No. 740.
Mr. Sail to Mr. Davis.
Havana , December 20, 1873.
Sir: With reference to the case of the Virginius and the prisoners at Santiago de Cuba, I have to inform the Department that on the 18th instant I transmitted the following telegram from Rear-Admiral Scott, commanding North Atlantic fleet, at Key West, to the commanding officer of the United States naval forces at Santiago de Cuba:
Key West, December 18, 1873.
To Hall, Consul-General:
You will please forward this with all dispatch:
“Key West, December 18, 1873.
“To the commanding officer of the United States naval forces at Santiago de Cuba:
“You will notify the authorities of the place that the conditions have been reached in which, according to the protocol of November 29, between the Secretary of State and the Spanish minister, the salute to the flag of the. United States will be spontaneously dispensed with by the Government of the United States, and that the ceremony of the salute is therefore no longer required under the agreement in pursuance of said protocol.
“G. H. SCOTT,
“Rear-Admiral,
Commanding U. S. Naval Forces, North Atlantic
Station.”
On the 19th 1 was informed by the captain-general that the Virginius prisoners were delivered on the 18th instant to the United States steamer Juniata, and immediately advised the Department as follows:
The captain-general informs me that the Virginius prisoners were delivered yesterday to the commander of the Juniata.
Subsequently the following telegram from Commander Braine, of the Juniata, came to hand, and was transmitted, as directed, to the Secretary of the Navy:
Havana, December 19.
To the Secretary of the Navy, Washington:
Commander Braine telegraphs you as follows:
Santiago de Cuba, December 18.
“The prisoners of the Virginius have been delivered to-day, December 18. I shall sail to-day for New York. The Kansas and Canandaigua are here waiting orders.
“D. L. BRAINE,
“Commander.”
I have, &c.,