The New York Herald Newspaper, December 29, 1873, Page 3

NEW YORK HERALD, MONDAY, DECEMBER 29, 1873.-WITH SUPPLEMENT. voyage It was ascertained that the leak stiiex- | through the fissures in the deck came streaming isted and it was determined to touch at Caymites, where she was thoroughly overhauled. His object Jn going to Port Limon was to seek employment, The Virginius, to his knowledge, carried coal, pro- visions and passengers. He did not see any arms ‘Or ammunition on board thé@yessel. When he w captured, the Spanish ofticer who boarded the Vés- sel ordered the transier of wll persons on board to the steamer Tornado. All hands were placed in irons, Subsequently the irons were removed and the prisoners were tied. On’ the Sunday morning after the capture those not be- longing to the crew were sent ashore to the city jail. On the 3d of November, Ryan, Bembetta, Varona, Del Sol and Oespedes were placed in Jone cells, and on the following morning were taken outand shot. Onthe 7th of November 87 of the ship’s crew were conveyed from the Spanish gun- ‘boats in the harbor, and, alter spending some time in prison, were sent into the chapel to prepare for death. They remained there six hours and were ‘then marched to THE “SLAUGHTER HOUSE” and shot. They were Captain Fry, William Bal- Jard, James Flood, J. O. Harris, John N. Bosa, B. P. ‘Chambers, William Kose, Ignatio Ditenas, Antonio Deloyo, Joseph Manuel Lerrau, Ramon Larramendl, Euseblo Gariza, Edward Day, James Trujillo, Jack Williamson, Porfirio Corrison, P. Alaro, Tom Grigg, Frank Good, Paul Kraemer, Barney Herrald, James Samuel, Henry Frank, James Reid, Samuel Card, John Brown, Alfred Haisel, W. J. Price, George Thomas, E. Durshal, E. Walker Williams, Simon Brown, Leopold Ia Rosa, A. Aicy, John Stewart, Henry Bond and George Thompson. ‘ihe @ay following he (Gratz) was taken up toa room in the prison court, before three Spanish ofiicers, one of whom acted as interpreter, and was’ charged with being connected with the Cuban in- surgents. He denied the accusations. Immedi- ately succeeding bis trial twelve of the prisoners were sent to the chapel to make final preparations, and were then marched to the slaughter house and executed. Their names were Augustin Varona, Oscar Varona, J. Conseguera, Herminius Quesada, Francisco Porrespita, José Boitel, Salvador ran- edo Wiliam Valls, José Otero, Henry Castillana, A. Mola and Augustin Santa Resa. ‘The day on which Ryan, Ces- pedes, Del Sol and Bembetta (Varona) were taken out to be shot one of the prisoners im a cell became deranged, and when the ship’s crew leit the jail another man, named Sydney Atcheson, completely lost his mind. The shooting could be heard a great distance off. While in prison the Jailer used his Club freely, especially on the Eng- lish subjects. On the trial the Spanish ofilcials used every means in their power, both by BRIBERY AND THREATS, to induce the prisoners to admit that there were arms and ammunition on board the Virginius prior to the capture. Samuel Hall was offered $200 and his liberty if he would make such a statement, but he, as well as others, affirmed that there were no munitions of war on board. The treatment while in prison was horrible. The men were not aflorded any facilities for washing themselves for days to- ether, Gratz further states that he was twice sent to the dark cell under sen- tence of death under the supposition that the officials would induce him to criminate the others, At length, however, some of the prisoners became intimidated, ana, under promise of liberty, related the supposed objects the prisoners had in view, and alleged that the vessel carried arms and ammunition. He was sev- eral times informed that he was to be executed. After many entreaties he was sent to the hospital, and on the 16th inst., was, with all the others, re- Moved to the Morro Castle. On the night of the | 17th, that preceding the morning of the surrender of the prisoners to Commander Braine, of the Juniata, they were all informed that they were to be executed at daybreak. Gratz added that on the morning of the 9th of November trenches for the reception of thirty bodies were dug, but that owing to the arrival of the man-of-war Niobe the execu- tions did not take place. He changed his name out of anxiety for ‘his friends. He was formerly captain in the United States colored infantry. On the morning of the 8th the charitable societies, headed by the clergy of the city, proceeded to the Governor and implored him, in the name of Heaven, not to shed any more blood. be ANOTHER VERSION, In the course of conversation with Henry Ca- nales, who confirmed all said about the ship, some fresh and interesting facts were developed in con- nection with the trials of the prisoners captured on the now famous steamer. I give the facts as related to me. He sald he had been a clerk in New York, and resided at No. 224 Second avenue, He, too, leit on the 3d of October in the steamer Atlas, for Kingston, Jam., and, on arriving there, embarked on the Virginius for Port Limon. The vessel, he said, was in @ very bad condition, and she touched at several ports in Hayti for repairs, Prior to the capture of the Virginius the Tornado fired five shots at her, none of which hit the mark, The ship’s crew were detained on the gunboat in the harbor of Santiago, while those claim- “ng to be passengers were taken ashore to the jail. He was tried at three o'clock in ‘the morning—each person being brought singly be- fore the Court. He denied all connection with any expedition on behalf of the Cuban patriots, though he believed imformation had been furnished the authorities which led them to suspect him. He told them he was simply a passenger on board the Steamer. ‘Well,” continued Canales, ‘they then offered me my liberty if I would say that I saw arms and ammunition on boara. I told them that I might tell stories, but would not do so at the risk of other people’s lives. I was then asked whether I had paid my passage, and I told them I paid £3; also that the reason I had left Cuba for New York ‘was to better my condition and learn the langaage- In reply to the question as to what I was going to co in Port Limon, I told them I was gong there to work.” “Everything,” said one of “the Spanish officers im a rage, “that you now tell us is a lie, and you will be shot to-morrow morning, Remember, you have yet a little time if you want to save yourself.” Ireplied that I had told him the truth and that I could not tell a lle. He then asked me if there was any person who could identify me, and I told him Ricardo Trujillo could do go, which he did, 1 was twice recalled to the Court, where ‘ PROMISES /OF LIBERTY were made to me if Itonsented to state that there were arms and ammunition on buard, but I declined to do 80 8nd Was sent to the dark cell, At four o’clock on the morning of the 34 of December our arms were bound and we were marched at a quick pace from the City Jail to the Morro Castle, a distance of six miles. We were, in all, 92men and boys, the remainder being confined to the hospital. On arriving at the Castle we were all thrust into one room, about 2 yards long and four or five wide. We Concluded that we were to be executed, and accordingly awaited our fate. At midnight the jailer came to us and told us to prepare to descend to the water. We were then ordered on under a heavy guard, all hands being tightly bound, and marched down the heights to the water's edge and transferred to the Spanish gunboat Bazan, which lay under the guns of the Castle. Not a word was spoken, The steamer then put out to sea, bound, as we were informed, for Havana, where the volunteers were to make short work of us. Nothing occurred on the pas- sage except that we were repeatedly informed of Our approaching fate. Two days later the steamer stopped at Cienfuegos. We remained there about 24 hours, when, as I thought, a bearer of despatches arrived from Havana, and the Bazan immediately headed for Santiago de Cuba, ON THE Rocks, ‘This was in the evening, and on the following morning she struck twice on the rocks—the second time the vessel could not be got off. In this con- dition we remained for two days still tiea up, On the evening of the second day the mail steamer Cienfuegos hove in sight, and dropping alongside the Bazan we are taken off, Meanwhile our arms had swollen and we became perfectly helpless. On the mail steamer were Governor Burriel and the members of his stat A CHABNEL MOUSE AFLOAT. down additional dirt, making the pest hole, which was already reeking with nauseating Yapor, almost unendurable. But this was not the worst by any means. We were leit alone and deprived of every assistance, being powerless to relleve our deplorable condition in ny shape or form. To add to our horrors, the ptain Ofthe steamer, t@ say nothing of the cowardly sentinels, tied repeatedly to taunt us, saying, “Now. you rebel dogs, see what the Ameri- can government will do for you,’? Several of the prisoners tainted. Few, ifany, ate the proffered food, and as the water was served us in the dirty buckets from which the mules had drunk, few were able to quench their parching thirst. Another day and I believe half the prisoners would have been dead, We arrived at Santiago on the night of the 11th and remained on board until the dawn of the following morning, when we were marched to the jail. Our treatment while being confined there was brutal in the extreme, ANOTHER TRAMP TO THE CASTLE. At dawn on the morning of the 15th we were again marched to the Morro Castle on a quick tramp. About a dozen of our comrades had just been removed from the hospital, and were posi- tively unable to crawl along. One of them ap- pealed to the Spanish Captain, begging him to pro- cure @ conveyance, but he refused, saying, “You must come, forI cannot leave you here.” Upon arriving at the Morro Castle we were all put into the same room as before towards noon, not having yet eaten a morsel of food, and the Governor of the Castle, confronting us, sald, “if any of you speak above a whisper you will be shot dead,” At two o’clock rice was served out to us, but many of the prisoners were 80 exhausted that they could not eat it, THE LAST TAUNT. On the night ofthe 17th, that prior to the sur- render, one of the officers in the Castle came to us and said, “Well, I may tell you that you are all to be shot in thé morning, so make the best of your lime.” We believed it, but we had now become so callous that we rather welcomed the announce- ment. On the following morning all doubts were removed, Canales offered to furnish me with the names of those whom he believed had given infor- mation to the authorities relative to the supposed object of the prisoners in embarking on the Vir~ ginius, which, however, | declined to take. STORY OF THE SURVIVING ENGINEER, Charles A. Knight, the first assistant, makes the following interesting statement:—I live in New York, On the 10th of October last I proceeded, in charge of my brother, to Jamaica, intending to go to Costa Rica, where I have some relations. I should mention, however, that before setting out for Jamaica the position of engineer on a sugar plantation near that place had been offered to me. Upon arriving there I found that the situation had already been filled. I loitered in Jamaica for elght days doing nothing, when Mr. Chamber- lain, the chief engineer of the Virginius, now de- ceased, introduced me to Captain Fry. Three days after that Captain Fry complained to me that the ongives of the steamer were in a bad condition and askea me to assist in the repairs if I had nothing to do. I cheer- fully consented, and when the repairs were completed a trial trip was made, but she was not found to work sufficiently well. I think she made about 13 knots (?) on the trial trip. Finding that she still leaked, further repairs were made. I was asked on three occasions tu juin the ship, and I at last consented, I signed articles on the 22d of Octo- ber before the American Consul’s clerk and Captain Fry. 1 was imiormed that the Virginius was bound for several ports in the Antilles, among them Port Limon. THE PASSENGERS. ‘We left Jamaica at four o’clock. Shortly before the Virginius leit the wharf 100 men (passengers) came on board. I was told they were workmen for the Costa Rica Railroad, and it was said we were bound for Port Limon, We steamed until the 26th, when we arrived at Jerremie, a little port | im Hayti. We lay there until the next day, when we started for Port-au-Prince, arriving there on the 28th. On the following day we proceeded to Caimito, anotuer Haytian port. The vessel was in a bad condition. She had six feet of water in her hold and three cracks in the port bow right through the plates. I was consulted about repairing the ship, and, with the help of J. ©. Harris, third mate, stopped the teak some- what. linformed the chief engineer that the en- gine required patching, and I believe he asked for @ certain length of time to repairit. We were in good order otherwise. The final repairs were made at Caimito, the leak being stopped with putty and hemp. THE TORNADO. We left Caimito on the afternoon of the 30th of October, and on the following day at two o’clock we saw a vessel lying about 10 miles off. She looked to be a sailing suip. At half-past three we saw she was proceeding under steam and heading towardgus. We pow knew for the first time that she was chasing us. I got orders to steam as fast as possible, but the vessel in pursuit gained on us rapidly. About six o’clock in the evening we com- menced to hold our own pretty well, but as we in- creased the speed of the engine the cracks in the bow were forced open, and she began to make water very quickly, although the pumps were kept going constantly. We were then making between eight and nine knots. The pursuing vessel con- tinued to gain on us, and shortly after ten o’clock the engine bell rung out “Stop.” While! was in the engine room I heard three shots fired, one of which, a shell, grazed the smokestack. THE CAPTURE. We then lay quietly for half an hour, when the chief engineer of the Spanish war vessel ‘Tornado, followed by a lot of firemen, came into the engine room and asked for the chief en- gineer of the Virginius, and, upon seeing him, said in English, “I want you to tell me, on your word of honor, whether your engine works all right.’’ Mr. Chamberlain, our chief engineer, then or- dered me to work the engine, to show him that it was, and I having done so, he was sat- isfled, He said there would be nothing done to us, I thonght he meant all the crew. I askea him why he thought so, and he repiied that we could remain on the steamer, and that by taking herinto port we would be helped in the matter. In the meantime I saw a boat come alongside. A Span- ish officer jumped on deck, but I could not hear what he said. I saw the American flag hauled down and the Spanish flag hoisted in its stead. All hands, except the engineers, were called aft. ‘They were tied and taken on board the Tornado. The chiet engineer of tne Tornado (an American), the chief engineer, first, second and third engl- neers, two oilers, Captain Fry anda iew others of the Virginius remained on board the Virgintus. ‘The firemen were all from the Tornado, We ar- rived at Santiago de Quba on the following even- ing. When we were captured there were four feet of water in the forward hold. THE TRIAL. The next morning we—engineers and oilera— were tightly bound and taken on board the Tor- nado. The crew of the Virginius were on the quarter deck and those claiming to be passengers on the main deck, all tied securely. Thus we re- mained the entire day while Captain Fry was being tried, During his examination | overheard him say that I knew nothing as to the movements of the steamer; that I wasin perfect ignorance concerning any expedition, the best proof being that I had allowed my brother to come along with me. The examination continued until it got to be pretty dark, and at seven o'clock I was called into the cabin where the trials were being held. The Court consisted of a fiscal, the Captain of the Tornado, and there were present several Spanish oMcers, They asked me if Iknew any of the passengers and I replied in the nega- tive, Itold them1 knew Mr. Chamberiain as the chief engineer, and the crew only by sight, That was all, Iwas then taken on board a ganboat called the Francesca de Borgia, and, together with 20 of the crew, Was put in irons, Previous to this they had taken all the passengers ashore, The Jscal, atter he takes the statement of a prisoner, ¢th, I was taken before the court marshal along with the doctor and Mr. Chamberlain, and we were asked if we had anything to say—al- though no charge had been preferred against us. Chamberlain said he had nothing to state. Net- ther did the doctor say anything, and I simply ob- served that J had nothing to aad to what I had already said. We were then removed. As an in- Stance of the cruelty practised on the prisoners white in jail Imay mention that ope night as the roll was callea a young iad, Edward Sdort, was not stafiding straight in line. The sentinel calle to him in Spanish, but not understanding the lan- guage, he was struck a severe blow in the pit of the stomach. I could relate other instances of ter- rible treatment while in prison and at the Morro Castle. We were repeatedly informed that we Were to be shot. RAN AWAY FROM HOME, Asurvey of the prisoners on board here would hardly inspire that pride and confidence infused into the breast of a commander after @ satisfactory Teview of nis troops. Many of them are mere boys, and very delicate looking at that. Among them is Edward Scott, a young lad not over 16 years old, Whose narrative is not devoid of interest in con- nection with this dramatic story. Scots is a hand- some youth #-) told bis story with much boyish candor and -odesty. He lived, he said, with his parents at Salem, N. J., his father being the superintendent of the gas works in that locality. Some time in September last he, with three other lads, made up their minds to go fortn and see the World, doubtless on the proverbial plan of all the other youths they had read of, and for that Purpose conspired to run away. Two of them “backed down” at the last moment, and s0 he, with his companion, set forth for the great city of New York, where they arrived on the 25th of Sep- temper last, After seeing a little of the ups and downs of metropolitan life Scott joined the steamer Atlas as lamp trimmer, which vessel, un- fortunately for him, sailea on the 4th of October for Kingston, Jamaica. Like all other runaway boys he became very sick on the passage, and, on ar- Tiving at Jamaica, was permitted to leave the ves- sel, While drifting about Kingston he found that the Virginius was the ‘talk of the town.” He saw the first mate, William Baynard, ashore, and asked him for employment, He was taken on board, and on being introduced to the steward, was employed in the pantry. He had now learned enough to know that the Virginius was in a bad condition, and his description oe CHASE 1s something to the following eflect:—I was lying 1m my bunk asleep when I was aroused by the firing of bombshells and the sound of many persons run- ning to and fro overhead. I jumped up, and, bur- rying on deck, saw a vessel chasing us, and all the time firing at us. At last the Virginius hove to and the Spaniards came on board. The first thing they did was to haul down the American flag and run up the Spanish flag. I can hardly remember anything more, for we were all tied up tightly and hurried off to the Spanish man-of-war. We could not move our arms, and I heard many GROANING WITH PAIN. We remained there in the same way all the next day, and after the Tornado arrived at Santiago we were taken to the Spanish gunboat Alarma—I think in all about 39 persons. Mr. Knight went round and took the names of the crew on the forecastle, The passengers were taken ashore while the crew were distributed to the different gunboats in the harbor, After we were taken to the Alarma we were all putin shackles, Mr. Harris was among the number, but he was taken away and shot. The gunboat was lying near the ‘slaughter house,” and [ could see the procession, with a band of music at the head, One day I was taken ashore and kept at the office of the commandant of the port from eight o’clock in the morning until dark. I did not get any breaklast that morniug. 1 was kept well guarded, and then they began to ques- tion me as to whether there were any arms, am- munition and horses on board the Virginius. I said I had not seen any arms, and that there were no horses. I told them that there were four pigs and a cow on the steamer. “Ah,” said the officer, “you have been well taught, but it will not work. You will see how this will end.” I was then taken back te the gunboat and was told that I was co be shot. After being two days on the Alarma I was taken to the Francesca de Borgia, and in the aiternoon I was asked if I had anything tosay in my defence, and replied that I had nothing atail In company with five others I was brought back to the Alarma. Three of them—Price, Haizel and Reld—were shot the next day. All the re- maining prisoners were then taken to the jail, which swarmed with vermin. We were not al- lowed to wash ourselves and we could hardly eat the food. Scott, having briefly described his sub- sequent privations both in the Morro Castle ana on the mail steamer Cienfuegos, concluded by ex- pressing his gratitude for his deliverance. HOW THE VIRGINIUS WAS PLUNDERED. Altogether, apart from the charges of atrocious eruelty preferred against the Spanish officials— and throughout their inhuman barbarity boldly proclaims itself—comes the plain, unvarnished ac- cusation of robbery, or, a8 the offence was committed on the sea—piracy, for which, as 18 generally known, many a ruMfan has suffered death. It would seem that the heinous and dis- graceful crimes laid atthe door of the Spanish naval officers and marines were pretty well sub- stantiated, and such being the case it is presumed that upon the facts being proved they will notonly be dismissed the service they have dishonored but receive the full penalty which the law imposes on robbers on the high sea. From the evidence of Ar- thur Rivera, a passenger on the Virginius, 23 years old, and born in Porto Rico, it appears that the first thing done on board that steamer by the cap- tors was to haui down the American flag with a curse, after which it was stamped and spat upon. They also designated it as a “dirty rag, because it covered pirates.” Rivera was one of the few left behind on the Virgimius, there being no more room on tne Tornado, and describes the scene that followed thus:—“There were about 10 of us left behind, all securely bound. After we got under weigh—it must have been near eleven o’clock—the Spanish officers and soldiers com- menced to ransack the ship. Of course you know that nobody was allowed to take anything from the ship when leaving for the Tornado, go that they left all behind. Well, the officers and marines first of all burst open all the trunks, boxes and bags, and rifled them of their contents, including money and jewelry. One of them then broke the lock of the purser’s stateroom, and, having robbed it, COMMENCED TO DRINK. ‘The soldiers or marines robbed one trunk con- taining £300 sterling. I saw them do it. They also took shirts, coats, pantaloons and other articles from the trunks. We nad already thrown overboard several barrels of beef, potatoes and cabbage to lighten the ship. When the Spanish officers boarded us they made one of the engineers run the engine at the peril of his life. While steaming towards Santiago we were repeatedly in- formed that we would be shot immediately on our arrival in port. During the passage the American flag was spread out near the wheel and very often the Spanish soldiers used to come and stamp upon it, and the officers saw them do it. About midnight those who had been tied on deck were sent down to the cabin, where Captain Fry was seated, and we were allowea to partake of some brandy, crackers and cheese. At eight o'clock on the morning after our arrival in Santiago wo were taken on board the Tornado; and there were also conveyed from the Virginius to that vessel barrels of beer and several boxes of cigars. On the same day, at three o'clock, they took us to the prison, ‘The voluntecrs sata they would shoot evory one of us. When I was taken into the court room the first question asked me was, ‘Do you know what you came here for?’ I answered, ‘that I supposed Icame to tell the truth.’ The fiscal then said, ‘And do you know that we have shot 41 persons, and we imtend to shoot you if you don’t answer our questions ?’ Having denied that there were any arms, ammunition and horses on board, and that I was going to join the insurgents, assigns two officers for the purpose of deience. But nobody ever spoke to me on the subject. The second day after being removed to the Borgia we Twas condemned to death. A few days after this I was caited before the Court and asked what I haa to sayin my defence, and, replying that I had @ privateer and carried arms and ammunition to the enemies of Spain were drawn out, and when & prisoner came into the court room they were read to bim, He was invariably requested to sign and promised liberty and money i! he did s0, In case of @ refusal the officers present generally threat- ened instant death, and, in order to make the threat the more forcible, the soldiers pointed their bayonets at the breast of the unfortunate prisoner, In some instances they were intimidated to such an exten{ shat they actually signed the papers, though they subsé quently recanted when brought face to face with the accused, Rivera also described the horrors of the prison life and the terrible treatment the vic- tums received at the hands of their persecutors. Waar 4 DENTIST KNEW ABOUT IT, It seems that the officials were bound to have admissions of a criminal character from the pris- oners at all hazards, Justice was never mocked so completely, for where the prisoners deelined to ad- mit the assertions of their accuser they were threatened with death, Manuel Manasses, who says he is @ surgeon denwist from Philadelphia, and who was among the number cap- tured on the Virginians, states that, on being taken into the court room, the Fiscal said to him, “Now, sir, you must state everything we wish; {f you do not, you will be shot.” “1,” said Manasses, ‘told him I would tell the truth.” “Oh, very well, sir,” replied the Fiscal, after which he upbraided and insulted him. He then asked bim if he knew Varona, and replying in the affirmative, inquired whether he did not know that he was an insurgent and an enemy of Spain. “I wld him,” said Manasses, “that 1 had read in the newspapers that Varona had given up that business long be- fore.” “How is it,” said the Fiscal, “that, born in Philadelphia, you speak Spanish so well? I sup- pose you all want to be American citizens now, but that will avail you nothing.” The prisoner was then sent back to his cell, with the consoling in- formation that he was to be shot in the morning. He said that the treatment while in ja‘l in the Morro Castle and on the steamer Cienfuegos ‘was unfit for the vilest dog, and that, although promises were made to improve matters after the visit of Commander Braine, nothing was done te ameliorate their condition. On the contrary, they were treated with greater harshness and cruelty than before, During tne march to the Morro Castle from the jail they were compelled to carry the sick on their shoulders, though scarcely able to walk themselves, DEATH BEFORE DISHONOR. We are next informed how the Spanish officers— volunteers probably—were afforded an oppor- tunity of testing the quality of their blades. In- talescio Trujillo relates that the number of Spanish soldiers who boarded the Virginius was about 35, and confirms the account previously given in refer- ence to the robberies perpetrated on board. He furnishes additional information, moreover, as to the manner in which the trials were held. With- out waiting for any statement he had to make, he was peremptorily ordered to sign a paper to the effect that the Virginius was a privateer, carrying arms and ammunition ; and declining to do so, two officers drew their swords, saying, “Sign it, or we will run you through,” He replied that they might kill him, but he would not tell a lie; whereupon he was informed that his name was recorded among those doomed to die, and he was accordingly re- moved to the dark cell preparatory to being sent to the chapeL Benjamin Olazabal was treated to @ blow in the face, and, of course, added to the death roll for similar reasons, Induce- ments were held out to Juan Marrero— life, liberty and money, if he would | annex his name to the all-important document; but refusing to do 80, he was thrust back with a blow. Domingo Diaz, formerly a storekeeper in Nassau street, went through the same operation and was pronounced a War by the judicial digni- tartes. Ricardo Trujillo had a simitar statement to make, and now we learn some additional facts in reference to the capture, trial and punishment of the prisoners, if, indeed, any are necessary to compete the sad history of Spanish brutality. A law student, named Leopold Rizo, from New Or- leans, was among the number of those on board, bound, as he says, for Port Limon. In relating the story of tne capture he describes the scene of the chase as one of great excitement, After the fifth shot had been fired trom the Tornado, Gen- eral Ryan came forward and said :— “DON’T HE AFRAID, BOYS, we are going to stop. We are passengers, and they cannot harm us. We have got nothing on board and we are going to see what the Spanish man-o!-war wants.” Then they stopped, and, as Rizo has it, the Spanish officer jumped on board, saying, “If you attempt to fire one shot we willsink the ship, with all on board.” “I,” continued Rizo, relating this part of the story, “I never believe in trusting a Spaniard with my life, and, apprehend- ing the fate in store for all of us, attemptea to throw myself into the water, bat was immediately seized by three soldiers, and their officer ordered me to be tied, at the same time directing them to shoot me on the spot should 1 make any effort to escape. I was among the few detained on board the Virginius, and about midnight I was asked to the cabin to partake of some supper with Captain Fry. Shortly after two o’clock the soldiers com- menced to break open the trunks. One box, con- taining a number of English sovereigns, they quick!y rifed. On my remonstrating with themI was told it was none of my damned business, They complesely gutted the ship of all valuables, Isabsequently saw one of the soldiers wearing my pantaloons. The next day I told an officer that I had lost my pantaloons, upon which he said, ‘You don’t need a watch and chain, for we are going to shoot you asa pirate.’ My trial took place on the day the crew were going to be shot. In reply to the questions put to me, 1 said I was born in Havana, but that I declined to make any declara- tion unless in presence of my Consul. They asked me to what Consul I referred, and I producea my papers as an American citizen, whereupon the fiscal observed, ‘You are nothing but a renegade dog.’ THE AMERICAN CONSUL. At this moment I was dragged to the window, and, seeing the crew passing into jail, an officer said to me, in a sneering tone, ‘Do you see these men? There's the captain of your ship. Now tell your Consul to come here and see what he can do forthem. He was here a little while ago and we turned him out.’ I said, ‘All right!’ and when asked whether there were any arms onthe Vir- ginius at the time of the capture I observed, ‘Well, if we had had arms on the Virginius we would have fought the Tornado.’ In response to the question as to whether we did not take arms and ammunition on board from a schooner at Port au Prince, 1 said that alll saw coming on board there were FOUR PIGS AND A COW, upon which I was sent back to the cell and subse- quently informed that I was condemned to death.” Rizo fully confirms the others as to the foul treat- oMctals of Santiago, the treatment snbsequent to his visit was no better than before, HOW THE FATAL DOCUMENT WAS SIGNED. While the majority of the prisoners steadfastly held out, notwithstanding all the inducements and threats brought to bear upon them in order that the charges of piracy might have some semblance of legality, @ fow of them, terror stricken and in- timidated to the last degree, did actually amx their names to the elaborately drawn ac- cusations, though scarcely knowing the con- tents of the documents. When, however, they were subsequently confronted with the prisoners whose lives they had placed in jeopardy, they bit- terly protested against the means employed to compel them to sign the papers. Almost paralyzed with fear—for the Spaniard is an adept in the art of threatening—they had unwittingly and without the slightest deliberation placed their comrades at the mercy of their unrelenting foes. Not more than 8 or 10 were thus frightened into the commis- sion of an act which they afterwards keenly re- pentea. One of them, whose name I withhold, makes the foliowing statement:—‘When I was taken before the Fiscal, 1 was asked to sign a document alleging that the Virginius was a pri- vateer; that she carried arms and ammunition to aid the insurgents, Life, liberty and money were offered to me, if I consented to put my name to the declaration, Ire:used and was sent to the dark cell. 1 was subsequently recalled and asked to sign the paper, the fiscal stating that it was the same as that which one of my comrades had already signed. I was threatened, in case of refusal, with instant death, and although I amxed my name to it I scarcely knew whatI did, When afterward brought face to face with the other prisoners, I emphatically denied all the allegations which the docament set forth, although I had already signed. The others who affixed ther names to the papers presented to them for signature confirm this statement in almost every particular. THE DECEASED. The foliowing information relative to the frends of the crew and passergers of! the Virginius shot &t Santiago de Cuba was derived trom the survi- | vors on board the United States steamer Juniata :— Pedro Cespedes, brother of the insurgent chief, was 50 years old, and leaves a wife and 12 children destitute in Jamaica, West Indies. Bernabe Varona was 28 years old, an agricultur- ist in Port-au-Prince, and leaves a mother in New York city. Antonio Mola, 17 years, was a clerk in New York | city. His parents reside in Cuba. Francisco Porrespita was a cigar maker in New York and had relatives in Cuba. José Boitel, 27 years old, was a cigar makerin New York city, His brother resides in that city. Augustin Varona, 27 years old, was a clerk in Puerto Plata. He leaves three sisters and a brother, Salvador Penedo, 24 years old, was a cigar maker in New York, where he leaves a father. Enrico Castillano, 28 years old, was an en- gineer. His father resides in Guines, Cuba. John W. Boza, 30 years old, was the doctor on board the Virginius. Hermineo Quesada, alias Louis Sanchez, 17 years old, was a bookkeeper in Kingston, Jam. and leaves @ mother and sister in New York. Jesus del Sol, 35 years old, leaves five children in New York city. Oscar Varona, an agriculturist in Puerto Prin- cipe. He leaves a sister there. William Valls, 25 years old, was a cigar merchant in New York, where he leaves a brother. General Ryan, it is said, had a large quantity of jewelry. He left a watch whicn the officials promised to forward to his relatives. Alonzo Arcy had $300 in his trunk. His family reside in Trinidad. P. Aljard was a young map of means from Ha- vana. W. J. Price belonged to the crew, and belonged | to Gloucester, England. Leopold la Rosa, alias Legree, was a tailor in Baltimore. Porfiro Corvison leaves @ mother in Nassau ina destitute condition. “Bembetta” Varona, whose trunk was robbed of several hundred dollars, leaves a mother and sister in New York city. Domingo Roderigo formerly did business in Nassau street, New York. Ramon Cavello formerly resided at the corner of First avenue and Fourteenth street, New York. José Santa Rosa, alias Francisco Rivera, leaves a family in New York city. José De Porrespita leaves his parents in Havana. CHRISTMAS PRESENTS. And now the narrative draws to @ close. Throughout the entire passage here the survivors displayed the utmost good will and decorum, and showed @ hearty appreciation of the good offices performed in their behalf. I cannot speak too highly of the admirable arrangements made by the Executive Officer for the disposition of the peopie with the limited accommodations at his command. Indeed, when they had properly settled down for the voyage, their presence did not in the slightest degree interfere with the general routine of the vessel. But the sufferings they had undergone | proved too much for some of them, so that the hu- mane and unceasing ministrations of the surgeon, whose wise and thoughtful pre- cautions had been so efficacious, were needed througnoat, and were happily rewarded with marked success. In pursuance of the orders issued by Commander Braine, nothing was spared that could in any way contribute to their comfort, On Christmas Day the sentiments of the grateful people ound expression in a brief but touching address to the commanding officer, and, through him, to Lteutenant De Long, Surgeon Walton, his assistant, Dr. Rogers, and the other officers of the Juniata. At noon of that glorious day we sighted @ schooner, some miles away, flying the flag of distress. The Juniata rapidly bore down upon her, and found she was the Edie Waters, 50 days from St. Helena, and bound for New Bedford, with whale oil, completely out of provisions, She was abundantly supplied, and the Juniata proceeded on her course, destined, however, on the following day to lay to for18 hours in the midst of a furious gule. Indeed, the weather during the latter part of the voyage was extremely unpleasant, and aggravated the diseases of which some of them complained. What disposi- tion will be made of them has not yet been determined upon, but they will doubtless be re- moved to the receiving ship at the Navy Yard to await orders from Washington. Under all the circumstances, I think the Juniata has performed the mission intrusted to ner with characteristic promptness. The following is a LIST OF OFFICERS OF THE JUNIATA, Commander—D. L. Braine. Executive Oficer—Lieutenant George W. De Long. JNavigator—Lieutenant G. Elmore lde. es A Chipp, B. P. McUiellan, Ensign—I. D. Keeler. Surgeon—T. ©. Walton; Assistant Surgeon, B. F. Rogers. ‘Passed Assistant Paymaster—Theodore S, Thomp- ment the prisoners received at the hands of their ‘oppressors, with the addition that scarcely a day passed without the jailer informed them that on the following morning they were to be taken out and shot like dogs. I cannot do better in this con- nection than to cite the case of Henry King, a na- tive of Chester, England. He was a machinist on the British steamer Caribbean, and on arriving at Aspinwall he was attacked by the yellow fever and sent to the hospita: at Kings- ton, Jam. When convalescent he went to the Sailors’ Home, from which he was shipped on board the Virginius as first oiler. He said he never heard of the Virginius before the day he joined her, and although he produced his discharge irom the Caribbean at his trial, he was, neverthe- Jess, subsfected to all the sufferings and privations endured by the others. He believes he would have been shot but for the timely arrival of the men-of- war. CORROBORATIVE TESTIMONY. Every one of the survivors on board the Juniata made @ statement endorsing all that has already been set forth in reference to the capture of th Virginius and the subsequent crueltie;, p¥keting on them while confined in prison. | gniiin Stier who was among the DM ane® gonesaned pi hens or. A shaded ser of the plague thrust in the maak 9B son. Engineers—Chief, R. B. Nones ; First Assistant, J. J, Barry. Commander's Seoretary—Gerald McKenns. Pay Clerk—-H, C. Wood. Boatswain—P. Huckins. @unner—M. K, Henderson. Carpenter—Garrett Van Mater. Saiimaker—L. L. Martin. The Survivoss at Home. x! ER JUNIATA, THIRD RATE, UNITED STATES STEAM! eo as, ste ‘ To THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES oF America, Washington, D. 0. :— We, the undersigned, who are the sutVivors of the crew and passengers of the Ameri¢y,n steamer Virginius, captured by the Spanish man-of-war Torsado, and who have been, imprisoned in San- tiago de Cuba and elsewhere by the Spanish au- thorities, and some of «a having been condemned to be shot to death, peg to extend to Your Excel- lency our mov, heartfelt and grateful thanks for the ene” gotia taken by your- sell, as ‘ of the governmont of the onltead States, for our timely rescue and delivery from death, or what was almost equiv glent, sentence to the chain ABA or a Spanish rison. For this ne aid. Mg wi eat or anving, many of out Lven—Wé, many me ¥ Excell scribers, will always tg bag enoy., Tha | Mediterranean coast, | to the various widely prior to and after our release, will always be hela the grate!nl remembrance of us all, Signed by Simon Gratz and 101 others, The Juniata at the Navy Yard. About half-past three o’clook yesterday after- noon the Juniata weighed anchor from the Quar- antine anchorage and steamed up to the Battery, where she remained for an hour or two, and then in company with the .United States tugboat Catalpa proceeded to the mreoKire. Navy Yard and Was made fast to the Swungeg uoy Of the Cob Dock, where she now les. It is expected that the surrendered prisoners will be put on board the receiving ship Vermont to-day and that they wil! probably be discharged to-morrow. THE UNITED STATES NAVY. Movements of the Mediterranean Fleet— Cur Fiag in the Harbor of Ville- franche—Marriage on Board and = Fine Fete im Honor of the Happy Pair—French Republican Compliment to an American Officer—The Command of the Shenandoah, {Nice (Noy. 29) correspondence of the Swiss Times of Geneva.) NIcE, Nov. 29, 1873. ‘Tne small, quaint town of Villefranche is situated two miles east of Nice, 1t was built centuries ago, nd has not increased or diminished in population or number of dwellings within the recollection of the oldest inhabitant, Butlt on the side of a moun- tain, 1t overlooks one of the finest harbors on the Owing to its proximity to Nice it has been the favorite winter resort of the American squadron. This year, however, the threatening aspect of atuirs vetween the United, States and Spain will prevent a prolonged stay of our squadron in this fine harbor. The frigate Wabash, fying the Admiral’s flag, sailed last Sunday for the West Indies, and the corvette Shenandoah, which arrivedon the 24th, sails December 4, MARRIAGE CEREMONIAL AND 4 FINE FETE, The event of the week has been the marriage of the beantifal daughter of Captain Wells, Com- mander of the Shenandoah, to Lieutenant Reeder, of the United States Navy, and at present attached to the Shenandoah. The eeremony was performed on board of the vessel this morning at eleven o’clock, by the Rev. Dr. McVickar, of the American church, The vessel was tastefully decorated with the | flags of all nations. The bride and bridegroom stood under an elegant canopy, ornamented with. @ number of American flags, Alter the ceremony. a salute of thirteen guns was fired for the Prefect of Nice, the Marguis of Vilieneuve, and the band entertained the company with some fine music. The bride was presented by her many friends with ; @ number of useful and handsome presents. Among them was an elegant set of jewelry, presented by the wardroom officers of the United States steamer Shenandoah. The haSpy party leit the same day for Parts, Licutenant Reeder having been kindly ranted a leave of absence by Rear Admiral A. udlow Case pr@yious to hig departure {rom Ville- franche in the Wabash, REPUBLICAN HONOR TQ AN AMERICAN OFPICER. One of the pleasantest features of the occasion, however, Was the presentation to Captain Wells of the Cross of the Legion of Honor by the Prefect, in the name of President Thiers, representing the Republic of France. The honor was conferred om Captain Wells a year ago, but ow! to his absence from French ports this was the first opportunity given of presenting it. Captain Welis,*in reply to, the complimentary speech of the Prefect, said that! he felt highly honored in receiving the decoration ; but he would not be able to accept it until he could receive permission from bis government, It is* needleas to say the honor will be accepted by the government, while all who know Captain Wells will agree that it could not be conferred on a bet- ter represenvative of a true American, The following isa LIST OF THE OFFICERS attached to the Shenandoah :— Captain—C, H. Wells, commanding. Comma Lieutenant inder—Charles McGregor, executive oficer. Lieutenant Commander—R. D. Evans, navigator. Lieutenants—Wallace Graham, 0. W. Faurenholt, E. W. Very, William H. Reeder. Masters—C. A. Adams, J. H. C, Coffin. Midshipmen—A, A. Crandall, J. Cephas Cresap, sas Bet igs Smith; Second Assistant, C. R. Roalker. Paymaster—Dominick B. Batione. pecans 2 Woolverton; Assistant, T. C. ey). Marine Corps—Second Lieutenant, B, R, Russells Paymaster’ Clerk—A. K. Baylor. Captain's ‘k—H. W. Wells. Acting Boatswain—Edward Hughes. Gunner—Andrew Harman. Carpenter—R. A. Williams. Saiimaker—T. B. White. SIR BARTLE FRERE ON THE INDIAN FAMINE. {From the Pall Mall Gazette.) In the course of an address on the apprehended famine in Bengal recently, at the Society of Arcs, Sir Bartie Frere observed that a main topic of inquiry in connection with the subject was, Why was death from want of food so much more ire- quent in India than in England ? We knew that even in our own country death from starvation was not actuaky unknown. It occurred in London, but in single cases. In India deaths by starvation came by the thousand, and by the nuilion when a season of wantsetin. By & comparison of the immunity of this country from anything like starvation with the sad state of affuirs we have had so often in Inaia, conciusions: of good practical value would be arrived at; but for ap explanation of this phenomenon no single cause had been yet definitely assigned. Among the causes of vs immunity from similar visitations of general distress were her superior agriculture, her power to import foreign grain, aud her superior social and administrative organi- gation. The t difficulties which Bengal had to it in an emergency like the present were what was Known as her oeeennent settle- ment,” her want of administrative maciunery and her system of caste. Tuere was no nataral or in- herent incapacity in India to prevent its being rotected from famine as completely as England, Be ‘the vastness of the country and the conse- uently immense organization necessary. The dif- culties of communication and the transfer of 1ood separated districts and those diMcuities connected with the caste system were the greatest obstacles to be overcome; but, serious and enormous as they undoubtedly were, he did not see why they could not be overcome. He now came to the measures which should be taken to mitigate the evils of fs First of all the danger must be realized. They must get rid of the mistaken notion that the Secretary o! State, and those in this country by whom he was assisted, were the governors of India. No doubt, Parlia- ment and the Secretary of State exercised a superior power, but the real work was done by the Governor General of India with those under him, and to these should be entrusted the work ol deal- ing witn the famine, To realize the danger, to some extent, they should call to mind the famine in Ireland—in a country where there was good railway or water communication—and the suifere ings it brought about, and compare it to a country about five times larger, as Bengal was, with noth- ing like a proper means of commuDication or the saine powers of organization, and imagine to them. selves what had to be contended aguinst. To deai with vhis hereulean task he did not know that there could be two better men than the resent Viceroy of India and the present Preutenant Governor of Bengal, but these gen- tlemen would powerless without very great support from home, War must be at once ‘declared against the famine, and ali tha necessary steps taken to prosecute that war with energy and skilL ‘The want of accurate statistica must be supplied soon as ple, arrange: ments must be made for the storago of grain at tie places where it wma most likely to be needed, all existing soctal 7nd administrative organizations must be maintained and extended, the transport of food must pe facilitated as far as possible aud public worky, might be set on foot with great ulti- mate adv/ntage. He. quite eed with Lor Northbrook that to pat a stop to exports woul have no. good effect on the food supply, and that tt might cause much ill feeling and dissatisfaction, He lvd no particular fear about the making up of the, necessary money and the necessary food deal with the Visitation. His great cause 4. concern was the want of proper organization /@nd means of transit of food throughout the coun try. The distribution of the was the great ditticulty that had to be contended against. lio next came to the questions, ‘What could be done in England to mee' the present emergency? and ‘What eould be done to prevent jamine in future?! A permanent administrative machine must be d fOr and means for internal co! ortnication must be provided. He regretted t! recent changes to En, 1d’s policy as regarded pro. it would be reconsidered. that works of ton and internal navigation shoald be carried on in Ind: these work: would go far towards employmen' and money for those who were certain to sul from the famine, It was easy to see ThET. tn & Even! abeolttely ,, and he our states: id not oult bramises made to Commagder Ryaine by the prison We were all put down into the forward hold, | were placed in double irons. On the morning of | nothing toadato my former statement, was re- | spot constant energy shown where there was scarcely room for as many dogs, | the 4th of November I heard shots firing and was | moved to the cell. “ort6 SMe, and, Uke the othors, nad given up | Braine, United States Navy, made him one of the At was dark asa dungeon, damp and filthy beyond | subsequently informed that four persons had been AT THR POINT OF THE SWORD. =. -4 Sun woo of nis life, He edds that, despite all the soar mogeniet | va nis unceasing Kindness Bud expression, Overbpad worp @ pack of mules, and | executed, We wero kept shackled until tue | Documenta setting forth that the" riciis yy Sore, a4 poOWD 10 and extended to us pot i