the one side and on the other, We mean the | enemies to the present administration and its un- ular Secretary of State, Mr. Hamilton Fish, aided in taeir sutentions by the majority of the democratic party, Which has always aspired to the | annexation of Cava, and las always been an active abettor o! all Hlibustering euterprises organized in the ports of the United States for that purpose. Latterly, the news o1 the recent executions which took place at Santiago de Cuba, and the number of which, by the error propagated here, and every- where eise, by the journa of Cieniuegos, was swelled to 111, and the excitement of the New York press, which has availed itself of the occasion to agitate public opinion among the masses, arouse we national susceptibility, and by that means precipitate tue Washington government into hasty measures, have fnally sneceeded in moving the country irom one end to the other, in darkening reason, entangiing witn sophisms and subleties the question of law and obliging tbe Presi- dent to certala acts which, although in ts own | mind have ho other object than to satisfy with a show of jorce and power, the exizencies of public | opinion, carried away vy pride and cupidity, may yet happen in cases like the present, in which the feaKe appearanee of threats or insult will wound the PRIDE OF A HIGH SPIRITED NATION but little disposed to suifer any foreign interfer- ence in its domestic afuirs, ‘The Madrid ceiegrams of the 20th, whicn we jin- sert elsewhere tn Our columns, respecting the con- duct of Mr. Sickles in following his instructions | | trom Washington and the answers provoked ty | | his persistence, and the uniavorable etfect pro- NEW YORK HERALD, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 5, 1873.—I'RIPLE SHEET. and ought not to tolerate witnout abdicating its respectability and sacrificing tts honor and de- corum, “Should they succeed in this objcet and pabhle conscience, With its inealculable power, be swayed irom the path of justice and reason, be se- duced by a false patriotism, and enlist on the side of crime, these wicked ones Will believe their tri- umph secure, But it is not probable they will suc- | ceed, Not the goid of tne laborantes nor the fat- ‘ering promises of the traitors are enough to twist the good judgment of the honest men of the United States, and not ail the press is dominated by the traitors, for net all gu in the same path of the | HERALD; nor is tt the press that governa the coun | try. In the interior, Where the presa exercises & reat and merited influence on the government, ‘he opinions expressed by the most respectable Journals are Ce favor of reason and justice, and, therefore, etrically Opposed to the UERALD.” “Also among us,” says this ao erroneously in- formed Voz, in regard to the press of the interior of the United States ‘have been heard unreason- able voices, artiuily condemning the severity with which some of the trattors and pirates who came | on the Virginius have been punished, and as tis tends to weaken among us the sentiment of our reason and our right, which is precisely what cou- stitutes our strength, the Voz de Cuda prowsts against all such,and cannot allow them to pass without correction, Public conscience must not be turned aside among us, as in the United States, | because tt is the basis of that public spirit whose recognized energy tt is that has saved usin situa- tions of complications and danger and will azain save us, The feeling of our right and reason in acting as we have done, and which iano more than a feeling of justice, beats tn all our heurts, and there Is no one who does not feel 14,'" Itis aremarkable fact in the writings of the journals here what a display of Peart, soul, fecing and so forth ia shown, aud how hittle heart, soul and feeling is maniiested when wholesale butch- eries are to fake place. His Excellency the Minister de Ultramar has gra- ciously received the honorary APPOINTMENT OF COLONEL OF VOLUNTEERS tendered him as a compliment by the volunteers of Havana. Yesterday, on this account, he received the visits and congratulations of ali the coloueis aud chiefs of that organization. At the same time a procracked meeting of these ofticers with the Cap- tain Geveral was leld at the Palace. It is stated | that the object of the meeting was to discuss the | news trom Spain, which rumor said was that tae government had decided to TURN OVER THE VIRGINIUS TO THE UNITED STATES. | Other very exciting rumors were also whispered about yesterday and to-day, to tie effect that the Carlists had crossed the River Ebro; that a general uprising had taken piace La Spain in favor oi the | Prince ot Asturias, young Alfonso, which, with- out being traced to any creditavle source, have | produced quite a panic in the money market liere, | wad have sent gold up to an advance premium. | duced among the population of that capital by his | requirements, tend to show that there also the | national spirit is exetted and in uo propitious con- | dition to satisly exaggerated — reciamations, altuough presented in the name of the goveru- | ment which to-day has the most cordial and closest reiations with the Spanish Republic, and which was the first to recognize it oMiciaily, | although hardly constituted, | We, however, after having estimated all the cir- | | cumstances o1’ the case and attentively followed | | all the expressions 01 Opimion, whether in the jour- nals of the Union or in tue meetings heldin New York, Philadelphia, Balttmore and other cities, and | in the opinions stated by high puolic functionaries, | eminent jurists and Senators oi the United States, stul entertain the firm conviction that faally, | | aiter the claims whic the Washington govera- | | ment will feel obliged to present and the question | | bas been | DISCUSSED ON THE GROCND OF INTERNATIONAL LAW, nd in view of the treaties (varticularly that of | | 1795, Which fixes and resolves in a defiuite manner several questions of maritime rights), which the | Northern press has raised and discussed without | any knowledge of the stipulations therein stated, the act will not give place to any serious conflict wih the neighvoring | Republic, as, even in the extreme case | of no settlement being arrived at, instead | of anarmed struggle and the ultima ratior regum, | there Would always remain as the supreme appeal | the recourse of carrying the conirovery beiore a | tribunal of arbitration, like thato! Geneva, which put an end to a dispute much more grave than that which can arise how on account of the Vur- ginius and the execution of her passengers, We already know that tne hostile manifestations made in Spain against Mr. Sickles, and which un- doubdtedly occurred in the days succeeding the | Orst action he madein favor of the prisoners of | the Virginius were repressed by the authorities, We further have the most unequivocal proof that they had not exercised tne slightest pressure on | the supreme government, as tne Cabinet, accord- ing to the Madrid telegram of the 18th, had unani- tmously declared its desire to arrange the question | | inan honorable and satisiactory manner, saving | the national integrity—a resolution which we have reason to believe posterior in date to the | | popular demonstration in front of the Legation of | | the United States, In Washington, unfortunately, the same calm. | ness of spirit Which we lave seco predominating | im the Castelar Cabinet has not been shown ia | those elevated regions where the passions of the | mob should have no influence; but we have reason | enough to believe that the clamor of the people | will not prevail over the dictares of jastice nor the | interests of the nation, which would have to pur- | chase with sacrifices costly enough to its com- | Merce and disastrous to its treasury any eventual advantage which war would afford it, | To fix us in ‘his belief the important declarations contribute very powerfully which shave been pub- | lished by the New York dailies and those of sev- eral persons of great prestige, either for their of- | tical position and their influence or by their | autbority as eminent jurists and statesmen, and | of which we propose to give @ slight summary to our readers. In the first place, we should notice the opinion of | the famous jurisconsult, Mr. Caleb Cushing, | after stating that according to the law of July 27, 1368, the President of the United States can do no more in cases like the present than ask justice, but | without resorting to war measures, Mr. Cushing | has cleared up the question of the capture, show- | | ing that this could be considered legal, aithough | the papers of the vessel seized had been in order; | because it is well known that neitner her register | nor her fag could protect her, especiaily if she was | captured at the moment of carrying into effect a | hostile act. | Tne opinion of Mr. tpt ex-President of Yale College, is yet more expiicit and favorable, Respecting the fact of the capture having been made on the high seas, Mr. Wooisey ts opportauely | reminded that the vessels of the American Union dia the same during the war with the Southern Conteaeracy. But the declaration of most importance is that of the eminent statesman and Senator Charles sum- | ner, a tried republican, an ardent abolitionist, and @ person of great authority, both by his eloquence and learning, aud bis unsuilied reputation for | austere morality, Invited to attend the grand | meeting at Steinway Hall, Mr. Sumuer, in a letter | addressed to its prime movers, excused himself, considering the object Of that manilestation unjust | and inconventent. (This letver the Legatidad quotes | at length and says:—The voice of the illustrious Suniner will soou be heard in Congress, and wil! contribute powerfully to dissipate that false atmo- sphere raised by vile and venai peuny-a-iiners and soulless poli:cians.) When ouce the question 1s taken upon the ground of international law, and in view of the | almost ‘orgotten treaty of 1795, and the practices | and doctrines sanctioned by abtecedents of all | | nations which have ever been in simular excep- | | tional! circumstances to this province, and of which | alljoreign governments were duly notified, since in 1869 the superior government of the island pub- | lished in the Gazette, the conditions which would | | have to be observed by foreign merchant vesseis | in their trafic with our ports, then will our neigh- bors be convinced that, nutwithstanding all that | | has been said ainst it, a state of war is not ne- | cessary to 8 pon the high seas an armed ves- } sel conducting an armed ex; editi n; nor is it true, | | though Mr. Evarts said it in Stemway Hall, that the expedition of the Virgininus is any diferent | from that of Nareisso Lopez, quatified as an in- | Vasion of territory; mor was there any outrage | upon the starry banner in the capture of an Amer- | ican vessel, which by the law of neutrality of | 1818, had lost all rivht to the protection ot the | Washington government, as therein explicitly | stated. Remarking upon the news received here by res | cent telegrams, that it Was proposed in Spain to | settle the affair of the Virginius by arbitration, | | even stating that the Emperor William would be | the arbitrator, the Constancia comes out in a | “£ told you 80" paragraph, stating that tele- grams had been since received denying that re- | port, which evidently was fabricated by laborantes, and those wlo supposed the Spanish nation bad lowered itself, because, unhappily, some few poli- ticlans had given proofs of weakness and want of | patriotism, “/urther details regarding the report. ed manilestation against Sickles will undoubtedly | prove that also to have been an intrigue of the | | laborantes and the meddling Ambassador who | Walks crooked,” “Sut,” continues the Constancia, | “shouid it resuit that the one-legged Ambassador | has gone beyond his powers, and the people of Mad- | Tid have given him @ lesson, we are giad of it. We | know Mr, Sickles well, we know what he is after | } and what the party which sustains him desires; | and, frankly, his bravadoes do not alarm us, We Should be sorry if they alarmed any of our public men.” The Vor de Cuda 1s still “ferocious” on the subject | of the Virginius, It attributes the expressed ex- citement of the American press, especially the New | YoRK HeRALD, to an attempt to misiead public opinion, as It has been found impossible to corrupt it, and thus open the way to the commission of a | national crime, which the Voz tints any interven- tion on the part of the United States would be that the journais of the United States are now at- tempting to falsify the puolic conscience and entist it into their way 0) thinking; and this is their op. ject when they portray the capture of the Virginius and punishment of the PIRATES AND TRAITORS ON BOARD as agrave insut by Spain to the United States, | cantions are established within the city, such as | despatch he telegraphed to Jamaica for heip to Itis also reported that the Captain General and | the General of Marine bave had some disagreement with the Colonial Minister, and that both of tac “superior functionaries had banded in their res- ignations. Rumor further has it that the decree of the Minister, which I give hereafter in full, reier- ring to the raising of embargoes of property, las excited the ire of many of the Spaniards who deem this and ali similar measures “inconvenient,” to use their own Word. Reliable private information received from Puerto Principe this morning, by the steamer from Nuevitas, states that the affair at La Sacra was of jaore importance than it has been thought prudeut to publish. The total number of men hors de coin- bat of the Spanish column was 400, Colonel Bas- cones, Who commanded this column, is being tried by court martial. ‘The city of Puerto Principe is being surrounded | by breastworks, and extraordinary police pre- not to allow three or more individuals to stop in the streets and talk. Riding on horseback is for- bidden aiter dark. The insurgentlines are again close upon the city, From semi-oficial sources of information | learn that the ultimatum of the United States, with re- gard to the Virginius and properties and rights of American citizens in the Island of Cuba, was tele- graphed vere at length the day before yesterday to the Captain General, with the object to ascertain whether, in the event of the ultimatum being ac- cepted by the Madrid government, it could be exe- cuted here, From the same semi-official sources of information I am iniormed that the proposed busi- hess of the settlement meets with the unanimous disapproval of the entire Spanish population of Havana and treir exponent, Casino Espanol. The Captain General assures the American citi- zens that they are In no personal danger, and that they shall have the most ample protection in case Ln Some breaking out between the two coun- tries, A petition has been in circulation all day, which has received numerous signatures, protesting against the delivery of the Virginius or the pay- ment of a dollar in money as indemnity to the families of those who were executed at Santiago | de Cuba. The Spaniards appear to be determined to resist the policy or orders of the home govern- ment, and they assert that they will only leave the | island alter fighting to the last and its total des- truction. THE SANTIAGO MASSACRE. An Eye Witness Graphically Describes Its Horrid Atrocities—Statement of Mr. Coffin, of the Bark Morning Star. , On the morning of the Sth of November 200 marines formed in line at the landing to receive the Captain and crew of the American steamer Virginius. At nine o’clock they landed from the Spanish war steamer Tornado the Captain and 36 of his crew. Each man, excepting the Captat, had his arms pinioned behind his back. They were then taken to the office of the Captain of the Port, where the sentence of death was read to them, They were to die at half-past four that afternoon. The marines then marched up to the door and opened ranks. The crew were then ordered out and fastened together, four abreast. Tne Captain came out, under guard of four soldiers, and took his place at the head of nismen. They were marched up to the prison to await the hour of death, Dur- ing the time the prisoners were landing.a guard was placed over the residence of Mr. Schmitt, the American Consul, to prevent him from having any communication with them, At three o'clock he was granted an interview with the Captain. At hall-past thwge he left the prison, as the Captain wanted to have the last half hour alone. Mr. Schmitt used every means in his power to save them, but only RECEIVED INSULTS FROM THE GOVERNOR. At half-past three regiments of {oot soldiers, numbering about 1,500, marched through the town, followed by a troop of the mounted guard, and formed in line at the place of execution. This is a piece of waste ground (slaughter house) on the outskirts of the town, bounded on one side by a stone wall, eight feet high, In front of this wall the men were to meet their death. At four o'clock the prisoners were taken from the prison, having their arms fastened behind their backs and irons upon their waists, They formed in line, four deep. Accompanying each four was a Catholic priest. They were then surrounded by 200 marines, and marched at a siow step to the place of death, followed by hundreds of people. While on the march I had an opportunity of | speaking with most of the men. They were in much better spirits than a person would expect, ‘They all stepped out with a bold, manly step, fully believing that before many days America would avenge their wrongs. When they arrived at the place of execution the doomed men were placed ina line about four feet apart, with thelr faces to the wall. The marines jormed @ line, two deep, about 10 feet from the men they were to murder. The prisoners were then ordered to kneel. The signal betng given to fire, a volley of 200 rifles was fired at the 37 men upon their knees, 10 feet of. One man only isy dead; that was the Captain, 1 Test were wounded jn the most horrid manner, Up to the ume of the Oring of the first volley J was not able to get nearer than 200 yards from the prisoners. The moment the volley Was fired I jumped over the wall and ran along until I was abreast of the | prisoners, aud then mounted the wall and Withessed the most cruel murders, The marines had reloaded their rifles and were shooting the wounded men in the mouths, ears and eyes, ing the muzzle of tne gan close up to the he TY blowing it to atoms, Oue man was lightly wounded, ‘Two men stepped ap to lim; one ran his gun into | the man’s mouth; the poor man grasped it with both hands, The other put his gun at the man’s ear. They both fred together; noting was leit of the head. This kind of work lasted for 20 minutes before the last man was dead. Five dirt carta then came up with 10 men from the chain gang, and the dead were thrown into these conveyances im all | shapes. There was not @ man of the 36 who were wounded Whose head was not blown off trom the mouth up. They were burried 10 in ahole, The troops marched back to town fo a lively air. Is this to be the last of ity Is the American goy- ernment to turn a blind eye and a deat ear to this deepest insult that ever one nation offered to an- other’ Where is the American navy to protect our citizens in foreign lands? ‘The moment the Consul was allowed to send a Save life. No American war vessel was to be found. An English man-ol-war that was laying at Kings- ton slipped ver anchors and flew to the rescue, but too late to save the steamer’s crew. How is this toend? Nothing but blood can wipe out this stain. Is the American fag to be trampled upon by a set of cowards on the high seas? That steamer was taken in Engitsh waters, 18 miles from Marant point, The Captain told me so 10 minutes beiore his death. If the head of the government Is going to let this pass without giving them a Yankee shot, I say let the people of the nation arise and avenge the blood | Statement of Another | them up to the prison. | clothes and | brought of our countrymen, and send the murderers 0 & coward’s grave, and if need be, wipe the Spanis! out of existence, J, for one, am ready to return With @ rife that will send terror to the cowards! and an insult which they deciare that nation can hearts, THE MASSACRED Saas “og Eye-Witness— “Drink Our Healths in New York.” The Newfoundland brig Azalea, commanded by Captain Prior, and consigned to Robert Currie & Co., arrived at tbis port yesterday from Santiago de Cuba, A HeRaLp rep rter learning that the Azalea was at Santiago during the Virgins massacre, visited the vessel last evening to obtain, if possible, some further particulars — as to that great tragedy. Captain Prior was asnore | when the reporter reached the vessel, but the | mate, Geor; Coysh, was aboard, and in reply to @ question, replied that he had, with several others of the ship’s company, wit- nessed the execution of Captam Fry and the 36 members of his crew. Upon request Mr. Coysh gave the following particulars :— “We arrived at Santiago on the 5th of November, the day after the first four (Ryan and others) were shot. There is but one whart at Santiaco, as it is @ small port and ali the ves: sels unload there. Our vessel was lying alongside | the pier taking out cargo, on the morning o! the | 7th, when the boats of the Tornado, which was lying in the harbor, began to come ashore, land- | ing prisoners tn small detachments of five or six atatime, As each boat landed her men they | were all collected together on the wharf to wait | until the last of them had arrived, and they were guarded by marines and men-o!-war sailors irom the Spanish ship, AS we were working close by | where they were standing we got talking to some ofthem, but we could only talk to them now aad then, When the Spanish officers saw us TALKING TO THE PRISONERS they made us stand back; but whenever they turned their backs we went on talking to the poor fellows, AS so00n as they were all landed the marines formed a guard around them aud marened They were taken tnside and locked up.” “Did they Know at that time what was to be done with them?” asked the reporter. “Not one of them,” reptied the mate. “They thought they was going to be let go home, Why, @ good many of them brought their bundles of ‘small traps’ with them, thinking tuey’d be allowed to leave and get out of the coun- try. We heard from Spaniards who were working on the dock, about one o'clock, that they were to be shot at four, and a little alter four o'clock, sure enough, they were brought out and shot, I don’t remember whether they had haadcuffs on or not, but their arms were tied be- lund them. Several of us knocked off work and went up tothe prison and saw them come out, ‘There Was @ large number of soldiers on foot, marines and horse paline, or dragoons, and a tre- mendous crowd of people. The prisoners were out and formed in a column, and the troops around them and the horse police riding at the sides of the column they marched toward the slaughter bouse, where they were shot. I should judge it Was about @ quarter ora third of a mile Jrom the jail, On the way the prisoners li seemed with to be in good spirits, and one of them led out to us, ‘4t’s all over with us now, boys: out I hope you'] dri to our health when you “et back to New York!’ When the column 20: 10 the slaugh- ter house the prisoners were joiiued in a line FACING THE WALL, which is 12 or 15 feet high, and stood only three or four leet irom the masonry. The soldiers then Jormed three sides of a hollow square about them and kept back the people, and inside the line of soldiers was the firing party. There were probably 100 men in this party, and they stood about as far as from here to the stem of the brig (about 30 feet) irom the prisoners. Then the prisoners were made to kneel down, with their faces still toward the wall and their backs to the soldiers. Then the troops fired one volley and all the prisoners fell, but they were not killed Gutright, for in a couple of minutes, about as long as it would take to load their guns again, there was a good deal of scatter- ing firing going on. I found they were finishing the killing of those who were struggling on the ground not yet dead, After a while the soldiers marched away and left the bodies just as tuey fell, and a lot of mule carts were driven up, such as they used to carry dirt in, Then a gang ol native prisoners, men who work in the chain gang, were brought on. and they were compelled to pick up the bodies an throw them into the carts. They tumbled five or SIX Corpses, perhaps more, into each wart, just as they might happen to Jall, and carted them off just outside of the town, where they were BURIED IN A HOLE. “When you were talking to the prisoners on the dock did any of them tell you their names ¢? “They talked to us about a goou many things connected with their capture, and one of them told us their names, but they didn’t know thoy were to be killed then. Iremember one, Walter R. Price, who told us he was from Exeter, England.’” “Did you see the execution of the 12 who were shot on the next day, November 8 1’? “No; that was done early in the morning and we didn’t know anything about it until several hours aiter. I understand it was done about five o’ciock, and that the reason why they hurried that job was because they had news Irom the signal station out- side the harbor that an Euglish war steamer was coming along the coast. The steamer, the Niobe, got in @ few hours afierward, and aw it haan’t been for her arrival there was @ lot of the remaining risoners who had been condemned that morning who would have been shot that afternoon. Alter she got in they didn’t shvot any more. When we left Santiagothere were three British war steamers there and one American, the Wyoming.’ Mr. Coysh and some men of his crew. who also witnessed the executions, are most*vehement in their denunciations of the frightiul barbarity of the Spaniards, and in their way think, too, that they want a good “warming.” THE “AMIGOS DE CUBA.” News from “The Front”—Gomez and his Generosity to Spaniards Captared at La Sacra—The Captives in Captivity Again. Tho headquarters of the Amigos de Cuba were, as usual, quite busy yesterday, though there was little done of a nature which it would be prudent to make public. The secretary of the organization submitted to the Executive Council a letter re- ceived from Havana which stated that “the steamer Saratoga arrived in this port (Havana) on November 22, having left Nuevitas, the port of Pnerto Principe, on the 18th, The Saratoga brought on board as prisoners from the latter place, in the custody of the Spanish authorities, Dr. A. Narango and 12 Spanish soldiers, to be dis- posed of by the Captain General. These 13 per- sons were made prisoners by the patriot forces under the valiant General Maximo Gomez at the recent battle of La Sacra, from the coi- umn of the Spanish Generali Bascones, They had been released by Gomez on their parole of honor, and are now heid under arrest by the Spaniards because they reiused to break their | parole by again entering the ranks of the army against the Cuban patriots. While at Puerto Principe, and before the authorities arrested them, they were joud in ‘their ex. pressions of appreciation of the generosity ot Gomez and of the kindness shown toward them by his subaiterns and troops, and warily commended the training of the patriots at La Sacra, who, they say, tought like lions, Bas- cone’s column was utterly routec in equal combat. ‘The prisoners state that, at the close of the en- agement, Gomes addressed them, and told them that they might either follow the fortunes of his command, by jvining it, or return to the Spanish lines at once. On the following day he detailed an escort of 60 riflemen to take the 10 prisoners in charge until they were within easy distance of the Spanish oP at Vista Her- mosa; then the escort leitthem. From here the prisoners were conducted to Puerto Principe, and afterwards, upon being brought before the Com- mandant, General Fajardo, lie attempted to return them again to military service. They stated that they would under no cirenmstances re- turn to the army, as their word of honor was solemnly pledged to Gomez, who had spared their lives; that they were willing, how- ever, to serve the government eisewhere than in Cuba, but they would never break their promises given to the brave chie! who lad given them Iie and liberty, and had also treated them with great kindness, They were then threatened by Fajardo and commanded to obey, but they again and very Peery refsed, even at the per as they said, of being shot for insubordination, Fajardo, seeing they were unyielding, sent them as prisoners to Havana, to be deait with by the Captain General, and they are now confined tn the Cabafos. It is said they will be sent to Spa! conversation, Na+ Phere their capture, Dr. at during the heat of the action he found themselves @ jarge body of rango sald t and his 12 companions suddenly surrounded and cut off by Cubans, On demand being made for their surrender, and resistance _ beti hopeless and out of the question, they laid down their arms and were taken to the rear of the main Cuban column, composed of about 300 men, Includ- ing about 50 cavalrymen. They were kept at the rear until the firing ceased, at nightiall, when they were summoned Gomez's headquarters, Dr, Narango stated also that while in the Cuban camp ne showed him the utmost kindn every even oa ro soldier, Who offered him bis last ration of meat and yam, which he was himself about to eat, mee ILLNESS OF GEORGE 8 HILLIARD, Boston, Dec, 4, 187 Mr. George 8. Hilliard, at his home yesterday, had @ slight stroke of paralysis of the right side, has slightly affected his speech, but left his fund whol enluipalred. His physiclans say that ‘ali the ympLoms are favorable to TeCcovery, | haps, be enough to say that the news of ¢! PORTO RICO. os ia The Captain of the Virgininus. The Reforms in the Island — Abolition , of Slavery—-Freedom of the Press and of Public Meeting — The Local Hlections. Porto Rio, Nov. 12, 1873. Taking tuto account the wide difference of opinion among the Spaniards of this island, the Strong antagonism between lberals and conserva- tves, and the disagreements resulting therefrom in oficial, and even social, tntercourse, it will, per- cap- ture of the steamer Virginius has been received here with various and conficting sentiments. ‘That of the conservatives, the rabid Spaniards, is complete concurrence im and approval of the action of the Spanish government in Cuba, while the liberals, more reflecting in nature, are ashamed of and deplore the undue baste of the Cubau author- ities, Iv is the purpose of this present letter to depict the situation ag it really is in Porto Rico, growing out of this very difference of opinion and the sel- fish expression of the same, in almost every cir- cumstance of life among the inhabitants. Those who were opposed to the introduction of liberal reforms, those who saw in them and in the abolition of slavery only a source of evil, have been con- vinced of their mistake. The advent of the Re- pubile in Spain destroyed the suspicions and jeal- ous policy that existed in this Antilla, one of the most faithful provinces of the nation, and the re- publican government frankly entered upon another policy, more adapted to the requirements of the country. THE ABOLITION OF SLAVERY was proclaimed by the National Assembly in the remarkable session of March 22 of this year, the most brilliant date of its contemporary history, and the new government, determined to establish reiorms which would give Porto Ricans rights equal to those of other Spaniards, appointed a new Governor, Captain General Primo de Rivera, who arrived in Porto Rico on the 14th of April last, and made it his first care that the law on the abolition Oisiavery should be carried into effect. This great event took place on the 20th of the same month, by the publication of the law, a model of equity and of liberal spirit, and rules to guide the first steps of the freedman in the new social condition in which he was placed, ‘This so important law did not change the economical teatures of the country, nor create any disturbance, and the country remained perfecily tranquil. Not even the first outbreak of joy produced by the posses- sion ofa benefit so esteemed disturbed the public repose, The freedmen by religious feasts cele- brated in every town their thanksgivings for their freedom with eloquent protestations of love and gratitude towards Spain, whose name and their redemption from slavery will henceforward be associated in their minds, The enemies of the abolition of slavery attribute to it the financial crisis in the country, but do not take into account two of the principal causes for it—first, the scarcity of the sugar crop this year irom the want of rain, and secondly, the low price for its products. It is well known that the ireed negroes have not in- creased the number of beggars nor given them- selves up to a dangerous idieness, as was predicted by the slaveholders, All work in virtue of the con- tracts which the rule imposes on them, for during three years they are to remain with their former masters, or at least with those with whom they are contracted and have engaged, in conformity to the rules, Following the abolition of slavery the new Gov- ernor issued decrees authorizing FREEDOM OF THE PRESS and sanctioning the right to peaceable meetings and that of association jor ail the legitimate pur- poses, and thus the sphere of action of these in- habitants was broadened until the Constituent the Spanish constitution, which guarantees liberty to all, In ihe exercise of their rights the people of Porto Rico have been sensib.e and prudent, Order has been preserved and: reigas everywhere and peace and tranquillity are enjoyed all over the is- jand, The municipal law has been estab- lished which gives autonomy to the ayuntamiénios or municipalities, and dis- centralizing the administration confides to their discretion and care the administration and direction of many aifairs which beiore were sub- ject to the Governor of the isiand. In August last the municipal elections took place, passing off quietly and peaceiuily; white persons oniy were elected, and these now popular corporations have, as yet, done nothing whicn could cause regret jor the new laws, The elections for Provincial Depu- ties (ior the Provincial House) have just been held with great order and, so have the elections for the Constituent Deputies, Acting always in opposition to these reforms, which have been introduced with 80 much tranquility and without any disturbance, which were received by the islanders with grati- tude and joy, and which have strengthened their adhesion to the mother country, binding them to her with ties of love and gratitude, is the conservative party, composed mostly of Spaniards who are opposed to all liberal ideas, because such deprive them of the influence and control that they formerly held on the island. ‘Their attitude 1s repulsive to the authorities, ag- gressive and almost rebeilious, They veil their ambition and exclusivencss by boasting ol a y SENTIMENT OF “HISPANISM”’ which is of that blind and haughty character so much criticised by Montesquieu. Their great lever Of aciion 18 the “natioual integrity,” and the Soe “Muera Espaiial!” their shield and deience. This fratricidal cry they attribute to Wie islanders whenever it suits them, but they never fx upon tag Petron Who pronounces it nor give any clew to his discovery. In vain do the reformers make pro- testations of their fidelity to the motuer country, and in vain do they, by their conduct, their actions and in their newspapers show any love to the land of their fathers and their own; nothing suMices for their detractors nor can suffice jor them, because if they allowed themselves to be convinced, they Would lose the ouly base of their opposition They have carried on ‘and still wage tue fiercest War againsi the government; they have refused the calis that have been made on them, and | have even carricd their opposition to the degree of withdrawing personal intercourse; they write jalse and absurd news to Spain; they depict tue island as in the greatest anarchy and about to separate from the Spanish nationality; they call themselves “Spaniards without conditions,” and yet only accept irom Spain that which fatters their aspirations. ‘This conservative party is alded by the official element, which, being nearly all Spaniards, be- longs, with but few exceptions, to the same politi- cal party. Thus the employés (omicials), civil and military, especially the iatter, profess the same doctrines irom common cause with the conserva- tives, and are an obstacle to all the liberal acts of the government; they keep away from the Gov. ernor, and in the Casino Espafiol, the copy ef that in Cuba, they criticise his dispositions and acts, although they may emanate trom the Constituent Cortes themsvives. Moreover, this party counts upon THE VOLUNTEERS, Who are organized according to the style of those in Cuba, with a semi-mntiitary organization. ‘The object of their institution is’ to preserve public order and lend their aid to the Governor of the island when needed, a duty they cannot fulfil un- less with absolute independence irom all political ues. The volunteers of Porto Rico also call them selves “Spaniards without conditions,” which 18 the motto of the conservatives, and, in adopting it, they declare themselves affiliated to this party, to which they all belong, as they tollow the su line of conduct and do not ‘admit into their ranks any person of liberal ideas. Their spirit of exclusivism and their pretensions to supe- riority and importance are such that they adopt and take up the private quarrels of their mein- | bers; and, but recently, there was between two persons of the town of San Lorenzo a quarrel, in which one of them, who was & volunteer, got the worst of it. Notwithstanding that the quarrel was strictly a private one, the chiefs of the volunteer battalion applied to the local authority, demanding @ special punishment for the litigant, without wishing to sabject him to the procedure of the Jaw, By this means they | Talsed a tamult in the town, which, happily, had oO serous Consequences, Under such conditions the position of the Gover- nor is @ very dificult one and @ continual strug- } gle. As ail his acts are opposed to the political | eas of almost all the government officials, they cannot produce the desired effect, because they are unwillingly compiled with and with iw | certain show of opposition from all the oficlal element. The calumnies of the con- | Servatives pursue him even imto the press | of Madrid, Which echoes them; his enemies, or | Tather the enemies of the liberal system, accuse | him of separaust tendencies, at he despises these matters, aud calmly pursnes lis Way without swerving from the tical. ith he has traced out for himselt, and firm in determination that | equality of the Porto Ricans with the Spaniards of the peninsula shall be a truth, end that Porto Rico shall be really a Spanish province, ‘The conservatives are cirewiating the report that the Governor will soon be removed, and they un- oubtedly expect that their intrigues will obredn this result, Should this occur, it would be for tis to @ very long step backwards day fouriiing fitand. As he does not Cortes promulgated for Porto Rico the first title of | | en “~~ emulate the hard and capricious orders of the oid Governor, but the paterne! counsels of the authority which teaches the gove nea to know and respect the law, and showing in them, above everything else, moderation and respect to order and justice, the reorm press has hastened to enlogize him, while the couservatiye press has, ‘4a yet, even put his decrees in their columns, + uch, then, is the condition of aituirs in this. island, An enlightened and well-disposed man for; Fovernor, Who has shown himself desirous carrying Out the orders of his overnment, an nds himself hampered on all sides ana hindered) from doing so by those very persons upon whom he has to depend to execute his orders; @ spirit of opposition and almost mutiny among the entire oMicial corps; @ venal press; an intense feeling,, due to the not easily extinguished pro-slavery ideas, and, finally, a militia or volunteer organiza~ tion bans in Opposition to tie Governor, How: long affairs wil continue in this state it is diMmeule to imagine, NAVAL INTELLIGENCE. aan The Crew on Board the Colorado—Rew cruits from Norfolk—Opinions Concern= ing the Safety of the Kansas—Tno Supply. The crew of the Colorado—600 sailors, landsmen, firemen and coal heavers, and 60 marines—wens on board shortly after one o'clock yesterday alter- noon. There was no confusion attendant upon the occupation of the ship, watch and station rolls being made out before going on board. “Manr hands make light work"4s an old and true sayin», hence it bappened that the men were not long im getting the decks clear and everything in ship- Shape. She wili probably sail to-morrow. Recruiting at all the rendezvous is progressing rapidly, and a flne body of blue jackets, with a gen- erous admixture of the lubberly element known 4% landsmen, are already swinging their hammock# between decks on the venerable Vermont, the “gardo” at this station, The Minnesota, frigate, Will absorb 550 men, as her complement, about tho isth, A draft of 54 able’ and “ordinary” seamen arrived here yesterday forenoon from Norfolk, Va. Captain Haxtun, the equipment oficer at this station, eipnen busy night and dayin preparing the vesselé now undergoing outft tor service. In the riggers’ department, which is under the super- vision of Boatswain Pomeroy, rigging is peing pre- pared, with all the despatch that tne limited build~ ing will admit of, for the Florida, Minnesota and other vessels, CONCERNING THE SLOOP-OF-WAR KANSAS, The opinion of officers of the navy who know the sailing qualifications and seaworthiness of the sloop-of-war Kansas with whom the writer con- versed yesterday is that there is no yround for fears as to her safety. Said a distinguisued ofi- cer:—“I have no fears concerning the Kansas whatever, Men-of-war do not make rapid pi sages, a8 a rule, and it is just possible that, an acc! dent occurring to her machinery, she has been compelled to put into one of the Bahama islauas, perbaps Nassau. Her course Was a straight one Irom New York to Santiago de Cuba, and she had ho occasion to go nexr the Bauamas unless she met with an accident, Now, i it was ® packet ship that was so many days overdue I should say there was gvod ground for doubt as to her salety; but being a@ war vessel, and speed no object, 1 think there is no joundation ior alarm. On the other hand, ib 13 not proper, in my judgment, to give publicity to such alarming rumors as that of the doubts for the satety of tae Kansas. ‘There are so many thou- sands throughout the country who are interested in some manner with the tate of those on board that general alarm 1s occasioned by even a rumor affecting her safety. I was a passenger on the Kansas going to Mexico, in 1870," said the officer, “aud we encountered one of the most territic hur~ ricanes J have ever experienced, We rode safely’ through it without the loss of a gun or a@ launch, though the latter weighed 10 tons. She had the same battery then that she now has. How we weathered that hurricane [ am unable to state, .but that we did so is a guarantce to my inind of her stancbuess. She sailed on November 14, and must have ep- countered the fulliorce of the cyclone of the 16t», 1ithand 18th, The Supply camein for the outer edge of that cyclone, and reported it as extremely severe. In the gale to which lreierred as en- rel hee 3 in 1870, no less than 52 vessels were Jost. Admiral Rowan, who regards the Kansas as an excellent sea-going vessel, thinks it somewhat strange that she has not been heard from, though 20 days out from New York, but does not entertain any iears as to her satety. When she lefc the Navy Yard she was thoroughly equipped from stem to stern, weil oilicered, and had a ful -crew. Captain Xeed, her commander, is regarded ag an experienced and abie oficer, in every way deserving the high confidence reposed in him by the Navy Depart- ment, it is very probable,” remarked another oficer to the reporter, “that the Kansas, having Met with an accident to her machinery, has been compelled to make her way under caivas to the Bahamas, In such an event she may have been taken on the dry dock there jor repairs, and as & steamer leaves the Jsahamas but once in three weeks we would not be likely to hear of her trom that point fer several days to come.” This view was endorsed by other naval authorities and will 0 far to allay the fears of those who have relatives: und friends on board the Kansas, -_ BTORESHIP SUPPLY, Orders have been received to fit out the store- ship Supply, Which was last engaged in conveying, articles of American manuiacture to the Vienna Exposition. She requires a ia overhauling, and was yesterday aiternoon towed over to New York to one of the sectional dry docks, where she Will be hauled up for recaulking and have the bar- nacles Knocked of, The Supply will then be re- fitted atthe Navy Yara and take on stores ior Key’ West. She is old but sound, The Manhattan Pronounced Unfit for War in Her Present Condition=The Captain and Some of Her Ciew Still Suffering. PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 4, 1873. hattan was surveyed on Tuesday by a Board, con- | sisting of Captains Beaumont and Harris, Con- stractor Hart and Chiei Engineer Stamm, and she Was pronounced utterly unfit for use as a man-of- war in her present condition, Chief Kngineer Smith, of the Manhattan, is reported to be very ill irom having been obliged to work in water last ‘Thursday, and other men of the monitor are said to be sulfering trom the Nooding of their quarters. Affairs at the Boston Navy Yard. Boston, Dec. 4, 1873. Activity continues to prevail at the Navy Yard. The Brooklyn will be ready for sea in twelve days. Lieutenant Durand has been ordered to the steamer Speedwell at Portsmouth. Captain G. Bh. Preble has been detached from the command of the Naval Rendezvons, and has been placed on waiting orders, and Captain H, B, Caldwell takes his place. There are at egret on board the Ohio about 300 seamen, and a large number are being shipved datly, Itis expected that irom 75 to 100 men will be sent to New York this week to man the Colo- rado, The paymaster’s books show that during the past two Weeks over 200 landsmen were re- ceived on board the Ohio, Over 100 men employed in the Department of Yards and Docks were dis- charged yesterday. Arrival of the Mahopac and Her Convoy at Key West—Nine Days at Se Key West, Dec, 4, 1873, The Ossipee arrived here at noon to-day, convoy- ing the Mahopac, She hada very rough trip and parted with the monitor off Hatteras, rejoining her, however, next afternoon. A pilot boat was spoken at Savannah, but it would take too long to coal there, and the monitor and her convoy con- sequently Made this point direct, The trip was made in nine days trom New York. Arrival of the Pinta at Key West--Lose of Two of the Mahopac’s Boats Of Hatteras, Key West, Dee, 4, 1973. The Pinta arrived this evening. The Mahopac lost two boats, while separated from the Ossipe of Hatteras, The Albert W. Smith Coaled at Eliza- beth and Off tor the Key West Squads ron. Evizanetu, N. J., Dee. 4, 1873. The Albert W. Smith, just loaded here with 800 tons of coal, to supply the squadron at Key West, went to sea to-day, A PROBABLE DEFALCATION. Memriis, Dec. 4, 1875. There is considerable excitement here over the discovery that $40,000 in county warrants have been abstracted from the sate of the County Trua- tee alter having been paid but not cancelled. The Trustee (Mr, A. Woodward) has been absent some two weeks and many Tamora are afloat, The Grand Jury is investigating the matter, and in tha, meanwhile warns the public against trading for the warrants, the numbers of which will be pubs lished to-morrow. A LIGHT SENTENCE, Memrmis, Dec. 4, 1875. John White, who was sentenced to be hanged for shooting several members of the Sheriff's posse on President's Island in 1872, and granted a new trial, was sentenced this morning tu 20 years’ Unoriwons ment A Wilmington paper says:—rhe monitor Man-