alute to the flag, should such fact be established to
their satisfaction.

This seemed to be reasonable and just. I therefore assented to it, on
the assurance that Spain would then declare that no insult to the flag
of the United States had been intended.

I also authorized an agreement to be made that should it be shown to the
satisfaction of this Government that the _Virginius_ was improperly
bearing the flag proceedings should be instituted in our courts for the
punishment of the offense committed against the United States. On her
part Spain undertook to proceed against those who had offended the
sovereignty of the United States, or who had violated their treaty
rights.

The surrender of the vessel and the survivors to the jurisdiction of the
tribunals of the United States was an admission of the principles upon
which our demands had been founded. I therefore had no hesitation in
agreeing to the arrangement finally made between the two Governments--an
arrangement which was moderate and just, and calculated to cement the
good relations which have so long existed between Spain and the United
States.

Under this agreement the _Virginius_, with the American flag flying, was
delivered to the Navy of the United States at Bahia Honda, in the island
of Cuba, on the 16th ultimo. She was then in an unseaworthy condition.
In the passage to New York she encountered one of the most tempestuous
of our winter storms. At the risk of their lives the officers and crew
placed in charge of her attempted to keep her afloat. Their efforts were
unavailing, and she sank off Cape Fear. The prisoners who survived the
massacres were surrendered at Santiago de Cuba on the 18th ultimo, and
reached the port of New York in safety.

The evidence submitted on the part of Spain to establish the fact that
the _Virginius_ at the time of her capture was improperly bearing the
flag of the United States is transmitted herewith, together with the
opinion of the Attorney-General thereon and a copy of the note of the
Spanish minister, expressing on behalf of his Government a disclaimer
of an intent of indignity to the flag of the United States.

U.S. GRANT.

WASHINGTON, _January 5, 1874_.

_To the Senate of the United States_:

I transmit, for the consideration of the Senate with a view to
ratification, a convention between the United States of America and the
Republic of Salvador, which was signed at San Salvador on the 12th of
May last, sti