No. 733.
Mr. Hall to Mr. Davis.
United States Consulate-General,
Havana, November 22, 1873. (Received Nov.
29.)
No. 6.]
Sir: I transmit herewith a statement made
by the United States vice-consul and the vice-consul of France at
Santiago de Cuba, in regard to the action of the authorities of that
place, in placing a guard of marines before the consular office on
the day of the execution of the captain and crew of the
Virginius.
The only reasonable pretext that I can imagine for this act, on the
part of the authorities, is that they may have desired to protect
the consulate in the event of any popular demonstration against it.
There could have been, in my opinion, no other justifiable motive,
and naturally they would not confess their apprehensions to Mr.
Schmitt.
No information of special interest has been received from Santiago de
Cuba since my last communications, further than that the United
States steamer Wyoming, Commander Cushing, arrived there on the 15th
instant.
I have to-day reported his arrival to the Navy Department.
I would call the attention of the Department to the many articles
published during the past ten days, in the papers of this city,
relating to the affair of the Virginius. I regret my inability to
furnish translations.
I am, &c,
[Inclosure.]
United States Consulate
Santiago de Cuba, November 7, 1873.
Be it known that on the 7th day of November, 1873, at 4 o’clock
p.m., I, the undersigned, E. G. Schmitt, vice-consul of the
United States at Santiago de Cuba, in order to report to my
Government, as such consular officer, the gross insult which has
just been put upon this consulate by the officers of the Spanish
navy and army, thereby showing a want of courtesy and behavior
contrary to and prejudicial to the community and the privileges
which consuls of the United States possess in Spanish countries
by virtue of treaty stipulations, have hereby drawn up the
following statement of facts to submit to the knowledge of the
United States Government, to wit:
On this afternoon, Mr. Alphonse Garrus, French consul at this
city, and his chancelier, Mr. E. Vigié, joined me in my consular
office and residence for the purpose of seeing Captain Frye and
the individuals of the crew of the steamer Virginius, who were
condemned to be shot on this day, pass by on their way to
execution. Just previous to their leaving the jail, we have
noticed a guard of two soldiers of marine infantry and a
corporal of the army stationed at the door of this consulate,
without any previous notice having being given of any such
intention on the part of the authorities.
I immediately demanded of the guard their motives in placing
themselves at my door, and politely asked them to withdraw, and
was answered that it was in obedience [Page 1079] to an order from the commanding officer
of the forces at the jail and in charge of the prisoners, and
consequently they formally refused to withdraw.
Wherefore, I do formally protest against this act, and the person
or persons responsible therefor, and have drawn up this
statement, which, together with the gentlemen before named, I
have signed at Santiago de Cuba, the day and year as before
written.
(Signed)
E. VIGIÉ.
(Signed)
ALPHONSE GARRUS.
(Signed)
E. G.
SCHMITT.
