The New York Herald Newspaper, December 30, 1873, Page 4

4 — UBAN SLAVERY. Unterview with Captain eral Jovellar. Gen- He Appeals York Herald. Gradual Emancipation, a Systematic Oam- paign, a Personal War Tax and American Non-Interference His Remedy for Existing Ills. What He Thinks of the Virginius. Havana, Dec, 22, 1873 Though last, not least, Captain General Jovellar made the third in our series of interviews. As the slavery question outranks in importance any other which 1s now agitating the tsland, and, in view of the prominence given it by the Message of President Grant, threatens to make or unmake the future of Cuba according to the way it is dis- posed of, we gave Minister Soler precedence, as we supposed he was more intimately acquainted with the subject than any other prominent official on the island, having come here specially trom ‘Madrid to investigate its workings in Cuba ‘and devise a plan for its speedy and ‘efectual abolition. You have already had ‘the Minister's views, and also those of Sefior Zulueta, the largest slaveowner on the asland. You will find in this letter the opinions of ‘the Captain General, not alone on the slavery ques- tion, but on a variety of other matters that are of more or less interest. It might be easy for the Palace of the Cap- tain General to show a more imposing in- terior and give @ better impression of the Presence of somebody of distinction than the White House at Washington. Ascending by a broad marble stairway to the antechamber of the Palace we found ourselves in a room considerably ‘finer than the one where Brigadier General Dent pays his obsequious obeisance to members of the mational legislature who have occasion to call on ‘the President. Rodas, a former Captain General, had a facetious habit of calling this room EL CIMENTERIO, for here suspended round the walls are portraits of all the Captain Generals who have come and gone ‘within 100 years, a period, wherein the art of (painting has peen Kuown to the island of Cuba. ‘here were prior Captain Generals, but there was mo convenient artist to preserve their features in oil. Here we found an aide-de-camp of Captain General Jovellar, whose bulk recommended him, for he was fit to be president of the Fat Men’s As- Sociation, and, iat men being as aruile of kindly ‘and -bentgnant ways, we were fortunate in being kept but a brief time waiting for an ‘dnterview with His Excellency. We passed from the antechamber to a _ reception hall, darge and roomy as the prefect’s room du the old Hotel de Ville of Paris. There ‘was apicture of De Soto discovering the Missis- Bippi over the entrance, and at the opposite end one of Columbus in parley with the aborigines of Gt. Domingo arrested the eye by the singularly Jifelike appearance of the figures om the canvas. ‘Beyond this was @ smaller chamber where THE CAPTAIN GENERAL RECEIVED US STANDING. after the custom here observed. He was dressed ‘with extreme plainness, and save a sash of crimson embroidered in gold which he wore around bis “waist beneath his black frock coat wore nothing ‘Lo indicate his position. He appeared to be a man "of 50, of studious habits, a thoughtful turn of mind, humane, unrumfed and wearing an easy dignity in his movemeuts and address. He looked thin and frail, though in the lustre of his eye you could detect a mind in active and healthy opera- tion, He bore a siigat resemblance to Senator Trumbull, of Illinois, especially when with his glasses on ne looked up at his interlocutor with that veculiar inquiring expression of face so no. tigeable in ube distinguished Western politician. ‘There were two others present when we entered; one was the private secretary of the Captain Gen- eral and the other Brigadier Francisco Acosta y Alvear, owner of an extensive plantation in the in- terior and a Caban by birth. The conversation was conducted standing, and, as usual, was confined to the Spanish tongue. It is doubtfal if English will be looked upon with much favor for some time to come, considering that it is the language of the unholy race that has so humil- ijated the pride of Spain in the matter of the Vir- ginius. The Captain General SHOWED NO FEELING OF RESERVE IN SPEAKING to your resident correspondent. He was quite dis- posed to talk, and was candid enough throughout the entire interview. CORRESPONDENT—The NEW YORK HERALD is de- Sirous of having the views of Your Excellency on various matters which immediately concern the iuterests of Cuba, as, for instance, the question of slavery, the insurrection, the financial dificuities, the surrender of the Virginius, &c. Carrarn GENERAL—In regard to the surrender of the Virginius, while there was some cause for alarm, some reason to think she might not be given up without peril to the integrity of the agreement between the two countries, I had a strong faith myself that in the end everything would come right. With the temper of my subordinates and witn the people generaly I had more than an ordinary acquaintance. I could Mot ignore the fact that there was much painful Seeling abroad on this question of the Virginius. The Spaniards of this island felt satisfled they had Doth law and right on their side in what they did. They believed this vessel a lawful prize, ifever there was one; that she was NOTHING BUT A PIRATE, HOWEVER MUCH YOU MAY QUOTE INTERNATIONAL LAW to the contrary. Ber antececents, her character at the moment of capture, bearing on her deck recognized enemies of the government; the subter- fuge practised in the procarement of her register; the sinister nature of her movements in the waters of Cuba, all indicated that she had other than a legitimate object, The decision against us was a proclamation to the world that anybody who chooses can buy a vessel, and, by a trick, place her under an American registry and under the American flag. I was satisfied fully that this ves- sei had nc such clatm as was asserted in her behalf, and the candid sense of the civilized world en- dorses this opinion, Your government seemed to act without giving the subject the thought and consideration it demanded. We, whose business it was to find out the character of the Virginius, made ourselves thoroughly acquainted with her antecedents, anc, had the government at Wash- ington kuown as much, it Would have hesitated before placing itself in the questionadie attitude where it now stands. CoRRESPONDENT—Did you apprehend any trouble srom the mob at Havane ? CAPTAIN GENERAI—No. Had I acted ina aifer- ent way and lent my aid to fan the passions of the moment, in place of seeking to repress them, it is possible THERE MIGHT HAVE BEEN AN OUTBREAK. Your papers made it appear of a more serious nature than it really was, CouResroNDENT—Your Exceliency will excuse me for saying that the surface indications al jooked towards trouble. The principal dema- gogues with whom I conversed declared they would never surrender the Virginius, CAPTAIN GENERAI—That may be. It was only natural there should be much feeling expressed, for there was @ unanimous concurrence that the prize was a lawful one. Then again our people are emotional, and when they think they are right they do not stop to calculate the consequences of ‘Persisting in the right, I saw, as all sensible peo ple saw, that war would mean rain to this island, oad it Would not be Without its mischief to Amer- to the New! NEW YORK HERALD, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 30, 1873,—TRIPLE SHEET, fen too America derives $10,000,000 in duty to her government from the products of this island. ‘This sum would be no inconsiderabie loss co her in case of war, and besides there are many subsidiary considerations that must readily occur to you which forbid the contemplation of war by either side. You must DO US THE JUSTIOR IN THE NERALD to say that with all the causes we had for resent- ment-for ne amount of argument will convince Spaniards that the Virginius was anything eise but & pirate—we have passed through the excitement of the past tow weeks without # single serious com- mission of disorder, A people must be very much reduced tm public spirit that would fail to offer pro- test of some kind agatust the humitiation which Spantards believed America intentionally inflicted, What to you correspondents appeared impossible I obtained by «simple appeal to the understanding and discreet feeling of the people, CORRESPONPENT—The press bas already done jus- tice to the tact and ability of Your Excellency in the policy you pursued, Pray, what are your § views on ‘THE SLAVERY QUESTION ? CAPTAIN GENERAL—I deem that matter as being now in process of solution, A project is being considered for the abolition of slavery; but why should America be more exacting of Spain than of any other nation? If it were not a war necessity President Lincoln would never have issued his proclamation of emancipation in 1863, lt was the inspiration of amoment, but not the prompting of any moral sense, It was issued as a military measure, calculated to help the North and weaken the defensive resistance of the South, The injury which a stroke of sudden emancipation would tn- flict cannot be readily defined. Newspapers that advocate this course are apt to be influenced by partisan politics or private passions. They are sometimes prone to raise ee- rious -questions like this, and attempt to decide them without reference to the results mvolved, America cannot overlook the fact that She is deeply concerned in this same matter of slavery, and that the disorganization which would follow immediate and total emancipation would be grievously felt in the States as weil as here. 1 DO NOT THINK THE HERALD HAS TREATED US FAIRLY in dealing with this subject. Slavery as it exists in Cuba to-day has few features of cruelty. The very motive of self-interest restrains slave owners from being cruel to their help. There is no longer any introduction of slaves into the island, and therefore it is a consideration with the slaveholders to protect in every way their property in the slaves. Besides this there are iaws laid down to punish those who treat their slaves with injustice or severity. At this point of the conversation a telegraph operator entered and handed a despatch to His Excellency, and Brigadier Alvéar took occasion to say, in the meantime, that he had a plantation which he should be happy toshow to a HERALD correspondent, that he might judge of tts actual workings. He mentioned that 100 negroes who were lately entitled to their freedom requested to remain with him under the old condition of things. His Excellency, after reading the despatch, turned to the table and picked up a copy of El Cronista, which had an illustration on its last page of alate are a resident of the island, never saw anything of this kind happen to the negroes.” CORRESPONDENT—That illustration represents the manner in which Justice is dispensed in one single little State out of 37, and 1s not a fair sample of the way Americans treat their criminals. You cannot deny many of the slaves are ill treated? Captain GENERAL—To be sure. There are de- praved men everywhere, woo will abuse white as weil as black. " THE MINERS AND MANY OF THE WORKING PEOPLE OF ENGLAND ARE NOT AS WELL OFF 4S THE SLAVES OF CUBA. Ths much I will say, that there is almost a unani- | mous conviction that the abolition of slavery has be- come an imperative necessity, and in one way or another this will be done, but in such a manner as will produce no social disturbance. We have vagrants enough, and black men, when free, must work as well as white ones, CoRRESPONDENT—What are your views of the in- surrection? CapTaIn GENERAL—The Virginius, which has been my nightmare for the last month, prevented me from giving the necessary attention to the insur- rection and devising measures for its extinction. lam convinced it can be suppressed, though it is impossible to say what time may be taken in the operation. We cannot have a decisive battle like Austerlitz that would give the coup de grace to the trouble and settle it in aday. There is no enemy that will afford us a pitched battle. This is a war sui generis, It i8 bushwhacking one way and bushwhacking the other. It is carried on in a country that is passable for none of the destructive enginery of war, that precludes mancuvering of troops, that is all in favor of the defensive and fatal to the aggressive mode of warfare. However, as soon as I can concentrate my attention on it, 1 shall devise better measures than now prevail to bring it to an end. Here Brigadier Alvear interrupted by saying if His Excellency would only go to the Central De- partment nimself he would soon bring it to an end. The Captain General continued:—I am in favor of reforming all such abuses as are said to exist in the army and in the military administration. Iam aware there is dissension and a want of that har- mony which is essential to effective military move- ments. WE MUST ESTABLISH A SYSTEMATIC CAMPAIGN and inaugurate such tactics as will meet the pe- culiar warfare employed by the insurgents. I an- ticipate we shall make mueh headway this winter in pacifying the insurrectionary districts. CORRESPONDENT—Have you any plan in contem- plation tor the cure of the financial evils’ Cartarn GrNERAL—That, I trust, will also be satisfactorily arranged. When you find the people liquidating the debt—when even 25 per cent has been offered by some of our wealthiest men out of their private incomes—you can easily judge that we are in a fair way already to get out of the trouble and-retura to gold payments. Numerous propo- sitions have been made to us, They all aim at solving the problem in hand, and it is only a mat- ter of eonsultation whick shall be adopted, though all are good. CORRESPONDENT—Are these offerings of which you speak to be taken as voluntary propositions, de- signed to pay the debt, or will a general tax, cov- ering all the people, be levied to meet the liquida- tion and provide for future war expenses? m CAPTAIN GENERAL—A general war would seem to be the most reasonable and consistent, for every one would then have a chance of contribut- ing to the end aimed at, There may be some dis- senters, but we have already the evidence that A MAJORITY FEEL ANXIOUS TO HELP THE GOVERN- MENT FROM THEIR PRIVATE MEANS, settle the debt and give such assistance to the authorities as is required to put down the Insur- rection. Here His Excellency pulled ont several pam- phiets and papers containing various financial projects, which, he sald, will be duly considered by a specially appointed committee. Here we thought all of us had been standing long enough and His Excellency had furnished abundant points for consideration, go we shook hands, and just prior to leaving he observed that he was happy to give the press any information it desired. He hoped we would not be prejudiced, ‘You see,” he exclaimed, “what a lot of trouble you people have given us, The ruin of the island might have hap- pened if the disaster of war had not been happily averted.” He then referred to a telegram he had received from the Associated Press, stating that in Washington it had been decided that the Virginins was not entitled to carry tne American fag. This news was consolatory to the amiable spirit of the Captain General, and we took leave of him ina happier frame of mind than perhaps he has en- Joyed since he put bis foot on the shores of this un- fortunate island. DISTBIOT ATTORNEY BRITTON'S CASE, Aupany, N. Y,, Dec. 29, 1873. The hearing before the Governor in the case of District Attorney Britton, of Brooklyn, ts - poned till Weanesday next. Mel He whipping scene in Delaware, and said, “You, who | willing, as they are, to help the government in | THE VIRGINIUS PRISONERS. Their Arrival in the City—A Mys- terious Order and a Fail- ure to Communicate. Examination by District Attorney Bliss—A Lot of Innocents—The Men on Board the Ship— The Disombarkation and March to the City—Scenes and Incidents, On Wednesday last a steam tug moved oat from the Brooklyn Navy Yard, bound (or Sandy Hook, commissioned to bear orders from Vice Admiral Rowan to the Commander of tho man-of-war Juniata, tnen hourly expected, with the Virginius prisoners on board, directing that no one, inciud- ing members of the press, should be allowed to communicate with the vessel or the peopie on board without especial permission from headquar- tera, An investigation, involving an examination oi the prisoners, has been determined on by the authorities at Washington, and {t was not thought proper that the situation of sach prisoners and the stories they had to tell shouid be made pubiic unt it was completed, The tug proceeded to the ac- complishment of the task assigned it, and, 1t is to be presumed, cruised about the entrance of the harbor with as much comfort to those on board as the inclement weather would permit, It so hap- pened, however, that the Juniata, with her inter- esting freight, passed Sandy Hook upon Sunday WITHOUT BEING SIGHTED by the expectant tug, and, all unconscious of the important orders awaiting her, moved up to Quar- antine, and was there boarded, not only by the Doctor, but by certain ubiquitous individuals yclept reporters, who were permitted free access o the ship and the people on board, and wno spread the story they there learned before the world the following morning. Of the complete- ness of the HERALD account the world is aware. At Quarantine it was ascertained that there were no infectious diseases on board; but as two or three of the passengers were suffering severely from dysentery it was thought prudent to send them ashore there. Tne ship then proceeded to a point off the Battery, where she anchored. About three o’clock she was boarded by United States District Attorney Bliss, Hon, Lyman Tremain and others of oficial and seml-oficial character, and irom that moment AN “AWFUL CIRCLE" was drawn around the vessel, impenetrable save to those furnished with passes from the Admiral. An examination of the prisoners was at once commenced and continued up to half-past eight o’clock, when it was adjourned until this morning. Meanwhile. the Juniata moved up to the Navy Yard and cast anchor there. The examination of the prisoners was resumed this morning about ten o’clock and was continued until three o'clock, when District Attorney Bliss came on shore, with his assistant stenographers, and at once pro- ceeded to the quarters of the Admiral, with whom he was closeted for haifan hour. Meanwhile the Navy Yard nad become thick with the representa- tives of the press, a delegation from Los Amigos de Cuba, men and women having friends among those so fortunately saved irom Spanish vengeance, or hoping to find such, while trembling lest the loved ones should be found to be among those massacred against the slaughter house wall in detested Santiago. Anxious and eager were the applications made by all parties for permission to go on board the Juniata. The same chilling response met every one, “No permits are given,” and even a poor washerwoman, known in the yard for more than 20 years, though rowed off in the ship’s boat, was compelled to return without iul- filling her mission of cleanliness. The District Attorney finally appeared from his interview with the Admiral and was at once surrounded by the waiting crowd. ‘Gentlemen.” he said, “the pris- oners are all wo be released immediately. Such as desire will be sent to the receiving ship; tue others are at liberty to go where ey ea You can alf goon board 1! you choose,” The satisflea listeners at once moved toward the wharf, headed by an officer stationed in the yard, who escorted two Jadies in deep Mourning and profoundly agitated. After some little delay a tug was obtained and the whole party. including the Cuban delegation, were taken off to the Juntata. As it neared the ship the prisoners, who had been anxiously ex- pecting their friends and syntpathizers, crowded to the side and were eagerly scanned by those on the tug. Mutual reo soon began with electrical effect. From both sides arose VIVAS AND. HURRAHS which were more than half sobs. A gentleman who recognized his two brothers among the prisoners waved his havin the most frantic man-. ner, his effort at cheering failing irom the inten- sity of his emotion and terminating in a dreary wail. In the pilot house meanwhile were seated the women in black, with no heart to look over the sea of faces before them, sobbing in auticipa- tion of the sorrowful news before them. The tug was soon attached to the side of the vessel and the Cubans were the first on board. Springing to the deck they rushed in among the crowd o! prison- ers, seizing one after the other in their arms and, with the fervent embrace of that people, poured out broken words of congratulation. There were many negroes among the passengers, and these were treated with an impartiality which would have satisfied the most ardent supporter of the Civil Rights bill, being hugged and congratulated as intensely as the others. The ladies in mourni: were quietly escorted to the captain’s cabin, and Mr. Charles A, Knight, one of the engineers of the Virginius, Was sent to tell them of the Jate of their relative. As the excitement consequent on our arrival quieted down somewhat, and the men were enabled to talk rationally, they became extremely communicative and ready to BECIIE THEIR EXPERIENCES to every one that would listen. These have already appeared inthe columns of the HeRALD, and need not be repeated here. Severai of thein stated that though informed, from time to time, by the Span- ish soldiers and officers who were guarding them, that they were to be taken out and shot at an early hour, with threats and taunts calculated to excite their fears, there were others among the officers who denied these statements and told them that the Juniata had arrived to take them to the United States. They greeted the announcement that they were at liberty and were to be taken in charge by the Cubans with cheers, and at once obeyed tae order to fall into line, Haversacks, blan- ket$ and soap were then distributed to them, during which was an excellent opportunity to study their appearance and condition. The great mass of them presented the un- mistakable Cuban type, with angnlar fea- tures and swarthy complexion. ‘There was however, occasionally an Anglo-Saxon face, and more olten the darker lineaments of the negro. Though very thin in flesh, they seemed, with one or two exceptions, very healthy, and were allin such spirits a8 men snatched trom the jaws of death naturally would be, Though warmly clad in sailors’ clothing, including a thick overcoat, mnany of them shuddered with the severity of a cli- mate to which they were unaccustomed, The dis- tribution over, Lieutenant De Long, who was in command of the ship, in the absence of Comman- der Braine—called away by the death of nis child— took his station at the gangway, list in hand, and as he called the names the men stepped, one aiter the other, upon the tug jn waiting. As the last man left the vessel there emerged from the cabin the two women in mourning and plunged in the profoundest grief. Their worst fears had been realized—the near relative they had, with fear and trembling, hoped to greet, was among the murdered and Ouried in far of Cuba.” Inquiry showed they were the sister and aunt of John Williamson, who had shipped as an oiler and Was Subsequently promoted be assistant en- gineer. The universal testimony of those who knew him was that he was ignorant of the destina- tion of the Virginius and guiltless of offence against | his murderers. The men disembarked at the Navy Yard. Here a carrAge was provided for one or two sick ones, and the balance formed in line and, neaded by the Cubang, marched to Fulton Ferry, Clad in sailors’ uniform and with their white navre- sacks thrown over their suoulders, they attracted ted much attention as they passed along, and the magic words, the “Virginius prisoners,” were heard on every side, Crossing the jerry they were taken to the restaurant of J. Trujillo, in Pine street, Where a still Jarger number of their friends and sympathizers were as ‘oled to greet them. Auotner scene of enthusiasm was here presented— mingling cheers and tears and laughter. Here the men were quickly seated at table and a bountiful repast was set before them, followed by informal speeches and a great deal of noise, it sceming to be the object of every one to outtalk his neighbor. Provisicn for their comfort during the night was made by those having them in charge. THE INVESTIGATION. Although an affectation of great secresy was thrown around the investigation made by District Attorney Bliss, it is known that It resulted in noth- ing calculated to criminate the prisoners. What- ever may have been the purpose aud destination of the Virginius, if it were in any way illegitimate, it is certain the passengers and crew brought here by the Juniata knew nothing of it—that is, ac- cording to their own statements, They would seem to have been very well drilled. The passen- pl all paid their fare—£1, £3, as the case may —from Kingston or Jeremie to Port Limon. They had no evil intentions. They knew, and now know, that the Virginius was an American mer- chant ship, and as sach they took passage on board 4 tor Port Limon, There were no arms “Of course not," said one among the more intelligent; “there were no arms on board. It there had been we should have taken them and fought the Spaniards.” and this was the statement { ofatt when questioned. The members of the crow too Were equally innocent, They shipped to go to i Port Limon; they had vo suspicion of Cuba. “The Virginius Was an american merchant ship.” was repeated with tha persistence of a parrot by the weak and tne Ong the foolish (of which there are uot 3 few) and the intelligent, and so the ex- amination resulted in no discoveries and the men were periorce discharged (rom custody. AID TO THE RESCUED. The number which came w shis city last evening was 97, five having been sent to the hospital in the Navy Yard yesterday morning, Most of the men are entirely destitute, and 4 committee of Cubans has been appointed to solicit «id in money and cloth- ing for their relief, This committee consists o: Dr, Galvio & Palma, Sehor Mendagu and J. Trujillo Armas. Donations can de sent lo the residence of the latter, No, 76 Pine sireet. CUBA'S NEW PRESIDENT. The Address of Salvador Cisneros to the Cubans at Home and Abroad—The Farewel) Circular of Carlos Manuel Cespedes. “Honest Old Abe’? had an excellent saying, to the effect thas {t is a “bad thing to swap horses while crossing a stream.” There are many who think that this judicious proverb carried the great Lincoln into the White House for a second term of office, Numerous are the sincere friends of free Cuba who think that the patriots there ought not to have swapped Presidents while the struggle against Spain lasted. At all events, it is satisfuc- tory to see, as the documents given below will show, that a change so radical has been brought about pacifically. ‘The following is the address of the new Cuban Executive :— To THE CUBANS RESIDING ABROAD:— FELLOW CounTRYMEN—In the mids¢ of the con- tinual perturbations of a war with a desperate enemy, Who in his agony has put (orth great efforts to retain vioient possession of our beloved vountry, the patriots have shown to the world by the political events of October 27, the consoling spec- tacle of realizing without mconvenience a change required by circumstances tn the elevated spnere of the administration, and that as br. thers of the same tamily they have accepted these domestic modifications and arrange- ments, receiving with benevolence and con- sideration, for the common wellare, the solution of difficulties that im other countries have caused internal dissensions and bloodshed, leaving behind perturbed enmity in the hearts of political associates. I hope that this will never happen among the sons of Cuba, who are co-operating with us towards the triumph and independence of the country and its complete liberty, as was de- clared in the fundamental code of October 10, 1869. The civic virtues which distinguish you are a guarantes that the change which has taken place will guide you to reach abroad that force, unity and consolidation obtained by your brothers in arms in the theatre of the struggle. The youthful Cuba, at going out into the light of liberty, does not need to acquire a severe political education to occupy in republican life the position assigned to her, and to prove that in the splendid idea of democratic government tyranny and ira- tracidal contentions have no ovlace in a free country. And you, who form part of Cuban society, it is necessary that you sustain the new principles; it is requisite that by your union abroad, those who are at home may be fortified; who without ceding a hair's breadth, have dis- charged the services you have imposed by your sustaining aid to the definite triumph of justice, Invested with the character pro tempore of President o1 the Repubiic, 1 hope that the family of Cuba, which Spanish hate has driven out from the land of their birth, will give me continued and fervent support, Here, in the bloody fields of battle, you have sons, relatives, friends or fellow-citizens, who claim your sacrifices and your love, The government emanat- ing from the national representation will take care that your individual or collective aid shall reach intact the grateful hands of the soldiers of our eountry in a way, both direct and known, that will obviate all disconfidence. Only another effort is necessary to terminate the work of emancipation, as 1s proved by the recent trumphs of our arms. The demoralized army of the enemy takes reluge in the towns along the coast, where it is also vanquished by our forces, The rude and repeated blows inflicted by our soldiers of the revolution have produced public discontent, expressed even in the Spanish Cortes. In the judicial sphere we see the national in- tegrity vacillating, and before iong it will fall with the edifice. Lay down, for the love of country, the ill-will which the past may have occasioned among you; unite your id2as, fix your eyes on the future; remember that coming generations wiil curse the unworthy sons of Cuba, while the faithful shall merit and receive the im- mortal gratitude of the country and afford an ex- ample to the peoples who combat for the glorious principles of independence and liberty. Cubans, long live union! SALVADOR CISNEROS, President pro tem. of the Republic. BISUCAL, Oct. 28, 1873. Here follows the address of the retiring Presi- dent, the celebrated Carlos Manuel Cespedes :— TO THE PEOPLE AND THE ARMY OF CUBA. FELLOW COUNTRYMEN—The Chamber o! Repre- sentatives has resolved, in its session of the 27tn of October, current, to depose me irom the supreme charge of President of the Republic. This determination, already predicted in my manifest of the 24th inst.—a document sent out to explain certain appointments, contrary, it seems, to the wisues of some of those belonging to the govern- ment—relieves me of the weight of State affairs, fo exonerates me ‘from all responsibility in the aiure. Pending this disagreement, unfortunately, and it being to me impossible to renounce a post with- out being the object of unfavorable censure, I thought it right to define what my principles have always been. They are found in the demands of the situation; the independence of the Executive Power with respect to the constitution; the strict observance of the law and the sovereignty of the people. I thought it also my duty to exhibit in this definition the inflexibility of my character. ‘The Chamber have exercised their prerogatives, andin doing so have completely subjugated the Most delicate susceptibilities, not leaving anything else to do on My part than acknowledge their de- termination and obey the mandate of the belore said fundamental code, which I Matter myselr I reverence eases and therefore have submitted without delay to the decision of that respectable body, who have acted within the sphere of their attributes, As belore, now, and always, I am con- secfated to the cause of liberty and Cuban independence, With all my heart I will give my weak support to any legitimate govern- Ment that proposes to itself this object. In say- ing and doing thus, Cubans, I hope to remain by your side. I have the satisfaction of leaving the revolution in a prosperous state, and I sin- cerely think that the actual government will com- plete in a short time the task commenced in Yara, on the 10th of October, 1869, and continued since for the space of five years of incessant struggle. People and Army of Cuba, you have done your duty with firmness and patriotism. As to myself, it only remains for me to manitest to you the most sincere acknowledgments for the consideration and respect which in general you have paid me. Country and Liberty! Your countryman, CARLOS M. Di CESPEDES, LAMA ALTA, Oct. 31, 18: CUBAN MATTERS IN THE OITy, The Cuban Junta Gives a Contribution to the Virginius Prisoners. In response to inquiries made to-day at the Cuban headquarters in Exchange place, the agent, Mr. Aldama, informed a HERALD reporter that his countrymen about the city, who sympathized with the sufferings of the Virgintus prisoners, had made up acontribution in money and clothes for these suffering men who were fortunate enough to | escape from the clutches of butcher Burriel. Mr. Aldama could not say how much had been col- lected, but he stated that the amount would be suficient for the immediate wants of the captives. When asked if the Cubans would give a public reception to the Virginius prisoners, or otherwise recognize their presumed connection with the Pied of Cuba, the agent replied that no such ac- foi could take place, no matter how much the Cubans might sympathize With these brave men who had passed through so terrible an ordeal. The Virginius is an American ship, and her passengers and crew were under the protection of the Ameri can flag; belonging in no Way to the Cuban cause, therefore to the American government and the people of the country belongs the right of acknowl- edging or rewarding those Who have passed through so many terribiehardships just because they were luckless enough to embark on an American vessel. ‘The belie! is entertained that the prisoners will be | released at once, About the Cuban headquarters there was no un- usual excitement, and, to all appearance, itseemed as if the men of the Virginius were strangers to every one concerned With the Junta. THE NEW POLICE PRECINCTS, Inspectors Walling and McDermott, of the Metropolitan Police force, made an official visit Yesterday to the police stations at Morrisania and West Farms, in order to ascertain their capacity for accommodating an increased number of men on and after the Ist prox., when the annexation of those places to New York will have been con- summated. After a thorough examination of the Morrisania Town Hall, the inspectors were of the opinion that when the town ofiicers shall have va- cated their present comfortable quarters therein a few necessary alterations and repairs will render the building, for the present, at Lewes hf a ed to the requirements of the occasion. The West Farms police station, at Tremont, can also be con- verted into suitable quarters for an additional number of officers and men. The matter of pro- viding sub-precinct station houses in both. of the named is leit for future consideration. rt of the visiting ‘Spperintendent 18 It ts provable that an official i iil eae! Mataoil to-day, "” Prownved YACHTING, The Undecided Meta-Vision Contest of October Last—The Points in Dispute— The Umpire Holds that “It Was No Race.” ‘The match race for $500 between the sloops Meta (Mr. George A, Beling) and Vision (Mr, J. J. Alex- andre), set down io be sailed October 6 last, from buoy 5, off Sandy Hook, 17% nautical miles to windward and back, all yachtsmen will remember a8 one of the most exciting of the past season. It was. also one of the most unsatisfactory of the year to the thousands who tnterest themselves tn such amusements, as the Vision early retired from the contest, and the many wagers depending on the result were required to stand unui the final decision in the matter should be given, as imme- diately following the sailing day the owner of the Vision declared “it to be no race.” On the other hand, Mr. Beling claimed that he had met all the requirements in the case, and that his yacht Meta was entitled to be adjudged the winner, According to the articles of agreement, in case of the judges appointed upon the race not agree- ing, it was provided that an umpire should be se- lected, to whom the point or points in dispute should be submitted, and that his decision should be final. The controversy assumed such a nature, and the merits of the case were so widely dis- cussed, and that, too, with so much feeling, that it was a long time before there could be founda yachtsman willing to accept the position of umpire, Such at fast was obtained in the person of Vice- Commodore Stanton Whitney, Eastern Yacht Club, Boston, to whom all the papers in the case were transmitted on the 24th of this month. ‘These papers discussed the whole mate ter very thoroughly, First the = articies of agreement were submitted; .then Mr. Beling’s argument, in which be held that Mr. Hoppock, the judge representing the Vision on board the Meta, was notified when he leit the yacht at Little Egg Harbor that ‘‘we (the crew, consider ourselves still in the race, and we shoul hold his going ashore a virtual abandonment of Mr. Alexandre’s interest,’’ and the only question that should be left with the referee was, “Did or did not the Meta sail the race tn accordance with the hercemeny, as far as the points regarding the stakeboat and the losing ofher live ballast are con- cerned’? Mr. Alexandre, owner of the Vision, submitted that there was no stakeboat at the turn- ing point; that when the Meta was unable to re- turn she was 40 miles beyond the course, and then she virtually gave up the race as much as the Vision; that the Meta violated one of the Brooklyn Yacht Club’s provisions Aon ae which the race was sailed) by returning with six persons less than she started, Messrs. William Krebs, judge for the Vision, and Robert Dillion, tor the Meta, on board the steam- boat William Fletcher, set forth in their statements the history of the race, and, upon comparison, these weré substantially the same; but while the former claimed “No race, in my opinion,’ Dillion closed with, ‘1 claim the race for the Meta, she having fairly won, sccording to the spirit of the articles of agreement.” Messrs. Karnest Wendt, judge for the Meta on the Vision, and Hoppock, judge for the Vision on the Meta, submitted their versions of the case, and, winding up the list of papers were rejoinaers, which each party had the privilege of making, [rom Messrs. Krebs and Dillon, That of the former denied that the Vision judge on the Meta said that he “had to leave’ the latter yacht when she reached Little Egg Harbor, but that ‘‘he expressed adesire to leave the yacht in order to attend to his business, and that the judge does not admit that in leaving the Meta it was his fault that others followed him. Mr, Dillon, in his rejoinder, first turned his attention to Mr.. Aiex- andre’s position regarding the stakeboat. Mr, Alexandre he!d that, there being no stakeboat at the turning point, the completion of the race was imposaibie, as, had the Vision not returned, who could nave decided when the 174 nautical miles had been run? Which yacht had the right to de- termine the turning point? To which the answer was, “that the headmost boat could (and the Meta would have done 60), taking one of the racing spars and anchoring it with the lead or otuer weight at the point of turning, and then speak and inform the other yacht on her return.” Mr. Dillon aiso claimed that the distance 01 the race as agreed was sailed, and that Mr. Hoppock (Vision's judge) leaving the Meta at Little Egg Harbor was something over which they had no oar ely Hop- pock should not have been the first to leave; and closing the answer in behait of the Meta with, “T claim the race _ for the Meta, she having complied with ali the rales except bringing back the same persons she started with; and this sole sxcenpoe was caused by the Vision through the act of her judge—leaving the Meta while on the race, and under protest of per- sons on board—this giving the race to the Meta. It is acknowledged that the Meta sailed the dis- tance and within the stipulated time.” In response Vice Commodore Whitney sent Messrs. Dillon and Krebs the following decision, which reached this city yesterday morning :— Buston, Dec. 27, 1873. Messrs. Ronent Ditton and Wiitiam Kens, New York:— Dean Sins—After a caretul examination and considera- tion of all the evidence submitted to me as umpire in the matter of the race between the sloops Meta and Vision, I decide that “it wasno race.” I return the papers heke- with, and remain yours, truly, ‘STANTON WHITNEY, Vice Commodore Eastern Yacht Clip. PIGEON SHOOTING. The grand pigeon shooting sweepstakes will be inaugurated to-day at Fleetwood Park. It is for all comers, purse of $1,000, 50 single birds each, and under the management of well-known gentlemen, who will use every effort to make the affair suc- cessful. The entries of crack shots are numerous, and comprise among the number noted amateurs in this section, besides several from Western New York. The shooting can be witnessed from the grand stand, which is very fortunate, as it obviates the necessity of remaining for hours on the dam ground, There will be plenty of birds on hand, which, no doubt. will cause many matches, both doubie and single, to follow to-day’s sport; for such gentlemen as will be engaged in the decision of the sweepstakes love the amusement too well to quit with one grand demonstration if there are opportunities for others. GERMAN WOMEN’S RIGHTS. Meeting of the German Female Suffrage Society—Addresses by Mrs. Maric Rachel and Mr. Alexander Jonas. The German Female Suffrage Association met yesterday evening in the Turnhaile in Fourth street, Mr. Wilhelm Gundler in the chair. The gathering was about 200 strong, one-fourth among them being women. Mrs. Marie Kachel, a petite, frail, pale lady, de- livered the opening address, in which she quoted the opinion of the Governor of Wyoming Territory, stating that the political emancipation of women had been accompanied by the best results. Iowa was probably the State in which the rights of women would first be conceded. But so agreeable was the news that several women had been deemed worthy of assuming pastoral duties that the pious cobwebs in the minds of the Amerifean ladies would probably soon give way to the sensibie philosopny of German women. In Boston four ladies had been elected members of the Schooi Commission but the validity of the election had been denied by the authoriticg. Mrs. Rachel gave an extended account of the pro- gress made in the movement during the past year, and cited the case of a girl who was a wonderful See eriinea and th ere a 18, and married, nevertheless, an a chiidrep, This showed that a woman could bé elevat stat earned without being a spinster. complishments of women she said women ought to take lessons in gookery jor six months before venturing upon the management of a household (Laughter and applause.) Mrs. Rachel aliuded to the report of the faculty of Cambridge University in England, stating that the female students there were very gossipy and careless, She then pitched into the Pope, whom she called the “blustering old graybeard who claims to be God’s representative upon earth,” and called attention to the tact that the Italian govern- ment had employed two Jewesses as teachers in the pubic schools. In Germany a lady was re- centl) d into the directory of a railroad com- any; in England several women had distinguished hemselves in astronomy. A new community was being organized in Aurora, Mass., where men were excluded from high 542g of voting. (Langhter.) Mr. Alexander Jonas, a thin, short entieman with enormous spectacles, delivered also an ad- dress on ‘Marriage and Emancipation of Women." He alluded to the caricatures that represented petcaegilT gets des F away on horseback while the men had to remain at home to cook the dinner. Women would even become coachwomen and men would become maids and servant girls and cooks, and the soups would therefore be too strongly salted, (Laugiter.) Ifthe opponents of this great movement had no better arguments than these, their principle of the emancipation of women must, after all, have some good foundation, Mr. Jonas gave & comprehensive review of the entire ques- Ugn, and laid particular emphasis on the fact that women were at present prevented from earning an honest living, and obtaining such wages as they were cutitied to or as men could earn. After listening to Mr. Jonas’ discourse the association ad- journed, igs) MAILS TO AUSTRALIA AND CHINA, By orders received yesterday from the Pos®nas- ter General’s Department, in Washington, a mail for New Zealand, China and Japan will be de, spatched daily from the New York Post Ofice, thus constituting San Francisco a distributing post oMce instead of the one in this city, The postage on let- ters to New Zealand is 12 cents, as per arrange: monts of & postal convention, In regard to the domestic ac- | [THE RAID ON THE BALL. One Hundred Young Girls Marched Through Broadway to Make a Public Holiday. JUSTICE BIXBY DISCHARGES THEM, The grandsraid of the Police Department on the Sunday night ballroom, at the Union Assembly Rooms, culminated yesterday. One hundred young girls and 200 men were paraded through the streets, between ten and twelve o'clock in the day, to the absolute disgust of all well-meaning people. Fifty young girls, at least, were taken from the Fifteenth precinct station house, in Mercer street, and marched down Broadway, escorted by a platoon of police, in broad light of da; None of these girls were over 20 years of age. They were children of honest, decent parents, and 49 out of 50 of them worked for a itving in one or other of the numerous factories in the city. Some of these girls felt their degradation so keenly that they fainted on the way and had to be almost dragged along to enable them to reach their destination. It may be said here that the policemen who had them in charge were not proud of their work. During the procession of the poor unfortunate creatures to the Tombs, Broadway, Canal and Centre streets were lined with specta- lors, a8 though some great military pageant was about to take place. On the way sensible and re-, spectable men aod women in stores, in stages and elsewhere denounced the whole thing as a@ scandal and an outrage on public de- cency; or, a8 & prominent merchant on Broadway fitly expressed it, “Why should the whole city of New York be uncovered to the ratds of thieves and vagabonds that the Police Department might reap @ little capital to itself by the arrest of a few shop girls and working boys tor enjoying a Uttle amuse- ment on Sunday?’ And it was also queried by the shrewder onea why was it that 50 other most vile and infamous resorts clustered in the vicinity, and in fact under the very nose of the Police Commissioners them- selves, were not disturbed. Questions similarly pertinent to tne foregoing might be heard on all sides, and it was evident that the popular feeling denounced the action of the authorities as a scandal and an outrage. Centre street, from the corner of Leonard street to far above Broome street, was one mass of people, awaiting the procession of Sun- day night’s victims to the Tombs. This crowd could only be denominated as a hooting, howli! mob, and the efforts of the police of the Sixth an Fourteenth preciacts were unable to preserve order among them. Once in a while some father, mother, brother or sister would break out through this crowd to recognize some relative as she passed, When the procession reached the Tombs & great, miscellaneous crowd of excitable aged women and men Clamored at the gates for adi sion, but a sturdy force of police Kept them back. These people for the most part were the fathers and mothers of the boys and girls arrested, but they clamored in vain. It was close upon noon when all the parties ar- rested were in court. Justice Bixby sat on the bench. The young women were ranged on the left hand and the men on the right hand side of the bar, The former looked for the most ( like innocent girls, and apon interrogating Matron Foster it was ascertained that with the exception of four none of them had ever been in the Tombs before, and, when com- mitted by Justice Bixby to the prison in default of bail for their future good behavior, tuey set up such a wailimg and screaming as tairiy beggars. description. “Oh, my poor mother!” cried a lovely blonde haired girl of seventeen, “what will you think of me now?’? “1 can never go home now,’ another exclaimed, her eyes drenched in tears. “Judge, if you please—oh, if you please, Judge—I have a mother and little sisters to support, and I will lose my situation; let me go. I didn’t think it was any harm in going there.” To all these appeals His Honor was inexorable, bat said that any of the girls who could present any testimonials of character he would release at once. Justice Bixby then committed them in default of bail for their future good behavior. ‘The defendants were represented by Counsellors Price. Hummel and Oliver, who say there is no ground upon which they can be legally held. Jus- tice Bixby, while the male prisoners were in Court, called on the detective torce there as- sembled, and said to them, “Gentlemen, look around and pick out all the thieves you can find and bring them before me.’’ Almost the whole force of the Central Ofice was there, besides a numerous body yclept ward detectives, and though all these keen and astute gentle- men essayed their utmost skill memory, only one man was select to be arraigned before His Honor on a onarge or being a reputed thief. His name was John Connelly, and it was muna eet ascertained that he had ‘been arraigned on grand larceny and ac- quitted. There was a detective formerly employed at Police Headquarters whose favorite motto was that “publicity buys nothing.’ Whether the res whom he has left after him listened to hig sage advice is @ question for those most deeply interested, The morbidly curious crowd hung around the Tombs all day long, and not until the doors were shut and the outer gates were barred could ved Tealize that the show Was over. Friend after trien: of the unfortunate prisoners passed in during the afternoon, paid the fine of $10 and brought out the loved one with them. At a little before our o'clock @ poor old silver-haired woman was ie ee with an officer at the gate, baslpe “I want to ge! my child out to-night; I borrowed $8, and that was alt could get.” Justice Bixby hearkened to her tale, discharged her daughter and declined to take the proffered fine. Later in the evening Justice Bixby, whose judicial sense and judgment have never been known to fail, discharged the whole batch. They were so rejoiced that they indulged in @ pleasant snowball fusillade and thanked their stars that the whole thing ended after all so well. WHAT WAS IT—A DIVERSION? To THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD:— The raid made by Inspector McDermott and the members of the Police Department under his com- mand on Sunday night was a magnificent success. General Jourdan, the President of the Brooklyn Board of Police Commissioners, could not have achieved a greater triumph. A spasmodic effort ‘was made some weeks ago at the other side of the river to enforce the excise law, but it failed hope- lessly. The ingenuity of liquor dealers and the men who would have tneir glass of ale in the mid- dle of the dayatanyrisk utterly defeated the moral intentions of the Police Commissioners. The effort did not outlive the day upon which it was carried into practical effect. A Sunday concert or a Sunday dance, in the Pleasure of which @ working girl, freed from the thraidom of the shop, may participate, is nota healthy amusement for the class who patronize them. Outside the methodistical violation of the Sabbath it really is a public nuisance, to abate which is within the province of the authorities. But the guestion comes up whether the inevita- bie disgrace Which must attach itself to one honest girl is more than counterbalanced by the good effect to the community of a ‘‘raid” like that of last night. I can scarcely believe it, “What will mother say when she hears of this’ nas a moral significance which we outside that little Jamily circle cannot appreciate, An idol has been dashed to pieces, though no actual cause hag been given for iconoclasm. A mother’s heart has shut out a familiar image, and it is lmpossibic to filits place. We give the valiant Inspector alt credit for pis arduous eam butleannot help sug- gesting the question, Would it not have been more charitable and more Christian to forewarn these poor girls of their violation of the strict letter of the law and its consequences? Would it not have been better if the Inspector had iniormed the pro- prietor of the house in which these arrests were made that, ifhe permitted dancing on a Sunday afternoon, his house, to speak in police pariance, would be “pulled,” that he himself would be locked up, and that everybody found in the place would spend a night inaceil ina police station’ Had this timely flat gone forth there would have been no “raid’? on Sunday night, no procession on Mon- day morning, and no glory in the shape of a news- paper advertisement for the Inspector. ‘here are so many taro banks stullin full blast; there are so Many projessional car thieves known to the detectives attached to the Central Onice, who,!I say fearlessly, are daily paying an iniqui- tous tax for immunity from arrest; 80 many bur. glaries are being now perpetrated in open day—in 4 Word, there is 80 much real work to done by the Police De artment, that when we hear of the seizure of a Sunday dance house lam forced to Open my eyes and ask involuntarily, “Is this seri ous, or simply adivertissement?” Ido not cavilac the work; but had it not been done by men whom the District Attorney of New York says ie would not trust, and whose place he supplies by private detectives at the expense of the city, I would say, “Well done; but commence at the root of the rat- ten tree, VINDEX, FOUND DROWNED. The remains of an unknown Woman Were picked up in the Kast River by a man in a boat belonging tothe Charity Hospital and taken to the Deat House attached to the hospital, to await the actiow of Coroner Keeuan, who was notified,