The New York Herald Newspaper, December 23, 1873, Page 3

oy ‘P SURRENDERED, "The Delivery of the Prisoners to the United States. OUT OF THE JAWS OF DEATH. Most Horrible Spanish Cruelty the Last Night in the Dungeon. THE PRISONERS PREPARE FOR EXECUTION. Priests Are Bronght In to Administer’ the Last Religious Consolations, Even to the Last the Torture is Kept Up. Unbounded Enthusiasm of the Rescued Under the Stars and Stripes. CHEERS AND EMBRACES ALL ROUND. The Volunteers Demand that Our Flag be Torn from the Consulate. Prison Record of the Virginius Prisoners. Key Wear, Deo, 22, ' 973 The United States steamer Pinta, Lieuten- ant Commander H. H. Gorringe, arrived here at seven o'clock this evening, after a passage of 96 hours from Santiago de Cuba. ‘The Pinta brought despatches for the Navy Department and full particulars of the de- livery of 102 survivors of the Virginius’ crew and passengers by Governor Burriel to Com- mander Braine, of the United States steamer Juniata, BUBRIEL's LITTLE BUNCOMBE, The volunteers in Santiago are still ina very ungovernable condition, and protested so violently against the giving up of the prisoners that Governor Burriel finally told them that in order to hold the prisoners they must first kill him, as he intended car- tying. out the commands of his government. OUT OF THE DUNGEON. On Thursday morning, December 18, shortly after five o'clock, the prisoners were brought out of the dungeons of Morro Castle ‘and put on board a large flat, which was towed by ® four-oared boat to whero the Juniata was laying at anchor, about o mile up the harbor. CHARACTERISTICALLY BLOODTHIRSTY. ‘The United States’ man-of-war was hidden by s bend in the harbor from the dock at the port of the Morro, and the prisoners, when put on tho fiat, were told by the Spanish officials that they were being taken to be shot. The revulsion of fecling was immense when, rounding the point, they saw the Stars and Stripes floating over the Juniata, and they knew TT WAS LIBERTY AND NOT DEATH that awaited them. They were all huddled close together on the flat and appeared in the most abject condition, emaciated from starva- tion and destitute of boots, shoes or clothing. ‘When the flat came within hail of the Juniata the prisoners ran together, and, as if suddenly electrified with the prospect of food, clothing and freedom, gave THREE HEARTY CHEERS for the United States. In another minute the flat was alongside, and the Spanish sergeant who was in charge of the party stepped up the gangway and handed Lieutenant De Long the invoice of his cargo. SPARING BUBRIEL’S FEELINGS. ‘The roll was then read, and each prisoner ‘was handed on board as his name was called. Commander Braine, finding the list correct, made out a receipt for the prisoners in the name of Governor Burriel, and not in that of the Spanish sergeant, a favor which had been requested with a viow to saving Burriel, that humiliation. ‘WILD WITH Joy. In the meantime the liberated men were wild with excitement, dancing about the decks and embracing one another in transports of joy ot their deliverance, as it were, from the jaws of death. PITIABLE CONDITION OF THE PRISONERS. They were in a most pitiable condition, nearly entirely destitute of clothing; some without a rag to protect their skins from the scorching rays of the sun and others partially covered by a piece of coarse sacking. THE FIRST ORDER of the officer in charge was to throw all their rags overboard, and then they were marched forward and subjected to a severe course of soap and water. Clean and fresh from the bath, each was given a bran new suit of sailors’ clothing and then paraded for medical inspection. Five were put on the sick list, ond the rest, after being provided with hammocks, were divided up into messes mong themselves. THE GOOD NATURED ENGLISHMEN. A requisition was made on the Kansas and Pinta for all the blankets they had to spare, and, as the captains of the two English men- ‘of-war, Woodland and Niobe, then anchored ‘gdp the harbor, understood the supply was not i hay ala ‘NEW ‘YORK HERALD, TUESDAY? DECEMBER v3; 1873—TRIPLE SHEET, * . da eer erie greeters EE Ree etre rns erg ete aT TT pamuoa belie Goaa GIGU LI Tn ae ee equal to the demand, they sent a prosent of | Julia Arango, Puerto Principe, aged 16, single, no 100 blankets on board the Juniata, for which they declined to accept any remuneration. ON FOR NEW YORK. The Pinta arrived in Santiago ot noon the same day, with despatches for Commander Braine, ordering him to proceed immediately to New York with the prisoners, CRUELTY MOST REFINED, The suffering of the prisonerr during their confinement, as described by themselves, tells a tale of refined cruelty hardly credible in these days of advanced civilization. It appears that their jailers, not satisfied with reducing their physical condition to the lowest ebb by starva- tion and brutality, kept them in perpetual mental torture by THREATS OF INSTANT DEATH, On Wednesday evening they were visited by a Spanish official who told them to prepare for death, as they were to be shot next morning. The priests came in soon afterwards and passed the greater portion of the night with them, administering the comforts of their reli- gion, . THIS HORRIBLE COMEDY was even kept up next morning, and then they were huddled into the flat that was to take them to the Juniata. They were told they were going to execution. ACTIVE WARLIKE PREPARATIONS were continued around Santiago Harbor up to the time the prisoners were actually handed over. GROSS INSULT TO OUB FLAG. The volunteers also made a demand on Wednesday morning that the United States flag should be hauled down, @ request which was answered by Consul Young in person, who stepped out and told them they would have to take it down over his dead body. THE DAILY MURDERS. The brutal marders committed daily in Santiago by the Catalan volunteers are lit- erally horrible, as not a day passes without some suspected Cuban sympathizers being marched off to trial who are never heard of again. FIENDISH TORTURING OF CUBANS. A few days ago 25 Cubans were arrested and taken to an adjoining village for trial. As no evidence of a condemmatory nature was pro- duced they were acquitted by the Court and told to return to theix homes. On the follow- ing day one of the party arrived in Santiago who had been shot in two places, and told how they. had all been fired upon and brutally butchered, and himself left for dead on the field, PERSECUTION OF THE PRESS. A poor editor, who stated in his paper that Ryan and others met their death bravely, has been fined $500 and sentenced to the chain gang for 18 months, 190 GOOD TO BE TRUE. It is generally understood in Santiago that Burriel has been sent back in disgrace, and that after he has been sufficiently humiliated by carrying out the orders of his government aud saluting the Stars and Stripes on the 25th of December a new Governor will arrive to supersede him. THE COMING BEITISH GROWL. The two English men-of-war, Woodland and Niobe, are anchored in the harbor and a large English fleet is expected soon. It is ramored that the British lion will have a growl to put in as soon as his persuaders havo arrived and can enforce his demand. THE JUNIATA AND KANSAS, The Juniata left Santiago at seven P. M. on Thursday, bound for New York, where she will probably arrive next Friday. The Kansas remains at her anchorage in Santiago harbor, and the Canandaigua is expected at that port daily. NAMES OF THE SURRENDERED. The following list is transcribed from the official records of the prison at Santiago de cuba. It gives the names of those of the crew of the Vir- ginius who were not murdered and those who were passengers on board the vessel, with the birthplace, age and occupation of each, all of them being on board the Juniata and on their way to New York :— NAMES OF THE CREW. Charles. A. Knight, New York, aged 21, single, engineer.” Henry King, England, aged 27, married, en- gineer. . William Wilson, United States, aged 2, single, mariner. Thomas mariner. Charles de Bros, Jamaica, aged 18, single, printer. William Danton, Jamaica, aged 17, single, tailor. John Pothnemont, Jamaica, aged 17, single, tailor. Eaward Scott, Jamaica, L. 1, aged 16, single, tin- smith, John Freeman, Curacoa, aged 16, married, mari- ner. Nicholas Cardoza, Columbia, aged 14, single, waiter. Joseph de Esponto Santo, Jamaica, aged 16, single, cook. Alfred Parker, United States, aged 31, married, mariner. Henry Knight, New York, aged 16, single, no pro- fession. ¥ Phillip Marti, Curacoa, aged 20, single, assistant engineer. Sulomo Constantino, NAMES OF THE PASSENGERS, Joseph Diaz, San Juan de Bonas, aged 29, mar- ried, —. Juan Herrero, Havana, aged 34, single, cigar, maker. Altred Lapiz, Santiago de la Vegus, aged 19, sin- gle, cigar maker, Joseph J. Lamas, Matanzas, aged 23, single, engi- neer. Andrew Villa, Havana, aged 24, single, cigar maker. Androw Acosti, Gaines, aged 24, single, mechanic. Francis Costillo, Regla, aged 21, single, student. Lindgly, Canada, aged 18, single, Benjamin Olazala, Puerto Pincipe, aged 17, single, engineer. Joaé Madeo, Havana, aged 24, angle, cigar maker. Ramon Pardos, Jamaica, aged 82, single, cook. P) Francis Gonzales, Havana, aged 33, single, stu- ent. Joseph Palaez, Malaga, aged 16, single, student. Leonard Alvarez, Santiago de Cuba, agea 16 single, silversmith, Jove Hernandez, Havana, aged 20, single, mer- chant. : Nicholas Ramirez, Puerto Principe, aged 23, single, farmer, Ignacio Q, Beltran, Andalgo, aged 35, single, clerk, Perfecto Bello, Havana, aged 24, married, doctor. Benito Globes, France, aged 34, single, cook, Nicholas Ruiz, Matanzas, aged 26, single, clgar maker, Juan Alvarad, Havana, aged 34, single, cigar maker, Richardo Crujello, Cienfuegos, aged 20, single, student. Ramon Calvo, Havana, aged 40, singie, no profes- sion, Silveno Sales, Colon, aged 26, single, mason. Rafael Pacheco, Havana, aged 39, single, cigar maker. Alexander Calvo, Havana, aged 39, single, com- merce. Cameto Guerra, Melina (Cuba), aged 22, single, cigar maker. Cameto Sans, Havana, aged 25, single, mason. Leon Bernal, Puerto Principe, aged 25, single, agriculvuralist. . Emilio Gareia, Cardenas, aged 20, singie, carpen- ter. Gil Monteo, Guines, age 23, single, cigar maker. Rapael Cabrera, Havana, age 20, single, no pro- Session. Arnado Rossilo, Bayamo, age 18, single, agricul- turist. Ignacio or Francis W. Lapia, Havana, age 2, sin- gle, commerce. Mauuela Silveira, Bayamo, age 18, single, com- merce. Santiago Rivera, St. Thomas, age 17, single, gold trimmings. Antonio Gomes, Havana, age 39, single, cigar maker, Andreo Ecneverria, Holguin, age 24, married, agricuiturahst. Jose Marin, Havana, age 2, single, carpenter. Louis Martinez, Cuba, age 13, single, baker. Domingo Salazar, Havana, aged 27, widower, cigar maker. Pedro Pajaren, Cardenas, aged 26, single, cigar maker. Manuel Padron, Havana, aged 17, single, cigar- maker. Alex. C. Estrada, Canary Islands, aged 20, single, Diacksmith. Felix Fernandez, Havana, age? 29, single, com- merce, Juan Soto, Havana, aged 28, married, mechanic. Manuel Pinez, Havana, aged 29, widower, farmer. Jose A. Varnos, Hayana, aged 18, single, cigar maker. Ramon Barreos, Havana, aged 19, single, cigar maker. Ignacio Valdes, Havana, aged 23, single, com- merce. Louis Morajon, Matanzas, aged 16, single, silver amith. Jose Sanhesteban, Cobre, aged 30, single, car penter. Francisto Pacheco, Puerto Plata, aged 15, single, tinsmith. Ramon Gonzales, Matanzas, aged 18, single, com- merce. Antonio Chacon, Havana, aged 30, single, cigar maker, Sueno Otaro, Colm, aged 17, single, student. Carlor Pacheo, Havana, aged 34, married, cigar maker, Antonio Padillas, Puertq Principe, aged.27, single, machinist. Henry Canales, Binalde Rio, Isle of Pioes, aged 22, single, commerce, Indebar Trujillo, Guines, aged 21, single, farmer. Domingo Diaz, Trimidad, aged 23, single, student. Pedro Sanal, Havana, aged 21, single, cigar maker. Pedro Laez, Havana, aged 23, widower, student. Minguel Sayers, Santiago de Cuba, aged 18, wid- ower, farmer. Serero Mendive, Regia, aged 20, single, student, Patricio Martinez, Havana, age 18, single, no profession, Henry Agaia, Havana, aged 29, single, commerce. Manuel Saumeli, Manzanillo, aged 13, single, no proression. Domingo Roderiguez, Havana, aged 90, single, cigar maker. Louis Rebol, Trinidad, aged 19, single, commerce. Arthur Revera, Porto Rico, aged 20, single, ma- chinst, * Carlos Marin, Havana, aged 2, single, student. Raman R. D, Armas, Puerto Principe, aged 22, single, commerce. Manuel Monases, Philadeiphia, aged 25, single, surgeon, dentist, Philip Metzler, Charleston, U. 8., aged 22, single, cigar maker, Phillips Abeccsler, Charleston, U. 8., aged 22, single, cigar maker. Wiliam Curtis, Jamaica, aged 22, single, amith, Samuel Hale, Jamaica, aged 15, single, no occu- pation. Samuel Gray, Haraisburg, Pa., aged 31, single, carpenter. Sidney Robinaon, Jamaica, aged 20, single, sad- dler. George Winters, Jamaica, aged 17, single, shoe- maker. William Marshall, Jamaica, aged 13, single, ap- prentice. Evan Pinto, Jamaica, aged 15, single, cigar maker. George Burke, Jamaica, aged 13, single, appren- tice, painter. Cm_ Gonzales, Matanzas, aged 22, single, cigar maker. Leopold Rizo, Havana, aged 25, single, lawyer. José Rudesinelo, Baranguelo, aged 35, single, cook THE ATTORNEY GENERAL ON THE VIRGINIUS. tin- The Vessel Had No Right to Carry the American Flag—Spain Had No Right to Capture the Vessel on the High Seas, WASHINGTON, Dec. 22, 1873. The following is the opinion of Attorney General Williams in the Virginius case :— DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, WASHINGTON, Dec, 17, 1873, Hon. Hami.ton Fish, Secretary of State :— Sinr—I have the honor to acknowledge the re- ceipt of your letter of the 11th inst,, submitting to me 4 large number of documents and depositions, and asking for my opinion as to whether or not the Virginius, at the time of her capture by the Span- ish man-of-war Tornado, was entitied to carry the flag of the United ema and whether or not she was carrying {it unlawfully and without mght at that time. The questions arise‘under the protocol of the 29th ult., between the Spanish Minister and the Secretary of State, in which, among other things, it is agreed that on the 25th inst, Spain shall salute the of the United States. But itis further provided that if Spain shoud prove, to the satisfaction of the United States, that the Virgining was not entitied to carry the flag of the United States, and was carry- ing it at the time of the capture without right ana impropeely, the salute will be spontaneously dis- pen with, As, in such case, not being necessarily requirable, but'the United States will expect in such case a disciaimer of the intent of indignity to ite flag in the act which was committed. Section 1 of the act of December 31, 1792, provides that ships or vessels tered pursuant to such act id other, except such as shall be duly q cording to law, for ing on the coasting trade, and denominated, or deemed ships or vessels of e United States shall be entitled to the benefit \d privileges appertaining to such ships, Section 4ot the same act provides for an oath by which, among other things, to obtain the registry of a vessel, the owner is required to swear that there is not a subject or citizen of any foreign prince or State, directly or indirectly, by way of trust, confl- dence, or otherwise, interested in such ahip or ves- sel, Or in the profits or issues thereof. Obviously, therefore, no vessel in which a foreigner, directly or indirectly interested, is entitled to United States registry, and if one is obtained by false Oath as to that point, and the tact 1s that the vessel is owned, or partly owned, by foreign. ers, she cannot be deemed 4 vessel of the United States, or entitied to the benefits or privileges appertaming to such vessels. The Virginius was registered in New York on the 26th of September, 1870, in the name of Patterson, who made oath as required by law, but the depositions submitted abundantly show that in fact Patterson was not the owner at that time, but that the vessel was the property of certain Cuban citizens in New York, who furnished the necessary /unds for ner purchase. J, BE, Shepherd, who commanded said vessel when abe York with @ certificate of her regia Ee Moe NEE IRIE ME ee name of Patterson, testified posi that he entered into an ment to comman said Vessel at an interview between Quesada, Mora, Patterson and others, at which it was dis- tnctly understood that the Virginius belon; to . Mora and other Cubans, and that said jora exhibited to him receipts fer the purchase money ard for the repairs and feng od Q sald steamer, and explained to him how id funds were among the Cubans in New York. Adoipho De Varona, who was the Secretary of the Cuban Mission in New York at the time the Virginius was purchased, and afterwards sailed in her 8 Quesada’s Chief of Staff, testifles tnat he was acgiainted with all the details of the transactions, and knows that the Virginius was ae with the funds of the Cubans, and with be understanding and arrangement that Patter- son id appear as the nominal owner, because foreigners could not obtain a United States vegis- ter jor the vessel. Francis Bowen, Charles Smith, Kawara Greenwood, John McCann, Matthew Murphy, Ambrose Lehi Ps Thomas Gallagher, John Furlong, Thomas Anderson and George W. Miller, WoO were employed upon the Virginius in various capacities alter she was registered in the name Of Patterson, testify clearly to the effect that they were informed and understood while they were upon the vessel that she beonged to Quesada ana the Cubans represented by him, and that he navigated, confrolied and treated such vessel in all respects as though it was his property. Noth- img appears to weaken the force of bis testimony, though the witnesses were generally subjected to cross-eXamination ; but, on the contrary, all the cir- cumstances of the case tend to ita corroboration, With the oath tor registry the statute requires a bond to be given, signed by the owner, captain and one or more sureties, but there were no sure- ties upon the bond given by Patterson and Shep- herd, Pains have been taken to ascertain if there was any insurance upon the vessel; but nothing of the kind has been found, and Quesada, Varona and the other Cubans who passage upon the Vi ius, instead of going on board at the whar! in the nsual way, went on board off a tug after the vessel had left the harbor of New York, I cannot do otherwise than to hold upon this evidence that Patterson’s oath was false, and that the register obtained in his name was a fraud upon tké navigation laws of the United States, Assuming the question to be what appears to con- form to the intent of the protocol, whether or not the Virginius at the time of her capture had a right, a6 against the United States, to carry the American flag, | am of the opinion that she had no such right, cause she had not been registered according to law; but I am also of the opinion that she was as much exempt from interference on the high seas by another Power on that ground as though she had been lawfully registered. Spain no douvt has a right to Cay @ vessel with an American register and carrying the American flag, jound in her own waters, assisting or endeavoring to assist the in- gurrection in Cuba; but she has no right to cap- ture such & vessel on the high seas upon an appre- henaion that, in violation of the neutrality or nav- igation laws of the United States, she was on her way to assist the said rebellion. Spain may defend her territory and people irom the hostile attack of what is or appears to be an American vessel; but she has no jurisdiction whatever over the question as to whether or not snch vessel is on the high seas in violation of any Jaw of the United States, Spain cannot rightfully Taise that question as to the Virginius; but the United States may, and, as I understand the proto- col, they have agreed to do it; and, governed by that agreement, and without admitting that Spain would otherwise have any interest in the ques- tion, I decide that the Virginius at the time of her capture was without right and improperly carried the American flag. Very respectiully, GEORGE H. WILLIAMS, Attorney General. NEWS FROM HAVANA. Cuba Press Reports of American Repu- diation of the Virginius. Havana, Dec. 22, 1873, The Diaro, announcing that the government at Washington has recognized that the Virginius was Not entitled to carry the American flag, says:— After this acknowledgment not the slightest doubt ought to remain that the Virginius was a legal prize, and that her crew were pirates whom the Spanish Courts justly treated as such, and that the demands of the Unitea States were unjust and unfounded. We now expect that the United States will give the reparation due to Spain, and hope also that Spain will present other claims against the United States. THE VIRGINIUS NEWS IN JA- MAICA, Citizen Opinion of the Spanish Massacre and Its Consequences—Colonial In- terests in the Cuba Question—Immigra. tion from the Hispano-Antilles to the Protection of Victoria’s Flag. Kinaston, Dec. 13, 1873. The event of note during the past few weeks, entirely casting ail others in the shade, has been the dapture of the Virginins, I know of no occur- rence: that has occasioned so much excitement, or in connection with which excitement has lasted 80 long. ‘There are several circumstances that combine this cause. First and foremost, Spanish rule, in con- sequence of being based upon slavery, is hateful to the people of this country; and, therefore, they earnestly desire to see the Cubans victorious— establishing either an independent republic or becoming @ State in the great Republic of the United States, This general unpopularity of the Spaniards underlies the intense feeling created vy the capture of the Virginius and the after news of the terrible atrocities committed on the passen- gers and crew by General Burriel; but added to this 1s the fact that among the murdered ones were several British subjects, and notably among them a few natives of this island, whose friends and connections have manifested such grief as to awaken general sympathy for them, as well as for the relatives of the leaders of the expedition, who were all well known here, especially Ryan and Verona, and had contracted many warm friend- ships among the leading citizens of King ston. OTTIZEN INFERENCES 48 TO CONSEQUENCES. On the horror which the event created subsiding there was one generally expressed conviction, that 1¢ was the best thing that could have occurred for Cuba; for, say one and all, the United States gov- ernment and people are not going to submit bane A to the massacre of Americans under the very shadow of the Stars and Stripes. It is cer- tain now, from the pass to which affairs has been brought by the Spaniards, that if there be not actual war between Spain and the United States— im which case the ANNEXATION OF CUBA to the latter will be certain—at least the rights of belligerents to the Cubans will be concedea, in this state of ieeling the NEWS FROM THE UNITED STATES has been awaited with the utmost anxiety. A few days ago a telegram was received, or some one pretended that a telegram had been received, that war had been prociaumed, and excitement was wrought hy to very irenzy. Such a war would be at popular in Jamaica as it could possibly be in the United States, ’ AGRICULTURIST SPECULATION. ‘The penkeepers and graziers on the south side, fuliy expecting @ war, will not send their fine cattle to market, but are holding on, in the belief that the United States feet will provision in this port, and that high prices will be obtained. The peasantry are doing the same in regard to poultry and smail stock. EXPATRIATION FROM CUBA is again actively going on. A short time since a vessel arrived at the north side of this island with, as you have heard, nearly 300 destitute Cubans, chiefly women and children. It appears that they are residents of Manzanillo, and, suspected of be- ing American sympathizers, they werezarrested, and aiter having been kept in prison for several days, they were snipped off to Jamaica. Tne French steamer Desirade, which arrived yes- terday from Satitiago, brougut upwards of 200 more. As I have tl) observed, the excitement which the expectation of war with Cuba has ex- cted, has vbhrown all other matters in the shade, CUBAN MATTERS IN THE CITY. News from Cuba Libre—Miguel Aldama Appointed General Agent in Foreign Lands—Sketch of the New Representa- tive-—General Quesada Retires—The Virginius Capture in Caracas. The steamer Atlas, from Kingston, Jamaica, which arrived here yesterday, brougut important information from Cuba Libre to the headquarters of Los Amigos de Cuba in this city, The reported deposition of Carlos Manuel Cespedes as President of the Republic, and the substitution of Sefor Cisneros, Marquis of Santa Lucia, is confirmed; and among the first oficial acts of the new President eomes an entire change in the repre- sentatives abroad. By oficial letters received, Sefior Don Miguel Aldama is made general agent of the government in foreign lands, with very exten- sive powers, being authorized to nominate agen ts in the service of the Republic, negotiate ioans, and perform such other acts as the interests of the Cuban cause may require. It is authoritatively stated that Sefior J, M. Mestre bas been tendered the position of diplo- Matic agent in the United States by President Cis- neros and that he has declined the mission, B NEW REPRESENTATIVE formerly held a similar position in 1869, though With less extended faculties. Prior to the inavr. residence, covering the entire side of the square fronting the Campo de Marte, is pointed out to visitors a8 among the objects of interest in the city. Belore the breaking out of the insurrection he was the owner of very extensive and magnifi- cent plantations in the vicinity of Matanzas and other portions of the island, and was regarded as one of the most wealthy citizens in Cuba, Though sympathizing with the insurrection, he remained some time in Havana alter the outbreak of Yara, and was one of the Cubans to whom General Dulce on bis arrival, in January, 1869, applied with a view of bringing abont @ reconciliation. The Spanish residents of the city, who had been organ- ized as “the volunteers” by Dulce’s predecessor, Lersundi, were very bitterly opposed to THIS CONCILIATORY POLICY of their new Captain General, and in manifestation of this feeling made an attack on Sefor Aldama’s house in the night time, breaking the doors and destroying a large tion of the furniture, pictures and articles of virtu of great value con- tained in the rooms, The family #as fortunately absent from the city. On the following morning General Duice issued a proclamation severely cen- suring &the action of the rioters, But it soon began to be understood that he was incapable of restraining the fury of the debauched Spaniards, and Sefior Aldama was furnished with @ passport to the United States. Here he very soon devoted himself to the cause of free Cuba and his immense roperties in the island were as soon embargoed yy the government. Like many of the wealthy Cubans, however, he had made large investments in the United States before the insurrection, and 80 Was enabled to serve effectively the cause ne had espoused. Seflor Aldama is the candidate of the association known as the Amigos de Cuba, which henceforward will represent the adminis- tration in Cuba, to which, under Cespedes, it has not been altogether friendly, By this action of the new government General ueseda is, of course, relieved of his representa- tive character, as is Sefior Carlos Castillo, his as- sociate. REPORTS FROM THE INSURRECTION Tepresent that the patriotic cause is constantly {n- creasing in strength. The lettters, referring to the supplies, ask that heavier artillery be sent them, as the howitzers heretofore used in the guer- rila warfare are not sufficient, now that the insur- gents are attacking the towns, FROM VENEZUELA. A letter received at the headquarters yesterday from Caracas states thatthe greatest excitement had been casued by the news of the capture of the Virginius and the massacre of her passengers and crew. The official Gazette of the 19th of November contains a telegram from Sefiors Bolet, Calcafio, Braza and Farela. prominent Cubans residing there, but temporarily in the interior. It 1s in an- swer to & despatch sent them, and is as follows:. Vicronta, Noy, 18, 1873. Sorrowful news. Upon the graves of those heroes we ‘will raise the temple of liberty, notwithstanding our in- dependence is sure. AID FOR THE VIRGINIUS PRISONERS. It is understood that a portion, if not ail, of the released Virginius prisoners will arrive in this Bore within a very few days. That they are in a estitute condition and without the necessary clothing to withstand the rigors of this climate is known, An effort is being made to raise funds to supply their wants, and the charitable are solicited to subscribe. Subscriptions will be received at the following places;—Mr. Carbonett, ‘Thirteenth street, corner of Fourth avenue; Dr. Galvez, No, 409 West Thirty-fourth street; N. Ponce de Leon, No. 243 West Thirty-ninth street; rooms of Amigos de Cuba, No. 62 Exehange place, and at No, 243 East Filty-eignth street, BROOKLYN NAVY YARD. Reinforcements Preparing for the Fleet in Cuban Waters at the Brooklyn Navy Yard—Officers of the Dictator and Minnesota—Monitors Catskill and Puri- tan—Recruits—1,500 Men on the Receiv- ing Ship Vermont. Affairs at the Navy Yard of this station remain unchanged, despite the termination of the war— on paper—and the surrender of the Virginius and the survivors of her passengers and crew. There isthe same activity manifested in each depart- ment, and the same number of men are borne on the payrolls of the government as during the height of the bellicose excitement upon the Span- ish-Cuban-American question two weeks ago. This may not mean anything more than a wholesome determination on the part of the government to put the navy in proper condition for unseen emergencies which may arise, so that for the fature we will be in condition to demand full and immediate reparation for wrong doing on the part of Spain or any other nation, and not be caught in the lamentable state of naval inefMficiency which the Virginius outrage found Uncle Sam in. In order to promote this latter end further appro- priations will have to be made by the federal Legislature, even though it rend the econoniical heart strings of the Congressmen and Senators of the Great Northwestern Empire. It is sald by many officers that the department intends sending every available ship in the navy, with the utmost despatch, to Cuban waters, in order to make a Tespectavle appearance before the eyes of the navies of Great Britain and Spain, so that we may not be so thorougi despised as a Power on the seas. Whether our venerable wooden ships, and a few unseaworthy monitors will be able vo lend us a favorable im- pression in the eyes of the naval commanders of the more advanced European Powers is an open and doubt/ul question. e fleet at Key West will shortly be reinforced from this station by the moni- tor Dictator, the trigate Minnesota and the Florida. The work of preparing these vessels has never flagged. Night and day, Sunday not excepted, tue hum of labor bas resounded on these engines of war. The total jorce employed at tne Brooklyn Navy Yard is 3,100, Besides this number there are 500 en working on vee! in the yard under coi tract with Roche’s, the Delamater and Quintard’s iron works. The contractors pay their own men and then send in the bills for the labor, their time being kept in the yard. We are indebted to the courtesy of Mr. Yardley, Secretary of Vice Admiral Rowan, for the following list of officers reported for duty on the Dictator :— Com ‘—James B. Jouett. Lieutenant Commander—B. P, Lamberton. Tieutenanis—J. E. Eaton, C. H. Stockton. Master—H. T. Monahan. Engineers—First Assistants, Edward Olsen R. I. Bennett; Second Assistant, A. B. Bates, Surgeon—A. 8, Oberley. —M. P. Cushing. The following oMcers have reported for the Minnesota :— Captain—Stephen B. Luce. Lieutenant Commanders—N. B. Robeson, ecutive oilicer; G, F, Wilde, navigator. Lieutenai . P. Gilmore, R. M. Berry. Masters—H. W. Shaffer, J. M. Hawley. Ensigns—M. C. Dimmock, C. F, Emerick, Midshipman—A. A. Mitchelson, Medicai ‘-—Jacob S. Dungan. Acting Assistant Surgeon—W. W. Meyers. Paymaster—J. Adam Smith. Captain of Marines—James Forney. Second Lteutenant of Marines—H. U. Fisher. Chaplain—James J. Kane. Boatswain —Ansel Keen. @unner—John Gaskins, Carpenter—S. M. Whitehouse. Acting Satimaker—A. W. Stevens. The Dictator has been on the dry dock at the Erie Basin, Red Hook Point, for the past week. She has had her bottom cleaned and the barnacles which were @ oot long, have been detachea, She is now receiving a cont ‘Of paint, and will be at the yard on ursday and into commission on Saturday. Her officers are happy because ol the delay, which enables them to pass Christmas at their homes. The irigate Minuesota will take her battery and stores on board tnis week, 80 that she will be ready for commission on Monday or Tuesday next. ‘The Florida will be ready tor her officers about the 1st of January. Her rigging is nearly ail set up. The Roanoke 18 pushed jorward steadily, and will go into commission the second week of January, about the same time as the frigate Ten- nessee, Captain Semmes, The monitor Catskill, @ war worn vessel, which stood the brunt of many a shower of shot and shell under the guns of Fort Sumter, during the war, leit. Philadelphia yesterday, in tow of a tugboat, for New York. bbe will be taken to the Brooklyn Navy Yard for repairs, and 1s in charge of Boat- swain Briscoe. Her turrets and sides bear evidence of the severe biows she has sustained without serious injury., The monitof Puritan, 2 guns, 1,870 tons, which has been laid up im ordinary at League Isiand, Pa., since she was built, is to be taken to Chester, and there to be casemated. When this work is com- pieted it 1s estimated that she will carry 20 guns, and prove the strongest iron ship in the navy. The work of raising the coal from the gunken barge Upland, in front of the dry dock the Brooklyn Yard, is rogressing slowly—very slowly—in the minds of the Spaniaras of the Ara- piles, who are very impatient to get away. It will bat @ week longer at least % raise the barge, court martial convened yesterday at the house near the main entrance to the yard, to try the charge of intoxication preferred against Gunner Peters, of the Vermont. Commander Ralph Chandler presiaed in the court. Surgeon Tryon was yesterday relieved from duty at ane Marine Rendezvous and placed on “waiting orders. On Saturday a draft of 22men arrived at this station irom the Chicago rendezvous; 47 from Erie, Pa,; 48 from New Orleans, and yesterday 109 gail- ors arrived trom Key West, Fla. There are 1,500 men now on board the receiving ship Vermont, waiting transfer to se ing vessels. Passes are issued throygh Mr. Hipple, in Captain Chand- ler’s office, at the Lycewn, to respectable people who desire to gratify their curiosity by visiting the yara, any oaks but the regular days for those who wish to see their friends on the receiving ship are Tuesdays and Fridays, JUDGE PECKBAM’S SUCCESSOR, ALBANY, N, Y., Dec, 22, 1873, Tt is Ninderstood that Governor Dix will appoint @ sucéessor to the late Judge Peckham alter Christ- may and ex- ee Meeting of the Commissioners Y. day—$3,294,698 Expended on the Worlg and $6,092,516 Required to Completa the Undertaking. There was a meeting of the Commissioners of the Bridge Company held yesterday at the office in Water street, Brooklyn. “The by-laws were amended, reducing the Finance Committee five to three members. Comptrollers Schroeder’ and Green and Commissioner HB, H, Wheeler were elected as the committee. The Executive mittee submitted the subjoined report concern the cost of construction of the bridge :— The Execative Committee have caused a detail statement of the cost of the bridge entire, including bot the land and structure, to be made in pursuance of th resolution of the Board at its last meeting. They requested the engineer to revise and re-exami the previous estimate of the expense of the structures, and in accordance with the actual expenditure to th Present time, This he has done, and the result is hei with submitied, from which it will appear that there hy been spent upon the two towers and Brooklyn anchors clusive of the cost of land and materials and ma chihery on hand, $3,294,698, and that there will be re-, quired” to complete ‘the bridge itself, according to. the 1teins of this report, the further sam of $6,092,516, malin; the total cost ot the structure $9,387,214. The committee directed an estumate of THE LANDS REQUIRED tobe made py the Engineer's Department upon the fol» lowing basis — irt—A nap of all the lands and buildings lying witht the lines of the bridge, aswell as those. lying under ther superstructure, though not occupied, as well a8 thosel setually used for the foundation of the towers, anchors “i re ages, piers and approaches was made, showing each in dividual’s property, with the parts of such lots, outside of those | as might tor the interest of all parties cels was made from the Assessors’ books of New York and! Brooklyn, according to the assessments of 1878; an when only @ part of a lot was taken a valaation w: placed upon {it which beuss the same proportion to th valuation of the whole lot that‘the area of the lai taken bears to the area of the whole lot. {\ Third—The actual value,Was then arrived at by taking | twice and a hait the asse‘ed value of the land required) in New York and at twice 1(g assessed value in Brooklyn, The estimate has been taken by the department upot this basis, and the following is the result:— The assessed value of all the land required within the, lines of the bridge, and under it, including parts ot lo ide those liues which it may be expedient to take, is, ew York. $2,401,9 Brooklyn. Total of land to be taken... Land already taken has cost. e. ‘n abstract of the valuations ofeach of said 3 Total cost of land taken and to be taken Is. Total cost of structure, as above. Total cost of bridge. “ From this amount, however, there is @ large gam to credited to the bridge for land lying under the brid and capable of utilization between the river on each and points where the bridge leaves a clear space of feet between its under side and the ground; the cost this land amounts to $2,750,416, it 60 per cent of its co can be realized tor the limited purposes only for whic! it would be the policy of the company to lease it at, a seven per cent upon ‘ity reduced yalue, a aunual ‘in. come of $115,000 would be received, or it sold there woul be a deduction of $1,644,260 from the total cost above iven, leaving the net cost of the whele work $11,500q 15 67. Respectfully submitted. The report was reeeived and the meeting ada Journed. THE CATHOLIC UNION. Large Meeting Last Evening—Addresg by Richard O’Gorman. ij In St. Francis Xavier's College Hall last eventn, was held the quarterly meeting of the Catholic Union Circie of New York. There were present at least 600 members of this union, which is ever, day assuming larger proportions. On the platfori were seated several of the Catholic clergy of city, among them Rev. Gabriel A. Healy, of Sts Bernard’s; Rev. James Farrell, of St. Peter’s; Reva Pere Ronay, President of St. Louis College; Revd Father Daly, 8, J., and Rev. Maurice Ronayne, 8. Jd Mr. Henry E, Anderson, president of the union, occupied the chair. After the reading of sever: reports relating to the financial condition of th union in the different parishes, and also a doc! . mentary report of the condition of the society i Ireland, Mr. Anderson introduced to the meeting, Mr. Richard O'Gorman, The gentleman was received with loud applause,~ and immediateiy commenced to address the assem-) thee in his well known flowing strains. He sai that he had come there at the solicitation o! the President, and felt honorea at the call for he came to meet old friends and the friends old triends—men of the Old Faith, In America, bi said, would be fought in the next 50 years ti battle of Christianiry inst infidelity, and it deq pended on men like those he saw betore him to organize in time for the benefit of their first love- their Mother Churci—the only representative 0 true Christianity at present existing and the only standard bearer of civil and’ Pree teed liberty. The speaker then described the condition of the diferent countries of Europe, and| said that at present Germany was living istic worse despotism than ever disgraced what is Calico the barbaric nations, The treatment of tne Catholics of Germany was only equalled by the state of the Irish people when living uncer the well known penal laws imposed on them intolerant Engiand. And 1+ was from Euro} the speaker contimued, that America took hen thougut; for asa rule tae Americans are not a thinking people; they would sooner attend their work and buy their thought every mornin for four cents. They are open to discussion, though, he said, and here, in America, will be the bautit ground. They mast fight it out good temperedly, and persistently, and when the great Americal people are once convinced that they are right the; Will tollow to the end witha bravery and inde pendence that no other people possess, For what (continued Mr, O'Gorman) can Protes. tantism do to stem the tide of infidelity now rash- ing on us from all quarters of Europe? It has nm organization, no centralization, no concentrates power. You might as well stem Niagara Fall with a dam of bullrushes. He exhorted his hears ers to stand firm in the fight that ts coming, an assured then that in every movement that tende to soread the faith he Was witu them heart an sou! THE BOARD OF ASSISTANT ALDERMEN. , The Strect Cleaning Mystery—Superi tendent Thorne Reports that “Jac Frost” Is the Offender for the Wor! Being Stopped in November. At the session of the Agsistaut Aldermen yester: day, Mr. Thornell offered @ resolution that thi Commissioner of Public Works be requested notify the gas companies that on and after lst January the city will not pay for any gas supplie: to lamps used by private corporations other ti churches, scheois and charitable institutions, i which was carried. The final passage of tne reso- lution will save the city about $30,000, The Police Department sent the following in response to a resolution of the Common Council, passed Decem~ ber 15, asking why the streets are not clean The public will be astonished to find that since th 15th of November there has been so much fros' . that the dirt could not be removed by Mr. Thorn The report reads :— Bureav ov Street CLEANING) + N Mort Stren, ‘ New, York, Dec. 18, 873, $ « To tax Hoxoraste Boarp oF PoLice’ COMMISSIONERS : GENTLKMEN—in reply to the resolution of the Board o Assistant Aldermen ot December 15, inquiring why th Bureau are not cleaning the ets the same as dur: the summer season, 1 would say :— ‘Our appropriation tor the year has been all expend owing to our having to do so much extra work dury the past winter removing snow, Which was not provid for in our estimate tor 1573; theretore, since Novembel 5, we have confined our fabors to the removal of ashi and garbage, which we are compelled to remove eve! day im order to keep the city in a passable condition and, during the most part of the time since November the weather has been such that we could not work vantage, the dirt pate frozen or so wet that tt coul be removed if gathered until within the past te: which opportunity we are improving by a genei ing, and, i the weather holds the same for three more, we will have the whole city in a very clean! dition for the winter, All of which is respec mitted. Yours respectfully, ‘THOMAS W. THORNE, Inspector Bureau of Street Cleaning. ) A resolution was adopted calling upon the Com; troller to state why he has not approved of ti contracts made by Commissioner public works. A resolution 48 adopted callin; upon Mr. Van Nort for a list of the contractors o! city work. eneral orders were A number of passed fot spring works looking to the employment of addis) tonal forces of men. The proposition to petitios the general government to spend $2,000,000 construct @ suip canal between the East and North, rivers via Spuyten Duyvil Creek was lost, Aldei man Simonson being the only advocate of scheme, " Messrs. Simonson and Thornell made an effort pass the general order authorizing the introd tion of @ patent to do away with horse power, which was opposed by Messrs. Theiss, Clancy an Kehoe, who were, however, disposed to permit thei to experiment on one of the roads for a month or The matter was relerred to,a special committee five for a report. THE WASHINGTON MARKET STANDS, un Saturday Superintendent E, B. Shafer, of the Bureau of Encumbrances, called upon the Mayor and asked that the occupants of stalls and on the streets in the neighborhood of Washin, Market be permitted to rematn in occupation unt aiter the holidays. The Mayor yielded @ read: eompliance, and yesterday Vommissioner Van Ni Seproved the suggestion, with the understan thaton the 1st of January the stands shall be ae summary action be taken to accomp! en A MURDER TRIAL POSTPONED. ALBANY, N. Y., Deo, 22, 1878, The case of Lowenstein, charged with the der of Weston, was called to-day ; bat owing to illness of Mr. Jonn M. Nelgon, one of the Jor the prisoner, it was put over lor ¢he term,